Manipulation of Regulatory T Cell and DC Function by Targeting Neuritin Gene Using Antibodies, Agonists and Antagonists

Unmet Need
The recent breakthroughs in immuno-oncology have changed the way that researchers think about treating autoimmune diseases and cancer by modulating the immune system. Regulatory T cells (Treg) limit autoimmunity but also attenuate the potency of antitumor immunity. Enhancement of Treg function could treat autoimmune diseases while the inhibition or elimination of Treg cells could enhance immunotherapy of cancer and infectious diseases.
 
Technology Overview
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a Treg specific receptor named neuritin. Neuritin is highly expressed in Treg cells and can bind activated dendritic cells (DCs). When neuritin is over-expressed on T cells it can inhibit both DC cytokine production and antigen presentation which in turn limits the immune response. These findings identify neuritin as a Treg specific surface molecule able to affect DC function. This invention centers on the manipulation of Tregs and DCs via neuritin receptor molecule to enhance immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases, cancers and infectious diseases as well as enhance lymphocyte engraftment in settings of donor lymphocyte infusion, bone marrow transplantation and adoptive transfer. Targeting the neuritin receptor with monoclonal antibodies or therapeutic drugs may provide effective clinical treatment in a number of disease indications or bone marrow transplantation.
 
Stage of Development
Animal data is available.
 
Publications
JJ Barbi et al. J Immunol, 2016, 196 (1 Supplement) 58.12
 

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