Antibodies to class ii cytokine receptor-7

Abstract

Antibodies to novel receptor polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed. The polypeptides comprise an extracellular domain of a cell-surface receptor that is expressed in kidneys, pancreas, prostate, adrenal cortex and nervous tissue. The polypeptides may be used within methods for detecting ligands that promote the proliferation and/or differentiation of these organs.

1 . An antibody that specifically binds to SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody antagonizes the activity of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody according to  claim 2 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) amino acid residues 30 to 250 of SEQ ID NO:2;   (b) amino acid residues 30 to 274 of SEQ ID NO:2;   (c) amino acid residues 30 to 553 of SEQ ID NO:2;   (d) SEQ ID NO:2;   (e) allelic variants of (a), (b), (c), or (d); and   (f) sequences that are at least 80% identical to (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).   
     
     
         4 . The antibody according to  claim 3 , wherein said polypeptide is substantially free of transmembrane and intracellular domains ordinarily associated with hematopoietic receptors. 
     
     
         5 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a single-chain antibody, an antibody fragment, or a genetically engineered antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody fragment according to  claim 5 , wherein the antibody fragment is a F(ab′) 2  or Fab fragment. 
     
     
         7 . A method of using an antibody according to  claim 1  to tag cells that express SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         8 . A method of producing an antibody comprising:
 inoculating an animal with the polypeptide according to  claim 3 ;   wherein the polypeptide elicits an immune response in the animal to produce the antibody; and   isolating the antibody from the animal;   wherein the antibody specifically binds to the polypeptide according to  claim 3 .   
     
     
         9 . The antibody produced by the method according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         10 . An anti-idiotypic antibody that binds to the antigen-binding region of the antibody according to  claim 1 .