Isolated gdf trap polypeptide

Abstract

In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and/or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of treating anemia associated with chemotherapy in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an aqueous formulation, wherein the aqueous formulation comprises a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 37; wherein the polypeptide binds to GDF11 and/or myostatin; and wherein the formulation comprises Tris, a buffer, and/or a polyol. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 37. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide further comprises a constant region of an immunoglobulin. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the constant region is derived from an IgG heavy chain. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the constant region of an immunoglobulin is an Fc domain. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the polypeptide forms a homodimer. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 38. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide comprises one or more modified amino acid residues selected from: a glycosylated amino acid, a PEGylated amino acid, a farnesylated amino acid, an acetylated amino acid, a biotinylated amino acid, an amino acid conjugated to a lipid moiety, and an amino acid conjugated to an organic derivatizing agent. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide binds to GDF11. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide binds to myostatin. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide binds to myostatin and GDF11. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide inhibits signaling by GDF11 and myostatin in a cell-based assay. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide inhibits signaling by GDF11 in a cell-based assay. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide inhibits signaling by myostatin in a cell-based assay. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the formulation comprises a polyol. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the formulation comprises Tris, a buffer and a polyol.