Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
US6207159A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S424/81
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods for detecting the status of an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-associated autoimmune response in a mammal are provided. Specifically, the ratio of the frequency of T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells specific for a pancreatic .beta.-cell associated antigen is indicative of the status of the autoimmune response. The methods may be employed prior to the onset of the clinical symptoms of the disease, thereby allowing identification of those at risk for developing clinical symptoms of IDDM, or subsequent to pancreatic tissue transplantation, for example, to measure the efficacy of treatment directed to enhancing the lifetime of the tissue transplant. Methods for prolonging the survival of tissue transplants are also provided. Specifically, a tissue-associated antigen is administered to the mammal which serves to shift the pathogenic Th1 response associated with pathological immunity toward a protective Th2 response.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.