Inducing and Inhibiting T Cell Tolerance with A2a Receptor Agonists and Antagonists
Report of Invention:
1/12/2006
C04897: Inducing and Inhibiting T Cell Tolerance with A2a Receptor Agonists and AntagonistsValue Proposition:
• Therapeutic target for developing tolerance-inducing agents and tolerance-inhibiting agents for the treatment of autoimmune disease and cancer
• Methods of treating an infection by enhancing the generation of antigen-specific memory T cells
• Reduction of T cell tolerance
• Increase IFN-ã release, by decreasing regulatory T cell production or activation
• Methods to reduce the risk of developing cancer
Technical Details: Background
The pharmaceutical markets for autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to cancer and common infectious diseases, earn blockbuster revenues. T cells play a critical role in fighting disease and infection. However, when T cells recognize and attack normal or non-infected cells, autoimmunity ensues. A contrasting, but similarly detrimental situation is T cell tolerance, the state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness in the absence of immune system failure. In this instance, T cells become tolerant to infected or cancerous cells and recognize rather than kill them. If the gene/s responsible for T-cell tolerance could be determined, then agonists or antagonists to the gene product could be developed to treat both immune system dysfunctions.
Technology
Research scientists at Johns Hopkins University have uncovered that adenosine A2a receptor (A2aR) is the protein responsible for inhibiting T cell function and promoting T cell tolerance. A2a receptor antagonists in particular are provided to enhance immune responses by reducing T-cell mediated tolerance to antigenic stimuli and agonists are provided to enhance effectiveness of immunosuppressive agents. Specifically addressed are methods of treatment and prevention based on the long term effects of the compounds on T cell responses. Agonists can be developed as tolerance-inducing agents in autoimmune disease treatment, while the antagonists would be developed as tolerance-suppression agents in cancer and infectious disease therapies.
Looking for Partners: This novel gene is an exciting therapeutic target as it can be utilized for both developments of tolerance-inducing agents and tolerance-inhibiting agents for the treatment of autoimmune disease and cancer, respectively.
Publications/Associated Cases: Zarek, P. E., Huang, C. -., Lutz, E. R., Kowalski, J., Horton, M. R., Linden, J., et al. (2008). A2A receptor signaling promotes peripheral tolerance by inducing T-cell anergy and the generation of adaptive regulatory T cells. Blood, 111(1), 251-259.
Patent Information:
| Title |
App Type |
Country |
Serial No. |
Patent No. |
File Date |
Issued Date |
Expire Date |
Patent Status |
| Adenosine Receptor Agonists and Antagonists to Modulate T Cell Responses |
PCT: Patent Cooperation Treaty |
United States |
12/676,741 |
9,585,957 |
10/6/2010 |
3/7/2017 |
9/27/2030 |
Granted |
|
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Inventors:
Category(s):
Clinical and Disease Specializations, Clinical and Disease Specializations > Autoimmunity, Clinical and Disease Specializations > Immunology, Clinical and Disease Specializations > Infectious Diseases, Clinical and Disease Specializations > Inflammation, Clinical and Disease Specializations > Oncology, Clinical and Disease Specializations > Rare Diseases, Technology Classifications > Therapeutic Modalities > Immunotherapies, Technology Classifications > Therapeutic Modalities > Small Molecules, Technology Classifications > Therapeutic Modalities > Targets, Technology Classifications > Therapeutic Modalities,
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