Leland Stanford Junior University

Jorge R Oksenberg

Lawrence Steinman

Gary K Schoolnik

Amrit K Judd

Claude Bernard

Methods are provided for determining relations between autoimmune degenerative diseases and specific variable regions of T-cell receptors as associated with the host HLA or T-cells associated with umbatting neoprofilerative diseases. By identifying the particular T-cell receptors which cause or are the disease in mammals, various prophylactic and therapeutic techniques may be employed for inhibiting the attack of the T-cell receptors on the native protein or tissue enhance the defense. In addition, individuals may be diagnosed as to their propensity for a particular autoimmune disease or the occurrence of such a disease.

T-cell receptor varible transcripts as disease related markers

A novel method of defining oligopeptides is provided for determining useful immunodominant sequences for use as vaccines for pathogens. The method involves identifying sequences by particular selection procedures and using such sequences with antigen-presenting cells and T-cells to demonstrate activation of the common histocompatibility antigens DQ and DR in humans and their analogs in other animals. The oligopeptides may then be used individually or in combination to produce safe and effective vaccines, where genes may be prepared encoding the oligopeptides and used for expression of the oligopeptides or combinations of the oligopeptides or the gene transformed into the appropriate host, e.g., B. pertussis, for use as a vaccine to the intact organism.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Jorge R Oksenberg