摘要 |
A method to identify small molecules useful as therapeutics and/or vaccines to prevent, alleviate or ameliorate a pathogenic infection or an autoimmune disorder. The method can be used to screen small molecule test compounds for the ability to disrupt particular antigen- antibody interactions of interest. In one embodiment, the antigen is a pathogen-derived antigen and the antibody decreases or inhibits virulence of the pathogen when bound to the antigen (e.g., a neutralizing antibody, antibody with serum bactericidal activity, etc.). In another embodiment, the antigen is a self-antigen (autoantigen) and the antibody is an autoantibody that is known to be associated with a pathological condition (e.g., autoimmune disorder). Compounds that bind to the antigen or antibody disrupt binding can be used as therapeutics to decrease or inhibit the autoimmune disorder. |
申请人 |
MERCK & CO., INC.;CAULFIELD, MICHAEL, J.;MILLER, MICHAEL, D.;JOYCE, JOSEPH;ZUCK, PAUL, D.;GETTY, KRISTA, L.;DUDKIN, VADIM;OTTINGER, ELIZABETH, A. |
发明人 |
CAULFIELD, MICHAEL, J.;MILLER, MICHAEL, D.;JOYCE, JOSEPH;ZUCK, PAUL, D.;GETTY, KRISTA, L.;DUDKIN, VADIM;OTTINGER, ELIZABETH, A. |