| abstract |
An isolated nucleic acid sequence is provided that comprises a sequence that encodes a latency associated peptide having a molecular weight of about 75,000 when measured by non-reducing SDS-PAGE and capable of antagonizing a biological activity of mature TGF-β, provided that the sequence does not also encode a mature TGF-β. The latency associated peptide so produced is useful therapeutically in blocking a deleterious activity of an endogenously released or exogenously administered TGF-β, alone or in combination with another exogenously administered or endogenously released immune regulator. It is also useful as a cotreatment therapy with mature TGF-β, which forms a latent associated complex therewith that is activatable at the desired site in vivo. |