Immuno activation of CS1 receptor in natural killer cells to inhibit tumor cell growth

摘要

The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding cell surface receptors on immune cells and the characteristic peptides that comprise these receptors. More specifically, the present invention concerns the use of synthetic and recombinant peptides comprising natural killer (“NK”) cell surface receptors. The synthetic and recombinant peptides are used to generate monoclonal antibodies that bind a specific NK cell surface receptor called CS1. The binding of the monoclonal antibody to the NK cell surface receptor leads to NK cell activation. In a particular embodiments of the present invention, the monoclonal antibodies are utilized in a method that inhibits the growth of tumor cells.