Patent ID: 7056677
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K,C12N

Abstract:
1. A method for inhibiting an NK- or a T cell-expressed cell surface Mast cell function associated antigen (MAFA) binding to a ligand on a target cell in vitro or ex vivo comprising the following steps (a) providing an anti-MAFA antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to a MAFA polypeptide set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 or 5, wherein antibody binding to the MAFA polypeptide inhibits the binding of NK or T cell expressed cell surface MAFA to the ligand on the target cell; and (b) contacting the anti-MAFA antibody or the antigen binding fragment thereof to the NK or the T cell or the target cell in vitro or ex vivo in an amount sufficient to inhibit cell surface MAiFA binding to the ligand on the target cell.