Inventors:
Pierre Henkart - Annapolis MD
Apurva Sarin - Rockville MD
Mario Clerici - Rockville MD
Gene M. Shearer - Bethesda MD
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health
and Human Services - Washington DC
International Classification:
C12Q 170
G01N 3353
G01N 33555
G01N 33567
Abstract:
Calpain has been identified as a component of the biochemical pathway in programmed cell death. Calpain inhibitors are effective in preventing the progression to cell death and can restore cell function. T lymphocytes from HIV infected individuals undergo T cell receptor-triggered programmed cell death which can be treated by calpain inhibitors and immune function can be restored in affected cells. Methods for diagnosing cell populations or individuals susceptible to programmed cell death and for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness are provided.