Abstract: Ribavirin is administered to a patient in a dosage range which is effective to modulate lymphokine expression In activated T cells. In particular, ribavirin is used to suppress Th2-mediated T cell responses and promote Th1-mediated T cell response. Thus, instead of administering ribavirin in its well-recognized role as an anti-viral agent, ribavirin is herein used in the treatment of imbalances in lymphokine expression. Such imbalances may be found to be concomitants of allergic atopic disorders such as allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis, helminth Infection and leishmaniasis, and various primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, which may or may not also be associated with viral infection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of immune system-mediated diseases. The compositions of the invention have the property of reducing the expression of CD28 in cells of interest so as to moderate the pathogenic effects on the immune system in an immune system-mediated disease. The compositions of the invention include one or more different oligomers capable of reducing the expression of CD28. One aspect of the invention provides oligomers capable of reducing the expression of CD28 by interfering with its expression. The oligomers may be DNA, RNA, or various analogs thereof, and may include 14-50 base phosphorothioates having at least two sequences of GGGG separated by 3 to 5 bases. Other aspects of the invention provide genetic engineering vectors for the intracellular expression of oligomers of the invention in cells of interest, and formulations comprising one or more different oligomers of the invention.

Abstract: Ribavirin is administered to a patient in a dosage range which is effective to modulate lymphokine expression in activated T cells. In particular, ribavirin is used to suppress Th2-mediated T cell responses and promote Th1-mediated T cell response. Thus, instead of administering ribavirin in its well-recognized role as an anti-viral agent, ribavirin is herein used in the treatment of imbalances in lymphokine expression. Such imbalances may be found to be concomitants of allergic atopic disorders such as allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis, helminth infection and leishmaniasis, and various primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, which may or may not also be associated with viral infection.