Among the many diseases in pets, allergic diseases are quite common. For example, canine allergic dermatitis is closely related to multiple targets. Among them, IL-4 and IL-4Rα are key targets involved in the initiation and development of allergic inflammation.
IL-4 (Interleukin 4)
- IL-4: Primarily produced by activated CD4+ T cells, it induces naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells, thereby initiating type 2 inflammatory responses. In allergic diseases, IL-4 induces B cells to produce IgE, triggering allergic reactions.
- Related Diseases: In pets, IL-4 is closely associated with allergic dermatitis, asthma, and other allergic diseases. For instance, canine allergic dermatitis can cause symptoms like itching and redness, severely affecting the pet's quality of life.
- Research Progress: Currently, several drugs targeting IL-4 are in development, such as Dupilumab, which inhibits IL-4Rα to block IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, thereby reducing allergic inflammation.
IL-31 (Interleukin 31)
- IL-31: A cytokine produced by Th2 cells, it induces itching and inflammation by activating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
- Related Diseases: In pets, IL-31 is closely related to itching symptoms caused by allergic dermatitis. Canine allergic dermatitis can lead to frequent scratching, resulting in skin damage and secondary infections.
- Research Progress: Oclacitinib Maleate Tablet is the world's first targeted anti-itch drug for dogs. It inhibits JAK1 and JAK3 enzyme activity, blocking the signaling of cytokines like IL-31, effectively reducing itching and inflammation caused by allergic dermatitis.
Inflammatory diseases are also a significant threat to pet health. IL-6, as an important pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a crucial role in inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis in pets. TNF-α is another key player in inflammation, associated with diseases like inflammatory bowel disease in pets.
IL-6 (Interleukin 6)
- IL-6: A multifunctional pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in inflammatory responses. It activates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, induces the production of acute-phase proteins, and participates in the regulation of inflammatory responses.
- Related Diseases: IL-6 is elevated in various inflammatory diseases in pets, such as canine rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, IL-6 promotes the proliferation of synovial cells and the release of inflammatory mediators, exacerbating joint inflammation and damage.
- Research Progress: Drugs targeting IL-6, such as Tocilizumab, are widely used in human disease treatment, and their application in pet diseases is also being explored, offering new options for treating inflammatory diseases in pets.
TNFα/TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor α)
- TNF-α: An important pro-inflammatory cytokine that activates inflammatory responses, induces the production of acute-phase proteins, and plays a key role in inflammation and immune regulation.
- Related Diseases: In pets, TNF-α is associated with various inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. In inflammatory bowel disease, TNF-α promotes inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, leading to symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Research Progress: Several TNF-α inhibitors, such as Infliximab, are widely used in human inflammatory disease treatment, and their application in pet diseases is also under research.
Tumors are a major challenge to pet health. PD1 and PD-L1, as immune checkpoint molecules, play a crucial role in tumor immune evasion in pets. By inhibiting these targets, the anti-tumor immune response in pets can be reactivated, providing new ideas for pet tumor treatment.
CD279/PDCD1/PD1 (Programmed Death Receptor 1)
- CD279: An inhibitory receptor expressed on the surface of immune cells like T cells and B cells. It binds to PD-L1 and PD-L2, inhibiting T cell activation and proliferation to prevent excessive immune responses.
- Related Diseases: In pets, CD279 is associated with tumor immune evasion and autoimmune diseases. For example, during tumor development, tumor cells can express PD-L1 to bind with PD1 on T cells, inhibiting T cell anti-tumor activity and promoting tumor growth.
- Research Progress: Several PD1 inhibitor drugs, such as Keytruda®, have achieved significant efficacy in human tumor treatment, and their application in pet tumor treatment is also being explored.
CD134/TNFRSF4/OX40 (OX40)
- CD134: A member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, mainly expressed on activated T cells. It binds to OX40L, enhancing T cell survival and proliferation, and regulating immune responses.
- Related Diseases: In pets, CD134 is associated with tumors and autoimmune diseases. For example, in tumor immunity, the OX40 signaling pathway can promote the survival and function of tumor-specific T cells, enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.
- Research Progress: Currently, agonist and antagonist drugs targeting CD134 are in clinical trials for human disease treatment, and their application in pet diseases is also being explored.
Immune deficiency diseases are also common in pets, such as X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID), caused by mutations in the IL2RG gene (CD132), leading to developmental disorders in T/NK cells. Targeting and repairing this gene can restore immune function.
CD132/IL2RG (Interleukin 2 Receptor γ Chain)
- CD132: The common γ chain of multiple interleukin receptors, involved in the signal transduction of various cytokines, playing a key role in the development and functional regulation of immune cells.
- Related Diseases: In pets, CD132 is associated with immune deficiency diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Pets with this disease may experience recurrent infections and growth retardation.
- Research Progress: Emerging technologies like gene therapy offer new ideas for treating CD132-related diseases by correcting gene defects to restore immune function.
Viral diseases are a major concern for most cat owners, such as canine distemper virus (CDV) infection, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection, and immune regulation abnormalities. CD150 is a key receptor for viruses to invade host cells.
CD150/SLAMF1 (Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule 1)
- CD150: Belongs to the SLAM family and regulates T/B cell activation, antibody production, and immune tolerance through intercellular interactions. It is a key receptor for certain viruses (such as canine distemper virus CDV and measles virus) to invade host cells.
- Related Diseases: Viral infections like canine distemper, where CD150 mediates the binding of the virus to immune cells, leading to systemic infection; feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which promotes immune suppression through CD150-related signaling pathways; and immune abnormalities associated with autoimmune diseases (such as lupus) and chronic inflammation, as abnormal signaling may disrupt immune balance.
- Research Progress: Drugs like monoclonal antibodies targeting CD150 have made progress in human disease treatment, and their application in pet diseases is also under research.
Below is the list of pet-related treatment target protein products provided by abinScience.
