The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 17, 1998
David A Hafler, West Newton, MA (US);
Jack L Strominger, Lexington, MA (US);
Brian Wilson, Lexington, MA (US);
Sally C Kent, Brighton, MA (US);
The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Boston, MA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods that can be used for diagnosing whether an individual either has, or is likely to develop, an autoimmune disease. The methods are based upon determining the level of CD4.sup.- CD8.sup.- V.alpha.24J.alpha.Q.sup.+ T cells present in the individual being tested or the pattern of cytokine secretion evidenced by these cells. In addition, the invention is directed to a therapeutic method for treating or preventing autoimmune disease which is based upon the specific expansion of the CD4.sup.- CD8.sup.- V.alpha.24J.alpha.Q.sup.+ T cell population.