Glucocerebroside treatment of disease

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the treatment of immune mediated or immune related diseases or disorders, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer in mammalian subjects. This method comprises the administration of a naturally occurring, mammalian intermediary metabolite or T cell receptor ligand, preferably a glucosylceramide, to a mammalian subject. In a preferred embodiment, such mammalian subjects are human beings.

1 . A method for intrahepatic trapping of CD8+ T-cells in a mammal, comprising:
 administering to a mammalian subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of glucocerebroside to intrahepatically trap CD8+ T-cells,   
       wherein as a result of said administration CD8+ T-cells are intrahepatically trapped. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering step comprises parenteral administration of said pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering step comprises intravenous, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration of said pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering step comprises enteral administration of said pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering step comprises oral administration of said pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human subject.