Methods for the modulation of il-13

Abstract

The present invention is drawn to methods for modulating IL-13 expression and/or activity in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of an agent which modulates the expression and/or activity of IL-9.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for modulating IL-13 expression and/or activity in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of an agent which modulates the expression and/or activity of IL-9.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the IL-13 expression and/or activity is down-regulated.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the agent is an IL-9 anagonist.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the IL-9 antagonist is an antibody against IL-9 or the IL-9 receptor.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the IL-9 antagonist is a soluble IL-9 receptor protein.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the down-regulation of IL-13 alleviates at least one symptom associated with an atopic allergy.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the atopic allergy is asthma.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one symptom associated with asthma is selected from the group consisting of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction, bronchial inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, eosinophilia, elevated serum IgE levels and mucin overproduction.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the down-regulation of IL-13 produces a down-regulation in 15-lipoxygenase expression and/or activity.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the down-regulation of IL-13 produces an up-regulation in isozyme 5-lipoxygenase.expression and/or activity.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the agent is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of intravenous, subcutaneous, transdermal, mucosal, intranasal, oral, bronchial adminstration.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the bronchial administration is carried out with an aerosol inhaler.  
     
     
         17 . A method for the treating a disease associated with elevated levels of IL-13 in a mammal comprising administration of an effective amount of an IL-9 antagonist.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the disease is further associated with a Th1-type inflammatory response.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the IL-9 antagonist is an antibody against IL-9 or the IL-9 receptor.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the IL-9 antagonist is a soluble IL-9 receptor protein.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the disease is an atopic allergy.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the atopic allergy is asthma.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the disease is an infectious disease.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the agent is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of intravenous, subcutaneous, transdermal, mucosal, intranasal, oral, bronchial administration.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the bronchial administration is carried out with an aerosol inhaler.  
     
     
         29 . A method of identifying an agent which modulates IL-13 expression and/or activity comprising: 
 (a) contacting a cell expressing an IL-9 receptor with the agent in the presence of an IL-9 receptor ligand;    (b) measuring expression and/or activity of IL-13;    wherein a decrease in IL-13 expression and/or activity indicates an agent capable of modulating IL-13 expression and/or activity.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein said IL-9 receptor ligand is selected from the group consisting of IL-9 or a fragment thereof, an IL-9 analog and an IL-9 peptide mimetic.