Uses of il-174 antagonists for inhibiting a th2 immune response

Abstract

Agonists or antagonists of cytokine designated IL-174, and various methods of their use are provided. In particular, the methods make use of facts that many activities of the IL-174 cytokine are described.

1 . A method of:
 a) directing a mammalian immune response towards a Th2 type response, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to immune cells of the mammal;   b) stimulating an mammalian innate immune response, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to immune cells of the mammal;   c) augmenting a mammalian inflammatory response from epithelial or fibroblast cells, said method comprising further administering an IL-174 agonist to said mammal;   d) inducing gut cell growth, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to said cell;   e) promoting mammalian extra medulary hematopoiesis, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to said mammal;   f) directing a mammalian immune response away from a Th2 type response, said method comprising administering an IL-174 antagonist to immune cells of the mammal;   g) preventing mammalian inflammation or granuloma formation, comprising administering an IL-174 antagonist to immune system cells; or   h) augmenting antibody response in serum and fecal material, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to immune cells of the mammal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 :
 a) directing a mammalian immune response towards a Th2 type response, said method comprising administering an M-174 agonist to immune cells of the mammal;   b) stimulating an mammalian innate immune response, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to immune cells of the mammal;   c) augmenting a mammalian inflammatory response from epithelial or fibroblast cells, said method comprising further administering an IL-174 agonist to said mammal;   d) inducing gut cell growth, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to said cell; or   e) promoting mammalian extra medulary hematopoiesis, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to said mammal.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 :
 d) inducing gut cell growth, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to said cell;   e) promoting mammalian extra medulary hematopoiesis, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to said mammal.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 :
 f) directing a mammalian immune response away from a Th2 type response, said method comprising administering an IL-174 antagonist to immune cells of the mammal;   g) preventing mammalian inflammation or granuloma formation, comprising administering an IL-174 antagonist to immune system cells; or   h) augmenting antibody responses in serum and fecal material, said method comprising administering an IL-174 agonist to immune cells of the mammal.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  administering an agonist, wherein said administering:
 a) induces cytokine production by a fibroblast, epithelial, or endothelial cell;   b) downregulates an inflammatory response which accompanies an infection;   c) stimulates growth of an epithelial cell; or   d) induces growth of gut epithelial, fibroblast, or goblet cells.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  administering an agonist, wherein said mammal exhibits, or has experienced conditions to stimulate:
 a) an autoimmune condition;   b) an infectious disease immune response;   c) a wound healing response; or   d) a Th1 mediated condition.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 a) said autoimmune condition is selected from:
 i) multiple sclerosis; 
 ii) systemic lupus erythematosis; 
 iii) rheumatoid arthritis; 
 iv) diabetes; or 
 v) psoriasis; 
   b) said infectious response is symptomatic of:
 i) an  Aspergillis  infection; 
 ii) a fungal infection, including Candidaisis, Blastomycosis, or Aspergillosis; 
 iii) a parasitic infection, including Schistosomiasis, fluke worm, Helminth, or Filariasis; or 
 iv) a viral infection, including hepatitis; or 
   c) said Th1 mediated condition is an inflammatory condition, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, or eosinophilic gastritis.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  treating an infectious response, further comprising administering another therapeutic entity to treat said infection. 
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 2 , stimulating an mammalian innate immune response. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  administering an antagonist, wherein said antagonist is a monoclonal antibody against IL-174. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  administering an antagonist, wherein:
 a) said administering blocks eosinophil attraction, tissue remodeling, or fibrosis; or   b) said mammal exhibits, or has experienced conditions to stimulate:
 i) an allergic condition; 
 ii) an inflammatory condition; or 
 iii) a Th2 mediated condition. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 a) said eosinophils are attracted to the lung, liver or intestine   b) said fibrosis is pancreatic duct or peribiliary fibrosis;   c) said antagonist suppresses production of IL-4, IL-5, and/or IL-13;   d) said antagonist decreases eotaxin, CCR4, and/or CCR4 expression in BAL;   e) symptoms of said allergic condition are in the lung;   f) said allergic condition is a systemic anaphylactic response, skin hypersensitivity response, or a food allergy; or   g) said inflammatory or Th2 mediated condition is a dermatitis or asthmatic inflammation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said mammal exhibits, or has experienced conditions to stimulate:
 a) an allergic condition;   b) an inflammatory condition; or   c) a Th2 mediated condition.   
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising:
 a) an IL-174 agonist and:
 i) an antimicrobial, including an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal compound; or 
 ii) a chemotherapy agent; or 
   b) an IL-174 antagonist and:
 i) an allergy medicament; 
 ii) an asthma medicament; 
 iii) a dermatitis medicament; 
 iv) a fibrosis medicament; or 
 v) an eosinophilic gastritis medicament.