Heterodimers of IL-15 and IL-15R alpha to increase thymic output and to treat lymphopenia
AssigneeThe United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsGeorge N. Pavlakis, Barbara K. Felber, Antonio Valentin, Cristina Bergamaschi
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Abstract
The present invention provides method for promoting the maturation and export of T cells from thymic tissue by contacting the thymic tissue with supraphysiological levels of interleukin (IL)-15. The present invention also provides methods for preventing, alleviating, reducing, and/or inhibiting lymphopenia or peripheral depletion of lymphocytes in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient IL-15.
Claims17
A polynucleotide encoding an IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα)-Fc fusion protein, wherein the IL-15Rα-Fc fusion protein comprises amino acids 31 to 431 of SEQ ID NO:20.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.