Use of Soluble Fgl2 As An Immunosuppressant

Abstract

Methods and compositions for inducing immune suppression are disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of a soluble fgl2 protein or a nucleic acid encoding a soluble fgl2 protein. The methods are useful in preventing graft rejection, autoimmune disease, and allergies.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of suppressing an immune response comprising administering an effective amount of a soluble fgl2 protein to an animal in need of such treatment. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  to suppress an immune response to a transplanted organ or tissue. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  to treat a disease or condition wherein it is desirable to suppress an immune response. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23  to treat an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 21  to inhibit T cell proliferation. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 21  to inhibit dendritic cell maturation. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 21  to promote a Th2 cytokine response. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the soluble fgl2 protein is a human soluble fgl2 protein or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the soluble fgl2 comprises domain 2 from the full length fgl2 protein. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the soluble fgl2 protein (i) is encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:1 ( FIG. 12A ); (ii) has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 ( FIG. 12B ); or (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the soluble fgl2 protein (i) is encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:3 ( FIG. 13A ); (ii) has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4 ( FIG. 13B ); or (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the soluble fgl2 protein (i) is encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:5 ( FIG. 14A ); (ii) has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:6 ( FIG. 14B ); or (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
     
     
         33 . A soluble fgl2 protein (i) encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:1 ( FIG. 12A ); (ii) having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 ( FIG. 12B ); or (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
     
     
         34 . A soluble fgl2 protein (i) encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:3 ( FIG. 13A ); (ii) having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4 ( FIG. 13B ); or (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
     
     
         35 . A soluble fgl2 protein (i) encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:5 ( FIG. 14A ); (ii) having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:6 ( FIG. 14B ); or (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
     
     
         36 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a soluble fgl2 comprising:
 (a) a nucleic acid sequence as shown in  FIG. 12A  (SEQ.ID.NO:1);   (b) a nucleic acid sequence that is complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence of (a);   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that has substantial sequence homology to a nucleic acid sequence of (a) or (b);   (d) a nucleic acid sequence that is an analog of a nucleic acid sequence of (a), (b) or (c); or   (e) a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a nucleic acid sequence of (a), (b), (c) or (d) under stringent hybridization conditions.   
     
     
         37 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a soluble fgl2 comprising:
 (a) a nucleic acid sequence as shown in  FIG. 13A  (SEQ.ID.NO:3);   (b) a nucleic acid sequence that is complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence of (a);   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that has substantial sequence homology to a nucleic acid sequence of (a) or (b);   (d) a nucleic acid sequence that is an analog of a nucleic acid sequence of (a), (b) or (c); or   (e) a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a nucleic acid sequence of (a), (b), (c) or (d) under stringent hybridization conditions.   
     
     
         38 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a soluble fgl2 comprising:
 (a) a nucleic acid sequence as shown in  FIG. 14A  (SEQ.ID.NO:5);   (b) a nucleic acid sequence that is complimentary to a nucleic acid sequence of (a);   (c) a nucleic acid sequence that has substantial sequence homology to a nucleic acid sequence of (a) or (b);   (d) a nucleic acid sequence that is an analog of a nucleic acid sequence of (a), (b) or (c); or   (e) a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a nucleic acid sequence of (a), (b), (c) or (d) under stringent hybridization conditions.   
     
     
         39 . A method of diagnosing a soluble fgl2 related immune suppression condition comprising:
 (a) incubating a biological sample from a patient with an antibody that binds to soluble fgl2 under conditions that promote soluble fgl2/antibody complex formation;   (b) determining the presence and/or levels of fgl2 by indirectly or directly detecting said complex formation;   (c) the presence of fgl2 and/or level thereof being indicative of an fgl2 related immune suppression condition.   
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39  wherein the soluble fgl2 is
 (1) (i) encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:1 ( FIG. 12A );
 (ii) having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 ( FIG. 12B ); or 
 (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii). 
   (2) (i) encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:3 ( FIG. 13A );
 (ii) having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4 ( FIG. 13B ); or 
 (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii); or 
   (3) (i) encoded by the nucleic acid molecule shown in SEQ ID NO:5 ( FIG. 14A );
 (ii) having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:6 ( FIG. 14B ); or 
 (iii) that is an analog of (i) or (ii).