The present invention relates generally to a method of modulating cellular functioning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of modulating B cell functioning, for example B cell proliferation, utilising an IDO-mediated tryptophan metabolite as herein defined (particular examples of such IDO-mediated tryptophan metabolites include 3-hydroxykynurenic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, picolinic acid, quinolinic acid and tranilast). The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions characterised by aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate B cell functioning such as antibody production, autoimmune conditions and B cell proliferation and neoplasias. In a related aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of therapeutically and/or prophylactically treating rheumatoid arthritis via the administration of the above-mentioned compounds.
本发明通常涉及一种调节细胞功能的方法。更具体地说,本发明涉及一种利用
IDO介导的色
氨酸代谢产物(此处定义的特定例子包括
3-羟基喹啉酸、3-羟基
蒽醌酸、
吡啶酸、
喹啉酸和曲尼拉斯特)调节B细胞功能,例如B细胞增殖的方法。本发明的方法在治疗和/或预防由异常、不需要或其他不适当的B细胞功能引起的疾病方面非常有用,例如
抗体产生、自身免疫疾病和B细胞增殖和肿瘤。在相关方面,本发明涉及一种通过上述化合物的给药来治疗类风湿性关节炎的方法。