Suppression of immune response via inhibition of cathepsin S

US6608030B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Hidde L. Ploegh · Brookline, US
• Harold A. Chapman · Newton, US
• Richard J. Riese · Brookline, US
• Paula R. Bryant · Cambridge, US
• Matthew S. Bogyo · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 1999
• Grant date: Aug 19, 2003
• Expiry date: May 19, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S424/81
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of Class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide-based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.