Novel interleukin-1 receptor intracellular ligand proteins and inhibitors of ligand binding

Abstract

Novel IL-1-R intracellular ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting IL-1-R intracellular domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of IL-1-R intracellular domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method of inhibiting an inflammatory condition by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an antibody which specifically binds to a fragment of SEQ ID NO:2 with IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein activity and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         39 . A method of inhibiting IL-1-R intracellular domain binding comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said inflammatory condition is osteoporosis, colitis, myelogenous leukemia, diabetes, wasting, or atherosclerosis. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said antibody is a neutralizing antibody. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said antibody is obtained using as an immunogen an IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein with a cysteine residue at the carboxyl terminus, wherein said protein consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said composition is administered to said subject in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.