Canine and feline immunoregulatory proteins, nucleic acid molecules, and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to canine interleukin-5 proteins; canine interleukin-5 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode canine interleukin-5 proteins; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to inhibitory compounds that regulate such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to identify and obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to regulate an immune response in an animal.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An isolated protein of at least 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein comprises an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:10, and wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a protein consisting of SEQ ID NO:10 or is capable of stimulating TF-1 cell proliferation. 
     
     
         20 . The isolated protein of  claim 19 , wherein said protein comprises an at least 60 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous amino acid region selected from SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:10. 
     
     
         21 . The isolated protein from  claim 19 , wherein said protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:10. 
     
     
         22 . An isolated protein of at least 15 amino acids in length, wherein said 15 amino acids are encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:18, and wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a protein consisting of SEQ ID NO:10 or is capable of stimulating TF-1 cell proliferation. 
     
     
         23 . The isolated protein of  claim 22 , wherein said protein comprises an at least 60 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous amino acid region selected from SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:10. 
     
     
         24 . The isolated protein of  claim 22  wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:9. 
     
     
         25 . An isolated protein consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:5 or SEQ ID NO:10. 
     
     
         26 . A fragment of the isolated protein of  claim 25 , wherein said fragment is at least 20 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         27 . A fragment of the isolated protein of  claim 25 , wherein said fragment is at least 60 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         28 . A fragment of the isolated protein of  claim 25 , wherein said fragment is at least 100 amino acids in length.