dnaJP1 (University of California, San Diego)

dnaJP1 is an orally administered, epitope-specific immunotherapeutic peptide derived from the heat shock protein family (specifically, the dnaJ protein). It was developed as a novel approach for treating autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. The drug’s mechanism of action centers on inducing immune tolerance by modulating T-cell responses to a specific pathogenic epitope implicated in autoimmune inflammation. By promoting mucosal tolerization, oral administration of dnaJP1 aims to shift T-cell activity from a proinflammatory phenotype toward a more regulatory and tolerogenic state. This immune deviation is characterized by reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-10), with upregulation of molecules associated with T-cell regulation (e.g., programmed death 1 and its ligands). Clinical studies demonstrated that dnaJP1 was safe and well-tolerated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis but development for this indication has been discontinued[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

dnaJ peptide