Schering Corporation

Dnax Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Inc.

Takashi Yokota

Frank D Lee

Ken-ichi Arai

Donna M Rennick

Timothy R Mosmann

John S Abrams

Mammalian proteins and muteins thereof, designated interleukin-4s (IL-4s), are provided which exhibit both B cell growth factor activity and T cell growth factor activity. Compounds of the invention include native human and murine IL-4s, muteins thereof, and nucleic acids which are effectively homologous to disclosed cDNAs, and/or which are capable of coding for mammalian IL-4s and their muteins.

Nucleic acids encoding human interleukin-4

A method of treating rheumatoid arthritis comprising administering human Interleukin-4 (IL-4) to an individual afflicted with the disease. The IL-4 is administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a dose ranging from 1 .mu.g to 100 mg.

Use of interleukin-4 (IL-4) to treat rheumatoid arthritis

Fused polypeptides comprising interleukin-4 polypeptide fragments

A pharmaceutical composition comprising human Interleukin-4 (IL-4).

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising human interleukin-4 (IL-4)

Method of using interleukin-4

Plasmid vectors are provided that carry cDNA clones coding for polypeptides exhibiting B-cell, T-cell and mast cell stimulatory activities, all of which are enhanced in the presence of other immune-reactive agents. The polypeptides also augment the activity of various CSF's, such as G-CSF and G/M-CSF, and depress proliferation of macrophages in the presence of M-CSF. The cDNA is derived from mRNA isolated from a mammalian cell source, such as T-cells typically after activation with a mitogen. The plasmid vector also contains DNA segments from the SV40 virus, permitting expression of the cDNA after transfection into a mammalian host cell, such as COS cells. Two expressed polypeptides of the present invention from different mammals are about 140 and 150 amino acids in length, including potential leader sequences. An E. coli culture containing a plasmid (pcD-2A-E3) carrying a mouse cDNA insert of the present invention was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (A.T.C.C.) on Nov. 18, 1985, and designated accession number 53,330. Two additional E. coli cultures, each carrying plasmids with different human cDNA inserts of the present invention, were deposited with the A.T.C.C. as follows: pcD-2Fl-13 (pcD-46) was deposited on Nov. 26, 1985 and designated accession number 53,337 and pcD-125 was deposited on Mar. 7, 1986 and designated accession number 67,029.

CDNA Clones coding for human protein exhibiting a broad cellular

Mammalian interleukin-4

Peptides derived from human interleukin-4 are provided comprising from 6 to 40 amino acids. Conjugates of the peptides and carriers are also provided for the production of polyclonal and/or monoclonal antisera to human interleukin-4.

Human interleukin-4 peptides and conjugates thereof

Plasmid vectors are provided that carry complementary DNA (cDNA) clones cng for polypeptides exhibiting murine interleukin-2 activity. One of these polypeptides is 168 amino acids in length, including a potential leader sequence of about 19 amino acids. The cDNA is derived from messenger RNA isolated from a mouse T-cell line after activation with concanavalin A. The cDNA was cloned by incorporation into a plasmid vector, which is then transformed into E. coli. The plasmid vector also contained DNA segments from the SV40 virus, permitting expression of the cDNA after transfection into a mammalian host cell, such as monkey COS-7 cells.

cDNA clones coding for polypeptides exhibiting murine interleukin-2

Plasmid vectors are provided that carry complementary DNA (cDNA) clones coding for polypeptides exhibiting mammalian multi-lineage growth cell activity. One of these polypeptides is 166 amino acids in length, including a potential leader sequence of about 19 amino acids. The cDNA is derived from messenger RNA isolated from a mouse T-cell line after activation with concanavalin A. The cDNA was cloned by incorporation into a plasmid vector, which was then transformed into E. coli. The plasmid vector also contains DNA segments from the SV40 virus, permitting expression of the cDNA after transfection into a mammalian host cell, such as monkey COS-7 cells.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Takashi Yokota