Patent Evaluation: Novel Antibody-Autoantigen Conjugates

Summary

Novelty: Diseases which are attributable to a predominantly cell-mediated immune response, notably autoimmune diseases, are said to be suppressed by administering a novel conjugate of an appropriate antigen, notably an autoantigen, with an antibody to an appropriate B cell surface molecule, such as IgD.

Biology: It appears that autoantigens supplied as antibody-autoantigen conjugates, cause the autoantigen to be presented to T-cells by B-cells (because the anti-IgD binds to the IgD on the B cells surface). This mode of presentation induces the T-cells to produce IL-4 and IL-10 on subsequent encounter with the body's endogenous autoantigen. These lymphokines then suppress the action of potentially harmful T-cells, that are otherwise responsible for the tissue damage associated with autoimmunity.