Cell free T cell antigen receptor beta chain and its clinical utilities

Abstract

Cell-free or released T cell antigen receptors, immunoassays which allow the detection of the released T cell antigen receptor in cell culture supernatants, cell lysates, and biological fluids, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods for monitoring and treating certain diseases or disorders which elicit or involve a T cell response are described. The released T cell antigen receptors described herein differ from the cell membrane bound antigen receptors and appear to exist in a variety of forms, some of which may be complexed with other T cell determinants such as the T3 antigen. Despite the size heterogeneity of the released T cell antigen receptors or receptor/complexes, these may be reliably identified using anti-receptor antibodies, including, but not limited to, anti-major framework, anti-minor frarmework and anti-clonotypic antibodies which define particular epitopes of the released T cell receptor or receptor/complex. The immunoassays described herein may be used to test for the presence of the released receptor or receptor/complex in biological samples and may be used to diagnose or monitor patients with disorders or diseases that elicit or involve T cell response who exhibit elevated serum level of the receptor or receptor/complex. In addition, the cell free T cell antigen receptors themselves may be used diagnostically and/or therapeutically for diseases or conditions that are not easily addressed using immunoglobulins.

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