Avian colony stimulating factor 1 receptor binding proteins

Abstract

The present invention provides avian CSF1 genes encoding proteins which bind avian colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) and which exhibit immunomodulatory properties.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of modulating avian growth and/or organ development comprising administering an effective amount of an avian CSF1 and/or IL34 gene and/or protein to an avian subject. 
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of modulating the avian immune system comprising administering an immunomodulatory amount of an avian CSF1 and/or IL34 gene and/or protein to an avian subject. 
     
     
         17 . A vaccine adjuvant comprising an avian CSF1 and IL34 protein. 
     
     
         18 . The vaccine adjuvant of  claim 17 , wherein the avian CSF1 protein, comprises an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:3 or 5. 
     
     
         19 . An immunogenic composition, comprising an avian CSF1 and/or IL34 protein. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating conditions, such as inflammatory diseases, resulting from or associated with aberrant CSF1/IL34 gene/protein expression, said method comprising an effective amount of a compound capable of inhibiting CSF1/IL34 gene expression or protein production to an avian subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: a sense or antisense nucleic acid molecule; a fragment, portion or derivative of an avian CSF1/IL34 gene; and an antibody. 
     
     
         22 . A method of screening avian species, particularly agriculturally significant or important avian species for potential inclusion in breeding programs said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a nucleic acid sample from an avian species; and   b) comparing the level of expression of the CSF1 and/or IL34 gene(s) with a reference nucleic acid sample or value;
 wherein avian species which exhibit and increased level of CSF1 and/or IL34 gene expression relative to a that present in a reference nucleic acid sample or value, may be selected for inclusion in breeding programs. 
   
     
     
         23 . An avian CSF1 gene comprising a nucleic acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2 or 4. 
     
     
         24 . A fragment, analogue, portion, mutant, variant, derivative and/or homologue/orthologue of the gene of  claim 23 . 
     
     
         25 . An avian IL34 gene comprising a nucleic acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
         26 . A fragment, analogue, portion, mutant, variant, derivative and/or homologue/orthologue of the gene of  claim 25 . 
     
     
         27 . A substantially purified avian CSF1 protein, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:3 or 5. 
     
     
         28 . A fragment, analogue, portion, mutant, variant, derivative and/or homologue/orthologue of the protein of  claim 27 . 
     
     
         29 . A substantially purified avian IL34 protein, comprising an amino acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
         30 . A fragment, analogue, portion, mutant, variant, derivative and/or homologue/orthologue of the protein of  claim 29 . 
     
     
         31 . An expression vector comprising an avian CSF1 gene sequence or fragment or portion thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The expression vector of  claim 31 , wherein the avian gene sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the nucleic acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1, 2 or 4. 
     
     
         33 . An expression vector comprising an avian IL34 gene sequence or fragment or portion thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The expression vector of  claim 33 , wherein the avian IL34 gene sequence comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 60% identical or homologous to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
         35 . A host cell transformed with the expression vector of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         36 . A host cell transformed with the expression vector of  claim 32 . 
     
     
         37 . A host cell transformed with the expression vector of  claim 33 .