Anth1 chimeric antagonist

Abstract

A recombinant chimeric antagonist formed by a 60 amino acid fragment of the N-terminal region of human interleukin 2 (IL-2) fused to the N-terminal of the extracellular region of the alpha subunit of the gamma IFN (IFN γ) receptor. In vitro this protein has a T cell growth stimulating activity, it inhibits the growth stimulating activity of IL-2 in T cells, it inhibits the induction of HLA-DR by IFN γ and it inhibits the antiproliferative activity of γ IFN. This invention can be applied in the field of medicine for the treatment of several pathologies such as autoimmune diseases, graft rejections, chronic inflammations, sepsis, ischemia and reperfusion syndrome and atherosclerosis.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A nucleic acids molecule comprising Sequence #8, which encodes for the recombinant chimeric protein comprising a cytokine or a cytokine fragment that is covalently bound to the extracellular region of a cytokine receptor, by a peptide having more than 4 amino acids.  
     
     
         13 . A nucleic acids molecule according to claim  11  wherein the nucleic acid molecule is part of a carrier molecule or vector for the expression of a recombinant chimeric protein comprising cytokine or a cytokine fragment that is covalently bound to the extracellular region of a cytokine receptor, by a peptide having more than 4 amino acids.  
     
     
         14 . A nucleic acids molecule according to claim  11  wherein the nucleic acid molecule is part of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases that are mediated by the action of interleukin-2, of γ interferon or by the joint action of both cytokines.  
     
     
         15 . A nucleic acids molecule according to claim  10  characterized by forming part of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders or infection by microorganisms.  
     
     
         16 . A nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 12  wherein the nucleic acid molecule is part of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases that are mediated by the action of interleukin-2, of γ interferon or by the joint action of both cytokines.  
     
     
         17 . A nucleic acid molecule according to claim  11  characterized by forming part of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders or infection by microorganisms.  
     
     
         18 . A nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 12  characterized by forming part of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders or infection by microorganisms.