Methods for Treating Autoimmune Disorders, and Reagents Related Thereto

Abstract

The invention generally relates to improved methods for the treatment or prophylaxis in animal subjects (including humans) of autoimmune disorders including Type I diabetes, septic shock, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of treating an animal afflicted with Type 1 diabetes, comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an inhibitor of DPIV or a salt thereof in an amount sufficient to suppress the immune system, thereby slowing the rate of destruction of pancreatic beta cells. 
     
     
         45 . A method of treating an animal afflicted with Type 1 diabetes, comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an inhibitor of DPIV or a salt thereof in an amount sufficient to suppress the immune system, thereby stimulating β-cell growth and differentiation. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein the inhibitor has a Ki of less than about 10 nM against DPIV. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein the inhibitor has a Ki of less than about 1.0 nM against DPIV. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein the inhibitor has a Ki of less than about 0.1 nM against DPIV. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein the inhibitor has a Ki of less than about 0.01 nM against DPIV. 
     
     
         50 . A method of treating an animal afflicted with Type 1 diabetes, comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an inhibitor of DPIV or a salt thereof in an amount sufficient to suppress the immune system, thereby slowing the rate of destruction of pancreatic beta cells, wherein said inhibitor has an EC50 in the μM range or less. 
     
     
         51 . A method of treating an animal afflicted with Type 1 diabetes, comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an inhibitor of DPIV or a salt thereof in an amount sufficient to suppress the immune system, thereby stimulating β-cell growth and differentiation, wherein said inhibitor has an EC50 in the μM range or less. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  or  51 , wherein the EC50 is in the nM range or less. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  or  51 , wherein the EC50 is in the pM range or less. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein said inhibitor of DPIV is a small molecule. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said small molecule has a molecular weight of less than 5000 amu. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said small molecule has a molecular weight of less than 2000 amu. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said small molecule has a molecular weight of less than 1000 amu. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein said inhibitor of DPIV is a peptidomimetic. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein said inhibitor of DPIV has insulinotropic activity. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein said inhibitor of DPIV is orally active. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 44  or  45 , wherein said animal is a human.