Recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein as an immunosuppressive agent

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of inhibiting autoreactive immune cell proliferation in a mammal, involving administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or an immune cell anti-proliferative fragment or analog thereof.

1 . A method of treating autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a mammal in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said mammal recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or a biologically-active fragment thereof. 
     
     
         2 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or fragment thereof is glycosylated. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or fragment thereof is unglycosylated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biologically-active fragment is selected from Domain I, Domain II, Domain III, Domain I+II, Domain II+III, or Fragment I. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of said recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or biologically-active fragment thereof.