Abstract: Methods of treating and/or inhibiting a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-related disorder or condition by administering a BMP antagonist to a subject suffering from a BMP-related disorder or condition such that the BMP-related disorder or condition is treated. The method is carried out with a human noggin or a human noggin deletion mutant.

Abstract: Human Cerberus proteins and related nucleic acids are provided. Included are proteins comprising a human cerberus domain having specific activity, particularly the ability to antagonize a bone morphogenic protein. The proteins may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells with the subject nucleic acids. Also provided are isolated hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed genes, specific binding agents and methods of making and using the subject compositions.

Abstract: A method of reducing or preventing hypertension associated with administration of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist in a human subjects suffering from a disease or condition treatable with a VEGF antagonist in which is it desirable to reduce or prevent hypertension. The method is particularly useful for treatment of patients unresponsive to treatment with a VEGF inhibitor administered intravenously.

Abstract: A method of detecting and isolating cells that produce any secreted protein of interest (POI), comprising: a) constructing a cell line transiently or stably expressing a cell surface capture molecule, which binds the POI, by transfecting the cell line with a nucleic acid that encodes such cell surface capture molecule; b) transfecting said cell simultaneously or subsequently with a second nucleic acid that encodes a POI wherein such POI is secreted; c) detecting the surface-displayed POI by contacting the cells with a detection molecule, which binds the POI; and d) isolating cells based on the detection molecule.

Abstract: Methods of treating anemic disorders in human subjects comprising administering a VEGF antagonist comprising a fusion polypeptide having an immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domain 2 of the VEGF receptor Flt1 and Ig domain 3 of the VEGF receptor Flk1 or Flt4, and a multimerizing component. Further included are methods of preventing anemia, increasing hematocrit levels, and increasing or stimulating erythropoietin, particularly in subjects being treated for cancer with chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiation.

Abstract: High affinity fusion proteins (“trapbodies”), capable of binding and inhibiting the activity of soluble, interacting proteins (“SIPs”) are described. The trapbodies are multimers, preferably dimers, of SIP-specific fusion polypeptides which comprise SIP binding domains derived from SIP targets and/or anti-SIP immunoglobulins, as well as multimerizing components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusion polypeptide that forms a multimer that is capable of binding a cytokine to form a nonfunctional complex. It also provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding the fusion polypeptide and methods of making and uses for the fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: Novel fusion polypeptide ligands that bind Eph family receptors or the Tie-2 receptor are identified, and methods for making the fusion polypeptide ligands in biologically active form are described. Nucleic acids encoding these novel fusion polypeptide ligands enable production of the fusion polypeptide ligands. The method of making the nucleic acids and the fusion polypeptide ligands is broadly applicable to the production of polypeptide ligands in general, resulting in improved affinity and/or increased activity of the ligand when compared to its native form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusion polypeptide capable of binding a cytokine to form a nonfunctional complex. It also provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding the fusion polypeptide and methods of making and uses for the fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods of treating, inhibiting, or ameliorating arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, in a human subject in need thereof, comprising administering to a subject in need a therapeutic amount of an interleukin 1 (IL-1) antagonist, wherein arthritis inhibited, or ameliorated. The IL-1 antagonist is an IL-1-specific fusion protein comprising an IL-1 binding portion of the extracellular domain of human II-1RAcP, an IL-1 binding portion of the extracellular domain of human IL-1RI, and a multimerizing component antagonist, preferably comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:4, 6, 8, 10, 12,14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, or a substantially identical sequence.

Abstract: A method for identifying and isolating cells which produce secreted proteins. This method is based upon a specific characteristic or the expression level of the secreted protein by transiently capturing the secreted protein on the surface of an individual cell, allowing selection of rare cell clones from a heterogeneous population. Also provided is the use of this method to generate cells which produce a desired level of secreted protein or secreted protein of a particular characteristic(s), and organisms which possess such cells. In particular, the method allows rapid isolation of high expression recombinant antibody-producing cell lines, or may be applied directly to rapid isolation of specific hybridomas, or to the isolation of antibody-producing transgenic animals. This method is applicable for any cell which secretes protein.

Abstract: Fusion polypeptides capable of binding interleukin-1 (IL-1) to form a nonfunctional complex are provided and nucleic acid molecules encoding the fusion polypeptides. The fusion ploypeptides form dimers to function as IL-1 antagonists.

Abstract: A method for identifying and isolating cells which produce secreted proteins. This method is based upon a specific characteristic or the expression level of the secreted protein by transiently capturing the secreted protein on the surface of an individual cell, allowing selection of rare cell clones from a heterogeneous population. Also provided is the use of this method to generate cells which produce a desired level of secreted protein or secreted protein of a particular characteristic(s), and organisms which possess such cells. In particular, the method allows rapid isolation of high expression recombinant antibody-producing cell lines, or may be applied directly to rapid isolation of specific hybridomas, or to the isolation of antibody-producing transgenic animals. This method is applicable for any cell which secretes protein.

Abstract: High affinity fusion proteins (“trapbodies”), capable of binding and inhibiting the activity of soluble, interacting proteins (“SIPs”) are described. The trapbodies are multimers, preferably dimers, of SIP-specific fusion polypeptides which comprise SIP binding domains derived from SIP targets and/or anti-SIP immunoglobulins, as well as multimerizing components.

Abstract: High affinity fusion proteins capable of binding and inhibiting the activity of soluble, interacting proteins (“SIPs”) are described. In specific embodiments the fusion proteins are multimers, preferably dimers, of SIP-specific fusion polypeptides which comprise SIP binding domains derived from SIP targets and/or anti-SIP immunoglobulin domains, as well as multimerizing components.

Abstract: DCR5, a protein related to DAN (Differential-screening-selected gene Aberrative in Neuroblastoma) and related nucleic acids are provided. Included are natural DCR5 homologs from several species and proteins comprising a DCR5 domain having specific activity, particularly the ability to antagonize a bone morphogenetic protein. The proteins may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells with the subject nucleic acids. Also provided are isolated hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed genes, specific binding agents and methods of making and using the subject compositions.

Abstract: The invention is methods of using cytokine antagonists to treat HIV. In particular, the invention is methods of treating HIV using L-4 and IL-13 cytokine antagonists, including cytokine traps and anti-IL-4 or anti-IL-13 antibodies. The invention also includes augmenting the efficacy of HIV vaccination by co-administration of the vaccine with IL-4 and IL-13 cytokine antagonists.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the intranasal or respiratory administration of ciliary neurotrophic factor proteins, especially in the treatment of obesity and gestational or adult onset diabetes.

Abstract: Methods of treating and/or inhibiting a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-related disorder or condition by administering a BMP antagonist to a subject suffering from a BMP-related disorder or condition such that the BMP-related disorder or condition is treated. The method is carried out with a human noggin or a human noggin deletion mutant.

Abstract: DCR5, a protein related to DAN (Differential-screening-selected gene Aberrative in Neuroblastoma) and related nucleic acids are provided. Included are natural DCR5 homologs from several species and proteins comprising a DCR5 domain having specific activity, particularly the ability to antagonize a bone morphogenetic protein. The proteins may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells with the subject nucleic acids. Also provided are isolated hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed genes, specific binding agents and methods of making and using the subject compositions.