Methods for treating GI syndrome and graft versus host disease
We have discovered that administering anti-ceramide antibody treats and prevents an array of diseases mediated by cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTLs)-induced killing and by damage to endothelial microvasculture, including radiation-induced GI syndrome, Graft vs. Host diseases, inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases. We have also discovered new anti-ceramide monoclonal antibodies, that have therapeutic use preferably in humanized form to treat or prevent these diseases.
1. A method of inhibiting Fas-mediated death of a cell comprising exposing the cell to an effective amount of an inhibitor of ceramide-rich platform (CRP) formation,
wherein the inhibitor of CRP formation is an anti-ceramide antibody or antigen binding fragment comprising the V H CDR 1-3 and V L CDR 1-3 sequences of the 2A2 anti-ceramide antibody produced by the hybridoma deposited under international deposit number PTA-13418.
2. A method of inhibiting Fas-mediated death of a cell in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of an inhibitor of ceramide-rich platform (CRP) formation to the subject,
wherein the inhibitor of CRP formation is an anti-ceramide antibody or antigen binding fragment comprising the V H CDR 1-3 and V L CDR 1-3 sequences of the 2A2 anti-ceramide antibody produced by the hybridoma deposited under international deposit number PTA-13418.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the subject is a bone marrow transplant recipient.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the subject suffers from graft-versus-host disease.
5. A method of inhibiting Fas-mediated death of a cell in a subject suffering from an autoimmune disease comprising administering an effective amount of an inhibitor of ceramide-rich platform (CRP) formation to the subject,
wherein the inhibitor of CRP formation is an anti-ceramide antibody or antigen binding fragment comprising the V H CDR 1-3 and V L CDR 1-3 sequences of the 2A2 anti-ceramide antibody produced by the hybridoma deposited under international deposit number PTA-13418.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the autoimmune disease is graft-versus-host disease.