Identification of a capacitative calcium channel in antigen presenting cells and uses thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to the identification of a capacitative calcium channel homologue for the immune system activation, and its use to report and to modulate modulate the activity of immune cells in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. This invention more specifically discloses that a Mlsn1 gene product, represents a capacitative calcium channel in immune cells such as macrophages, monocytes, T-cells, B-cells and mast-cells. This invention is a proven identification of a gene expressing a capacitative calcium channel in immune cells, and can be used in various compositions and methods for monitoring or modulating an immune response in a subject. The present invention can be used to develop biomarkers for immune system activation or inflammatory responses or to screen for specific immune system activity altering drugs.