Methods for obtaining inhibitors of tirc7 ligand binding and uses thereof

A method of identifying and obtaining an agent capable of interfering with the interaction between TIRC7 and its ligand comprising the steps of

• (a) testing a collection of (poly)peptides or substances for their ability to inhibit interaction between TIRC7 and HLA-class II α chain (poly)peptides or (a) fragment(s) thereof using a suitable readout system;
• and
• (b) identifying (poly)peptides or substances which test positive for inhibition of the interaction of TIRC7 with its ligand in step (a).

A method for identifying and isolating an agent for treatment of immune diseases comprising the steps of:

• (a) screening a host cell comprising a reporter gene whose transcription is directly or indirectly activated by dimers comprising TIRC7 and HLA-class II α chain or their corresponding interacting binding domains with a compound to be screened;
• and
• (b) selecting a compound that represses activation of the reporter gene.

Use of the HLA-class II α chain or a fragment or derivative for the identification of dugs for the treatment of an immune disease or tumor.

A method of diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition in a subject related to a disorder which is mediated by or responsive to the activity of TIRC7, comprising:

• (a) determining the presence or absence of a mutation in a polynucleotide encoding the HLA-class II α chain;
• and
• (b) diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition based on the presence or absence of said mutation.

A method of diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition in a subject related to a disorder which is mediated by or responsive to the activity of TIRC7, comprising:

• (a) determining the presence or amount of expression of HLA-class II α chain polypeptide in a biological sample;
• and
• (b) diagnosing a pathological condition or a susceptibility to a pathological condition based on the presence or amount of expression of the polypeptide.