Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel IL17RLP protein which is a member of the interleukin (IL)-17 receptor family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human IL17RLP protein. IL17RLP polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of IL17RLP activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating, diagnosing, detecting, and/or preventing immune system-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to TR21 polypeptides. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding human TR21 protein. TR21 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR21 activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to antibodies or portions thereof that specifically bind Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV and diagnostic and therapeutic methods using these antibodies. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders using the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Neutrokine-alpha antibody and a process for producing a Neutrokine-alpha antibody. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying compounds that inhibit or enhance the action of Neutrokine-alpha. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting autoimmune disorders and therapeutic methods for treating autoimmune disorders using a Neutrokine-alpha antibody.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered novel receptors in the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor family. In particular, receptors having homology to the type 2 TNF receptor (TNF-RII) are provided. Isolated nucleic acid molecules are also provided encoding the novel receptors of the present invention. Receptor polypeptides are further provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel Death Domain Containing Receptor (DR3 and DR3-V1) proteins that are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human DR3 and DR3-V1 proteins. DR3 and DR3-V1 polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are antibodies and fragments thereof that bind to polypeptides of the invention. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of DR3 and DR3-V1 activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides that specifically bind B lymphocyte stimulator protein or B lymphocyte stimulator-like polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, diagnosing, or prognosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B lymphocyte stimulator or B lymphocyte stimulator receptor expression or inappropriate function of B lymphocyte stimulator or B lymphocyte stimulator receptor, comprising B lymphocyte stimulator binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to B lymphocyte stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting or diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate function of B Lymphocyte Stimulator comprising antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate B Lymphocyte Stimulator function comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies, antibody fragments, and related molecules that specifically bind to DR3 receptors. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment or amelioration of a disease or disorder, especially inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and other immune system disorders, such as Crohn's disease, colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, arthritis, asthma, Multiple Sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and allergic disorders. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-DR3 receptor antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention discloses Growth Factor HTTER36 (GDF3) polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that bind HTTER36, including chimeric, humanized, and single chain antibodies.

Abstract: Human TNF-gamma-alpha and TNF-gamma-beta polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides to inhibit cellular growth, for example in a tumor or cancer, for facilitating wound-healing, to provide resistance against infection, induce inflammatory activities, and stimulating the growth of certain cell types to treat diseases, for example restenosis. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the TNF-gamma-alpha and TNF-gamma-beta nucleic acid sequences or overexpression of the TNF-gamma-alpha and/or TNF-gamma-beta polypeptides. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat cachexia, septic shock, cerebral malaria, inflammation, arthritis and graft-rejection are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preventing, treating, and ameliorating asthma, allergen-induced respiratory symptoms, and/or an allergic or inflammatory condition of the lung or respiratory system in a patient by administering B Lymphocyte Stimulator antagonists. In addition, the invention provides a method of reducing total serum IgE levels in a patient suffering from asthma, and/or an allergic or inflammatory condition of the lung or respiratory system by administering B Lymphocyte Stimulator antagonists. The invention further provides a method of treating, preventing or ameliorating an allergen-induced airway hyper responsiveness or increase in mucus-containing cells and/or mucus accumulation or production in the airway epithelium of a patient by administering B Lymphocyte Stimulator antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Neutrokine-alpha, and a splice variant thereof designated Neutrokine-alphaSV, polynucleotides and polypeptides which are members of the TNF family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting or diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate function of B Lymphocyte Stimulator comprising antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate B Lymphocyte Stimulator function comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides that specifically bind B lymphocyte stimulator protein or B lymphocyte stimulator-like polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, diagnosing, or prognosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B lymphocyte stimulator or B lymphocyte stimulator receptor expression or inappropriate function of B lymphocyte stimulator or B lymphocyte stimulator receptor, comprising B lymphocyte stimulator binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to B lymphocyte stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel connective tissue growth factor-3 protein which is a member of the growth factor superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human connective tissue growth factor-3 protein. Connective tissue growth factor-3 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods for detecting and treating connective tissue related disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are human VEGF-2 antibodies, antibody fragments, or variants thereof. Also provided are processes for producing such antibodies. The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more VEGF-2 antibodies or fragments or variants thereof.