Methods of treating infections using il-21

Abstract

Methods for treating mammals with infections, particularly viral infections using molecules that have an IL-21 functional activity are described. The molecules having functional activities include polypeptides that have homology to the human IL-21 polypeptide sequence and proteins fused to a polypeptide with IL-21 functional activity. The molecules can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other known antimicrobial or antiviral therapeutics.

1 . A method of treating a bacterial infection in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide that has at least 90% identity to an IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the bacterial infection is an infection by a bacteria selected from the group consisting of chlamydiae, listeriae,  helicobacter pylori, mycobacterium, mycoplasma, salmonella , and  shigella.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the polypeptide has at least 95% identity to an IL-21 polypeptide or residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the polypeptide comprises residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         4 . A method of treating a bacterial infection in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide that has at least 90% identity to an IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the bacterial infection is an infection of listeriae or  mycobacterium.    
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the polypeptide has at least 95% identity to an IL-21 polypeptide or residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the polypeptide comprises residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating a bacterial infection in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective of a fusion protein comprising a first polypeptide that has at least 90% identity to an IL-21 polypeptide comprising residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2, and a second polypeptide, wherein the bacterial infection is selected from the group consisting of chlamydiae, listeriae,  helicobacter pylori, mycobacterium, mycoplasma, salmonella , and  shigella.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the polypeptide has at least 95% identity to an IL-21 polypeptide or residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the polypeptide comprises residues 32 (Gln) to 162 (Ser) of SEQ ID NO:2.