Claims
- 1. A method of treating or preventing gram-negative endotoxin-induced thymic atrophy comprising administering to a patient in need of said treatment or prevention an amount of an agent that inhibits leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) induction of thymic corticosteriods sufficient to effect said treatment or prevention.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said agent is a LIF antagonist.
- 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said agent inhibits intrathymic production or function of LIF.
- 4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said agent inhibits intracellular or membrane associated events that occur between LIF and a LIF receptor.
- 5. The method according to claim 2 wherein said agent is an antibody, or fragment thereof, that inhibits interaction between LIF and a LIF receptor.
- 6. The method according to claim 2 wherein said agent is a soluble LIF receptor, or mimic thereof, that inhibits interaction between LIF and a LIF receptor.
- 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said agent inhibits LIF expression.
- 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said agent is an antisense molecule or a ribozyme.
- 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein RNA interference is used to effect said inhibition of LIF expression.
- 10. The method according to claim 1 wherein said antagonist is administered directly to the thymus.
- 11. The method according to claim 1 wherein said method further comprises administering to said patient a compound that promotes thymic activation or growth.
- 12. The method according to claim 1 wherein said patient is a human.
- 13. A composition comprising a LIF antagonist and a compound that promotes thymic activation or growth.
- 14. A method of screening a test compound for the ability to inhibit LIF induction of thymic atrophy comprising:
i) administering LPS to a rodent in an amount sufficient to induce thymic atrophy, ii) treating said rodent with a test compound, iii) determining the effect of said test compound on systemic or intrathymic corticosteroid levels, as compared to an LPS-treated control rodent, wherein a test compound that inhibits LPS-induced corticosteroid production inhibits said LIF induction of thymic atrophy.
- 15. The method according to claim 14 wherein said rodent is a mouse.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/414,366, filed Sep. 30, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60414366 |
Sep 2002 |
US |