Methods of inhibiting apoptosis or inflammation in a mammal by administering an isolated bcl protein

Abstract

In one aspect the present invention provides methods for inhibiting cell death or inflammation in a mammal, wherein the methods each include the step of administering to a mammal a Bcl protein in an amount sufficient to inhibit cell death or inflammation in the mammal. The invention also provides methods for identifying a Bcl protein that inhibits cell death or inflammation when administered to a mammal.

1 . A method for inhibiting apoptosis or inflammation in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering to the mammal an isolated protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19, wherein the isolated protein is administered in an amount sufficient to inhibit apoptosis or inflammation in the mammal, and wherein the isolated protein is 25 to 175 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:18. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:18. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% similar to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein consist of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , the isolated protein is administered in an amount sufficient to inhibit apoptosis of a cell in the mammal contacted by the isolated protein. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , the isolated protein is administered in an amount sufficient to inhibit apoptosis in the mammal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is suffering from a disease or disorder associated with apoptosis or inflammation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein is administered intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or transdermally. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein is administered to the mammal in an amount from 0.5 μg/kg/day to 50 μg/kg/day for a period of time sufficient to inhibit apoptosis in the mammal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein is administered to the mammal for a period of from 1 day to 20 days. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated protein is administered to the mammal at least once per day.