Zwitterionic immunomodulators for the treatment of asthma and allergy

Abstract

Methods and products for treating and protecting against asthma and allergic conditions are provided. The methods and products are related to certain naturally occurring and synthetic zwitterionic polymers which are found to induce certain T regulatory (Treg) cells and to exert immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in vivo.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . A method for inhibiting an antigen-specific immune response in a subject, wherein the antigen-specific response is other than an allergic condition or asthma, comprising administering to a subject in need of inhibition of an antigen-specific response, other than an allergic condition or asthma, (a) an antigen and (b) an isolated polymer in an effective amount to inhibit in the subject an immune response to the antigen, wherein the polymer includes repeating units of a charge motif characteristic of  B. fragilis  polysaccharide A (PS A), the motif being a positively charged free amino moiety and a negatively charged moiety selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, phosphate, phosphonate, sulfate and sulfonate. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the administering the antigen precedes the administering the polymer. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the administering the antigen follows the administering the polymer. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the administering the antigen and the administering the polymer are substantially contemporaneous. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the administering the polymer comprises administering multiple doses of the polymer. 
     
     
         72 . A composition comprising a conjugate comprising an antigen and a polymer, wherein the polymer includes repeating units of a charge motif characteristic of  B. fragilis  polysaccharide A (PSA), the motif being a positively charged free amino moiety and a negatively charged moiety selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, phosphate, phosphonate, sulfate and sulfonate. 
     
     
         73 - 97 . (canceled)