Interleukin-4 Stimulated T-Lymphocyte Cell Death for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases, Allergic Disorders and Graft Rejection
Description of Invention:
The discovery that interleukin-4 (IL-4) predisposes T lymphocytes to programmed cell death (apoptosis) allows for a novel method of therapeutic intervention in diseases caused by the action of IL-4-responsive T cells. Specifically, the therapy induces the death of a subpopulation of T lymphocytes that are capable of causing disease. Current therapies may cause general death or suppression of immune responses involving T-cells, severely comprising a patient's immune system. This treatment affects only the subset of T cells that react with a specified antigen, thereby leaving a patients immune system uncompromised. This invention is useful in treating allergies and HIV complications. Both fields are available for licensing.
Potential Area of Application:
allergies
HIV complications
Main Advantage of Invention:
precise for a specified antigen
does not compromise a patient's immune system
Inventors:
Michael J. Lenardo (NIAID) Stefen A. Boehme (NIAID) Jeffrey Critchfield (NIAID)
Patent Status:
U.S. Patent 5,935,575 issued 10 Aug 1999 -- DHHS Reference No. E-151-1992/0-US-11
Related Technologies:
DHHS Reference No. E-137-1991/0-US-03 -- U.S. Patent 6,083,503 issued 07 Jul 2000, "Interleukin-2 Stimulated T-Lymphocyte Cell Death for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases, Allergic Disorders and Graft Rejection", Lenardo
DHHS Reference No. E-137-1991/0-US-04 -- U.S. Patent 5,989,546 issued 23 Nov 1999, "Interleukin-2 Stimulated T-Lymphocyte Cell Death for the Treatment of Allergic Responses", Lenardo
Relevant Publication:
JM Critchfield, MJ Lenardo. Antigen-induced programmed T cell death as a new approach to immune therapy. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1995 Apr; 75(1):13-9
HI McFarland, JM Critchfield, MK Racke, JP Mueller, SH Nye, SA Boehme, MJ Lenardo. Amelioration of autoimmune reactions by antigen-induced apoptosis of T cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 1995; 383:157-66
