Abstract: The polypeptides, and the polynucleotides encoding for them, described herein are IL-21 antagonists that bind with specificity and exhibit an EC50 that is not detectable in receptor binding studies. These molecules have mutations in the D helix of the IL-21 molecule, and can be used to inhibit the activity of IL-21 with its cognate receptor.

Abstract: Administration of IL-21 results in decreasing autoimmune responses and thereby provides a beneficial treatment for autoimmune diseases. Specific autoimmune diseases that may be treated include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, ankylosing spondilitis, scleroderma, Type I diabetes, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis and asthma. Pharmaceutical compositions can include IL-21 polypeptides and active fragments thereof.

Abstract: The expression vectors and methods using an E. coli expression system for the large scale production of IL-21 are described. The vectors utilize the IL-21 coding sequence with specific changes in nucleotides in order to optimize codons and mRNA secondary structure for translation in E. coli. Using the expression vectors, the IL-21 gene was produced in E. coli to a level of greater than 1 g/L in fed batch fermentation. Also included are OmpT deficient E. coli strains transformed with an IL-21 expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the anti-cancer activity of IL-19 polypeptide molecules. IL-19 is a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes Use of IL-19 for decreasing proliferation of cervical cancer cells, treating cervical cancer, amongst other uses disclosed. IL-19 polypeptides can be administered alone, or can be fused to cytotoxic moieties, and can be administered in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: This present invention is directed to polypeptide and polynucleotide molecules that encode a four-helical bundle cytokine. The cytokine has been designated zsig81, and has restricted expression in primarily heart, lung and liver. zsig81 has been shown to stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic cells and will be useful expansion of these cells, as well as conditions associated with hematopoietic cells. The invention is directed to antibodies and methods of making zsig81 polypeptides, as well.

Abstract: Heterodimeric proteins comprising two helical bundle cytokines are disclosed. One of the polypeptides comprises zsig81 and a second polypeptide which comprises either p19 (aka IL-12A) or p35 (aka L-12A). The proteins may be produced as fusion proteins or expressed as a single chain. The heterdimeric protein comprising zsig81 and p19 is designated zcyto33f2 and the heterodimeric protein comprising zsig81 and p35 is designated zcyto35f2. Zcyto33f2 and zcyto35f2 proteins are associated with epithelial cell types, including lung and gut epithelium, and may play a role in physiological conditions such as inflammation.

Abstract: Novel polypeptide combinations, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for soluble zalpha11 receptors that may be used as novel cytokine antagonists, and within methods for detecting ligands that stimulate the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic, lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro and in vivo. Ligand-binding receptor polypeptides can also be used to block zlapha11 Ligand activity in vitro and in vivo, and may be used in conjunction with zalpha11 Ligand and other cytokines to selectively stimulate the immune system. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: We claim the proteinase inhibitors comprising a Kunitz domain, wherein the Kunitz domain comprises amino acid residues 57–107 of SEQ ID NO: 2. We also claim a fusion protein comprising said Kunitz domain. In addition, we claim a method of inhibiting protease degradation or protease activity in a composition which contains plasma proteins and proteases. The proteinase inhibitors is used as components of cell culture media in cell culture process, and as inhibitors of protease-mediated degradation of plasma proteins in protein purification.

Abstract: The polypeptides, and the polynucleotides encoding for them, described herein are IL-21 antagonists that bind with specificity and exhibit an EC50 that is not detectable in receptor binding studies. These molecules have mutations in the D helix of the IL-21 molecule, and can be used to inhibit the activity of IL-21 with its cognate receptor.

Abstract: Proteinase inhibitors comprising a Kunitz domain are disclosed. The Kunitz domain comprises a motif of amino acid residues as shown in SEQ ID NO:4, and the sequence of the Kunitz domain is shown in residues 57 through 107 of SEQ ID NO:2. The polypeptide also includes an N-terminal collagen domain in which a von Willebrand domain resides, and is shown in SEQ ID NO: 5. Also disclosed are methods for making the proteinase inhibitors, and expression vectors and cultured cells that are useful within the methods. The proteinase inhibitors may be used as components of cell culture media, in protein purification, and as inhibitors of protease degradation of plasma proteins.

Abstract: Compositions of thrombopoietin, methods of reducing adsorption of thrombopoietin to a surface, and methods of stabilizing a composition of thrombopoietin are disclosed. The compositions comprise, in addition to thrombopoietin, a physiologically acceptable buffer, a surface adsorption inhibitor selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants and polyols, and an isotonic amount of a physiologically acceptable salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zalpha11 Ligand polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules. The zalpha11 Ligand is a novel cytokine. The polypeptides may be used within methods for stimulating the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zalpha11 Ligand polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules. The zalpha11 Ligand is a novel cytokine. The polypeptides may be used within methods for stimulating the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: This present invention is directed to polypeptide and polynucleotide molecules that encode a four-helical bundle cytokine. The cytokine has been designated zsig81, and has restricted expression in primarily heart, lung and liver. zsig81 has been shown to stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic cells and will be useful expansion of these cells, as well as conditions associated with hematopoietic cells. The invention is directed to antibodies and methods of making zsig81 polypeptides, as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zFGF5 a novel member of the FGF family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, are proliferative for muscle cells, in particular cardiac cells and may be used for remodeling cardiac tissue and improving cardiac function. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zFGF5 polypeptides.

Abstract: This present invention is directed to polypeptide and polynucleotide molecules that encode a new connective tissue growth factor homolog polypeptide. The human polypeptides have been designated zCTGF4 and the mouse orthologs have been designated zCTGF2. The invention also includes antibodies, expression vectors, host cells expressing zCTGF4 and variants. Also included are methods for producing the polypeptides and using the polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies to polypeptides for a member of the lipocalin family. The expression of the polypeptide is restricted to testis and mammary gland, particularly breast tumor tissue. The polypeptide has been designated zlipo1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zFGF-5 a novel member of the FGF family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, are proliferative for muscle cells and may be used for remodelling cardiac tissue and improving cardiac function. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zFGF-5 polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods for stimulating erythropoiesis using the hematopoietic protein thrombopoietin, optionally in combination with erythropoietin, are provided. The methods provided may be used to stimulate erythropoiesis in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells and in vitro and in vivo. In addition, methods for treatment of thrombocytopenia and anemia in patients are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zalpha11 Ligand polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules. The zalpha11 Ligand is a novel cytokine. The polypeptides may be used within methods for stimulating the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.