Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma in humans and other animals. The invention also relates to a method for identifying agonists and antagonists of the enzyme PAC-1 (DUSP2) that are useful in the therapeutic methods described herein. The present invention relates generally to the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma in humans and other animals. The invention also relates to a method for identifying agonists and antagonists of the enzyme PAC-1 (DUSP2) that are useful in the therapeutic methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and their use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of inflammatory conditions in an animal such as a mammal, including a human. More particularly, the compositions of the present invention comprise agents which modulate the level of expression of genes or the level of activity of gene products involved in eliciting an inflammatory response and in particular an asthmatic condition. The present invention also provides methods for identifying additional agents which interact with selected target genes or target gene products, the regulation of which, provide useful means for treating and/or preventing the development of an inflammatory condition such as asthma. Furthermore, methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis in an animal such as a mammal including a human, by the administration of a composition of the present invention, are provided.