Therapeutic method

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method of modulating an inflammatory response in a mammal and to agents useful for same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of modulating an inflammatory response in a mammal by modulating the functional activity of activin and thereby modulating the pro-inflammatory mediator cascade. The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate inflammatory response including, inter alia, sepsis and inflammation of the airway. The present invention is further directed to methods for identifying and/or designing agents capable of modulating activin mediated regulation of the inflammatory response.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A method of treating a disease or condition characterized by neutrophil infiltration in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering follistatin to said mammal. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of neutrophilic asthma, lung transplantation, bronchiolitis obliterans, emphysema, obstructive pulmonary disease, asbestosis, obstructive sleep apnoea, and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the follistatin is administered as follistatin 315. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the follistatin is administered as follistatin 288. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the follistatin is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of injection, oral administration, oral inhalation, or a nebulizer. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the mammal is human.