US Patent 7829289 T cell subpopulation regulating gut immunity

The invention relates to methods of modulating an immune response in a mammal by modulating the activity of Jα33 T cells or of MR1 polypeptide in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. The invention also relates to methods of regulating the activity of immune cells, particularly of T lymphocytes and/or B lymphocytes by regulating the activity of MR1 in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. The invention further comprises methods of screening active compounds using MR1 or fragments thereof, or nucleic acid encoding the same, or recombinant host cells expressing said polypeptide. The invention also deals with a pharmaceutical composition comprising Jα33 T cells, MR1 polypeptide or a compound that modulates the activity of Jα33 TCR T cells or of MR1 polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle or carrier. The invention further deals with methods of diagnosis for intestinal diseases related to a defect of the activity of said Jα33 T cells or MR1 polypeptide.