Modulation of PILR to Treat Immune Disorders

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of using PILRα agonists, or PILRβ antagonists, to treat immune disorders, such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including CNS, joint and gut inflammation.

1 . A method of treating an immune disorder comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of an antagonist of PILRβ (SEQ ID NO: 4). 
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the antagonist of PILRβ comprises an antigen-binding domain from an antagonist antibody that specifically binds to PILRβ. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the antagonist of PILRβ comprises an antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the antagonist of PILRβ comprises an antigen-binding domain from an antagonist antibody that specifically binds to PILRβ wherein the antagonist antibody is a chimeric, humanized, or fully human antibody. 
     
     
         7 . The method of claim  2  wherein the antagonist of PILRβ comprises a soluble polypeptide fragment of PILRβ (SEQ ID NO: 4). 
     
     
         8 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the immune disorder is selected from the group consisting of:
 a) multiple sclerosis; 
 b) inflammatory bowel disease; 
 c) rheumatoid arthritis; 
 d) psoriasis; 
 e) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; 
 f) sarcoidosis; 
 g) systemic lupus erythematosus; 
 h) scleroderma; 
 i) allograft rejection; 
 j) autoimmune thyroid disease; 
 k) autoimmune uveitis; 
 l) scleritis; 
 m) autoimmune glomerulonephritis; 
 n) giant cell arteritis; and 
 o) airway hypersensitivity. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the immune disorder is selected from the group consisting of:
 a) multiple sclerosis;   b) inflammatory bowel disease; and   c) rheumatoid arthritis.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the immune disorder is multiple sclerosis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the immune disorder is inflammatory bowel disease. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the immune disorder is rheumatoid arthritis. 
     
     
         19 - 21 . (canceled)