Washington University

Chiba University

Norihiko Watanabe

Jianfei Yang

Theresa L Murphy

Kenneth M Murphy

Michelle A Hurchla Pyles

John R Sedy

Yoshihiro Oya

Kenneth P Murphy

The present invention provides a novel lymphocyte inhibitory receptor termed BTLA which is expressed on both T and B cells, and identifies HVEM as interacting with BTLA. Methods and compositions for modulating BTLA-mediated signaling and interfering with the interaction of BTLA and HVEM for therapeutic, diagnostic and research purposes are also provided.

Compositions and methods for modulating lymphocyte activity

A method of identifying a compound for preventing and/or treating an autoimmune disease is described which comprises obtaining a (BTLA) NKT cell from a non-human animal, contacting the (BTLA) NKT cell ex vivo with a test compound, in the presence of an antigen, measuring a response of the (BTLA) NKT cell to the antigen, comparing the response of the (BTLA) NKT cell to the antigen with a response of a (BTLA) NKT cell in control assay, and selecting the compound that reduces the response of the (BTLA) NKT cell in the presence of an antigen compared to a response of a (BTLA) NKT cell in the control assay. Other methods of identifying a compound for preventing and/or treating an autoimmune disease are also described.

Method of identifying a compound for preventing and/or treating an autoimmune disease

The present invention provides a novel lymphocyte inhibitory receptor termed BTLA which is expressed on both T and B cells, and identifies B7 family member B7as interacting with BTLA to attenuate lymphocyte activity. Methods and compositions for modulating BTLA-mediated negative signaling and interfering with the interaction of BTLA and B7for therapeutic, diagnostic and research purposes are also provided.

BTLA nucleic acids

Growing community of inventors

Chiba, Japan

Norihiko Watanabe