METHOD OF USING ZOT OR ZONULIN TO INHIBIT LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION IN AN ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC MANNER

摘要

Methods for using Zot or zonulin as an antigen specific inhibitor of APC activity and lymphocyte proliferation, being primarily useful in the field o f immunoregulation and immunotherapy are described. Specifically, Zot and zonulin inhibit antigen presenting cell-mediated antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation in a dose dependent manner. This effect is associated with the presence of a macrophage surface receptor to which Zot binds in a specific a nd saturable way. This down-regulation of the immune response is, at least in part, associated with a decreased uptake of antigen.