CONTROLLING TRAF-MEDIATED SIGNALS

摘要

Compounds and methods for interrupting the interaction between Epstein-Barr virus encoded proteins known as LMP1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Factors (TRAFs), particularly novel human TRAFs, thereby inhibiting lymphoblast growth and tumorigenesis, particularly Hodgkin's disease, Burkitt's lymphoma, lymphomas seen in immunocompromised patients (including AIDS-associated central nervous system lymphomas), and nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Therapies for treating EBV infection are also disclosed, e.g. in patients with infectious mononucleosis, by blocking the establishment of latent infection and/or blocking lytic infection. Compounds and methods for controlling TRAF-Mediated TNF/TNFR signaling by administering to a TRAF-encoding cell a compound that inhibits TRAF oligomerization are also disclosed. Compounds and methods for controlling cell growth and death based on the interaction of TNF receptor family carboxy terminal cytoplasmic domains with human TRAFs, e.g., LAP1 and EBI6. These interactions are particularly important in controlling cells in the immune system and regulating immune responses. They are also important for controlling abnormally growing cells, that is cancer cells.