Antagonists of the alpha e beta 7 integrin as therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases

摘要

The present invention provides a method of treating inflammation, comprising administering an antagonist to alpha beta 7. The present invention further provides a method of preventing inflammation, comprising administering an antagonist to alpha beta 7. Also provided is a method of screening for a substance effective in reducing the inflammatory effects of alpha beta 7 comprising administering the substance to an animal having an established inflammatory disease; assaying inflammatory tissue cells from the animal for an amount of secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cytokines or chemokines, whereby a decrease in the amount of proinflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cytokines or chemokines secreted by the inflammatory tissue cells of the animal as compared to the amount of proinflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cytokines or chemokines secreted by inflammatory tissue cells of a control animal having an inflammatory disease and without having the substance administered indicates the substance is effective in reducing the inflammatory effect of alpha beta 7. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of screening for a substance effective in preventing the inflammatory effects of alpha beta 7.