Method for identifying T cells disease involved in autoimmune disease
AssigneeNational Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine
InventorsBrian L. Kotzin, Philippa Marrack, John Kappler, Xavier Paliard
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for identifying T cell populations involved in autoimmune diseases. This involves determining levels of a V.beta. element in a body fluid sample of a patient and comparing this to normal levels. Variation from normal levels is indicative of an autoimmune disease. The invention also involves assaying T cell subpopulations in a sample to determine clonality of .beta. chains. Clonality can also be used to diagnose autoimmune disorders.
Claims2
Method for identifying an agent involved in an autoimmune disease, comprising:
- (i) identifying and quantifying a T cell population characterized by a particular V.beta. element implicated in said autoimmune disease,
- (ii) administering an agent believed to be associated with said autoimmune disease to a control,
- (iii) assaying a T cell containing sample of said control to determine level of expression of a V.beta. element paralleling the V.beta. element of (i), and
- (iv) comparing levels of V.beta. element in (i) and (iii), wherein comparable levels are indicative of involvement of said agent in said autoimmune disease.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.