Methods and compositions for treating lupus
The invention provides methods of treating lupus in a patient with an anti-CD52 antibody. Also includes are methods of increasing infiltration of regulatory T cells to affected sides of the patient's body, methods of reducing urine protein and/or albumin levels and methods of depleting lymphocytes to alleviate lupus symptoms.
1. A method of increasing FoxP3 + regulatory T cells in a patient with lupus, comprising
selecting a patient for treatment for lupus, and
administering to the patient in vivo antibody therapy consisting of administration of an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, wherein the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody increases FoxP3 + regulatory T cells in the patient,
wherein the method does not include ex vivo expansion of T cells to produce regulatory T cells,
thereby treating lupus in the patient.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises administering to the patient an agent that stimulates said regulatory T cells.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the agent is rapamycin, a TGF-β, IL-10, IL-4, IFN-α, vitamin D3, dexamethasone, or mycophenolate mofetil.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the TGF-β is an active or latent form of any one of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, TGF-β4, and TGF-β5.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said regulatory T cells are increased at least at one site of inflammation.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the site of inflammation is blood, central nervous system (CNS), heart, liver, joint, kidney, lung, skin, intestinal tract, or vasculature.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody reduces the level of urine protein, or urine albumin, or both, in the patient.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the patient is a human.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody is a humanized or human anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the antibody is alemtuzumab.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient is a human.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody is a humanized or human anti-human CD52 monoclonal antibody.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the antibody is alemtuzumab.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody is administered in a monotherapy.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said regulatory T cells are increased at least at one site of inflammation.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the patient is a human and wherein the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody is a humanized or human anti-human CD52 monoclonal antibody.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the antibody is alemtuzumab.