Abstract: Interferon-alpha (IFN?) analog proteins modified by chemical attachment of at least one hydrophilic polymer moiety, such as polyethylene glycol chain, are described for use in combination therapies with antiviral and/or antitumor agents. In one embodiment, the IFN? analog protein has an amino acid sequence that differs from a native human IFN? interferon-alpha by one or more amino acid residues in the N-terminal region, comprised of between about residues 1-27, inclusive, by one or more substitutions selected based on the amino acid residue at the corresponding position of a mature interferon-tau (IFN?) protein. Methods of combination therapy are also described.

Abstract: Interferon-alpha (IFN?) analog proteins modified by chemical attachment of at least one hydrophilic polymer moiety, such as polyethylene glycol chain, are described. In one embodiment, the IFN? analog protein has an amino acid sequence that differs from a native human IFN? interferon-alpha by one or more amino acid residues in the N-terminal region, comprised of between about residues 1-27, inclusive, by one or more substitutions selected based on the amino acid residue at the corresponding position of a mature interferon-tau (IFN?) protein. Methods of treating viral diseases and other disorders with the polymer-modified IFN? analog protein are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating an IL-10 deficiency in a human subject is described, where a person having an IL-10 deficiency is identified and treated with interferon-tau (IFN?) at a dose sufficient to increase the IL-10 level.

Abstract: Methods of modulating cytokine levels in a human subject by administering interferon-tau (IFN?) are described. More specifically, a method of up-regulating the interleukin 10 (IL-10) level in patients afflicted with a condition that responds to treatment by having an increased blood IL-10 level, such as an autoimmune condition, a viral infection, or a condition of cellular proliferation by administering IFN? is described. Also described are methods of modulating blood levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFN-?) by administering IFN?. In various embodiments, IFN? is administered alone or in combination with a second therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid interferon fusion proteins formed of an interferon-? protein where the C-terminal region of the interferon-? protein is replaced by a C-terminal region of interferon-?. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding the interferon fusion proteins, expression vectors containing such sequences, and therapeutic applications of the interferon fusion proteins. The therapeutic applications include antiviral, anticellular proliferation, and anti-inflammatory applications. One advantage of the interferon fusion polypeptides of the present invention is that they have lower cytotoxic side effects when used to treat cells.

Abstract: Methods of treating an autoimmune condition, a viral infection, or a condition of cellular proliferation by administering IFN? are described. More specifically, a method of up-regulating the IL-10 level in patients afflicted with an autoimmune condition, a viral infection, or a condition of cellular proliferation by administering IFN? is described. IFN? is administered at a dose sufficient to achieve an up-regulation of IL-10 in the blood, relative to the IL-10 level in the absence of IFN?.

Abstract: A method of modulating the IL-10/IL-12 blood ratio in subjects suffering from an autoimmune disorder is described. The method involves administering interferon-tau in a dose sufficient to modulate the patients' IL-10/IL-12 blood ratio, to prevent on-set, to prevent progression, or to treat an autoimmune condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hybrid interferon fusion proteins formed of an interferon-&agr; protein where the C-terminal region of the interferon-&agr; protein is replaced by a C-terminal region of interferon-&tgr;. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding the interferon fusion proteins, expression vectors containing such sequences, and therapeutic applications of the interferon fusion proteins. The therapeutic applications include antiviral, anticellular proliferation, and anti-inflammatory applications. One advantage of the interferon fusion polypeptides of the present invention is that they have lower cytotoxic side effects when used to treat cells.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of producing a high level of secreted, highly biologically active recombinant human Interferon Alpha 1 in a cost effective manner in Pichia pastoris.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining the relative copy number of a gene of interest introduced recombinantly into a cell is disclosed. The method includes the steps of propagating, in a suitable culture medium, cells that are transformed with a chimeric gene construct containing and capable of expressing the gene introduced into the cells, where said construct includes (i) a control nucleic acid segment having a region of DNA capable of hybridizing with a region of native genomic DNA associated with the cell; and (ii) a second nucleic acid region that contains said gene of interest; isolating DNA from the cells; and determining the ratio of the control nucleic acid segment to the region of native genomic DNA in the isolated DNA as a quantitative measure of the relative copy number of the gene in the cell.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of reducing the cytotoxicity of interferon-alpha by making defined amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal portion of the polypeptide sequence. Also described are human interferon-alpha analogs with low cytotoxicity, and therapeutic applications of the low toxicity interferon-alpha analogs.