DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF SARCOIDOSIS

摘要

Sarcoidosis is associated with CD4<+> T lymphocytes which express the T cell receptor V alpha 2.3 chain. Thus, a method for diagnosing sarcoidosis is provided which comprises contacting cells of a subject with a first monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment or derivative, specific for an epitope of the variable region of the T cell receptor V alpha 2.3 chain and detecting the binding of the antibody. Also provided is a method for treating sarcoidosis in which a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment or derivative thereof, specific for an epitope of the variable region of the T cell receptor V alpha 2.3 chain is administered. Sarcoidosis is also treated by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a protein or a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of the variable region of the T cell receptor V alpha 2.3 chain, or a functional derivative of the protein or peptide, or an antisense oligonucleotide which is complementary to the T cell receptor V alpha 2.3 mRNA.