Abstract: The present invention relates to human interleukin 15 (IL-15) variants that have therapeutic and diagnostic use, and methods for making thereof. The present invention also provides fusion proteins comprising a human IL-15 variant. Also provided are methods of stimulating or suppressing immune responses in a mammal, and methods of treating a disorder (e.g., cancer) using the IL-15 variants or the fusion protein of such IL-15 variants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating, preventing or reducing the severity of active eosinophilic esophagitis. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of increasing esophageal distensibility. The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutic composition comprising an interleukin-4/interleukin-13 (IL-4/IL-13) pathway inhibitor such as an anti-IL-4R antibody.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method of treating a lung injury at risk of progressing to a fibrotic lung disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutic amount of IL-6 polypeptide, hyaluronan (HA), mimetics thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or combinations thereof, wherein the therapeutic amount is effective to increase renewal of alveolar epithelial cell 2 (AEC2) stem cells, to repair the injury, to reduce lung fibrosis, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating ocular surface inflammation and/or uveitis in a subject. The methods can include selecting a subject with uveitis and/or ocular surface disease. The methods can then include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an interleukin 24 (IL-24) polypeptide or nucleic acid encoding the IL-24 polypeptide. In some examples, the administered IL-24 polypeptide suppresses production of effector cytokines by Th17 cells. A pharmaceutical composition is further provided here that includes an IL-24 polypeptide or nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide. In some examples, the IL-24 polypeptide is a variant of IL-24 or an Fc fusion protein that includes IL-24. The pharmaceutical composition can be used in any of the methods provided herein to treat ocular surface inflammation and/or uveitis.

Abstract: Described herein are antibodies that target Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). Also described herein are uses of these antibodies for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of neural cells from undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. In particular it relates to directing the differentiation of human ES cells into neural progenitors and neural cells and the production of functioning neural cells and/or neural cells of a specific type. The invention also includes the use of these cells for the treatment of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

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: The compositions and methods of the present invention comprise the efficient and effective presentation of antigens to the appropriate components of the immune system resulting in the production of species-specific antibodies in vitro. In general, these compositions comprise one or more antigenic components together with a colloidal metal, optionally combined with derivatized PEG (polyethylene glycol) or other agents. The invention also comprises novel cytokine cocktails for generating desired antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method/screening kit for an IL-13 production inhibitor, which comprises using (a) a protein comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or its partial peptide, or a salt thereof; and (b) a ligand capable of specifically binding to the protein; an IL-13 production inhibitor which is obtainable by said screening, and the like. The IL-13 production inhibitor which can be obtained by the screening of the present invention is useful as a prophylactic/therapeutic agent for, e.g., respiratory disease, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product which comprises a C4bp domain of a non-mammalian origin, particularly SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:23 or SEQ ID NO:37, or a variant thereof, and an antigen. The product is desirably in the form of a fusion protein. The chicken C4bp domain of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:23 is also described. Antigens include monomeric antigens such as malarial and influenza antigens. The C4bp domain provides for assembly of multimeric complexes of the antigen, or mixtures thereof. The complexes are useful as vaccines.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zyctor17, a novel 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 zyctor17, are located on chromosome 5, 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: CXCR3 agonists, including natural CXCR3 ligands, promote bone marrow regeneration, increase peripheral white blood cells, and increase survival if administered prior to treatment of a subject with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Similar effects are obtained by administering an CXCR3 antagonists following chemotherapy radiotherapy. Compositions and methods are presented for the treatment of cancer and bone marrow diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides for IL-17 receptor like polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides vectors, host cells, agonists and antagonists (including selective binding agents), and methods for producing IL-17 receptor like polypeptides. Also provided for are methods for treatment, diagnosis, amelioration, or prevention of diseases with IL-17 receptor like polypeptides.

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.

Abstract: A method of treating an inflammation in a subject thereof is provided. The method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of CCL2, thereby treating the inflammation. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms which comprise CCL2 for the treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: Modified human plasma polypeptides or Fc and uses thereof are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of screening for compositions useful for treating, ameliorating, or preventing fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring changes in the level(s) of IL-21 and/or IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) (e.g., the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R protein and/or mRNA, the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R). The invention further provides antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21R for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions. Further provided herein are methods of diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring the progress (e.g., the course of treatment) of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (i.e., the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (e.g., the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R gene products), and/or the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R).

Abstract: A method of producing somatotropin encompassing the microbiological expression of a recombinant protein containing somatotropin and hybrid polypeptide containing the amino-acid sequence of ubiquitin and the amino-acid sequence of somatotropin.

Abstract: Provided is an IL-18 receptor antibody usable for immunohistochemistry, which functions as an IL-18 receptor antagonist. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition and method for preventing and/or treating an IL-18-dependent disorder, particularly skin thickening caused by ultraviolet, using the antibody. An antibody against the IL-18 receptor ? subunit, which is characterized by binding specifically to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:1, or an antibody against the IL-18 receptor ? subunit, which is characterized by binding specifically to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:2, is prepared.

Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human interleukin-12 (hIL-12 ) are disclosed. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and neutralize hIL-12 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and for inhibiting hIL-12 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.