Darwin Discovery Limited

Ucb S.a.

Celltech R&d Limited

Darwin Molecular Corporation

Fred Ramsdell

Mary E Brunkow

Kathryn Hjerrild

Eric W Jeffery

Leon F Garcia-Martinez

Sean Proll

Karen Staehling-Hampton

Mark W Appleby

Roli Khattri

Kathryn A Hjerrild

The invention provides methods for modulating cytokine levels, GM-CSF levels and the immune system using CD83 nucleic acids, CD83 polypeptides, anti-CD83 antibodies and factors that influence CD83 activity or expression. The invention also provides mice having a mutant CD83 gene and mice having a transgenic CD83 gene, which are useful for defining the role of CD83 in the immune system and for identifying compounds that can modulate CD83 and the immune system.

Manipulation of cytokine levels using CD83 gene products

Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkh, as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors. Also provided are pharmaceutical compounds and methods of identifying such compounds that can modulate the immune system. In addition are provided methods for identifying proteins regulated by Scurfin (Fkh) and proteins that induce or inhibit Scurfin or Foxp3 expression.

Method for regulating immune function using the FOXP3 protein

Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkh, as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors. Utilizing assays based upon the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein (as well as mutant forms thereof), numerous molecules may be identified which modulate the immune system.

Identification of the gene causing the mouse scurfy phenotype and its human ortholog

Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkh , as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors. Utilizing assays based upon the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein (as well as mutant forms thereof), numerous molecules may be identified which modulate the immune system.

Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkh , as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors. Assays that are based upon the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein (as well as mutant forms thereof), may be used for identifying numerous molecules that modulate the immune system. Molecules that specifically bind to an Fkh polypeptide are also provided as useful, such as, for modulating the biological activities of Fkh . In particular, antibodies that are specific for Fkh polypeptide are provided for uses such as for detecting the expression of an Fkh polypeptide in cells, isolating an Fkh polypeptide, and modulating the activity of an Fkh polypeptide.

Antibodies specific for Fkhsf gene products

Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode Fkh , as well as mutant forms thereof. Also provided are expression vectors suitable for expressing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such expression vectors. Utilizing assays based upon the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein (as well as mutant forms thereof), numerous molecules may be identified which modulate the immune system

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Bainbridge Island, WA, United States of America

Fred Ramsdell