Method for regulating immune function in primates using the Foxp3 protein
AssigneeDarwin Molecular Corporation
InventorsRoli Khattri, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkhsf, as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors. Also provided are pharmaceutical compounds and methods of identifying such compounds that can modulate the immune system. In addition are provided methods for identifying proteins regulated by Scurfin and proteins that induce or inhibit Foxp3 expression.
Claims22
A method for identifying a compound that modulates the level of expression of scurfin comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a composition comprising a reporter gene ligated to a scurfin promoter;
- (b) contacting the composition with a test compound;
- (c) determining the level of reporter gene expression;
- and
- (d) comparing the level of reporter gene expression in (c) with the predetermined level of expression and thereby determining if the test compound modulates the expression of scurfin.
A method for suppressing an immune response in a mammal comprising contacting T cells of the mammal with a compound that increases scurfin expression in the T cell, wherein an immune response is suppressed.
A method for enhancing an immune response in a mammal comprising contacting T cells of the mammal with a compound that decreases scurfin expression in the T cell, wherein an immune response is enhanced.
A method for inhibiting an autoimmune response in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a compound which increases scurfin expression, thereby inhibiting an autoimmune response by the subject.
A method for enhancing an immune response to a disease in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a compound which decreases scurfin expression, thereby enhancing an immune response to a disease in the subject.
A method for inhibiting graft versus host disease in a subject wherein the method comprises administering to the subject a compound that increases scurfin expression, thereby inhibiting graft versus host disease in the subject.
A method for inhibiting an autoimmune response in a patient comprising:
- (a) isolating T cells from the patient;
- (b) transducing the T cells with the scurfin gene;
- (c) expanding the transduced T cells;
- and
- (d) reintroducing the transduced T cells into the patient,
- wherein an autoimmune response in the patient is inhibited.
A method for enhancing an immune response to a disease in a patient comprising:
- (a) isolating T cells from the patient;
- (b) transfecting the T cells with a compound that inhibits scurfin expression;
- (c) expanding the transfected T cells;
- and
- (d) reintroducing the transfected T cells into the patient,
- wherein an immune response to a disease in the patient is enhanced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.