Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking the activity of IL-20 polypeptide molecules. IL-20 is a cytokine that is involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. IL-20RA/IL-20RB is a common receptor for IL-20. The present invention includes anti-IL-20 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-20 using such antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking the activity of IL-TIF polypeptide molecules. IL-TIF is a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes anti-IL-TIF antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-TIF using such antibodies and binding partners in IL-TIF-related human inflammatory diseases, amongst other uses disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, 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: The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS and/or APRIL 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 the immunosuppressive drugs contemplated include cyclophosphamide (CYC), azathioprine (AZA), cyclosporine A (CSA), or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), although any drug that suppresses the immune system may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of various immunoglobulins in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A method for treating IL-20 induced inflammation. An antagonist to IL-20 is administered to treat inflammation and associated diseases. The antagonist can be an antibody that binds to IL-20 or its receptor or a soluble receptor that binds to IL-20. Examples of such diseases are adult respiratory disease, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, septic shock, multiple organ failure, inflammatory lung injury, bacterial pneumonia, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Materials and methods for reducing cell proliferation or extracellular matrix production in a mammal are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to a mammal a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a zvegf4 antagonist in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle. Exemplary zvegf4 antagonists include anti-zvegf4 antibodies, inhibitory polynucleotides, inhibitors of zvegf4 activation, and mitogenically inactive, receptor-binding variants of zvegf4. The materials and methods are useful in the treatment of, inter alia, fibroproliferative disorders of the kidney, liver, and bone.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zcytor19, a novel class II cytokine receptor. The polypeptides may be used 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 ligand activity in vitro and in vivo. The polynucleotides encoding zcytor19, are located on chromosome 1p36.11, and can be used to identify a region of the genome associated with human disease states. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to soluble dimeric proteins are disclosed. The dimeric proteins comprise first and second polypeptide fusions linked via a dimerizing domain, each polypeptide fusion comprising first and second monomer domains corresponding to a cytokine or an extracellular domain of a cell-surface receptor. The monomer domains may be positioned amino terminal and carboxyl terminal to the dimerizing domain. Alternatively, the monomer domains may be positioned in tandem, either carboxyl terminal or amino terminal to the dimerizing domain. The dimeric proteins are useful in methods for therapy, diagnosis, and research.

Abstract: IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and certain mutants thereof have been shown to have antiviral activity on a spectrum of viral species. Of particular interest is the antiviral activity demonstrated on viruses that infect liver, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. In addition, IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and mutants thereof do not exhibit some of the antiproliferative activity on hematopoietic cells that is observed with interferon treatment. Without the immunosuppressive effects accompanying interferon treatment, IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 will be useful in treating immunocompromised patients for viral infections.

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: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treatment of hyperproliferative disorders and cancers, including multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, comprising administering to a patient in need of the treatment a TACI-Ig fusion molecule in amount sufficient to suppress proliferation-inducing functions of BlyS and APRIL.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the levels of BCMA in a biological sample, specifically upon the B cell surface. 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.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to the IL-21 receptor and multimeric complexes comprising the IL-21 receptor; including monoclonal antibodies to the heterodimeric receptor, IL-21/IL-2R?; have been prepared. The invention also describes a method of producing said antibodies. And, the invention also describes a method of treatment comprising using said antibodies to suppress an immune response.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, for example comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a TACI-Ig fusion molecule. In one embodiment, the TACI-Ig fusion molecule is administered in amount sufficient to slow, suppress or inhibit proliferation-inducing functions of BlyS and APRIL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zcytor17lig polynucleotide, polypeptide and anti-zcytor17 antibody molecules. The zcytor17lig is a novel cytokine. The polypeptides may be used within methods for stimulating the immune system, and 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: 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: 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: Homogeneous preparations of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 have been produced by mutating one or more of the cysteine residues in the polynucleotide sequences encoding the mature proteins. The cysteine mutant proteins can be shown to either bind to their cognate receptor or exhibit biological activity. One type of biological activity that is shown is an antiviral activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for activating thrombin precursors to thrombin. The compositions provided include polypeptide compositions wherein the pre-pro-sequence comprises a thrombin cleavage site. The compositions provided also include polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides and recombinant systems for expressing said polypeptides. This disclosure also relates to methods for producing said compositions, recovering said compositions, activating said compositions purifying said compositions and producing active thrombin molecules using the active form of said compositions.

Abstract: The expression vectors and methods using an E. coli expression system for the large scale production of IL-29 are described. The vectors utilize the IL-29 coding sequence with specific changes in nucleotides in order to optimize codons and mRNA secondary structure for translation in E. coli. Also included are methods of producing, purifying and pegylating an IL-29 polypeptide.