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:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
Dec. 23, 2005
Richard J. Bram, Rochester, MN (US);
Gotz Von Bulow, Carmel, IN (US);
Richard J. Bram, Rochester, MN (US);
Gotz Von Bulow, Carmel, IN (US);
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
A novel lymphocyte receptor protein, its DNA sequence, and its role in the calcium activation pathway is described. The protein, or genetically engineered constructs encoding it, is shown to increase lymphocyte response, and to identify ligands of the protein receptor. Antibodies to the proteins of the invention are generated for diagnostic therapeutics. The protein and DNA can also be used for diagnostic purposes and for identifying agents for modulating the calcium induced activation pathway. A particular advantage of the present invention is that it provides lymphocyte activation of receptor found on all B cells, but only on a subset of T cells. The receptor can thus be targeted to specifically regulate B cell responses without affecting mature T cell activity. Such targeting specificity is always advantageous, particularly where an increase or decrease of antibody production is desired, e.g., during an infection (increase) or to avoid immune complex deposition complications (rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, and other auto immune conditions).