Activation of formyl peptide receptor 1 elicits therapeutic effects against collagen‐induced arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder which shows production of autoantibodies, inflammation, bone erosion, swelling and pain in joints. In this study, we examined the effects of an immune‐modulating peptide, WKYMVm, that is an agonist for formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). Administration of WKYMVm into collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mice, an animal model for RA, attenuated paw thickness, clinical scores, production of type II collagen‐specific antibodies and inflammatory cytokines. WKYMVm treatment also decreased the numbers of T(H)1 and T(H)17 cells in the spleens of CIA mice. WKYMVm attenuated T(H)1 and T(H)17 differentiation in a dendritic cell (DC)‐dependent manner. WKYMVm‐induced beneficial effects against CIA and WKYMVm‐attenuated T(H)1 and T(H)17 differentiation were reversed by cyclosporin H but not by WRW4, indicating a crucial role of FPR1. We also found that WKYMVm augmented IL‐10 production from lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated DCs and WKYMVm failed to suppress T(H)1 and T(H)17 differentiation in the presence of anti‐IL‐10 antibody. The therapeutic administration of WKYMVm also elicited beneficial outcome against CIA. Collectively, we demonstrate that WKYMVm stimulation of FPR1 in DCs suppresses the generation of T(H)1 and T(H)17 cells via IL‐10 production, providing novel insight into the function of FPR1 in regulating CIA pathogenesis.