Biologic agents can block cell migration to sites of inflammation and reduce immune responses. Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at the a4-integrin protein, a subunit of VLA-4, the binding partner of VCAM-1 expressed on endothelium in the central nervous system, and of a4b-integrin,
Biologic agents can block cell migration to sites of inflammation and reduce immune responses. Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at the a4-integrin protein, a subunit of VLA-4, the binding partner of VCAM-1 expressed on endothelium in the central nervous system, and of a4b-integrin, the binding partner of MadCAM-1 expressed on endothelium in the gut. While natalizumab has had great success in alleviating the symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease, a small number of patients have acquired life threatening infections of the neurotrophic virus, JC. Why are patients on natalizumab particularly susceptible to a virus infection of the central nervous system?
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