Myeloid colony stimulating factor and uses thereof

Abstract

The identification of the HYAL 1 hyaluronidase enzyme as a human plasma-derived myeloid colony-stimulating factor (CSF), herein designated CSF5-hyaluronidase, its recombinant production and methods of use are described. This protein may be used for the treatment of myelosuppression as may occur after irradiation, chemotherapy or other diseases where an increase in leukocyte levels may be beneficial. For example, CSF5-may be used to enhance the immune response to viral infection or other diseases associated with immune suppression.

1 . A method for treating a mammal with a myelosuppressed condition, comprising administering a CSF-5 hyaluronidase to the mammal. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the myelosuppressed condition is a myeloid-cell insufficiency that results from radiation treatment, chemotherapy, or viral infection. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the myelosuppressed condition is characterized by insufficient production of at least one cytokine by a myeloid cell, and the CSF5-hyaluronidase facilitates production of that cytokine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cytokine is selected from among an interferon, interleukin, tumor necrosis factor and myeloid colony stimulating factor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CSF5-hyaluronidase comprises a sequence of amino acids that is produced upon expression in a cell of a sequence of nucleotides set forth as nucleotides 617-1921 of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CSF5-hyaluronidase comprises the sequence of amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO:9 without the leader sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the myelosuppressed condition is associated with monocytopenia. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.