Reversal of viral-induced systemic shock and respiratory distress by blockade of the lymphotoxin beta pathway

Abstract

This invention provides methods of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a LT-B blocking agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In particular this invention provides methods for treating viral-induced systemic shock and respiratory distress.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of an agent which blocks the binding of lymphotoxin-β to its receptor, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1  wherein said agent is a LT-beta-R blocking agent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said agent is an antibody against the lymphotoxin-β receptor or a soluble lymphotoxin-β receptor.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said agent is a lymphotoxin-β receptor/Ig fusion protein.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said agent is a soluble lymphotoxin-β or an antibody against lymphotoxin-β.  
     
     
         6 . A method of inducing an antiviral response in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of an agent which blocks the lymphotoxin-β-receptor and/or HVEM signaling pathway.  
     
     
         7 . The method of claims  1 - 6  wherein said individual is infected with Sin Nombre Virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa virus or Dengue.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the agent is a lymphotoxin-β-R/Ig fusion protein.