BAFF, related blocking agents and their use in the stimulation and suppression of B cells and immunoglobulins in immune responses

摘要

Stimulating B-cell growth, immunoglobulin production, or dendritic cell-induced B-cell growth and maturation, or co-stimulating B-cell growth and immunoglobulin production, comprising administering a composition containing the tumor necrosis factor family B cell activating factor (BAFF) or its active fragment, and optionally an anti-Micro antibody, a CD40 ligand or an anti-CD40 ligand, is new. An independent claim is also included for a method of inhibiting B-cell growth, immunoglobulin production, or dendritic cell-induced B-cell growth, or co-inhibiting B-cell growth and immunoglobulin production, comprising administering an anti-BAFF ligand molecule, a recombinant, inoperative BAFF ligand molecule, an antibody specific for BAFF ligand, active fragments of the molecules, or an antibody specific for BAFF ligand receptor, or an epitope of it. ACTIVITY : Immunosuppressive; virucide; antiinflammatory; hypotensive; nephrotropic; cardiant; cytostatic. No biological data is given. MECHANISM OF ACTION : B-cell growth and/or immunoglobulin production stimulators or inhibitors.