Immunomodulation and effect on cell processes relating to serotonin family receptors

Abstract

The present invention relates to the discovery that signaling via a serotonin type 1B, 2, 4 and 6 receptor is important in T cell activation such that inhibiting such signaling can be used to modulate the immune response. This immunomodulation is useful for the treatment of immune diseases or conditions, and for the development of potential therapeutics for such diseases or conditions. It has been further discovered that, in cells proceeding through the cell cycle process, inhibition of serotonin signaling inhibits the process and induces apoptosis and morphological changes to a cell. These effects of inhibiting serotonergic signaling can be useful for effecting selective cell killing and for identifying compounds that inhibit the signaling.

1 - 72 . (canceled)  
     
     
         73 . A method of inhibiting activation of a T-cell in a mammal wherein activation of said T-cell results in psoriasis, said method comprising inhibiting transmission of a serotonin signal via a serotonin receptor on said T-cell wherein said inhibiting transmission of said serotonin signal inhibits activation of said T-cell, said method comprising the step of contacting said T-cell with an effective amount of a serotonin type 1B receptor antagonist, thereby inhibiting activation of said T-cell.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said T-cell is a CD4 T-cell.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said serotonin type 1B antagonist is selected from the group consisting of SB216641, methiothepin and methysergide.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said effective amount ranges from about 200 nanomolar to 20 micromolar.  
     
     
         77 . A method of preventing activation of a T-cell in a mammal wherein activation of said T-cell results in psoriasis, said method comprising inhibiting transmission of a serotonin signal via a serotonin receptor on said T-cell wherein inhibiting transmission of said serotonin signal prevents activation of said T-cell, said method comprising the step of contacting said T-cell with an effective amount of a serotonin type 1B receptor antagonist, thereby preventing activation of said T-cell.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said T-cell is a CD4 T-cell.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said serotonin type 1B antagonist is selected from the group consisting of SB216641, methiothepin and methysergide.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein said effective amount ranges from about 200 nanomolar to 20 micromolar.