99 results about "Interferon epsilon" patented technology

The present invention provides isolated human monoclonal antibodies that bind to IFNAR-1 and that are capable of inhibiting the biological activity of Type I interferons. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting Type I interferon-mediated disorders using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection or Graft Versus Host Disease using the antibodies of the invention.

Humanized monoclonal antibodies which bind to IFNAR-1, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the humanized antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the humanized antibodies.

Modified interferon beta polypeptides and uses thereof are provided.

When interferon gamma (IFNG) is produced in mammalian cell lines a heterogenous population of IFNG polypeptides is obtained due to C-terminal processing of the IFNG polypeptide. Clearly, this constitutes a severe problem in that valuable polypeptide material is lost and, further, it is necessary to carry out time-consuming and cumbersome purification in order to obtain a homogenous population of active IFNG polypeptides having the desired length. It has now been found that an IFNG fragment containing 132 amino acid residues (truncated at the nucleotide level by introducing a stop-codon after the codon encoding amino acid residue no. 132) does not undergo C-terminal truncation or, at least, is not significantly C-terminally truncated. Furthermore, as the IFNG fragment containing 132 amino acid residues is active, this opens up the possibility of producing a homogenous active IFNG polypeptide in eukaryotic host cells, such as CHO cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to an IFNG polypeptide variant exhibiting IFNG activity and having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:12. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the variant comprises at least one further modification, such as 1-10 further modifications, relative to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:12. A particular preferred further modification is E38N+S40T.

The present invention includes compositions and methods that include antibodies that selectively neutralize a bioactivity of at least two interferon alpha (“IFNα”) protein subtypes for the protein subtypes A, 2, B2, C, F, G, H2, I, J1, K, 4a, 4b and WA, but does not neutralize at least one bioactivity of IFNα protein subtype D. Examples of bioactivity for measurement include activation of the MxA promoter or antiviral activity and variants, derivatives and fragments thereof. The invention also includes host cells, hybridomas and plasmacytomas that produce antibodies. Because of their unique selectivity and affinity, the antibodies of the present invention are useful to detect IFNα subtypes in sample or tissue and / or for therapeutic applications that include, but are not limited to the treatment and / or amelioration of an IFNα related disorder such as SLE, lupus, type I diabetes, psoriasis, AIDS and Graft versus Host Disease.

Exogenous cDNA capable of expressing interferon″ activity, exogenous interferon″ protein, inducers of endogenous interferon″ protein activity, inducers of endogenous interferon $ protein activity, inducers of endogenous interferon′ activity, or inducers of other immune-enhancing activity can be combined with a vaccine to enhance an immune response. Specifically disclosed are adjuvant and vaccine combinations where the adjuvant comprises a cDNA capable of expressing interferon″ activity, a complex comprising polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid, or a complex comprising polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid, poly-L-lysine, and carboxymethylcellulose and where the vaccine is a live vaccine virus derived from a virus causing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disease.

The present invention relates to identification of a gene upregulated by interferon-α administration corresponding to the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. Determination of expression products of this gene is proposed as having utility in predicting responsiveness to treatment with interferon-a and other interferons which act at the Type 1 interferon receptor. Therapeutic use of the protein encoded by the same gene is also envisaged.