Treatment of viral encephalitis by agents blocking alpha-VLA-4 integrin function
The invention provides methods of treating viral encephalitis in a patient. Such methods entail administering to the patient an effect amount of an agent that inhibits binding of leukocytes to brain endothelial cells via leukocyte surface antigen alpha-4 integrin. Such agents include antibodies and small molecules that specially bind to alpha-4 integrin.
1 . A method of treating viral encephalitis in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effect amount of an agent that inhibits binding of leukocytes to brain endothelial cells via leukocyte surface antigen alpha-4 integrin.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent is administered to the patient after viral infection.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient is asymptomatic.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the patient shows symptoms of encephalitis.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent is administered prophylactically to a patient at risk of infection by a virus causing encephalitis.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the virus is a herpes virus or an arbovirus.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the patient for symptoms of encephalitis.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent specifically binds to the alpha-4 as a subunit of VLA-4.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the agent is an antibody.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the antibody is a Fab fragment.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the agent binds to an epitope of the alpha-4 subunit formed by association with a beta-1 subunit in an alpha-4 beta-1 complex and lacking in an alpha-4 beta-7 complex.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the humanized antibody is a humanized form of the mouse 21.6 antibody characterized by a light chain variable domain designated SEQ. ID. No. 1 and a heavy chain variable domain designated SEQ. ID. No. 2.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering an antiviral agent to the patient.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering an antiinflammatory agent to the patient.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent is formulated with a carrier as a pharmaceutical composition.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is a pediatric patient.