Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) affects the brain by both hypercoagulation and immunological mechanisms. APS is characterized by several autoantibodies binding to a thrombolytic complex including beta-2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) and annexin A2 (ANXA2). Teriflunomide, an oral drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), has a cytostatic effect on B cells and is therefore a potential antibody-targeting treatment for APS. In this study, we assessed the effect of teriflunomide in two APS mouse models by inducing autoantibody formation against β2-GPI and ANXA2 in female BALB/c mice. The ANXA2 model displayed a behavioral change suggesting an anti-anxiety effect in open field and forced swim tests, early in the course of the disease. This effect was normalized following teriflunomide treatment. Conversely, behavioral tests done later during the study demonstrated depression-like behavior in the ANXA2 model. No behavioral changes were seen in the β2-GPI model. Total brain IgG levels were significantly elevated in the ANXA2 model but not in the teriflunomide treated group. No such change was noted in the brains of the β2-GPI model. High levels of serum autoantibodies were induced in both models, and their levels were not lowered by teriflunomide treatment. Teriflunomide ameliorated behavioral changes in mice immunized with ANXA2 without a concomitant change in serum antibody levels. These findings are compatible with the effect of teriflunomide on neuroinflammation.
Teriflunomide ameliorated behavioral and brain IgG levels in mice immunized with ANXA2 without a concomitant change in serum antibody levels. These findings are compatible with an effect of teriflunomide on the IgG permeability to the brain and neuroinflammation.
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