Leland Stanford Junior University

Eric Alejandro Sweet

Jennifer R Cochran

Jun Woo Kim

Provided are agents that specifically bind a ligand of ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR). In certain aspects, an agent of the present disclosure is a soluble CNTFR polypeptide. The soluble CNTFR polypeptide may have an altered (e.g., reduced) binding affinity for one or more ligand-CNTFR complex subunits, an altered (e.g., increased) binding affinity for one or more CNTFR ligands, or any combination thereof. Compositions that include the agents of the present disclosure are also provided, as are methods of using the agents (e.g., for treating a cell proliferative disorder) and methods of identifying an individual as having a cell proliferative disorder associated with CNTFR signaling.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor ligand-binding agents and methods of using the same

Provided are ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) ligands. In certain aspects, a CNTFR ligand of the present disclosure exhibits increased affinity for CNTFR relative to the corresponding wild-type CNTFR ligand. In certain aspects, a CNTFR ligand of the present disclosure results in reduced binding affinity of glycoprotein 130 (gp130), leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), or both, for a complex including the CNTFR ligand and CNTFR, relative to the binding affinity for a complex including the corresponding wild-type CNTFR ligand and CNTFR. In certain aspects, a CNTFR ligand of the present disclosure has both of the aforementioned properties. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the CNTFR ligands, as well as methods of using the CNTFR ligands.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Eric Alejandro Sweet