THERAPEUTIC DRUG FOR IMMUNOLOGICAL DISEASE USING STIMULATION OF NATURAL KILLER T CELL BY INTERLEUKIN 18, THERAPEUTIC KIT, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IgE PRODUCTION

摘要

PPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reveal the relation between NKT cells and IL-18 in the cytokine network, and to provide a new therapeutic drug for immunological diseases, a therapeutic kit for immunological diseases and a method for controlling IgE production based on the relation. PSOLUTION: The natural killer T cells (NKT cells) stimulated by interleukin 18 (IL-18) is used as the therapeutic drug for immunological diseases. For stimulating the NKT cells, interleukin 2 (IL-2) may be used in combination with IL-18. Furthermore, a drug that inhibits stimulation of the NKT cells by IL-18 in vivo may be used. This enables positive or negative control of IgE production involving the NKT cells, so that the drug can be used for treating various immunological diseases. PCOPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI