Methods of treating inflammation using soluble il-17ra/rc fusion proteins

Abstract

Disclosed are antagonists of IL-17A and IL-17F. The antagonists are based on soluble IL-17RA and IL-17RC fusion proteins, including hybrid soluble receptors comprising portions of both IL-17RC and IL-17RA (“IL-17RC/IL-17RA”). Such antagonists serve to block, inhibit, reduce, antagonize or neutralize the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F. Also disclosed are methods of using such antagonists for treating disease, particularly inflammatory diseases mediated at least in part by IL-17A and/or IL-17F.

1 . An antibody, or antibody fragment, that specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 33-458 of SEQ ID NO: 158. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody, or antibody fragment, is selected from the group consisting of a polyclonal antibody, a murine monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody derived from a murine monoclonal antibody, an antibody fragment, a neutralizing antibody, and a human monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody fragment of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of F(ab′) 2 , F(ab) 2 , Fab′, Fv, scFv, and minimal recognition unit. 
     
     
         4 . An anti-idiotype antibody that specifically binds to the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . A diagnostic kit comprising at least one container comprising the antibody, or antibody fragment, of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The diagnostic kit of  claim 5 , further comprising a second container comprising one or more reagents capable of indicating the presence of the antibody, or antibody fragment.