Zwitterionic immunomodulators for the teatment 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.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for treating asthma in a subject, comprising:
 Administering to a subject having asthma an isolated polymer in an effective amount to treat the asthma, wherein the polymer comprises 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.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the motif is a positively charged free amino moiety and a negatively charged moiety selected from the group consisting of phosphate, phosphonate, sulfate and sulfonate. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is a polymer other than CP1 or synthetic peptidoglycan Compound 15. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the subject is free of symptoms otherwise calling for treatment with the polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the administering comprises delivering an aerosol of the polymer to an airway of the subject. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is polysaccharide. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is a bacterial capsular polysaccharide. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is aminated pectin. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is synthetic peptidoglycan Compound 15. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is peptide. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is (K-D) n , wherein n is an integer between 10 and 100, inclusive. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the polymer is [K-(Xaa) m -D] n , wherein each Xaa is independently any neutral amino acid, m is an integer between 0 and 8, inclusive, and n is an integer between 1 and 100, inclusive. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the method further comprises administering to the subject an anti-asthma medicament selected from the group consisting of glucocorticoids, beta adrenergic agonists, methylxanthines, anticholinergics, cromolyn, nedocromil, antihistamines, and anti-IgE. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the administering comprises administering to the subject having an allergic condition other than asthma multiple doses of the isolated polymer to treat the allergic condition. 
     
     
         37 . A method for treating a subject having asthma associated with an identified allergen, comprising
 (a) exposing a subject having asthma associated with an identified allergen to the allergen; and   (b) administering to the subject a polymer in an effective amount to treat the asthma, 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.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the exposing precedes the administering. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the exposing follows the administering. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the exposing and the administering are substantially contemporaneous. 
     
     
         41 .- 97 . (canceled)