Abstract: The invention provides humanized mouse anti-human IL-31 antibodies and antibody fragments that are capable of binding IL-31 and thereby neutralizing, inhibiting, limiting, or reducing the proinflammatory or pro-pruritic effects of IL-31.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reduceing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17A and IL-17F. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes antibodies that bind both IL-17A and IL-17F, hybridomas that produce the antibodies, and methods of using the same in inflammation.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are identified that bind the IL-21 protein. These antibodies are used to identify regions of the IL-21 protein to where binding neutralizes IL-21 activity. Hybridomas and methods of producing anti-IL-21 monoclonal antibodies are described. The monoclonal antibodies are useful in treating IL-21-mediated diseases, which may include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis, type I diabetes (IDDM), Graves Disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diverticulosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), Sjogren's syndrome, glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, transplant rejection, atopic dermatitis, anti-phospholipid syndrome, and asthma, and other autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Molecules that interfere with the binding of a tumor necrosis factor receptor with its ligand, such as a soluble receptor, have proven usefulness in both basic research and as therapeutics. The present invention provides improved soluble transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand-interactor (TACI) receptors.

Abstract: Use of antagonists to IL-31Ra and OSMRb are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include soluble receptors, antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.

Abstract: Use of antagonists to IL-31 are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and anti-CD20 agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS antagonist is a Fc-fusion protein which can be a TACI-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of TACI or a functional fragment thereof, a BAFF-R-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BAFF-R or a functional fragment thereof, or a BCMA-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BCMA or a functional fragment thereof. In the methods of the present invention some of anti-CD20 agents contemplated include RITUXAN®, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20®), TRU-015, and DXL625, although any agent that binds to CD 20 may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of B cells in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Novel polypeptide combinations, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zcytor17-containing multimeric or heterodimer cytokine 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. The present invention also includes methods for producing the multimeric or heterodimeric cytokine receptor, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating pruritic diseases, including but not limited to Contact dermatitis, Atopic Dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia wereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination thereof by administering IL-31 monoclonal antibodies. The invention further provides the hybridomas that generate the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the levels of BLyS/APRIL heterotrimers (HT) in a biological sample, in a preferred embodiment, in serum. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing or currently suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as SLE and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This diagnostic test serves to predict a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment, in particular treatment with HT antagonists, either singly or in combination with other immune suppressive drugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating patients suffering from Contact dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia aereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination by administering an IL-31RA antagonist.

Abstract: Novel compositions derived from antigen-binding sites of immunoglobulins having affinity for IL-31 are provided. The compositions exhibit immunological binding properties of antibody molecules capable of binding specifically to a human IL-31. CDR regions derived from same or different immunoglobulin moieties are provided. Also provided are single chain polypeptides wherein VH and VL domains are attached. The sFv molecules can include ancillary polypeptide moieties which can be bioactive, or which provide a site of attachment for other useful moieties. The compositions are useful in specific binding assays, affinity purification schemes, drug or toxin targeting, imaging, and genetic or immunological therapeutics for inflammatory diseases. The invention thus provides novel polypeptides, the DNAs encoding those polypeptides, expression cassettes comprising those DNAs, and methods of inducing the production of the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides humanized mouse anti-human IL-31 antibodies and antibody fragments that are capable of binding IL-31 and thereby neutralizing, inhibiting, limiting, or reducing the proinflammatory or pro-pruritic effects of IL-31.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-23. Antagonists include antibodies and antibody fragments that bind IL-23 and that bind IL-17A or IL-17F, such as antibodies that are cross-reactive for IL-17A and Il-17F. Antagonists that include an antibody or antibody fragment that binds IL-23 and an antibody or antibody fragment that binds IL-17A or IL-17F on one molecule are also disclosed. Antibodies and antibody fragments that bind IL-23 and IL-17F but that do not bind IL-17A are also disclosed. IL-17 and IL-23 are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease.

Abstract: Use of antagonists to IL-31Ra and OSMRb are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include soluble receptors, antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a newly identified B7 family member, zB7H6, which functions as a counter-receptor for the NK cell triggering receptor, NKp30. Methods and compositions for modulating NKp30-mediated NK cell activity based on the interaction of zB7H6 with NKp30, as well as related screening methods, are also disclosed. Further disclosed are anti-zB7H6 antibodies as well as antibody-drug conjugates comprising an anti-zB7H6 antibody conjugated to a therapeutic agent, including methods for using such antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates to exert therapeutic effects against zB7H6-expressing cells.

Abstract: Use of antagonists to IL-31 are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and anti-CD20 agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS antagonist is a Fc-fusion protein which can be a TACI-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of TACI or a functional fragment thereof, a BAFF—R-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BAFF—R or a functional fragment thereof, or a BCMA-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BCMA or a functional fragment thereof. In the methods of the present invention some of anti-CD20 agents contemplated include RITUXAN®, (rituximab),ocrelizumab, ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20®), TRU-015, and DXL625, although any agent that binds to CD 20 may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of B cells in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating pruritic diseases, including but not limited to Contact dermatitis, Atopic Dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia wereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination thereof by administering IL-31 monoclonal antibodies. The invention provides the hybridomas that generate the monoclonal antibodies and the amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antibodies comprising the amino acid sequences of the light and heavy chain variable regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to predicting therapeutic response of treating patients suffering from itching and pruritis mediated by cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive T cells in atopic dermatitis. The invention also includes methods of predicting a therapeutically responsive patient population.