Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified cytokine of the TNF superfamily, with reduced activity to its receptor, wherein said modified cytokine is specifically delivered to target cells. Preferably, said modified cytokine is a single chain variant of the TNF superfamily, even more preferably, one or more of the chains carry one or more mutations, resulting in a low affinity to the receptor, wherein said mutant cytokine is specifically delivered to target cells. The targeting is realized by fusion of the modified cytokine of the TNF superfamily to a targeting moiety, preferably an antibody or antibody-like molecule. The invention relates further to the use of such targeted modified cytokine of the TNF superfamily to treat diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein, comprising a cytokine antagonist and a targeting moiety, preferably an antibody or anti-body like molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the cytokine antagonist is a modified cytokine which binds to the receptor, but doesn't induce the receptor signalling. The invention relates further to a fusion protein according to the invention for use in treatment of cancer and immune- or inflammation-related disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modified Interleukin-1 (IL-1) family member cytokine, with reduced activity via its cytokine receptor, wherein said interleukin-1 family member cytokine is specifically delivered to target cells. Preferably, the IL-1 family member cytokine is a mutant, more preferably it is a mutant IL-1 with low affinity to the IL-1 receptor, wherein said mutant IL-1 is specifically delivered to target cells. The targeting is preferably realized by fusion of the modified IL-1 family member cytokine to a targeting moiety, preferably an antibody or antibody-like molecule. The disclosure relates further to the use of such targeted modified IL-1 family member cytokine to treat diseases.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a modified ?-helical bundle cytokine, with reduced activity via an ?-helical bundle cytokine receptor, wherein the ?-helical bundle cytokine is specifically delivered to target cells. Preferably, the ?-helical bundle cytokine is a mutant, more preferably it is a mutant interferon, with low affinity to the interferon receptor, wherein the mutant interferon is specifically delivered to target cells. The targeting is realized by fusion of the modified ?-helical bundle cytokine to a targeting moiety, preferably an antibody. This disclosure relates further to the use of such targeted modified ?-helical bundle cytokine to treat diseases. A preferred embodiment is the use of a targeted mutant interferon, to treat diseases, preferably viral diseases and tumors.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of directing evolution of a target polynucleotide of interest for obtaining variants of this target polynucleotide, as well as a method to generate genetic variability by preparing a cell library. This invention also relates to a method to isolate or to screen variants of a polynucleotide or variants of a protein able to impact the phenotype of a cell or to confer a desired phenotype to target cells, and to identify theses polynucleotide variants or protein variants responsible for this phenotype.

Abstract: Water-soluble polypeptides having high affinity for interferons &agr; and &bgr;; DNA sequences and expression cells; a preparation method therefor; drugs; compositions containing same; and uses thereof as a diagnostic agent or for producing antibodies.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a purified receptor of human alpha interferon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies against an alpha interferon receptor, as well as to kits comprising such antibodies. The antibodies of the invention are suitable for the assay of the receptors or for their visualization in the case of imaging. The present antibodies and kits can thus be used as diagnostics or imaging agents, or as pharmacological models to test compounds derived from human alpha interferon.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the human alpha interferon receptor and of non human host cells which express said receptor, to identify alpha interferon agonists.

Abstract: The invention relates to the human alpha interferon receptor and to the DNA sequence, including the cDNA sequence, encoding the receptor. The invention also relates to non-human cells which express said receptor, to a process for obtaining said cells, and to a process for the preparation of the receptor.