CD40CR RECEPTOR AND LIGANDS THEREFOR

摘要

The present invention relates to a counterreceptor, 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 discovery that a soluble CD40/immunoglobulin fusion protein was able to inhibit helper T-cell mediated Bcell 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 autoimmume disease.