Methods and compositions for modulating immunity

Abstract

Methods and compositions for inducing immune suppression are disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of a CD200 protein or a nucleic acid encoding a CD200 protein. The methods are useful in preventing graft rejection, fetal loss, autoimmune disease, and allergies. Methods and compositions for preventing immune suppression are also disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits CD200. Such methods are useful in treating cancer.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A method of suppressing an immune response comprising administering an effective amount of a CD200 protein or fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a CD200 protein or fragment thereof to an animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 55  wherein the CD200 protein is a human CD200 protein or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 55  wherein the CD200 protein is a soluble fusion protein. 
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 57  wherein the soluble fusion protein comprises a CD200 protein or fragment thereof linked to an immunoglobulin Fc region. 
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 58  wherein the CD200 fragment comprises an extracellular domain of a CD200 protein. 
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 55  to treat or prevent an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 60  wherein the autoimmune disease is selected from the group consisting of arthritis, type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, adult respiratory distress syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, dermatitis, meningitis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Sjögren's syndrome, encephalitis, uveitis, leukocyte adhesion deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, Reiter's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, progressive systemic sclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, pemphigus, pemphigoid, necrotizing vasculitis, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, granulomatosis, vasculitis, pernicious anemia, CNS inflammatory disorder, antigen-antibody complex mediated diseases, autoimmune haemolytic anemia, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves disease, habitual spontaneous abortions, Reynard's syndrome, glomerulonephritis, dermatomyositis, chronic active hepatitis, celiac disease, tissue specific autoimmunity, degenerative autoimmunity delayed hypersensitivities, autoimmune complications of AIDS, atrophic gastritis, ankylosing spondylitis and Addison's disease. 
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 60  wherein the autoimmune disease is arthritis. 
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 55  to prevent, inhibit or reduce fetal loss. 
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 55  to suppress an immune response to a transplanted tissue, cell or organ. 
     
     
         65 . A method according to  claim 55  to prevent or treat an allergy. 
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 55  wherein said CD200 protein fragment is capable of suppressing an immune response selected from the group consisting of: inhibiting a mixed leukocyte reaction; inhibiting a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response; inhibiting interleukin-2 production; and inhibiting interferon-γ production. 
     
     
         67 . A pharmaceutical composition for use in suppressing an immune response comprising a CD200 protein in admixture suitable diluent or carrier. 
     
     
         68 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 67  wherein the CD200 protein is a soluble fusion protein. 
     
     
         69 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 67  wherein the CD200 protein is a human CD200 protein or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         70 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 69  wherein the soluble fusion protein comprises a CD200 protein or fragment thereof linked to an immunoglobulin Fc region. 
     
     
         71 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 70  wherein the CD200 fragment comprises an extracellular domain of a CD200 protein. 
     
     
         72 . A method of preventing immune suppression comprising administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits a CD200 protein to a cell or animal in need thereof. 
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 72  wherein the agent is a molecule that binds the CD200 protein. 
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 73  wherein the agent is an antibody. 
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 72  wherein the agent is an antisense oligonucleotide that is complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence from a CD200 gene. 
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 72  to prevent, inhibit or reduce tumor cell growth. 
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 72  to induce fetal loss. 
     
     
         78 . A pharmaceutical composition for use in preventing immune suppression comprising an effective amount of an agent that inhibits CD200 in admixture with a suitable diluent or carrier. 
     
     
         79 . A composition according to  claim 78  wherein the agent is a molecule that binds the CD200 protein. 
     
     
         80 . A composition according to  claim 79  wherein the molecule is an antibody. 
     
     
         81 . A composition according to  claim 79  wherein the agent is an antisense oligonucleotide that is complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence from a CD200 gene.