Alteration of the interaction of a T-cell receptor with a protein- tyrosine kinase

摘要

This invention concerns alteration of the interaction of PTKs and T- cell receptors. We have found that PTKs and T-cell receptors are complexed within the T-cell and the formation of this complex dictates the susceptibility of the T-cell to activation and to infection by viruses such as HIV. The nature of the interaction between the kinase and the T-cell receptor in a human is also related to the potential for cancer cell formation in that human, and to susceptibility to an autoimmune disease. Modified p56.sup.lck and transfected mammalian cells expressing the same are disclosed.