A Long-lived IL-2 Mutein That Selectively Activates and Expands Regulatory T Cells As a Therapy for Autoimmune Disease

Susceptibility to multiple autoimmune diseases is associated with common gene polymorphisms influencing IL-2 signaling and T function, making T-specific expansion by IL-2 a compelling therapeutic approach to treatment. As an in vivo IL-2 half-life enhancer we used a non-targeted, effector-function-silent human IgG1 as a fusion protein. An IL-2 mutein (N88D) with reduced binding to the intermediate affinity IL-2Rβγ receptor was engineered with a stoichiometry of two IL-2N88D molecules per IgG, i.e. IgG-(IL-2N88D). The reduced affinity of IgG-(IL-2N88D) for the IL-2Rβγ receptor resulted in a T-selective molecule in human whole blood pSTAT5 assays. Treatment of cynomolgus monkeys with single low doses of IgG-(IL-2N88D) induced sustained preferential activation of T accompanied by a corresponding 10-14-fold increase in CD4 and CD8 CD25FOXP3 T; conditions that had no effect on CD4 or CD8 memory effector T cells. The expanded cynomolgus T had demethylated FOXP3 and CTLA4 epigenetic signatures characteristic of functionally suppressive cells. Humanized mice had similar selective in vivo responses; IgG-(IL-2N88D) increased T while wild-type IgG-IL-2 increased NK cells in addition to T. The expanded human T had demethylated FOXP3 and CTLA4 signatures and were immunosuppressive. These results describe a next-generation immunotherapy using a long-lived and T-selective IL-2 that activates and expands functional Tin vivo. Patients should benefit from restored immune homeostasis in a personalized fashion to the extent that their autoimmune disease condition dictates opening up the possibility for remissions and cures.