MONITORING RESPONSIVENESS TO AND SCREENING FOR THERAPEUTIC COMPOUNDS THAT MODULAT COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF CELL MEMBRANES

摘要

The present invention relates to modulation of structure and composition of cell membranes by a given therapeutic compound, preferably, a β-glycolipid and thereby to modulation and treatment of pathologic disorders. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of modulation of structure and composition of immune cell membranes by a candidate therapeutic compound as a diagnostic marker for prediction and monitoring of response to treatment. The invention further provides a method of screening for substances which modulate the structure and composition of cell membranes, as well as compositions and methods using the substances identified by the screening method of the invention, for the treatment of pathologic disorders.