Interferons, uses and compositions related thereto

Abstract

The present disclosure provides isolated Interferonα nucleic acids and polypeptides. The disclosure also provides antibodies which specifically recognize the subject Interferonα polypeptides, expression vectors containing the subject nucleic acids, and host cells expressing the subject polypeptides. In addition, methods of treatment using Interferonα are provided.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence greater than 99% identical to a complete sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 58, 60, and 76, or a biologically active fragment thereof; wherein the polypeptide or fragment is a species with enhanced antiviral and/or antiproliferative activity compared to that of a wild-type interferon-alpha-14/alpha-H polypeptide or fragment. 
     
     
         62 . The isolated polypeptide or biologically active fragment of  claim 61 , wherein the percent identity is 100% identity. 
     
     
         63 . The isolated polypeptide or biologically active fragment of  claim 61 , wherein proteolytic cleavage of the polypeptide generates a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence greater than 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 76. 
     
     
         64 . An isolated polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide or fragment is a species with enhanced antiviral and/or antiproliferative activity compared to that of a wild-type interferon-alpha-14/alpha-H polypeptide or fragment, which species is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57, 59 and 75. 
     
     
         65 . An isolated polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide or fragment is a species with enhanced antiviral and/or antiproliferative activity compared to that of a wild-type interferon-alpha-14/alpha-H polypeptide or fragment, which species is encoded by a nucleic acid which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57, 59 and 75. 
     
     
         66 . An isolated polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide or fragment is a species with enhanced antiviral and/or antiproliferative activity compared to that of a wild-type interferon-alpha-14/alpha-H polypeptide or fragment, which species is encoded by a nucleic acid which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid complementary to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 57, 59 and 75. 
     
     
         67 . The isolated polypeptide or biologically active fragment of  claim 61 , wherein (i) if the sequence identity is determined by comparison to SEQ ID NO: 76, then the polypeptide comprises tyrosine at the position corresponding to position 7 of SEQ ID NO: 76; (ii) if the sequence identity is determined by comparison to SEQ ID NO: 60, then the polypeptide comprises tyrosine at the position corresponding to position 30 of SEQ ID NO: 60; and (iii) if the sequence identity is determined by comparison to SEQ ID NO: 58, then the polypeptide comprises alanine at the position corresponding to position 103 of SEQ ID NO: 58. 
     
     
         68 . The isolated polypeptide or biologically active fragment of any one of  claims 61 - 67 , wherein the biologically active fragment comprises at least one of antiviral activity, antiproliferative activity, and MHC class I antigen expression induction activity. 
     
     
         69 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of any one of  claims 61 - 68 . 
     
     
         70 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 69 , and capable of replicating in at least a prokaryotic cell or a eukaryotic cell. 
     
     
         71 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 70 . 
     
     
         72 . A method of producing an interferon polypeptide with enhanced antiviral and/or antiproliferative activity compared to that of a wild-type interferon-alpha-14/alpha-H polypeptide, the method comprising culturing the cell of  claim 71  in a cell culture medium to express said polypeptide, and, optionally, isolating said polypeptide from said cell culture. 
     
     
         73 . A polypeptide produced by the method of  claim 72 . 
     
     
         74 . An isolated antibody that binds specifically to the polypeptide of any one of  claims 61 - 68 . 
     
     
         75 . A composition comprising the polypeptide of any one of  claims 61 - 68  and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         76 . A method for treatment of an immune system disorder in a patient comprising administering to the patient the polypeptide of any one of  claims 61 - 68 . 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the immune system disorder is selected from the group consisting of viral infection, parasitic infection, bacterial infection, cancer, autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, lymphoma and allergy. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the patient is a human or non-human animal. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the patient is a human or non-human animal.