B7/butyrophilin family members are leading the race for immune intervention

Abstract

Co-signalling molecules are involved in the regulation of immune responses. They regulate adaptive immunity, but also innate immunity. They are major targets for immune intervention for cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmunity, inflammation and atherosclerosis. By far, the CD28/B7 family gathers the most promising targets. Hence, CTLA-4 is targeted by mAbs and is associated with cancer treatment. Within this family, butyrophilin homologues like BTNL2 have recently been shown to be involved in autoimmune diseases. Consequently, in addition to CTLA-4, other members of this family are promising new targets for therapy in the near future.

Keywords::

• autoimmunity
• butyrophilin
• co-signalling
• targeted therapies

Patent Details

• Title Soluble BTNL2 protein useful to inhibit inflammatory disorders.

• Assignee Conaris Res. Inst. AG.

• Inventors Rosenstiel P, Seegert D, Schreiber S.

• Priority date 18/03/05.

• Filing date 17/03/06.

• Publication date 21/09/06.

• Publication no. WO2006097327.