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A NOVEL FAMILY OF LYMPHOCYTE ADHESION MOLECULES
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Email: PETER.LU@ARBORVITA.COM
DESCRIPTION: T cell activation is controlled by a highly organized
multi-molecular structure at the T cell-antigen presenting cell interface. This
structure has recently been termed an "immunological synapse." In an effort to
find novel molecules involved in this synapse, they have identified a family of
five previously uncloned cadherin-like lymphocyte transmembrane proteins (the
CLASP family). At least one member of the family, murine CLASP-I, is localized
at the immunological synapse. The goals of phase I of this research project are
to clone and sequence at least three human genes of this family and to
determine their tissue expression patterns and chromosomal localization. In
addition, molecules that interfere with CLASP function, such as monoclonal
antibodies or recombinant soluble CLASP proteins, will be synthesized and their
effect on lymphocyte activation tested in vitro. In stage II of the project,
the toxicity and efficacy of these potential therapeutics will be evaluated in
animal models of organ transplantation and autoimmune disease and if positive
results are obtained in clinical trials in humans. Together these studies
should further their molecular understanding of the immunological synapse and
yield commercially viable products that, by targeting this synapse, allow
improved pharmacological regulation of the immune system.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: NOT AVAILABLE
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *