Biologists use immunoproteasome inhibition to prevent chronic antibody-mediated allograft rejection.

‘Immunoproteasome inhibition kills the activated plasma cells that produce allo-antibodies against the transplanted kidneys and lead to organ rejection.’

"These results are a huge success. We can completely prevent organ rejection in all animals, also observing that allo-antibodies are virtually absent. The inflammation parameters in the transplanted kidneys decreased significantly and renal function in all recipients is excellent", summarises Marcus Groettrup, adding that these results suggest immunoproteasome inhibition as a promising therapeutic approach to suppress chronic antibody-mediated rejection. 




Groettrup’s structural model of the immunoproteasome is considered a milestone in the development of new agents in the fight against autoimmune diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. As early as the 2000s, Groettrup was able to define the immunoproteasome as a regulator of cytokines that are responsible for triggering autoimmune diseases. Pharmaceutical immunoproteasome inhibitors, which are presently tested in a first clinical trial, might allow us to fight autoimmune diseases and prevent the chronic rejection of transplant organs without compromising the patients’ entire immune system.
Source-Eurekalert