Interleukin-2 stimulated T lymphocyte cell death for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and graft rejection

US6083503A · kind A · utility

Assignee

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

Inventor

• Michael J. Lenardo · Potomac, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 15, 1993
• Grant date: Jul 4, 2000
• Expiry date: Sep 15, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61P37/08
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases, allergic or atopic disorders, and graft rejection is provided, comprising inducing the death by apoptosis of a subpopulation of T lymphocytes that is capable of causing such diseases, while leaving substantially unaffected the majority of other T lymphocytes. Cell death is achieved by cycle(s) comprising challenging via immunization these T cells with antigenic substance at short time intervals, or by immunization followed by administering interleukin-2 (IL-2) when these T cells are expressing high levels of IL-2 receptor so as to cause these T cells to undergo apoptosis upon re-immunization with the antigenic peptide or protein. These methods are applicable to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as, for example, multiple sclerosis, uveitis, arthritis, Type I insulin-dependent diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Grave's thyroiditis, autoimmune myocarditis, etc., allergic disorders such as hay fever, extrinsic asthma, or insect bite and sting allergies, food and drug allergies, as well as for the treatment or prevention of graft rejection.