Anti-il-20 antibodies and binding partners and methods of using in inflammation

Abstract

The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-20 polypeptide molecules. IL-20 and IL-22 are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes anti-IL-20 and anti-IL-22RA antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-20 using such antibodies and binding partners.

1 . A method for treating endotoxemia, wherein the method comprises administering to a mammal an effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said administration of the antibody or antibody fragment reduces the pro-inflammatory activity of SEQ ID NO:8 in endotoxemia. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polyclonal antibody, (b) a murine monoclonal antibody, (c) a humanized antibody derived from (b), (d) an antibody fragment, or (e) a human monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment further comprises a conjugate. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the conjugate comprises PEG. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the conjugate is selected from the group consisting of: a radionuclide, an enzyme, a substrate, a cofactor, a fluorescent marker, a chemiluminescent marker, a peptide tag, a magnetic particle, a drug, and a toxin. 
     
     
         7 . A method for treating septicemia, wherein the method comprises administering to a mammal an effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said administration of the antibody or antibody fragment reduces the pro-inflammatory activity of SEQ ID NO:8 in septicemia. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polyclonal antibody, (b) a murine monoclonal antibody, (c) a humanized antibody derived from (b), (d) an antibody fragment, or (e) a human monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment further comprises a conjugate. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the conjugate comprises PEG. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the conjugate is selected from the group consisting of: a radionuclide, an enzyme, a substrate, a cofactor, a fluorescent marker, a chemiluminescent marker, a peptide tag, a magnetic particle, a drug, and a toxin. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating toxic shock syndrome, wherein the method comprises administering to a mammal an effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment that specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said administration of the antibody or antibody fragment reduces the pro-inflammatory activity of SEQ ID NO:8 in toxic shock syndrome. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polyclonal antibody, (b) a murine monoclonal antibody, (c) a humanized antibody derived from (b), (d) an antibody fragment, or (e) a human monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment further comprises a conjugate. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the conjugate comprises PEG. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the conjugate is selected from the group consisting of: a radionuclide, an enzyme, a substrate, a cofactor, a fluorescent marker, a chemiluminescent marker, a peptide tag, a magnetic particle, a drug, and a toxin.