Japan Tobacco Inc.

Other

Amgen Inc.

Eci, Inc.

Takuya Tamatani

Katsunari Tezuka

Hiroshi Okamoto

Shinji Sakamoto

Masaharu Takigawa

Masafumi Kamada

Shiro Kanegasaki

Novel cell surface molecules recognized by monoclonal antibodies against a cell surface molecule of lymphocytic cells that play an important role in autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases have been isolated, identified, and analyzed for their functions. The cell surface molecules are expressed specifically in thymocytes, lymphocytes activated by ConA-stimulation, and peripheral blood lymphocytes, and induce cell adhesion. Antibodies against the cell surface molecules significantly ameliorate pathological conditions of autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases.

Antibodies to JTT-1 protein and cells secreting such antibodies

Satisfactory effects have not always been attained by immunotherapy having been tried, and reliance upon direct attack on cells by anticancer agents, radiation, etc has been inevitable. The present invention intends to provide a therapeutic method that ensures less side effects but higher efficacy than in conventional therapeutic methods through enhancing of immune strength inherently had by living organism. Thus, the present invention relates to an immunopotentiating agent comprising MIP-1&#x3b1; or its functional derivative as an active ingredient.

Immunopotentiating agent

A human monoclonal antibody useful for the treatment of various diseases caused by human connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and preventing the onset of the above diseases; medicinal uses thereof; and various monoclonal antibodies having various characteristics against various mammalian CTGFs useful for detecting and assaying CTGFs present in body fluids of mammals suffering from various diseases.

Monoclonal antibody against connective tissue growth factor and medicinal uses thereof

Methods of identifying substances that interact with JTT-1 protein

Antibody fragments to JTT-1 protein and cells secreting such antibody fragments

Methods of treating multiple sclerosis with a JTT-1 polypeptide

Methods of treating an inflammatory disease with a JJT-1 polypeptide

Methods of inhibiting transmission of a costimulatory signal of lymphocytes

JTT-1 protein and methods of inhibiting lymphocyte activation

A cell surface molecule that is expressed specifically in thymocytes, lymphocytes activated by ConA-stimulation, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. This molecule is involved in signal transmission of the secondary signal (costimulatory signal) essential for the activation of lymphocytes such as T cells and regulates functions of activated lymphocytes such as activated T cells. Disclosed are a polypeptide of the cell surface molecule; a polypeptide fragment thereof; a fusion polypeptide comprising the fragment; a pharmaceutical composition comprising any one of the above; and methods of using the compositions.

Nucleic acids encoding JTT-1 protein

A cell surface molecule that is expressed specifically in thymocytes, lymphocytes activated by ConA-stimulation, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. This molecule is involved in signal transmission of the secondary signal (costimulatory signal) essential for the activation of lymphocytes such as T cells and regulates functions of activated lymphocytes such as activated T cells. Disclosed are an antibody or a portion thereof, which binds to a polypeptide of the cell surface molecule, a polypeptide fragment thereof, or a fusion polypeptide comprising the fragment; a cell secreting the antibody or its portion; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody; and methods of using the compositions for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or experimental purpose.

Antibodies to JTT-1 protein, cells secreting such antibodies, and methods of making such antibodies

Growing community of inventors

Kanagawa, Japan

Takuya Tamatani