Wyeth

National Institutes of Health, a Component of the US Dept. of Health & Human Services

Harvard College

Medimmune Limited

Genetics Institute, Inc.

Cambridge Antibody Technology Limited

Deborah A Young

Mary Collins

Matthew James Whitters

Viia Valge-Archer

Michael J Grusby

Joann Witek

Debra D Donaldson

Davinder Gill

Beatriz M Carreno

Andrew James Williams

Michelle J Unger

Laura L Carter

Laird Bloom

Andrea Wurster

Yulia Vugmeyster

Glenn R Larsen

David C Lowe

Margot O'Toole

Ethan Shevach

Marion T Kasaian

Thomas A Wynn

Maya Arai

Michael Chapman Byrne

Leslie D Lowe

Lesile D Lowe

Margery Ma

Kyri Dunussi

Heath M Guay

Geoffrey Laurence Stephens

Padmalatha S Reddy

Rebecca Suzanne McHugh

Karissa K Adkins

Amy Arlene Weaver

Sadhana Jain

Viia Valge-archer

Joann S Witek

Michelle Ungar

Beatriz Carreno

Matthew J Whitters

Joanne Witek

The present invention provides binding proteins and antigen-binding fragments thereof, including human antibodies, that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R), and methods of using them. The binding proteins can act as, e.g., antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used, e.g., in diagnosing, treating, and/or preventing IL-21R-associated disorders, e.g., inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, and other immune system disorders.

Methods of treatment utilizing binding proteins of the interleukin-21 receptor

The present invention provides binding proteins and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R). The binding proteins can act as, e.g., antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used, e.g., in diagnosing and/or treating IL-21R-associated disorders, e.g., inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders.

Interleukin-21 receptor binding proteins

The present application provides human antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R). The antibodies can act as antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in diagnosing, treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders.

Nucleic acids coding for antibodies against human IL-21 receptor and uses therefor

The present invention provides methods of screening for compositions useful for treating, ameliorating, or preventing fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring changes in the level(s) of IL-21 and/or IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) (e.g., the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R protein and/or mRNA, the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R). The invention further provides antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21R for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions. Further provided herein are methods of diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring the progress (e.g., the course of treatment) of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (i.e., the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (e.g., the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R gene products), and/or the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R).

Methods for treating and preventing fibrosis

Methods and compositions for modulating T helper (Th) cell development and function using modulators of IL-21, e.g., human IL-21, activity or level.

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The present invention provides novel isolated and purified polynucleotides and polypeptides related to a novel ligand for glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR). The invention also provides antibodies to the GITR ligand (GITRL). The present invention also is directed to novel methods for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring the progress of, and treating disorders arising from disregulation of the immune system (e.g., autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and transplant rejection, and cancers and infectious diseases) using GITRL and/or modulators of GITRL. The present invention is further directed to novel therapeutics and therapeutic targets and to methods of screening and assessing test compounds for the intervention (treatment) and prevention of said disorders arising from disregulation of the immune system, as related to GITRL and GITR.

Method of treating or ameliorating an immune cell associated pathology using GITR ligand antibodies

Antibodies against human or mouse IL-21 receptor

Methods and compositions for modulating T helper (Th) cell development and function

Methods and compositions for modulating interleukin-21 (IL-21)/IL-21 receptor (MU-1) activity using agonists or antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21 receptor ('IL-21R' or 'MU-1'), are disclosed. IL-21/IL-21R antagonists can be used to induce immune suppression in vivo, e.g., for treating or preventing immune cell-associated pathologies (e.g., pathologies associated with aberrant activity of one or more of mature T cells (mature CD8+, mature CD4+ T cells), mature NK cells, B cells, macrophages and megakaryocytes, including transplant rejection and autoimmune disorders). IL-21/IL-21R agonists can be used by themselves or in combination with an antigen, e.g., as an adjuvant (e.g., a vaccine adjuvant), to up-regulate an immune response in vivo, e.g., for example, for use in treating cancer and infectious disorders.

Methods and compositions for modulating interleukin-21 receptor activity

Provided is a method of suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering an antagonist of a MU-1 hematopoietin receptor superfamily chain protein.

Methods of treatment with antagonists of MU-1

Growing community of inventors

Melrose, MA, United States of America

Deborah A Young