Novel neurotrophic factors

Abstract

The invention relates to neublastin neurotrophic factor polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding neublastin polypeptides, and antibodies that bind specifically to neublastin polypeptides, as well as methods of making and methods of using the same.

11 . A homodimer consisting of two polypeptides each of which consists of amino acids 37-140 of SEQ ID NO:9 (NBN104). 
     
     
         12 . The homodimer of  claim 11 , wherein the polypeptides are glycosylated. 
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the homodimer of  claim 11  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the homodimer of  claim 12  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating neuropathic pain in a human in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating neuropathic pain in a human in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating a peripheral neuropathy in a human in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of treating a peripheral neuropathy in a human in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the human a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the peripheral neuropathy is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered systemically.