Method for enhancing proliferation or differentiation of a cell using OB protein

Abstract

Uses for WSX ligands in hematopoiesis are disclosed. In particular, in vitro and in vivo methods for stimulating hematopoiesis (e.g., myelopoiesis, erythropoiesis and especially, lymphopoiesis) using a WSX ligand (e.g., anti-WSX receptor agonist antibodies or OB protein), and optionally another cytokine, are described.

1 . A method for enhancing proliferation or differentiation of a cell of the hematopoietic lineage comprising an OB receptor having a WSX motif, said method comprising administering to the cell an amount of OB protein which is effective for enhancing proliferation or differentiation of the cell, with the proviso that a further cytokine is not concurrently administered to the cell, wherein a sequence of said OB protein shares at least 84% sequence homology with a mouse OB protein sequence, shares at least 84% sequence homology with a human OB protein sequence, or shares at least 84% sequence homology with both a human and a mouse OB protein sequences.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 90% identical to the mouse OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 95% identical to the mouse OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 99% identical to the mouse OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein shares at least 84% sequence homology with the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 90% identical to the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 95% identical to the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a sequence of said OB protein is at least 99% identical to the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said OB protein is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a mouse nucleic acid sequence, wherein said mouse nucleic acid sequence encodes a mouse OB protein.  
     
     
         10 . A method for enhancing proliferation or differentiation of a cell of the hematopoietic lineage comprising an OB receptor having a WSX motif, said method comprising administering to the cell an amount of OB protein which is effective for enhancing proliferation or differentiation of the cell, with the proviso that a further cytokine is not concurrently administered to the cell, wherein said OB protein is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a human nucleic acid sequence, wherein said human nucleic acid sequence encodes a human OB protein, and wherein said hybridization occurs under moderately stringent conditions.  
     
     
         11 . A method for repopulating blood cells in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of OB protein, with the proviso that a further cytokine is not concurrently administered to the mammal to repopulate blood cells when the OB protein is administered to the mammal, wherein a sequence of said OB protein shares at least 84% sequence homology with a mouse OB protein sequence, shares at least 84% sequence homology with a human OB protein sequence, or shares at least 84% sequence homology with both a human and a mouse OB protein sequences.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 90% identical to the mouse OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 95% identical to the mouse OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 99% identical to the mouse OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein shares at least 84% sequence homology with the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 90% identical to the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sequence of said OB protein is at least 95% identical to the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a sequence of said OB protein is at least 99% identical to the human OB protein sequence.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said OB protein is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a mouse nucleic acid sequence, wherein said mouse nucleic acid sequence encodes a mouse OB protein.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said OB protein is encoded by a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to a human nucleic acid sequence, wherein said human nucleic acid sequence encodes a human OB protein, and wherein said hybridization occurs under moderately stringent conditions.