Methods for assessing the ability of a candidate drug to suppress MHC class I expression

US5556754A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Dinah S. Singer · Bethesda, US
• Leonard Kohn · Athens, US
• Edna Mozes · Rehovot, IL
• Motoyasu Saji · Rockville, US
• Jocelyn Weissman · Silver Spring, US
• Giorgio Napolitano · Pescara, IT
• Fred D. Ledley · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 1995
• Grant date: Sep 17, 1996
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2800/245
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating autoimmune diseases in mammals and for preventing or treating transplantation rejection in a transplant recipient. The methods of treatment involve the use of drugs capable of suppressing expression of MHC Class I molecules. In particular the use of the drug methimazole to suppress expression of MHC Class I molecules in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and the prevention or treatment of rejection in a transplant recipient is disclosed. In addition in vivo and in vitro assays are provided for the assessment and development of drugs capable of suppressing MHC Class I molecules.