Zymogenetics, Inc.

Bristol-myers Squibb Compnay

Kevin M Klucher

Paul O Sheppard

Scott R Presnell

Lowell J Brady

Wayne R Kindsvogel

Julia E Novak

Brian A Fox

David W Taft

Hong Liu

Francis J Grant

Thomas R Bukowski

Chung Chan

Dennis L Dong

Hong Yan Liu

Pallavur V Sivakumar

Theodore E Whitmore

Katherine E Henderson

Chung-Leung Chan

Sean E Doyle

Homogeneous preparations of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 have been produced by mutating one or more of the cysteine residues in the polynucleotide sequences encoding the mature proteins. The cysteine mutant proteins can be shown to either bind to their cognate receptor or exhibit biological activity. One type of biological activity that is shown is an antiviral activity.

Mutants of IL-29

IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and certain mutants thereof have been shown to have antiviral activity on a spectrum of viral species. Of particular interest is the antiviral activity demonstrated on viruses that infect liver, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. In addition, IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29, and mutants thereof do not exhibit some of the antiproliferative activity on hematopoietic cells that is observed with interferon treatment. Without the immunosuppressive effects accompanying interferon treatment, IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 will be useful in treating immunocompromised patients for viral infections.

Methods for treating viral infection using IL-28 and IL-29 cysteine mutants

Methods for treating patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders using IL-28 and IL-29 molecules. The IL-28 and IL-29 molecules include polypeptides that have homology to the human IL-28 or IL-29 polypeptide sequence and proteins fused to a polypeptide with IL-28 and IL-29 functional activity. The molecules can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other known cancer and/or autoimmune therapeutics.

Use of IL-28 and IL-29 to treat cancer and autoimmune disorders

Method of using IL-29 cystehne mutant to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B

Use of IL-29 for treating a dengue virus infection

The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zcyto20, zcyto21, zcyto22, zycto24, and zcyto25 proteins which are most closely related to interferon-&#x3b1; at the amino acid sequence level. The receptor for this protein family is a class II cytokine receptor. The present invention includes methods of reducing viral infections and increasing monocyte counts. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zcyto20 polypeptides, and methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Cytokine protein family

Cytokine Protein Family

Method of using interferon-like potein ZCYTO20 (IL-28A) or ZCYTO22(IL-28B) to treat hepatitis B

Method of using IL-29 cysteine mutant to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B

Antibodies to ZCYTO20 (IL-28A) and ZCYTO22 (IL-28B)

Polynucleotide encoding an IL-28A polypeptide

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Kevin M Klucher