Use of cinnabarinic acid as a modulator of immune responses in autoimmune disorders

1. A method of treating multiple sclerosis, the method comprising administering to a mammalian subject having multiple sclerosis a compound of formula Ib in an amount sufficient to induce IL-22 expression by lymphocytes in the subject:

wherein

each R 1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —NH 2 , C 1-6 alkylamine, —CO 2 H, C 1-6 alkyl-CO 2 H, and C 0-6 alkyl-C(O)NH 2 ,

each R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —NH 2 , C 1-6 alkylamine, —CO 2 H, C 1-6 alkyl-CO 2 H, and C 0-6 alkyl-C(O)NH 2 ,

subscript m is an integer from 1 to 3;

subscript n is an integer from 1 to 4;

and salts and isomers thereof, thereby treating the multiple sclerosis.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula Ib is:

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is human.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is formulated as a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula Ib is administered in an amount sufficient to induce IL-22 expression by CD4 + T cells in the subject.