75 Kilodalton Interleukin-2 Receptor Proteins And Their Use
Description of Invention:
A cellular protein produced by activated T cells and involved in high affinity binding of interleukin-2 has been discovered. The protein is substantially unreactive with anti-Tac antibodies and is believed to interact with the previous 55,000 dilaton receptor protein to form high affinity interleukin-2 receptor which triggers the growth and mitosis of T cells during an immune response. Methods for isolating and purifying the protein and raising monoclonal antibodies to the proteins are included as well as techniques for cloning and expressing the protein in related materials.
T cells play a central role in the induction and regulation of the immune response. Thus, the structure of IL-2 receptors and their relationship to T cell growth and proliferation is on considerable scientific and clinical importance. The present technology could be used in the development of T cell antagonists compounds which could be to treat a wide range of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and other T cell-driven inflammatory diseases. The technology could also be used to develop immunosuppressants, which could be useful in combating tissue and organ graft rejection in kidney, liver, heart and other transplants and so-called "graft versus host" disease in bone marrow transplants without the side effect associated with conventional immunosuppressants.
Inventors:
KA Smith
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-002-1986/0 --
U.S. Patent 5,352,772 issued 04 Oct 1994
For Additional Information Please Contact: David A. Lambertson Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4632
Email: lambertsond@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
