Composition and method for treating lupus nephritis

Abstract

The present invention provides novel isolated BFLP0169 polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the BFLP0169 polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a BFLP0169 polypeptide or any derivative (including fusion derivative), variant, mutant or fragment of the BFLP0169 polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the BFLP0169 polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A cell including the vector of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A fusion polypeptide comprising (i) a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  operably linked to (ii) a non-BFLP0169 polypeptide. 
     
     
         5 . The fusion polypeptide of  claim 4 , wherein said non-BFLP0169 polypeptide comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of an Fc region of an immunoglobulin molecules or a FLAG epitope, a HIS tag, and a MYC tag. 
     
     
         6 . A fusion polypeptide comprising a rapamycin-binding domain of a BFLP0169 polypeptide operably linked to a non-BFLP0169 polypeptide. 
     
     
         7 . The fusion polypeptide of  claim 6 , wherein said non-BFLP0169 polypeptide comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of an Fc region of an immunoglobulin molecules or a FLAG epitope, a HIS tag, and a MYC tag. 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the fusion polypeptide of  claim 6  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         9 . An antibody that binds selectively to a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein said antibody inhibits binding of a BFLP0169 polypeptide to rapamycin. 
     
     
         11 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         12 . The antibody of  claim 9 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 12 , wherein said monoclonal antibody is selected from the group consisting of a murine monoclonal antibody, and a humanized monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing a BFLP0169 polypeptide, said method comprising culturing a cell including the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  under conditions allowing for expression of a BFLP0169 polypeptide encoded by said nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         15 . A method of detecting the presence of a BFLP0169 nucleic acid molecule in a biological sample, the method comprising:
 contacting the sample with a nucleic acid probe that binds specifically to a BFLP0169 nucleic acid; and   identifying the bound probe, if present,   
       thereby detecting the presence of BFLP0169 nucleic acid molecule in said sample. 
     
     
         16 . A method of detecting the presence of a BFLP0169 polypeptide in a sample, the method comprising:
 contacting the sample with a compound that selectively binds to said polypeptide under conditions allowing for formation of a complex between said polypeptide and said compound; and   detecting said complex, if present, thereby identifying said polypeptide in said sample.   
     
     
         17 . A method for screening for a therapeutic agent for treating an autoimmune disorder, the method comprising:
 contacting a test compound with a BFLP0169 polypeptide; and   determining if said test compound binds to said BFLP0169 polypeptide, wherein binding of said test compound to said polypeptide indicates the test compound is a therapeutic agent for an autoimmune disorder.   
     
     
         18 . A method of treating lupus nephritis in a subject, the method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits activity of a BFLP0169 polypeptide in said subject. 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent that inhibits activity of a BFLP0169 polypeptide in a subject and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein said agent is an anti-BFLP antibody.