Utility of nematode small molecules

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders and/or inflammation using certain modulator compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating an immune and inflammatory disorders disorder by administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective dosage of an ascaroside compound, or a mixture of ascaroside compounds, or a mixture containing at least one ascaroside.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of decreasing cellular infiltration into lungs in a subject afflicted with asthma comprising administering an ascaroside to the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the infiltration of inflammatory cells into lungs of the subject is decreased. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the inflammatory cells are eosinophils. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the inflammatory cells are lymphocytes. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the inflammatory cells are eosinophils and lymphocytes. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method is a method of treating asthma in the subject. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the ascaroside is selected from ascr#1, ascr#3, ascr#7, ascr#8, ascr#9, and ascr#10. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject is selected from primates, humans, equines, horses, cattle, cows, swine, sheep, rodents, rats, pets, dogs, and guinea pigs. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         29 . A method of reducing expression of genes associated with mucus production in a subject comprising administering an ascaroside to the subject. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the mRNA level of the gene associated with mucus production is reduced. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the gene associated with mucus production is selected from Gob5, Muc5a/c and Muc5b. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the method is a method of treating asthma in the subject. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the ascaroside is selected from ascr#1, ascr#3, ascr#7, ascr#8, ascr#9, and ascr#10. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the subject is selected from primates, humans, equines, horses, cattle, cows, swine, sheep, rodents, rats, pets, dogs, and guinea pigs. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         36 . An isolated compound of Formula I′ or Formula I″: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         R 1  is H or —C(R) 3 ; 
         each R is H; 
         R 1′  is H or —C(R) 3 ; 
         R 2  is a moiety of formula 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         R 3  and R 4  are each independently H, a monosaccharide having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, or a bond connecting to R 5  of another unit of Formula I; 
         each R 5  is independently H, —OH, —CR 6 R 7 R 8 , a monosaccharide having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, or a bond connecting to R 3  or R 4  of another unit of Formula I; 
         R 6  and R 7  are each H; 
         R 8  is H; 
         n 1  and n 3  are each independently an integer of 0 to 13; 
         n 2  is 0; 
         n 4  is 1; and 
         the sum of n 1  and n 3  is 7 to 13.