Inventors:
J. Thomas Blake - Scotch Plains NJ
William P. Feeney - Yardley PA
Gloria C. Koo - Woodbridge NJ
Althea D. Talento - Convent Station NJ
Assignee:
Merck & Co., Inc. - Rahway NJ
International Classification:
A61K 4900
Abstract:
A method for analyzing the immunosuppressant activity of Kv1. 3 inhibitors using the mini- and micro-pig. These pig models have been found to have K. sub. v 1. 3 channels very similar to man both in function and setting of membrane potential of T-lymphocytes, and respond similarly in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) to the K. sub. v 1. 3 channel blockers. The mini-pig and micro-pig provide useful in vivo animal models for studying the immunosuppressant activity of Kv1. 3 channel blockers that would be expected to function in man.