Anti-Cell Adhesion Molecule and Anti-Cytokine Antibody Development for Stroke

Central nervous system (CNS) cells consisting of neurons, endothelial cells, activated astrocytes, and microglia/macrophages, have been shown to be immunoreactive and produce a variety of substances, including cytokines and adhesion molecules. Animal studies have shown that mRNA for certain cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are expressed in the ischemic brain. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM), and P-selectin have also been found to be expressed. A number of antibodies have been developed to target these molecules, providing new strategies for stroke treatment.

Fig. 1. Schematic illustration of function of HMGB1 or TLR4 in the pathology of stroke. (Sun et al., 2022)

Our Services

Based on our understanding of the functional roles and interrelationships of cytokines and cell adhesion molecules, and their mechanisms of action in stroke, Ace Therapeutics helps clients develop highly targeted antibodies against cell adhesion molecules and cytokines. From target identification to preclinical efficacy evaluation, Ace Therapeutics offers one-stop services for all your antibody development needs.

Types of Anti-Cell Adhesion Molecule and Anti-Cytokine Antibodies We Can Develop

Our team of highly skilled experts helps clients identify and characterize key players in the inflammatory signaling pathway of stroke. We also develop monoclonal antibodies that block the binding of cytokines and adhesion molecules to their respective receptors, effectively preventing the cascade of events that leads to blood-brain barrier disruption, leukocyte infiltration, and ultimately neuronal damage and death.

We can assist in the development of antibodies against a variety of cytokines and adhesion molecules.

Our Strategies for Developing Anti-Cell Adhesion Molecule and Anti-Cytokine Antibodies

• Antigen preparation. We use recombinant protein technology to produce purified target proteins or their key functional domains as immune antigens to ensure antigen quality and immunogenicity.
• Antibody screening. We utilize a variety of antibody library screening techniques, such as phage display, to screen for antibodies that specifically bind to target cell adhesion molecules or cytokines.
• Antibody optimization. For the selected antibody candidates, protein engineering methods such as targeted mutagenesis are used to optimize their affinity, stability, affinity selectivity and other properties.
• In vivo evaluation. We have established in vivo models of stroke to rigorously test the efficacy and safety of anti-cell adhesion molecule and anti-cytokine antibodies.
  • BBB permeability measurements
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor the area of cerebral infarction in animals
  • TTC staining of brain slices
  • Behavioral testing to assess neurological dysfunction

Ace Therapeutics is committed to helping clients develop therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind and neutralize key cell adhesion molecules and cytokines involved in the stroke. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Sun, J. M., et al. (2022). Advances in antibody-based therapeutics for cerebral ischemia. Pharmaceutics, 15(1), 145.