Inhibition of il-17 production

Abstract

The invention concerns inhibition of the production of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) by T cells, using an antagonist of interleukin-23 (IL-23). The invention further concerns the use of IL-23 antagonists in the treatment of inflammatory diseases characterized by the presence of elevated levels of IL-17. IL-23 antagonists include, without limitation, antibodies specifically binding to a subunit or IL-17 or an IL-17 receptor. The invention additionally concerns induction of IL-7 production by using an IL-23 agonist.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting interleukin-17 (IL-17) production by memory T cells, comprising administering to a mammalian subject in need an interleukin-23 (IL-23) antagonist selected from the group consisting of an anti-IL-23 antibody, an anti-IL-23 receptor antibody, an immunoadhesin comprising an IL-23 subunit fused to an immunoglobulin constant region sequence or comprising an IL-23 receptor subunit fused to an immunoglobulin constant region sequence, and an anti-sense oligonucleotide capable of inhibiting translation and/or transcription of a gene encoding a subunit of native IL-23 polypeptide or capable of inhibiting translation and/or transcription of a gene encoding a subunit of a native IL-23 receptor polypeptide. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammalian subject is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said T cells are activated T cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said antagonist if an anti-IL-23 antibody or an anti-IL-23 receptor antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said antibody is an antigen-binding antibody fragment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of Fv, Fab, Fab′, and F(ab′) 2  fragments. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said antibody is a full-length antibody. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said antibody is chimeric, humanized or human.