LATENCY ASSOCIATED PEPTIDES AND USES THEREFOR

摘要

An isolated nucleic acid sequence is provided that comprises a sequence th at encodes a latency associated peptide having a molecular weight of about 75,0 00 when measured by non-reducing SDS-PAGE and capable of antagonizing a biological activity of mature TGF-.beta., provided that the sequence does not also encode a matu re TGF-.beta.. The latency associated peptide so produced is useful therapeutically in blocking a deleterious activity of an endogenously released or exogenously administered TGF-.beta., alone or in combination with another exogenously administered or endogenously released immune regulator. It is also useful as a cotreatment therapy with mature TGF-.beta. , which forms a latent associated complex therewith that is activatable at the desired site in vivo.