Modulators of tissue regeneration

Abstract

Proteins which are upregulated in injured or regenerating tissues, as well as the DNA encoding these proteins, are disclosed, as well as therapeutic compositions and methods of treatment encompassing these compounds.

1 - 3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of 
 SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:6.    
     
     
         5 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, and SEQ ID NO:7.  
     
     
         9 - 13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         15 . A host cell comprising the vector of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         16 . A polypeptide production method, comprising the steps of: culturing a host cell of  claim 15  in a cell culture medium; and, recovering a KIM polypeptide expressed from the vector insert within said host cell.  
     
     
         17 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence 
 a) selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, and SEQ ID NO:7.    
     
     
         18 . A soluble variant of the polypeptide of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         19 . A fusion protein comprising the polypeptide of  claim 17;  and, an immunoglobulin, toxin, or imageable compound.  
     
     
         20 . The polypeptide of  claim 17  conjugated to an immunoglobulin, toxin, imageable compound or radionuclide.  
     
     
         21 . An antibody that binds specifically to the polypeptide  claim 17 .  
     
     
         22 . An antibody of  claim 21  conjugated to a toxin, imageable compound or radionuclide.  
     
     
         23 . A hybridoma that produces an antibody of  claim 21 .  
     
     
         24 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier having dispersed therein, to a therapeutically effective concentration, a vector of  claim 14 .  
     
     
         25 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier having dispersed therein, to a therapeutically effective concentration, the polypeptide of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         26 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier having dispersed therein, to a therapeutically effective concentration, the antibody of  claim 21 .  
     
     
         27 . A method of assessing presence or course of resolution of renal injury in a subject, comprising the step of measuring the concentration of a KIM nucleic acid or a KIM polypeptide in urine, serum, or urine sediment of a subject afflicted with, or at risk of developing, renal injury or disease.  
     
     
         28 . A method of imaging cells or tissue producing a KIM polypeptide, comprising the step of contacting the cells or tissue with an imageable KIM antibody conjugate of  claim 22 .  
     
     
         29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . A method of targeting a toxin, radionuclide or imageable compound to cells producing a KIM polypeptide, comprising the step of contacting the cells with a KIM antibody conjugate of  claim 22 .  
     
     
         31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A method of treating a subject afflicted with, or at risk of developing, renal disease, comprising the step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 25  to the subject.  
     
     
         33 . A method of promoting tissue growth in a subject, comprising the step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 25  to the subject.  
     
     
         34 . A method of promoting survival of damaged tissue in a subject, comprising the step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 25  to the subject.  
     
     
         35 - 36 . (canceled)  
     
     
         37 . A method of treating a subject afflicted with, or at risk of developing, renal disease, comprising the step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 26  to the subject.  
     
     
         38 . A method of promoting tissue growth in a subject, comprising the step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 26  to the subject.  
     
     
         39 . A method of promoting survival of damaged tissue in a subject, comprising the step of administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 26  to the subject.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the renal disease is renal cancer.