Methods for use of TSLP and agonists and antagonists thereof

Abstract

Methods are disclosed herein for specifically inducing proliferation of CD4+ T cells. The methods are of use in treating immunodeficiencies, such as an immunodeficiency produced by infection with an immunodeficiency virus, such as infection with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The methods include contacting isolated mammalian CD4+ T cells with an effective amount of a thymic stromal derived lymphopoietin (TSLP) polypeptide or a therapeutically effective amount of nucleic acid encoding the TSLP polypeptide, thereby inducing proliferation of the T cells. Methods are also disclosed for treating an IgE mediated disorder, such as asthma. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TSLP antagonist. Transgenic mice are also disclosed herein. The somatic and germ cells of these mice include a disrupted thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLP) gene, the disruption being sufficient to inhibit the interaction of TSLP with its receptor, and a disrupted γc gene, the disruption being sufficient to reduce signaling through the γc. The mice exhibit diminished thymic cellularity. Methods of using these mice for drug screening are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.