Compositions, Kits, and Methods for the Modulation of Immune Responses Using Galectin-1

Abstract

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that galectin-1 (Gal1) plays a role in immune disorders, including Hodgkin lymphoma. Accordingly, the invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, modulating, preventing, and treating immune disorders, e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma.

1 . A method for modulating the activity of a Gal1 polypeptide or fragment thereof comprising contacting said polypeptide or a cell expressing said polypeptide with a compound which binds to said polypeptide in a sufficient concentration to modulate the activity of the polypeptide. 
     
     
         2 . A method for identifying a compound which modulates the activity of a Gal1 polypeptide or fragment thereof comprising:
 a) contacting a Gal1 polypeptide or fragment thereof with a test compound; and   b) determining the effect of the test compound on the activity of said polypeptide to thereby identify a compound which modulates the activity of the polypeptide.   
     
     
         3 . A method for modulating an immune response comprising contacting an immune cell with an agent that modulates the interaction between Gal1 or a fragment thereof and its natural binding partner(s) to thereby modulate the immune response. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the immune response is upregulated. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the immune response is downregulated. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein signaling via the Gal1 binding partner is inhibited using an agent selected from the group consisting of: a blocking antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof that recognizes Gal1 and a blocking antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof that recognizes the Gal1 binding partner(s) or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising contacting the immune cell with an additional agent that upregulates an immune response. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of contacting occurs in vivo. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of contacting occurs in vitro. 
     
     
         10 . A cell-based assay for screening for compounds which modulate the activity of Gal1 comprising contacting a cell expressing a Gal1 target molecule with a test compound and determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of the Gal1 target molecule. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cells are isolated from an animal model of an immune disorder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said cells are isolated from an animal model of Hodgkin lymphoma. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cells are from a Hodgkin lymphoma cell line. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cells are from a subject suffering from Hodgkin lymphoma. 
     
     
         15 . A cell-free assay for screening for compounds which modulate the binding of Gal1 to a target molecule comprising contacting a Gal1 polypeptide or biologically active portion thereof with a test compound and determining the ability of the test compound to bind to the Gal1 polypeptide or biologically active portion thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a subject having a condition that would benefit from upregulation of an immune response comprising administering an agent that inhibits the interaction between Gal1 and its natural binding partner(s) on cells of the subject such that a condition that would benefit from upregulation of an immune response is treated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said agent comprises a blocking antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof that recognizes Gal1 or a blocking antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof that recognizes the Gal1 binding partner(s) or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising administering a second agent that upregulates an immune response to the subject. 
     
     
         19 - 31 . (canceled)