METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS RELATING TO MODULATION OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH, PLASMA CELL DIFFERENTIATION OR T CELL SUBSET ACTIVITY BY MODULATION OF XBP-1 ACTIVITY

摘要

The invention demonstrates that the transcription factor XBP-1 is a regulatorof hepatocyte growth, plasma celldifferentiation and T cell subset activity. Methods for identifying modulatorsof hepatocyte growth, plasma cell differentiation and/orT cell subset activity, using XBP- I -containing indicator compositions or XBP-1-deficient cells, are provided. Methods of modulatinghepatocyte growth, plasma cell differentiation and/or T cell subset activity(e.g., Th2 cytokine production) using agents that modulatethe activity of XBP-1 are also provided. Methods for diagnosing disordersassociated with aberrant hepatocyte growth, plasma celldifferentiation and/or T cell subset activity, by assessing a change in XBP-1expression, are also provided. XBP-1 deficient cells,animals and embryos, as well as kits for the methods of the invention, arealso provided by the invention.