The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Wyeth

Other

Harvard College

Genetics Institute, Inc.

The Government of the United States of America

Thomas A Wynn

Mary Collins

Clive R Wood

Debra D Donaldson

Matthew James Whitters

Lori J Fitz

Tamlyn Neben

Monica G Chiaramonte

Deborah A Young

Michael J Grusby

Lori Fitz

Matthew J Whitters

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 are provided for treating or inhibiting the formation of tissue fibrosis using IL-13 antagonists, including without limitation soluble forms of the IL-13 receptor.

Treatment of fibrosis by antagonism of IL-13 and IL-13 receptor chains

Growing community of inventors

Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Thomas A Wynn