Description
Teriflunomide — DHODH Inhibitor & Immunomodulatory Agent
Product Overview
Teriflunomide is a small-molecule immunomodulator that inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), the mitochondrial enzyme critical for de novo pyrimidine synthesis. Because activated lymphocytes rely heavily on de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, teriflunomide selectively attenuates the proliferation of these immune cells. In clinical settings, it is used as a disease-modifying therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis. For research use, teriflunomide is valuable in immunology, autoimmunity, cell signaling, and metabolic studies.
Key Features & Advantages
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Selective proliferation control — suppresses highly proliferative lymphocytes while sparing cells that rely on salvage pathways
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Orally bioavailable and stable — the compound is well characterized in pharmacokinetic studies, with a long half-life suitable for sustained exposure modeling
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Immunomodulatory & anti-inflammatory effects — beyond direct inhibition of proliferation, teriflunomide can modulate immune signaling pathways and reduce inflammatory activity
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Mechanistic tool for autoimmune and neuroinflammatory models — because of its established clinical use in multiple sclerosis, teriflunomide is often used translationally to model or validate immune modulation strategies
Suggested Research Applications & Usage Notes
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Autoimmune / neuroinflammation models
Use teriflunomide in vitro or in vivo to test suppression of autoreactive T or B cell populations, or to modulate inflammation in models of multiple sclerosis, EAE, or similar.
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T cell proliferation & activation assays
Deploy in cell culture systems to challenge T or B cells under activation (e.g. anti-CD3/anti-CD28) and measure effects on proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine output, or cell cycle.
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Metabolic / nucleotide biosynthesis pathway studies
Because its target is DHODH, teriflunomide is useful for dissecting de novo vs salvage pathways, mitochondrial function, or nucleotide stress responses.
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Combination / synergy testing
Combine with other immunomodulators, metabolic inhibitors, or signaling modulators to assess synergy, resistance, or compensatory pathways.
Practical Tips & Considerations:
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Begin with dose–response titration experiments (e.g. in the low nanomolar to micromolar range) to determine the effective concentration in your system.
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Consider whether salvage pathway supplementation (e.g. uridine) is needed as a rescue control to confirm specificity of DHODH inhibition.
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Be mindful of treatment duration: short pulses vs continuous exposure may yield different cellular phenotypes.
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Always consult a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for purity and batch-specific data.
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Protect from light and moisture; prepare fresh stock solutions in DMSO or compatible solvent.
Safety & Disclaimer
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For research use only — not intended for human or veterinary application.
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Handle using appropriate lab safety protocols (gloves, eye protection, containment).
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Avoid inhalation, ingestion, or contact with skin and mucous membranes.
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Dispose of waste and residues in accordance with institutional and regulatory chemical safety guidelines.
