Abstract: The invention is directed to human antibodies that bind CD40 (e.g., human CD40), methods of producing the antibodies and methods of use. Invention human CD40 antibodies include antibodies that can modulate one or more activities of CD40, such as increasing or decreasing cell proliferation. Invention human CD40 antibodies are therefore useful for increasing or decreasing a CD40 activity in order to alter CD40 activity in vivo.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 27, 2001
Date of Patent:
June 20, 2006
Assignees:
Gemini Science, Inc., La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology
Inventors:
Toshifumi Mikayama, Nobuaki Takahashi, Xingjie Chen, Stephen P. Schoenberger
Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for controlling and modifying Natural Killer (NK) cell and T cell functions by manipulation of “mast cell function-associated antigen,” or “MAFA,” polypeptide-mediated cell signaling. The invention provides a pharmaceutical compositions and methods using an agent that specifically binds to an MAFA ligand on a target cell and prevents or inhibits NK- or T cell-expressed cell surface MAFA from binding to the MAFA ligand on the target cell. Preventing or inhibiting an NK- or a T cell-expressed cell surface MAFA from binding to the MAFA ligand on the target cell prevents or inhibits the cell surface MAFA from generating an inhibitory signal to the NK or the T cell.
Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for controlling and modifying Natural Killer (NK) cell and T cell functions by manipulation of “mast cell function-associated antigen,” or “MAFA,” polypeptide-mediated cell signaling. The invention provides a pharmaceutical compositions and methods using an agent that specifically binds to an MAFA ligand on a target cell and prevents or inhibits NK- or T cell-expressed cell surface MAFA from binding to the MAFA ligand on the target cell. Preventing or inhibiting an NK- or a T cell-expressed cell surface MAFA from binding to the MAFA ligand on the target cell prevents or inhibits the cell surface MAFA from generating an inhibitory signal to the NK or the T cell.