USE OF A MODULATING AGENT THAT INTERACTS WITH THE PBD OF PLK PROTEINS FOR MODULATING IFN INDUCTION

摘要

The invention relates to use of a modulating agent for the preparation of a medicinal composition for modulating interferon (IFN) induction in a cell, and in particular for increasing IFN interferon in a cell, wherein said modulating agent interacts with the polo-box domain (PBD) of one or several polo-like kinase (PLK) protein(s). Such modulating agents can be used for increasing IFN production in a patient in need thereof, especially for the prophylaxis or the treatment of a patient infected with a virus, and in particular, for restoring or improving the innate immune response in a HCV-chronically infected patient. The present invention also relates to methods of screening for a modulating agent having the ability to interfere with interaction of PLK proteins with the Cardif protein and the ability to modulate IFN induction. The invention also relates to particular polypeptides and peptides, especially polypeptides and peptides derived from portions of the Cardif protein, which polypeptides or peptides, upon binding to the PBD domain of one or several PLK protein(s) prevent the PLK-dependant inhibition of the IFN induction pathway and thus increase or restore IFN induction in a cell.