Identification of compounds that bind biliary glycoprotein and affect cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity
The invention relates to compositions which bind T cell inhibitory receptor molecules and modulate T cell activity, and methods of using such compositions. Such compositions include biliary glycoprotein binding agents. Methods for modulating killer T cell activities, including cytotoxicity and proliferation also are provided.
1. A method for identifying whether a compound enhances or suppresses killer T cell activity, comprising,
(a) contacting a population of killer T cells which express biliary glycoprotein with a compound that binds biliary glycoprotein, and
(b) determining the cytotoxicity or proliferation of the population of killer T cells relative to a control, wherein if the compound increases the cytotoxicity or proliferation then it enhances the killer T cell activity, and wherein if the compound decreases the cytotoxicity or proliferation then it suppresses the killer T cell activity.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of
(i) providing a biliary glycoprotein polypeptide or a fragment thereof,
(ii) contacting the biliary glycoprotein polypeptide or a fragment thereof with the compound, and
(iii) determining that the compound binds to the biliary glycoprotein polypeptide or a fragment thereof, wherein the compound is then used in step (a) of claim 1 .