Methods for treating viral infection using il-28 and il-29

Abstract

IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and certain mutants thereof have been shown to have antiviral activity on a spectrum of viral species. Of particular interest is the antiviral activity demonstrated on viruses that infect liver, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. In addition, IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and mutants thereof do not exhibit some of the antiproliferative activity on hematopoietic cells that is observed with interferon treatment. Without the immunosuppressive effects accompanying interferon treatment, IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 will be useful in treating immunocompromised patients for viral infections.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a viral infection in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to one or more of the polypeptides selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 22-205 of SEQ ID NO:2, amino acid residues 20-200 of SEQ ID NO:4, amino acid residues 22-205 of SEQ ID NO:6, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:18, amino acid residues 1-181 of SEQ ID NO:20, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:22, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:24, amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:26, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:28, amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:30, amino acid residues 1-181 of SEQ ID NO:32, amino acid residues 1-182 of SEQ ID NO:34, amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:36, amino acid residues 1-182 of SEQ ID NO:38, and amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:40, wherein the virus infecting the mammal is selected from the group consisting of respiratory syncytial virus, herpes virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, small pox virus, adenovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, rhino virus, yellow fever, rift valley virus, human immunodeficiency virus, coxsackie virus, vaccinia virus, measles virus, west nile virus, lassa fever virus, ebola virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, dengue virus, venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, pichinde virus and polio virus, and wherein after administration of the polypeptide the viral infection is reduced. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to a polyalkyl oxide moiety. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the polyalkyl oxide moiety is a polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         4 . A method of treating a patient having hepatocellular carcinoma who also suffers from a chronic hepatitis C infection comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to one or more of the polypeptides selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 22-205 of SEQ ID NO:2, amino acid residues 20-200 of SEQ ID NO:4, amino acid residues 22-205 of SEQ ID NO:6, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:18, amino acid residues 1-181 of SEQ ID NO:20, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:22, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:24, amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:26, amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:28, amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:30, amino acid residues 1-181 of SEQ ID NO:32, amino acid residues 1-182 of SEQ ID NO:34, amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:36, amino acid residues 1-182 of SEQ ID NO:38, and amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:40, and wherein after administration of the polypeptide the hepatocellular carcinoma is reduced. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to a polyalkyl oxide moiety. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the polyalkyl oxide moiety is a polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating a hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide comprising amino acid residues 1-175 of SEQ ID NO:2 or amino acid residues 1-176 of SEQ ID NO:40. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polypeptide is conjugated to a polyalkyl oxide moiety. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the polyalkyl oxide moiety is a polyethylene glycol.