US Patent:
20080279894, Nov 13, 2008
Inventors:
Paul B. Savage - Mapleton UT, US
Albert Bendelac - Chicago IL, US
Luc Teyton - Del Mar CA, US
Assignee:
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - Provo UT
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO - Chicago IL
THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE - La Jolla CA
International Classification:
A61K 39/02
C12N 5/06
A61K 39/00
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for activating an NKT cell, methods of stimulating an immune response in a subject, methods of improving vaccine efficacy, and methods of treating an infection. Also disclosed are methods of promoting tumor rejection, treating cancer, modulating autoimmunity and inhibiting allergen-induced hypersensitivity in subjects. The methods include contacting an NKT cell with a bacterial glycolipid complexed with a CD1 molecule to activate the NKT cell. The bacterial glycolipid may be derived from a member of the Class Alphaproteobacteria.