abstract |
The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for nephritis, comprising an interferon producing cell (IPC) activity inhibitor as an active ingredient. As the IPC activity inhibitor, for example, an antibody that recognizes an IPC cell surface antigen is used. For example, antibodies that recognize BST2 or a homologue thereof are useful in the present invention. The present invention also provides a method for screening for a therapeutic agent for nephritis, comprising a step of selecting a substance having an action of regulating IPC activity. It has been clarified by the present invention that the immune balance of nephritis patients can be regulated by suppressing the activity of IPC. That is, the present invention provided a new treatment strategy for nephritis. The present invention is particularly useful for the treatment of lupus nephritis associated with SLE. |