The present invention relates to the therapeutic use of non-classical
major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), also known as MHC class Ib molecule binding defined peptides. The present invention more particularly relates to the targeting immunomodulatory effect of defining
a peptide binding protein comprising one or more domains of a non-classical MHC class Ib molecule, or a binding molecule, which interferes with the interaction of the MHC class Ib molecule and its
receptor. The invention also relates to methods of producing such proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the proteins, and their use in the treatment of diseases for which
antigen-specific immune responses are beneficial, including
cancer and infectious diseases, or harmful, such as
cancer and infectious diseases. Comprise autoimmune diseases, organ / tissue rejection, immune response to
drug compounds or reproductive disorders. Furthermore, since the present invention reveals a new
mode of action of MHC Ib class molecules in the
antigen-specific
tolerance induction process, the present invention also relates to a method of interfering with an
antigen-specific
immune tolerance in the case where it is necessary to induce the antigen-specific
immune tolerance, but the induction is physiologically hindered by the mechanism.