Soluble TNF Receptors and Their Use in Treatment of Disease

Abstract

The present invention relates to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists and corresponding nucleic acids derived from tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. These proteins are soluble secreted decoy receptors that bind to TNF and prevent TNF from signaling to cells. In particular, the proteins are mammalian TNFRs that lack exon 7 and which can bind TNF and can act as a TNF antagonist.

1 . An isolated protein capable of binding tumor necrosis factor (TNF), said protein having a sequence comprising the amino acids encoded by a cDNA derived from a mammalian tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) gene, wherein the cDNA comprises in 5′ to 3′ contiguous order,
 the codon encoding the first amino acid after the cleavage point of the signal sequence of said gene through exon 6 of said gene and exon 8 or said gene through exon 10 of said gene; or
 the codon encoding the first amino acid of the open reading frame of said gene through exon 6 of said gene and exon 8 of said gene through exon 10 of said gene. 
 
 
     
     
         2 .- 56 . (canceled)