Inhibiting B cell activation with soluble CD40 or fusion proteins thereof
US6376459B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S530/868
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention relates to a counter-receptor, termed CD40CR, for the CD40 B-cell antigen, and to soluble ligands for this receptor, including fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a soluble CD40/immunoglobulin fusion protein or antibody specific for gp39 on T cells was able to inhibit helper T-cell mediated B-cell activation by binding to a novel 39 kD protein receptor on helper T-cell membranes. The present invention provides for a substantially purified CD40CR receptor; for soluble ligands of CD40CR, including antibodies as well as fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein; and for methods of controlling B-cell activation which may be especially useful in the treatment of allergy or autoimmune disease, including graft-versus-host disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.