SPECIFIC REMOVAL OF ACTIVATED IMMUNE CELLS

摘要

The present invention provides a method of detecting an immune response in a mammalian subject by: (a) withdrawing blood or a blood fraction containing immune cells from the subject; (b) contacting the blood or blood fraction to an antibody (e.g., a monoclonal antibody) that specifically binds to the cell surface HLA-F histocompatibility protein of activated mammalian immune cells, which antibody does not bind to the cell surface of non-activated mammalian immune cells; and then (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of the immune cells to the antibody, the presence of binding indicating the presence of an immune response in the subject. A further aspect of the invention is a composition comprising, consisting of or consisting essentially of a solid support having an antibody (e.g., a monoclonal antibody) coupled thereto, which antibody specifically binds to the cell surface HLA-F histocompatibility protein of activated mammalian T-lymphocytes, and which antibody does not bind to the—cell surface of non-activated mammalian T-lymphocytes. Further aspects of the invention include a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a mammalian blood or blood fraction; a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the cell surface HLA-F histocompatibility protein of activated mammalian T-lymphocytes, and which antibody does not bind to the cell surface of non-activated mammalian T-lymphocytes; and a method of treating an undesired immune response in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the subject a monoclonal antibody as described herein in an amount effective to treat the disease.

主权项

1. A method of detecting an immune response in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising:
(a) withdrawing blood or a blood fraction containing immune cells from said subject; (b) contacting said blood or blood fraction to an antibody that specifically binds to the cell surface HLA-F histocompatibility protein of activated mammalian immune cells, which antibody does not bind to the cell surface of non-activated mammalian immune cells; and then (c) detecting the presence or absence of binding of said immune cells to said antibody, the presence of binding indicating the presence of an immune response in said subject.