An IMMUNOLOGICAL PROCESS FOR INCREASING THE HDL CHOLESTROL CONCENTRATION

摘要

A process for increasing the concentration of HDL cholesterol in the blood of a mammal whose blood contains cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) is contemplated. That process comprises the steps of: (a) immunizing the mammal with an inoculum containing a CETP immunogen that is an immunogenic polypeptide having a CETP amino acid residue sequence that is covalently bonded to an exogenous antigenic carrier polypeptide and is dissolved or dispersed in a vehicle; and (b) maintaining the immunized mammal for a time period sufficient for said immunogenic polypeptide to induce the production of antibodies that bind to CETP and lessen the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL. Immunogens, inocula and DNA segments useful for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.