Use of il-20 antagonists for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis

Abstract

The invention features methods and compositions for preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis by administering an antagonist of IL-20. The IL-20 antagonist may be an anti-IL-20 antibody, such as mAB 7E, that is capable of binding human IL-20 and blocking IL-20 interaction with its receptors.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for treating bone loss in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an anti-IL-20 antibody in an amount effective in treating bone loss in the subject. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the subject is a human subject having rheumatoid arthritis. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the human subject has bone erosion. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective in treating bone damage. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective in inhibiting bone mineral density reduction. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective in treating bone damage. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective inhibiting bone mineral density reduction. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody binds human IL-20. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is selected from the group consisting of an intact antibody and an antigen-binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is selected from the group consisting of a human antibody, a humanized antibody, and a chimeric antibody that comprises a heavy chain constant region and a light chain constant region from a human antibody. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is co-administered with a TNFα antagonist. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the TNFα antagonist is selected from the group consisting of an etanercept polypeptide, infliximab, and adalimumab. 
     
     
         42 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered parenterally. 
     
     
         43 . A method for treating bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an anti-IL-20 antibody in an amount effective in inhibiting bone erosion in the subject. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective to inhibit structural joint damage. 
     
     
         45 . A method of inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an anti-IL-20 antibody in an amount effective in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation in the subject, wherein the subject is a rheumatoid arthritis patient. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the anti-IL-20 antibody is administered to the subject in an amount effective in inhibiting bone erosion.