Mammalian cytokine; related reagents

Abstract

Purified genes encoding cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding this molecule are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A substantially pure or recombinant IL-XX protein.  
     
     
         2 . An antigenic protein or peptide fragment of the IL-XX of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A peptide of  claim 2 , selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) a full length natural protein or peptide from a mammal, including a primate;    b) a full length natural protein or peptide comprising at least one polypeptide segment of SEQ ID NO: 2;    c) a full length protein or peptide which exhibits a post-translational modification pattern distinct from natural IL-XX; and    d) a protein or peptide which exhibits a plurality of immunological activities of IL-10.    
     
     
         4 . A fusion protein comprising sequence of a protein or peptide of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         5 . A composition comprising a protein or peptide of  claim 2 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         6 . An antibody which specifically binds a protein or peptide of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         7 . An antibody of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 a) said IL-XX is a mammalian protein, including a primate;    b) said antibody is raised against a purified peptide sequence from SEQ ID NO; 2;    c) said antibody is a monoclonal antibody; or    d) said antibody is labeled.    
     
     
         8 . A method of purifying an IL-XX protein or peptide from other materials in a mixture comprising contacting said mixture to an antibody of  claim 6 , and separating bound IL-XX from other materials.  
     
     
         9 . An isolated or recombinant expression vector capable of encoding a protein or peptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The vector of  claim 9 , wherein said nucleic acid: 
 a) encodes a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;    b) comprises a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; or    c) encodes a sequence from an extracellular domain of a natural IL-XX; or    d) encodes a sequence from an intracellular domain of a natural IL-XX.    
     
     
         11 . A kit comprising: 
 a) a substantially pure IL-XX or fragment of  claim 1;     b) an antibody or receptor which specifically binds an IL-XX; or    c) a nucleic acid encoding an IL-XX or peptide.    
     
     
         12 . A method for detecting in a sample for the presence of an IL-XX nucleic acid, protein, or antibody, comprising testing said sample with a kit of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         13 . A method of modulating the physiology of a cell comprising contacting said cell with: 
 a) a substantially pure IL-XX or fragment of  claim 1;     b) an antibody or binding partner which specifically binds an IL-XX; or    c) a nucleic acid encoding an IL-XX or peptide.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said cell is a T cell and said modulating of physiology is activation of said T cell.  
     
     
         15 . A method of  claim 13 , wherein said cell is in a tissue and/or in an organism.  
     
     
         16 . A method of making IL-XX comprising expressing a vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         17 . A cell, tissue, organ, or organism comprising a vector of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         18 . A recombinant nucleic acid comprising sequence at least about 70% identity over a stretch of at least about 30 nucleotides to an IL-XX nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         19 . A nucleic acid of  claim 19 , further encoding a polypeptide comprising at least about 60% identity over a stretch of at least about 20 amino acids to an IL-XX sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.  
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a patient having an abnormal immune response by administering to said patient an effective dose of: 
 a) an antibody or binding partner which binds specifically to an IL-XX;    b) a substantially pure IL-XX protein or peptide thereof; or    c) a nucleic acid encoding an IL-XX peptide.