75 Kilodalton interleukin-2 receptor proteins and their uses

Abstract

Abstract A new cellular protein produced by activated T cells and involved in the high affinity binding of interleukin-2 has been discovered. This protein has a molecular weight of about 75,000 (Mr) and is further characterized as having an affinity for IL-2 (in the absence of other receptor proteins) of about 10 -9 molar and is substantially unreactive with anti-Tac antibodies. This new cellular protein, referred to herein as the "α chain," is believed to interact with the previously isolated 55,000 dalton receptor protein (referred to herein as the "β chain") to form the high affinity interleukin-2 receptor which triggers the growth and mitosis of T cells during an immune response. Methods for isolating and purifying the α chain protein are disclosed herein as well as techniques for cloning and expressing the protein and related materials. Techniques for raising monoclonal antibodies to such proteins are also disclosed. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses for the novel receptor protein (or particular epitopes thereof) as well as monoclonal antibodies (or active fragments) reactive therewith are proposed.

Inventors

• 👤 Kendall A. Smith

Bibliographic Details