Il-17 homologous polypeptides and therapeutic uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An antagonist of a polypeptide comprising:
 (a) amino acids 1 to 667 of SEQ ID NO:16;   (b) amino acids 24 to 667 of SEQ ID NO:16;   (c) amino acids 1 to 454 of SEQ ID NO:16;   (d) amino acids 24 to 454 of SEQ ID NO:16; and   (e) the polypeptide encoded by the full-length coding sequence of the cDNA deposited under ATCC accession number PTA-1082,   wherein said antagonist comprises:   (1) an isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the sequence of amino acid residues 1 to 667 of SEQ ID NO:16, or   (2) a nucleic acid antagonist directed against the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:15, which is an antisense nucleic acid, a deoxynucleic acid oligonucleotide adapted for triple helix formation, or a ribozyme.   
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antagonist of  claim 1  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The antagonist of  claim 1  wherein said antagonist is an isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the sequence of amino acid residues 1 to 667 of SEQ ID NO:16. 
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 3  wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a monovalent antibody, or a human antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 3  wherein said antibody is a Fab, Fab′, Fv, or F(ab′) 2  fragment. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 3  wherein said antibody is recombinantly produced. 
     
     
         7 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of  claim 3  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         8 . The antibody of  claim 3  wherein said antibody is a labeled antibody. 
     
     
         9 . The antagonist of  claim 1  wherein said antagonist is a nucleic acid antagonist directed against the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:15, which is an antisense nucleic acid, a deoxynucleic acid oligonucleotide adapted for triple helix formation, or a ribozyme. 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antagonist of  claim 9  in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating an inflammatory or degenerative cartilaginous disorder in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal an antagonist of  claim 1 .