Methods and compositions for treating allergic reactions

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating allergic reactions, including cutaneous, ocular, nasal and bronchial allergic disease, are disclosed. Interleukin-1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors, and analogues thereof, are employed which bind the respective effector competitively and thereby suppress allergic reactions.

1 . A method for treating allergic responses comprising contacting inflamed tissue with a preparation comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of IL-1 receptors, TNF receptors, and receptor analogues thereof which are capable of binding either IL-1 or TNF.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a substantial portion of the receptors or analogues contained in the preparation are soluble.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said preparation comprises a mixture of IL-1 receptors and TNF receptors.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said TNF receptors are covalently bound to said IL-1 receptors.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said receptor analogues are hybrid fusion molecules comprising a TNF receptor moiety and an IL-1 receptor moiety.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the preparation further comprises a therapeutically effective amount of at least one corticosteroid.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of said corticosteroids are covalently bound to said IL-1 receptors.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue to be treated is selected from the group consisting of nasal tissue, ocular tissue, lung tissue, and skin.  
     
     
         9 . A method for testing pharmaceuticals for anti-allergic properties, comprising: 
 a) providing a test solution comprising at least one challenging allergen;    b) providing a pharmaceutical to be tested;    c) adding said pharmaceutical to said test solution to make a test mixture;    d) injecting one or more individuals interdermally with said test mixture; and    e) examining the injection site at intervals after said injecting to determine the extent of an allergic reaction.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said individuals have previously displayed a dual allergic response (early and late) to intradermal challenge with said allergen.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said examining step comprises measuring the area of the wheal reaction on the skin of the individuals.  
     
     
         12 . A therapeutic composition for treating allergic responses comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of IL-1 receptors, TNF receptors, and receptor analogues thereof which are capable of binding either IL-1 or TNF, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier adapted for topical or parenteral application to a host in need of such treatment.  
     
     
         13 . The therapeutic composition of  claim 12 , wherein a substantial portion of the receptors or analogues contained in the preparation are soluble.  
     
     
         14 . The therapeutic composition of  claim 12 , wherein said preparation comprises a mixture of IL-1 receptors and TNF receptors.  
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic composition of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of said TNF receptors are covalently bound to said IL-1 receptors.  
     
     
         16 . The therapeutic composition of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of said receptor analogues are hybrid fusion molecules comprising a TNF receptor moiety and an IL-1 receptor moiety.  
     
     
         17 . The therapeutic composition of  claim 12 , wherein the preparation further comprises a therapeutically effective amount of at least one corticosteroid.  
     
     
         18 . The therapeutic composition of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of said corticosteroids are covalently bound to said IL-1 receptors.