Cytokine receptor zcytor17 multimers

Abstract

Novel polypeptide combinations, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zcytor17-containing multimeric or heterodimer cytokine receptors that may be used as novel cytokine antagonists, and within methods for detecting ligands that stimulate the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic, lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the multimeric or heterodimeric cytokine receptor, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

1 . A method of reducing zcytor17lig-induced inflammation in a mammal suffering from an inflammatory disease comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising a soluble receptor polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 20-519 of SEQ ID NO:111, wherein the soluble receptor polypeptide forms a heterodimeric or multimeric soluble receptor polypeptide with a second soluble receptor polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 28-739 of SEQ ID NO:7; and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, wherein after administration the inflammation is reduced. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heterodimeric or multimeric soluble receptor polypeptide is fused to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region is an F c  fragment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inflammatory disease is a chronic inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the chronic inflammatory disease is selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, and eczema. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inflammatory disease is an acute inflammatory disease. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the acute inflammatory disease is selected from the group consisting of endotoxemia, septicemia, and toxic shock syndrome. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heterodimeric or multimeric soluble receptor polypeptide further comprises a radionuclide, enzyme, substrate, cofactor, fluorescent marker, chemiluminescent marker, peptide tag, magnetic particle, drug, or toxin.