Methods for identifying agents that modulate mast cell degranulation
OwnerMatthias Wabl, Rolf Jessbergerinventors
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Abstract
The invention provides screening methods to identify agents that modulate a level or an activity of a SWAP-70 protein in a degranulation competent cell; agents that reduce a level or an activity of a SWAP-70 protein, including agents identified by the screening methods; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such agents. The present invention further provides methods of reducing degranulation in a degranulation competent cell, such as a mast cell or basophil. The methods generally involve reducing a level or activity of a SWAP-70 protein in a degranulation competent cell. The invention further provides methods of treating a mast cell-mediated disorder in an individual.
Claims22
A method of identifying an agent that reduces a level of a SWAP-70 polypeptide in a mast cell, the method comprising:
- contacting a eukaryotic cell with a test agent;
- and
- determining the effect, if any, of the test agent on the level of SWAP-70 polypeptide in the cell.
A method of identifying an agent that reduces an activity of a SWAP-70 polypeptide in a mast cell, the method comprising:
- contacting a eukaryotic cell with a test agent;
- and
- determining the effect, if any, of the test agent on an activity of SWAP-70 in the cell.
A method of identifying an agent that reduces an activity of a SWAP-70 protein, the method comprising:
- contacting a SWAP-70 polypeptide with a test agent;
- and
- determining the effect, if any, of the test agent on an activity of the SWAP-70 polypeptide.
A method of identifying an agent that inhibits phosphorylation of a SWAP-70 protein, the method comprising:
- contacting a SWAP-70 polypeptide and a kinase that phosphorylates SWAP-70 with a test agent;
- and
- determining the effect, if any, of the test agent on phosphorylation of the SWAP-70 polypeptide.
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a biologically active agent that reduces a level or an activity of a SWAP-70 protein;
- and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
An isolated mast cell comprising a non-functional SWAP-70 allele.
A method of inhibiting mast cell degranulation, comprising contacting a mast cell with an agent that reduces a level of or an activity of a SWAP-70 protein in the mast cell.
A method of treating a disorder associated with mast cell degranulation in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual an agent that reduces a level or an activity of a SWAP-70 polypeptide in the cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.