Cell surface molecule mediating cell adhesion and signal transmission

Abstract

Novel cell surface molecules recognized by monoclonal antibodies against a cell surface molecule of lymphocytic cells that play an important role in autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases have been isolated, identified, and analyzed for their functions. The cell surface molecules are expressed specifically in thymocytes, lymphocytes activated by ConA-stimulation, and peripheral blood lymphocytes, and induce cell adhesion. Antibodies against the cell surface molecules significantly ameliorate pathological conditions of autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of evaluating the effectiveness of a composition, the method comprising: 
 administering to an animal (i) a composition that inhibits JTT-1 antigen activity, and (ii) an amount of a substance that is effective to induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in animals to which the composition is not administered; and    determining whether the composition is effective in treating or preventing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the animal.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a low molecular weight compound.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an antisense substance.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an antibody that binds to the JTT-1 antigen.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is monoclonal.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is polyclonal.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody binds to the extracellular region of the polypeptide.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody binds to the extracellular region of the polypeptide.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a rat.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises determining whether the composition prevents or reduces paralysis in the animal.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method comprises determining whether the composition prevents or reduces paralysis in the animal.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the method comprises determining whether the composition prevents or reduces paralysis in the animal.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method comprises determining whether the composition prevents or reduces paralysis in the animal.