Il-1 eta dna and polypeptides

Abstract

The invention is directed to novel purified and isolated IL-1 eta polypeptides and fragment thereof, the polynucleotides encoding such, polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, peptides derived from these polypeptides, and uses thereof.

1 . An antibody that is immunoreactive with a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a polypeptide comprising the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2;   b) a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide that is at least 80% identical to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2; and   c) a fragment of a polypeptide of (a) or (b), wherein said fragment is capable of binding IL-1 receptor family members.   
     
     
         2 . A method for screening a plurality of molecules to determine whether the molecules affect an activity of an IL-1 eta polypeptide, the method comprising:
 a) contacting a molecule and the IL-1 eta polypeptide with cells capable of exhibiting the activity when contacted with IL-1 eta; and,   b) analysing the cells for the occurrence of the activity, wherein if the activity observed in the presence of the molecule differs front the activity that is observed when the molecule is absent, the molecule affects the activity of the IL-1 epsilon.   
       and wherein, the IL-1 eta polypeptide comprises a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, polypeptides encoded by DNAs that hybridize under moderately stringent conditions to the DNA of SEQ ID NO:1, a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide that is at least 80% identical to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, and fragments of the aforesaid polypeptides, wherein the polypeptides exhibit a biological activity of IL-1 eta. 
     
     
         3 . A combination method for screening a plurality of molecules to determine whether the molecules affect a biological activity of an IL-1 eta polypeptide, the method comprising:
 a) selecting a molecule that affects an ability of IL-1 eta to bind an IL-1 receptor family member:   b) contacting the selected molecule and an IL-1 eta polypeptide with cells capable of exhibiting a biological activity when contacted with IL-1 eta; and   c) analyzing the cells for the occurrence of the biological activity, wherein if the biological activity observed in the presence of the selected test compound differs from the biological activity that is observed when the selected test compound is absent. She selected test compound affects the biological activity of IL-1 eta.   
       and wherein, the IL-1 eta polypeptide comprises a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, polypeptides encoded by DNAs that hybridize under moderately stringent conditions to the DNA of SEQ ID NO: 1, a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide that is at least 80% identical to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, and fragments of the aforesaid polypeptides, wherein the polypeptides exhibit a biological activity of IL-1 eta. 
     
     
         4 . A molecule identified according to  claim 2 , wherein the molecule is an antagonist of IL-1 eta. 
     
     
         5 . A molecule identified according to  claim 3 , wherein the molecule is an antagonist of IL-1 eta. 
     
     
         6 . A method of treating an inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease, the method comprising the step of administering an IL-1 eta antagonist according to  claim 4  to a subject afflicted with the inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating an inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease, the method comprising the step of administering an IL-1 eta antagonist according to  claim 5  to a subject afflicted with the inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wherein inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease is selected from the group consisting of: ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, asthma, infection-associated airway hyperactivity, granulomatous lung disease, emphysema, chronic fibrosing alveolitis, acute hyperoxic lung damage, multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, arterial restenosis, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, glomerulonephritis, uveitis, Behçet's syndrome, sepsis, acute pancreatitis, diabetes, endometriosis, periodontal disease, heat stroke, glaucoma, multiple myeloma, myeloid leukemia, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antagonist blocks an inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. 
     
     
         10 . The antibody of  claim 1 , which is an antagonist of IL-1 eta.