Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof is provided that specifically binds to a region on a mammalian IL-31 protein involved with interaction of the IL-31 protein with its co-receptor, wherein the binding of said antibody to said region is impacted by mutations in a 15H05 epitope binding region selected from: a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a feline IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 157 (Feline_IL31_wildtype); a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a canine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 155 (Canine_IL31); and a region between about amino acid residues 118 and 129 of an equine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 165 (Equine_IL31). Such antibodies can be in the form of veterinary compositions useful for treating IL-31-mediated disorders in cats, dogs, or horses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the identity and/or amount of an anti-IL-31 antibody in a sample. Such a method includes incubating a sample comprising an anti-IL-31 antibody with at least one mimotope selected from a feline IL-31 mimotope, a canine IL-31 mimotope, a horse IL-31 mimotope, and a human IL-31 mimotope; and determining the identity and/or quantity of the anti-IL-31 in the sample.

Abstract: A vaccine composition for immunizing and/or protecting a mammal against an IL-31 mediated disorder is provided, wherein the composition includes: the combination of a carrier polypeptide and at least one mimotope selected from a feline IL-31 mimotope, a canine IL-31 mimotope, a horse IL-31 mimotope, and a human IL-31 mimotope; and an adjuvant. Such vaccines can be in the form of pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating or protecting mammals such as cats, dogs, horses, or humans against IL-31-mediated disorders.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof is provided that specifically binds to a region on a mammalian IL-31 protein involved with interaction of the IL-31 protein with its co-receptor, wherein the binding of said antibody to said region is impacted by mutations in a 15H05 epitope binding region selected from: a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a feline IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 157 (Feline_IL31_wildtype); a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a canine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 155 (Canine_IL31); and a region between about amino acid residues 118 and 129 of an equine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 165 (Equine_IL31). Such antibodies can be in the form of veterinary compositions useful for treating IL-31-mediated disorders in cats, dogs, or horses.

Abstract: The invention provides stable coronavirus spike proteins. Immunogenic compositions comprising same and the methods of using these immunogenic compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An IL-31 dog pruritus model is provided. This model comprises administering canine IL-31 to dogs to produce a pruritic response; quantitatively measuring pruritic responses in the dogs which were administered canine IL-31; administering a candidate dog IL-31 inhibitor; and assessing the effectiveness of the candidate dog IL-31 inhibitor in reducing prurtic behavior in the treated dogs by challenging the dogs with canine IL-31 following the administration of the candidate dog IL-31 inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of treating a dog or cat having an IL-31-mediated pruritic or allergic condition is provided. The method includes administering to the dog or cat a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated antibody that specifically binds to at least one of a canine IL-31 or a feline IL-31.

Abstract: An IL-31 dog pruritus model is provided. This model comprises administering canine IL-31 to dogs to produce a pruritic response; quantitatively measuring pruritic responses in the dogs which were administered canine IL-31; administering a candidate dog IL-31 inhibitor; and assessing the effectiveness of the candidate dog IL-31 inhibitor in reducing prurtic behavior in the treated dogs by challenging the dogs with canine IL-31 following the administration of the candidate dog IL-31 inhibitor.

Abstract: A cell-based assay for assessing the functional activity of a canine or feline IL-31 inhibitor candidate is provided. Such a canine or feline IL-31 inhibitor candidate can be an isolated antibody that specifically binds to at least one of canine Interleukin-31 (IL-31) or feline IL-31. Such antibodies can be in the form of diagnostic and/or veterinary compositions useful for treating a pruritic and/or allergic condition in dogs or cats.

Abstract: A vaccine composition for immunizing and/or protecting a mammal against an IL-31 mediated disorder is provided, wherein the composition includes: the combination of a carrier polypeptide and at least one mimotope selected from a feline IL-31 mimotope, a canine IL-31 mimotope, a horse IL-31 mimotope, and a human IL-31 mimotope; and an adjuvant. Such vaccines can be in the form of pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating or protecting mammals such as cats, dogs, horses, or humans against IL-31-mediated disorders.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof is provided that specifically binds to a region on a mammalian IL-31 protein involved with interaction of the IL-31 protein with its co-receptor, wherein the binding of said antibody to said region is impacted by mutations in a 15H05 epitope binding region selected from: a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a feline IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 157 (Feline_IL31_wildtype); a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a canine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 155 (Canine_IL31); and a region between about amino acid residues 118 and 129 of an equine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 165 (Equine_IL31). Such antibodies can be in the form of veterinary compositions useful for treating IL-31-mediated disorders in cats, dogs, or horses.

Abstract: A cell-based assay for assessing the functional activity of a canine or feline IL-31 inhibitor candidate is provided. Such a canine or feline IL-31 inhibitor candidate can be an isolated antibody that specifically binds to at least one of canine Interleukin-31 (IL-31) or feline IL-31. Such antibodies can be in the form of diagnostic and/or veterinary compositions useful for treating a pruritic and/or allergic condition in dogs or cats.