U.S. patent application number 16/736487 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-03 for il-17a/f heterologous polypeptides and therapeutic uses thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is NOVARTIS PHARMA AG. Invention is credited to David P. ARNOTT, Austin L. GURNEY, Philip E. HASS, James M. LEE, Yan WU.
Application Number | 20200377584 16/736487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005021365 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200377584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARNOTT; David P. ; et
al. |
December 3, 2020 |
IL-17A/F HETEROLOGOUS POLYPEPTIDES AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a novel naturally occurring
human cytokine that is comprised of a heterodimer of interleukin-17
and interleukin-17F designated herein as interleukin 17A/F
(IL-17A/F). Also provided herein are vectors and host cells
comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide
molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention
fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, specific antibodies
which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to
methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative
cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.
Inventors: |
ARNOTT; David P.; (San
Mateo, CA) ; GURNEY; Austin L.; (Belmont, CA)
; HASS; Philip E.; (Moss Beach, CA) ; LEE; James
M.; (San Bruno, CA) ; WU; Yan; (Foster City,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOVARTIS PHARMA AG |
BASEL |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005021365 |
Appl. No.: |
16/736487 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15965115 |
Apr 27, 2018 |
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16736487 |
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14491641 |
Sep 19, 2014 |
10011654 |
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15965115 |
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11953733 |
Dec 10, 2007 |
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14491641 |
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10860824 |
Jun 2, 2004 |
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11953733 |
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60486457 |
Jul 11, 2003 |
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60485599 |
Jul 8, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 2317/565 20130101;
Y02A 50/30 20180101; C07K 2317/34 20130101; C07K 14/54 20130101;
C07K 2317/21 20130101; C07K 2317/32 20130101; C07K 2317/24
20130101; C07K 2317/55 20130101; C07K 16/244 20130101; C07K 2317/75
20130101; G01N 33/6869 20130101; C07K 2317/622 20130101; C07K
2317/76 20130101; A61K 38/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 16/24 20060101
C07K016/24; C07K 14/54 20060101 C07K014/54; G01N 33/68 20060101
G01N033/68 |
Claims
1. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide
having at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to: (a) the amino
acid sequence of an IL-17A/F polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:3 and
SEQ ID NO:4; or (b) the amino acid sequence of an IL-17A/F
polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4 lacking its
associated signal peptides.
2. The isolated antibody of claim 1, wherein said antibody is a
monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody or a single-chain
antibody.
3. The isolated antibody of claim 1, wherein said antibody is a
monoclonal antibody, which preferably has nonhuman complementarity
determining region (CDR) residues and human framework region (FR)
residues.
4. The isolated antibody of claim 1 which is labeled and is
immobilized on a solid support.
5. The isolated antibody of claim 1, wherein said antibody is an
antibody fragment, a monoclonal antibody, a single-chain antibody,
or an anti-idiotypic antibody.
6. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein the antibody fragment
or single-chain antibody comprises a Fab fragment selected from the
group consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ
ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,
SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID
NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ
ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27,
SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID
NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ
ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41,
and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment further comprises three
heavy chain variable regions containing CDR-H1 consisting of amino
acid residues 7 to 16 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, CDR-H2 consisting of
amino acid residues 30 to 46 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, and CDR-H3
consisting of amino acid residue 78 to at least amino acid residue
96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein said isolated Fab fragment is
capable of binding IL-17A/F.
7. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein the antibody fragment
or single-chain antibody comprises a Fab fragment selected from the
group consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ
ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,
SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID
NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ
ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27,
SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID
NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ
ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41,
and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment further comprises at
least heavy chain variable region containing CDR-H1 consisting of
amino acid residues 7 to 16 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, and CDR-H2
consisting of amino acid residues 30 to 46 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42,
wherein said Fab fragment is capable of binding IL-17A/F.
8. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein the antibody fragment
or single-chain antibody comprises a Fab fragment selected from the
group consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ
ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,
SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID
NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ
ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27,
SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID
NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ
ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41,
and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment further comprises at
least heavy chain variable regions containing CDR-H1 consisting of
amino acid residues 7 to 16 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42 and CDR-H3
consisting of amino acid residue 78 to at least amino acid residue
96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein said Fab fragment is capable of
binding IL-17A/F.
9. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein the antibody fragment
or single-chain antibody comprises a Fab fragment selected from the
group consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ
ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13,
SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID
NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ
ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27,
SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID
NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ
ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41,
and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment further comprises at
least heavy chain variable regions containing CDR-H2 consisting of
amino acid residues 30 to 46 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, and CDR-H3
consisting of amino acid residue 78 to at least amino acid residue
96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein said Fab fragment is capable of
binding IL-17A/F.
10. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein the antibody fragment
or single-chain antibody comprises a Fab fragment selected from the
group consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ
ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO:13,
SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID
NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ
ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27,
SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID
NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ
ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41,
and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment further comprises at
least one of heavy chain variable region containing CDR-H1
consisting of amino acid residues 7 to 16 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42,
CDR-H2 consisting of amino acid residues 30 to 46 of SEQ ID
NOs:9-42, or CDR-H3 consisting of amino acid residue 78 to at least
amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein said Fab fragment
is capable of binding IL-17A/F.
11. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein said CDR-H1 region of
SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID
NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ
ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22,
SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID
NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ
ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36,
SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID
NO:41, or SEQ ID NO:42 comprises at least amino acid residues 7-10
corresponding to the amino sequence shown as SEQ ID NO:77, wherein
said SEQ ID NO:77 is capable of binding IL-17A/F.
12. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein said CDR-H2 region of
SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID
NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ
ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22,
SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID
NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ
ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36,
SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID
NO:41, or SEQ ID NO:42 comprises at least amino acid residues 41-46
corresponding to amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO:78),
wherein said SEQ ID NO:78 is capable of binding IL-17A/F.
13. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein said antibody is an
anti-IL-17A/F agonist antibody.
14. The isolated antibody of claim 5, wherein said antibody is an
anti-IL-17A/F antagonist antibody.
15. An isolated antibody capable of specifically binding to IL-17A
comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 and IL-17F comprising SEQ ID NO: 4 wherein
the IL-17A and IL-17F are in complex.
16. An isolated antibody capable of specifically binding to IL-17A
comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 or IL-17F comprising SEQ ID NO: 4 wherein
the IL-17A and IL-17F are in a complex.
17. An isolated antibody capable of specifically binding to IL-17A
comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 wherein the IL-17A is in a complex.
18. An isolated antibody capable of specifically binding to IL-17E
comprising SEQ ID NO: 4 wherein the IL-17A is in a complex.
19. The isolated antibody according to any one of claims 15 to 18,
wherein the complex is a multimeric complex.
20. The isolated antibody of claim 19 wherein the multimeric
complex is an IL-17F homodimer, an IL-17A homodimer, an IL-17F
heterodimer, or an IL-17A heterodimer.
21. The isolated antibody of claim 20 wherein the IL-17F
heterodimer or IL-17A heterodimer comprises IL-17-A and IL-17F.
22. The isolated antibody of claim 21 wherein the IL-17A/F
heterodimer comprises one molecule of IL-17A and one molecule of
IL-17F joined by a covalent linkage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/860,824, filed Jun. 2, 2004, which is a
non-provisional application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b), claiming
priority under 35 USC Section 119(e) to Provisional Application
Nos. 60/486,457 filed on Jul. 11, 2004 and 60/485,599 filed on Jul.
8, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the
identification and isolation of a novel human cytokine designated
herein as interleukin-17A/F (IL-17A/F).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Extracellular proteins play important roles in, among other
things, the formation, differentiation and maintenance of
multicellular organisms. The fate of many individual cells, e.g.,
proliferation, migration, differentiation, or interaction with
other cells, is typically governed by information received from
other cells and/or the immediate environment. This information is
often transmitted by secreted polypeptides (for instance, mitogenic
factors, survival factors, cytotoxic factors, differentiation
factors, neuropeptides, and hormones) which are, in turn, received
and interpreted by diverse cell receptors or membrane-bound
proteins. These secreted polypeptides or signaling molecules
normally pass through the cellular secretory pathway to reach their
site of action in the extracellular environment.
[0004] Secreted proteins have various industrial applications,
including as pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, biosensors and
bioreactors. Most protein drugs available at present, such as
thrombolytic agents, interferons, interleukins, erythropoietin,
colony stimulating factors, and various other cytokines, are
secretory proteins. Their receptors, which are membrane proteins,
also have potential as therapeutic or diagnostic agents.
[0005] Membrane-bound proteins and receptors can play important
roles in, among other things, the formation, differentiation and
maintenance of multicellular organisms. The fate of many individual
cells, e.g., proliferation, migration, differentiation, or
interaction with other cells, is typically governed by information
received from other cells and/or the immediate environment. This
information is often transmitted by secreted polypeptides (for
instance, mitogenic factors, survival factors, cytotoxic factors,
differentiation factors, neuropeptides, and hormones) which are, in
turn, received and interpreted by diverse cell receptors or
membrane-bound proteins. Such membrane-bound proteins and cell
receptors include, but are not limited to, cytokine receptors,
receptor kinases, receptor phosphatases, receptors involved in
cell-cell interactions, and cellular adhesin molecules like
selectins and integrins. For instance, transduction of signals that
regulate cell growth and differentiation is regulated in part by
phosphorylation of various cellular proteins. Protein tyrosine
kinases, enzymes that catalyze that process, can also act as growth
factor receptors. Examples include fibroblast growth factor
receptor and nerve growth factor receptor.
[0006] Similarly to secreted proteins, membrane-bound proteins and
receptor molecules have various industrial applications, including
as pharmaceutical and diagnostic agents. Receptor immunoadhesins,
for instance, can be employed as therapeutic agents to block
receptor-ligand interactions. The membrane-bound proteins can also
be employed for screening of potential peptide or small molecule
inhibitors of the relevant receptor/ligand interaction.
[0007] Efforts are being undertaken by both industry and academia
to identify new, native secreted proteins and native receptor or
membrane-bound proteins. Many efforts are focused on the screening
of mammalian recombinant DNA libraries to identify the coding
sequences for novel secreted proteins. Examples of screening
methods and techniques are described in the literature [see, for
example, Klein et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 93:7108-7113 (1996);
U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,637)].
[0008] In this regard, the present invention relates to identifying
novel secreted polypeptides of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) family
which have been shown to be related to immune-mediated and
inflammatory disease. Immune related and inflammatory diseases are
the manifestation or consequence of fairly complex, often multiple
interconnected biological pathways which in normal physiology are
critical to respond to insult or injury, initiate repair from
insult or injury, and mount innate and acquired defense against
foreign organisms. Disease or pathology occurs when these normal
physiological pathways cause additional insult or injury either as
directly related to the intensity of the response, as a consequence
of abnormal regulation or excessive stimulation, as a reaction to
self, or as a combination of these.
[0009] Though the genesis of these diseases often involves
multi-step pathways and often multiple different biological
systems/pathways, intervention at critical points in one or more of
these pathways can have an ameliorative or therapeutic effect.
Therapeutic intervention can occur by either antagonism of a
detrimental process/pathway or stimulation of a beneficial
process/pathway.
[0010] Many immune related diseases are known and have been
extensively studied. Such diseases include immune-mediated
inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, immune
mediated renal disease, hepatobiliary diseases, inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD), psoriasis, and asthma), non-immune-mediated
inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, immunodeficiency
diseases, neoplasia, etc.
[0011] T lymphocytes (T cells) are an important component of a
mammalian immune response. T cells recognize antigens which are
associated with a self-molecule encoded by genes within the major
histocompatibility complex (MHC). The antigen may be displayed
together with MHC molecules on the surface of antigen presenting
cells, virus infected cells, cancer cells, grafts, etc. The T cell
system eliminates these altered cells which pose a health threat to
the host mammal T cells include helper T cells and cytotoxic T
cells. Helper T cells proliferate extensively following recognition
of an antigen-MHC complex on an antigen presenting cell. Helper T
cells also secrete a variety of cytokines, i.e., lymphokines, which
play a central role in the activation of B cells, cytotoxic T cells
and a variety of other cells which participate in the immune
response.
[0012] A central event in both humoral and cell mediated immune
responses is the activation and clonal expansion of helper T cells.
Helper T cell activation is initiated by the interaction of the T
cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex with an antigen-MHC on the surface
of an antigen presenting cell. This interaction mediates a cascade
of biochemical events that induce the resting helper T cell to
enter a cell cycle (the G0 to G1 transition) and results in the
expression of a high affinity receptor for IL-2 and sometimes IL-4.
The activated T cell progresses through the cycle proliferating and
differentiating into memory cells or effector cells.
[0013] In addition to the signals mediated through the TCR,
activation of T cells involves additional costimulation induced by
cytokines released by the antigen presenting cell or through
interactions with membrane bound molecules on the antigen
presenting cell and the T cell. The cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 have
been shown to provide a costimulatory signal. Also, the interaction
between the B7 molecule expressed on the surface of an antigen
presenting cell and CD28 and CTLA-4 molecules expressed on the T
cell surface effect T cell activation. Activated T cells express an
increased number of cellular adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1,
integrins, VLA-4, LFA-1, CD56, etc.
[0014] T-cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte culture or mixed
lymphocyte reaction (MLR) is an established indication of the
ability of a compound to stimulate the immune system. In many
immune responses, inflammatory cells infiltrate the site of injury
or infection. The migrating cells may be neutrophilic,
eosinophilic, monocytic or lymphocytic as can be determined by
histologic examination of the affected tissues. Current Protocols
in Immunology, ed. John E. Coligan, 1994, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc.
[0015] Immune related diseases could be treated by suppressing the
immune response. Using neutralizing antibodies that inhibit
molecules having immune stimulatory activity would be beneficial in
the treatment of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.
Molecules which inhibit the immune response can be utilized
(proteins directly or via the use of antibody agonists) to inhibit
the immune response and thus ameliorate immune related disease.
[0016] Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a T-cell derived pro-inflammatory
molecule that stimulates epithelial, endothelial and fibroblastic
cells to produce other inflammatory cytokines and chemokines
including IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, and MCP-1 [see, Yao, Z. et al., J.
Immunol., 122(12):5483-5486 (1995); Yao, Z. et al., Immunity,
3(6):811-821 (1995); Fossiez, F., et al., J. Exp. Med., 183(6):
2593-2603 (1996); Kennedy, J., et al., J. Interferon Cytokine Res.,
16(8):611-7 (1996); Cai, X. Y., et al., Immunol. Lett, 62(1):51-8
(1998); Jovanovic, D. V., et al. J. Immunol., 160(7):3513-21
(1998); Laan, M., et al., J. Immunol., 162(4):2347-52 (1999);
Linden, A, et al., Eur Respir J, 15(5):973-7 (2000); and Aggarwal,
S. and Gurney, A. L., J Leukoc Biol, 71(1):1-8 (2002)]. IL-17 also
synergizes with other cytokines including TNF-.alpha. and
IL-1.beta. to further induce chemokine expression (Chabaud, M., et
al., J. Immunol. 161(1):409-14 (1998)). Interleukin 17 (IL-17)
exhibits pleitropic biological activities on various types of
cells. IL-17 also has the ability to induce ICAM-1 surface
expression, proliferation of T cells, and growth and
differentiation of CD34.sup.+ human progenitors into neutrophils.
IL-17 has also been implicated in bone metabolism, and has been
suggested to play an important role in pathological conditions
characterized by the presence of activated T cells and TNF-.alpha.
production such as rheumatoid arthritis and loosening of bone
implants (Van Bezooijen et al., J. Bone Miner. Res., 14: 1513-1521
[1999]). Activated T cells of synovial tissue derived from
rheumatoid arthritis patients were found to secrete higher amounts
of IL-17 than those derived from normal individuals or
osteoarthritis patients (Chabaud et al., Arthritis Rheum., 42:
963-970 [1999]). It was suggested that this proinflammatory
cytokine actively contributes to synovial inflammation in
rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from its proinflammatory role, IL-17
seems to contribute to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis by yet
another mechanism. For example, IL-17 has been shown to induce the
expression of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) mRNA in
osteoblasts (Kotake et al., J. Clin. Invest., 103: 1345-1352
[1999]). ODF stimulates differentiation of progenitor cells into
osteoclasts, the cells involved in bone resorption. Since the level
of IL-17 is significantly increased in synovial fluid of rheumatoid
arthritis patients, it appears that IL-17 induced osteoclast
formation plays a crucial role in bone resorption in rheumatoid
arthritis. IL-17 is also believed to play a key role in certain
other autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (Matusevicius
et al., Mult. Scler., 5: 101-104 (1999); Kurasawa, K., et al,
Arthritis Rheu 43(11):2455-63 (2000)) and psoriasis (Teunissen, M.
B., et al., J Invest Dermatol 111(4):645-9 (1998); Albanesi, C., et
al., J Invest Dermatol 115(1):81-7 (2000); and Homey, B., et al.,
J. Immunol. 164(12:6621-32 (2000)).
[0017] IL-17 has further been shown, by intracellular signaling, to
stimulate Ca.sup.2+ influx and a reduction in [cAMP] in human
macrophages (Jovanovic et al., J. Immunol., 160:3513 [1998]).
Fibroblasts treated with IL-17 induce the activation of
NF-.kappa.B, [Yao et al., Immunity, 3:811 (1995), Jovanovic et al.,
supra], while macrophages treated with it activate NF-.kappa.B and
mitogen-activated protein kinases (Shalom-Barek et al., J. Biol.
Chem., 273:27467 [1998]). Additionally, IL-17 also shares sequence
similarity with mammalian cytokine-like factor 7 that is involved
in bone and cartilage growth. Other proteins with which IL-17
polypeptides share sequence similarity are human embryo-derived
interleukin-related factor (EDIRF) and interleukin-20.
[0018] Consistent with IL-17's wide-range of effects, the cell
surface receptor for IL-17 has been found to be widely expressed in
many tissues and cell types (Yao et al., Cytokine, 9:794 [1997]).
While the amino acid sequence of the human IL-17 receptor (IL-R)
(866 amino acids) predicts a protein with a single transmembrane
domain and a long, 525 amino acid intracellular domain, the
receptor sequence is unique and is not similar to that of any of
the receptors from the cytokine/growth factor receptor family. This
coupled with the lack of similarity of IL-17 itself to other known
proteins indicates that IL-17 and its receptor may be part of a
novel family of signaling proteins and receptors. It has been
demonstrated that IL-17 activity is mediated through binding to its
unique cell surface receptor (designated herein as human IL-17R),
wherein previous studies have shown that contacting T cells with a
soluble form of the IL-17 receptor polypeptide inhibited T cell
proliferation and IL-2 production induced by PHA, concanavalin A
and anti-TCR monoclonal antibody (Yao et al., J. Immunol.,
155:5483-5486 [1995]). As such, there is significant interest in
identifying and characterizing novel polypeptides having homology
to the known cytokine receptors, specifically IL-17 receptors.
[0019] Interleukin 17 is now recognized as the prototype member of
an emerging family of cytokines. The large scale sequencing of the
human and other vertebrate genomes has revealed the presence of
additional genes encoding proteins clearly related to IL-17, thus
defining a new family of cytokines. There are at least 6 members of
the IL-17 family in humans and mice including IL-17B, IL-17C,
IL-17D, IL-17E and IL-17F as well as novel receptors IL-17RH1,
IL-17RH2, IL-17RH3 and IL-17RH4 (see WO01/46420 published Jun. 28,
2001). One such IL-17 member (designated as IL-17F) has been
demonstrated to bind to the human IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) (Yao et
al., Cytokine, 9(11):794-800 (1997)). Initial characterization
suggests that, like IL-17, several of these newly identified
molecules have the ability to modulate immune function. The potent
inflammatory actions that have been identified for several of these
factors and the emerging associations with major human diseases
suggest that these proteins may have significant roles in
inflammatory processes and may offer opportunities for therapeutic
intervention.
[0020] The gene encoding human IL-17F is located adjacent to IL-17
(Hymowitz, S. G., et al., Embo J, 20(19):5332-41 (2001)). IL-17 and
IL-17F share 44% amino acid identity whereas the other members of
the IL-17 family share a more limited 15-27% amino acid identity
suggesting that IL-17 and IL-17F form a distinct subgroup within
the IL-17 family (Starnes, T., et al., J Immunol, 167(8):4137-40
(2001); Aggarwal, S. and Gurney, A. L., J. Leukoc Biol, 71(1):1-8
(2002)). IL-17F appears to have similar biological actions as
IL-17, and is able to promote the production of IL-6, IL-8, and
G-CSF from a wide variety of cells Similar to IL-17, it is able to
induce cartilage matrix release and inhibit new cartilage matrix
synthesis (see US-2002-0177188-A1 published Nov. 28, 2002). Thus,
like IL-17, IL-17F may potentially contribute to the pathology of
inflammatory disorders. Recently, these authors have observed that
both IL-17 and IL-17F are induced in T cells by the action of
interleukin 23 (IL-23) (Aggarwal, S., et al., J. Biol. Chem.,
278(3):1910-4 (2003)). The observation that IL-17 and IL-17F share
similar chromosomal localization and significant sequence
similarity sd well as the observation that IL-17 and IL-17F appear
to be induced with the same cell population in response to a
specific stimuli has led to the identification of a new human
cytokine that is comprised of a covalent heterodimer of IL-17 and
IL-17F (herein designated IL-17A/F). Human IL-17A/F is a distinctly
new cytokine, distinguishable from human IL-17 and IL-17F in both
protein structure and in cell-based activity assays. Through the
use of purified recombinant human IL-17A/F as a standard, a human
IL-17AF-specific ELISA has been developed. Through the use of this
specific ELISA, the induced expression of human IL-17A/F was
detected, confirming that IL-17A/F is naturally produced from
activated human T cells in culture. Hence, IL-17A/F is a distinctly
new cytokine, detectable as a natural product of isolated activated
human T cells, whose recombinant form has been characterized, in
both protein structure and cell-based assays, as to be different
and distinguishable from related cytokines. Thus, these studies
provide and identify a novel immune stimulant (i.e. IL-17A/F) that
can boost the immune system to respond to a particular antigen that
may not have been immunologically active previously. As such, the
newly identified immune stimulant has important clinical
applications. This novel IL-17A/F cytokine or agonists thereof,
would therefore find practical utility as an immune stimulant,
whereas molecules which inhibit IL-17A/F activity (antagonists)
would be expected to find practical utility when an inhibition of
the immune response is desired, such as in autoimmune diseases.
Specifically, antibodies to this new cytokine which either mimic
(agonist antibodies) or inhibit (antagonist antibodies) the
immunological activities of IL-17A/F would possess therapeutic
qualities. Small molecules which act to inhibit the activity of
this novel cytokine would also have potential therapeutic uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A. Embodiments
[0021] The present invention concerns compositions and methods
useful for the diagnosis and treatment of immune related disease in
mammals, including humans. The present invention is based on the
identification of proteins (including agonist and antagonist
antibodies) which either stimulate or inhibit the immune response
in mammals Immune related diseases can be treated by suppressing or
enhancing the immune response. Molecules that enhance the immune
response stimulate or potentiate the immune response to an antigen.
Molecules which stimulate the immune response can be used
therapeutically where enhancement of the immune response would be
beneficial. Alternatively, molecules that suppress the immune
response attenuate or reduce the immune response to an antigen
(e.g., neutralizing antibodies) can be used therapeutically where
attenuation of the immune response would be beneficial (e.g.,
inflammation). Accordingly, the IL-17A/F polypeptides of the
present invention and agonists and antagonists thereof are also
useful to prepare medicines and medicaments for the treatment of
immune-related and inflammatory diseases. In a specific aspect,
such medicines and medicaments comprise a therapeutically effective
amount of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, agonist or antagonist thereof
with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the
admixture is sterile.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the invention concerns a method of
identifying agonists of or antagonists to an IL-17A/F polypeptide
which comprises contacting the IL-17A/F polypeptide with a
candidate molecule and monitoring a biological activity mediated by
said IL-17A/F polypeptide. Preferably, the IL-17A/F polypeptide is
a native sequence IL-17A/F polypeptide. In a specific aspect, the
IL-17A/F agonist or antagonist is an anti-IL-17A/F antibody.
[0023] In another embodiment, the invention concerns a composition
of matter comprising an IL-17A/F polypeptide or an agonist or
antagonist antibody which binds the polypeptide in admixture with a
carrier or excipient. In one aspect, the composition comprises a
therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide or antibody. In
another aspect, when the composition comprises an immune
stimulating molecule, the composition is useful for: (a) enhancing
infiltration of inflammatory cells into a tissue of a mammal in
need thereof, (b) stimulating or enhancing an immune response in a
mammal in need thereof, (c) increasing the proliferation of
T-lymphocytes in a mammal in need thereof in response to an
antigen, (d) stimulating the activity of T-lymphocytes or (e)
increasing the vascular permeability. In a further aspect, when the
composition comprises an immune inhibiting molecule, the
composition is useful for: (a) decreasing infiltration of
inflammatory cells into a tissue of a mammal in need thereof, (b)
inhibiting or reducing an immune response in a mammal in need
thereof, (c) decreasing the activity of T-lymphocytes or (d)
decreasing the proliferation of T-lymphocytes in a mammal in need
thereof in response to an antigen. In another aspect, the
composition comprises a further active ingredient, which may, for
example, be a further antibody or a cytotoxic or chemotherapeutic
agent. Preferably, the composition is sterile.
[0024] In another embodiment, the invention concerns a method of
treating an immune related disorder in a mammal in need thereof,
comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective
amount of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, an agonist thereof, or an
antagonist thereto. In a preferred aspect, the immune related
disorder is selected form the group consisting of: systemic lupus
erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile
chronic arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, systemic sclerosis,
idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic
vasculitis, sarcoidosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune
thrombocytopenia, thyroiditis, diabetes mellitus, immune-mediated
renal disease, demyelinating diseases of the central and peripheral
nervous systems such as multiple sclerosis, idiopathic
demyelinating polyneuropathy or Guillain-Barre syndrome, and
chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, hepatobiliary
diseases such as infectious, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis,
primary biliary cirrhosis, granulomatous hepatitis, and sclerosing
cholangitis, inflammatory bowel disease, gluten-sensitive
enteropathy, and Whipple's disease, autoimmune or immune-mediated
skin diseases including bullous skin diseases, erythema multiforme
and contact dermatitis, psoriasis, allergic diseases such as
asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food hypersensitivity
and urticaria, immunologic diseases of the lung such as
eosinophilic pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and
hypersensitivity pneumonitis, transplantation associated diseases
including graft rejection and graft-versus-host-disease.
[0025] In another embodiment, the invention provides an antibody
which specifically binds to any of the above or below described
polypeptides. Optionally, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody,
humanized antibody, antibody fragment or single-chain antibody. In
one aspect, the present invention concerns an isolated antibody
which binds an IL-17A/F polypeptide. In another aspect, the
antibody mimics the activity of an IL-17A/F polypeptide (an agonist
antibody) or conversely the antibody inhibits or neutralizes the
activity of an IL-17A/F polypeptide (an antagonist antibody). In
another aspect, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, which
preferably has nonhuman complementarity determining region (CDR)
residues and human framework region (FR) residues. The antibody may
be labeled and may be immobilized on a solid support. In a further
aspect, the antibody is an antibody fragment, a monoclonal
antibody, a single-chain antibody, or an anti-idiotypic antibody.
In another aspect, the antibody fragment or single-chain antibody
comprises a Fab fragment selected from the group consisting of the
amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10;
SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID
NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ
TD NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24,
SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID
NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ
ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38,
SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein
said Fab fragment further comprises three heavy chain variable
regions containing CDR-H1 consisting of amino acid residues 7 to 16
of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, CDR-H2 consisting of amino acid residues 30 to
46 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, and CDR-H3 consisting of amino acid residue
78 to at least amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein
said Fab fragment is capable of binding IL-17A/F. In another
aspect, the antibody fragment or single-chain antibody comprises a
Fab fragment selected from the group consisting of the amino acid
sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID
NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ
ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20,
SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID
NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ
ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34,
SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID
NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said
Fab fragment further comprises at least heavy chain variable region
containing CDR-H1 consisting of amino acid residues 7 to 16 of SEQ
ID NOs:9-42, and CDR-H2 consisting of amino acid residues 30 to 46
of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein said Fab fragment is capable of binding
IL-17A/F. In another aspect, the antibody fragment or single-chain
antibody comprises a Fab fragment selected from the group
consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ ID
NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ
ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18,
SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID
NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ
ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32,
SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID
NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, and
SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment further comprises at least
heavy chain variable regions containing CDR-H1 consisting of amino
acid residues 7 to 16 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42 and CDR-H3 consisting of
amino acid residue 78 to at least amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID
NOs:9-42, wherein said Fab fragment is capable of binding IL-17A/F.
In another aspect, the antibody fragment or single-chain antibody
comprises a Fab fragment selected from the group consisting of the
amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10;
SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID
NO:15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ
ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24,
SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID
NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ
ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ TD NO:36, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38,
SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein
said Fab fragment further comprises at least heavy chain variable
regions containing CDR-H2 consisting of amino acid residues 30 to
46 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, and CDR-H3 consisting of amino acid residue
78 to at least amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein
said Fab fragment is capable of binding IL-17A/F. In another
aspect, the antibody fragment or single-chain antibody comprises a
Fab fragment selected from the group consisting of the amino acid
sequence shown in FIG. 6 as SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID
NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ
ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20,
SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID
NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ
ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34,
SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID
NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, and SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said
Fab fragment further comprises at least one of heavy chain variable
region containing CDR-H1 consisting of amino acid residues 7 to 16
of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, CDR-H2 consisting of amino acid residues 30 to
46 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, or CDR-H3 consisting of amino acid residue
78 to at least amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NOs:9-42, wherein
said Fab fragment is capable of binding IL-17A/F. In another
aspect, said CDR-H1 region of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID
NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ
ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20,
SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID
NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ
ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34,
SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID
NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, or SEQ ID NO:42 comprises at
least amino acid residues 7-10 corresponding to the amino sequence
GTI (designated herein as SEQ ID NO:77), wherein said SEQ ID NO:77
is capable of binding IL-17A/F. In another aspect, said CDR-H2
region of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12,
SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID
NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ
ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26,
SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID
NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ
ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40,
SEQ ID NO:41, or SEQ ID NO:42 comprises at least amino acid
residues 41-46 corresponding to amino acid sequence YADSVK
(designated herein as SEQ ID NO:78), wherein said SEQ ID NO:78 is
capable of binding IL-17A/F.
[0026] In still another embodiment, the invention concerns an
isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting
of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID
NO:45, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ
ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54,
SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:56, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID
NO:59, SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ
ID NO:64, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:68,
SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID
NO:73, SEQ ID NO:74, SEQ ID NO:75 and SEQ ID NO:76, wherein said
nucleic acid molecule encodes the Fab fragment shown as SEQ ID
NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10; SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ
ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18,
SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID
NO:23, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ
ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:32,
SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID
NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:41, or
SEQ ID NO:42, wherein said Fab fragment is capable of binding to
IL-17A/F.
[0027] In a another aspect, the invention provides an isolated Fab
fragment capable of binding IL-17A/F encoded by a nucleotide
sequence that encodes such an amino acid sequence as hereinbefore
described. Processes for producing the same are also herein
described, wherein those processes comprise culturing a host cell
comprising a vector which comprises the appropriate encoding
nucleic acid molecule under conditions suitable for expression of
said Fab fragment and recovering said Fab fragment from the cell
culture.
[0028] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a
composition comprising an anti-IL-17A/F antibody in admixture with
a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one aspect, the
composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the
antibody. Preferably, the composition is sterile. The composition
may be administered in the form of a liquid pharmaceutical
formulation, which may be preserved to achieve extended storage
stability. Alternatively, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, an
antibody fragment, a humanized antibody, or a single-chain
antibody.
[0029] In a further embodiment, the invention concerns an article
of manufacture, comprising:
(a) a composition of matter comprising an IL-17A/F polypeptide or
agonist, antagonist, or an antibody that specifically binds to said
polypeptide thereof; (b) a container containing said composition;
and (c) a label affixed to said container, or a package insert
included in said container referring to the use of said IL-17A/F
polypeptide or agonist or antagonist thereof in the treatment of an
immune related disease. The composition may comprise a
therapeutically effective amount of the IL-17A/F polypeptide or the
agonist or antagonist thereof.
[0030] In yet another embodiment, the present invention concerns a
method of diagnosing an immune related disease in a mammal,
comprising detecting the level of expression of a gene encoding an
IL-17A/F polypeptide (a) in a test sample of tissue cells obtained
from the mammal, and (b) in a control sample of known normal tissue
cells of the same cell type, wherein a higher or lower expression
level in the test sample as compared to the control sample
indicates the presence of immune related disease in the mammal from
which the test tissue cells were obtained.
[0031] In another embodiment, the present invention concerns a
method of diagnosing an immune disease in a mammal, comprising (a)
contacting an anti-IL-17A/F antibody with a test sample of tissue
cells obtained from the mammal, and (b) detecting the formation of
a complex between the antibody and an IL-17A/F polypeptide, in the
test sample; wherein the formation of said complex is indicative of
the presence or absence of said disease. The detection may be
qualitative or quantitative, and may be performed in comparison
with monitoring the complex formation in a control sample of known
normal tissue cells of the same cell type. A larger quantity of
complexes formed in the test sample indicates the presence or
absence of an immune disease in the mammal from which the test
tissue cells were obtained. The antibody preferably carries a
detectable label. Complex formation can be monitored, for example,
by light microscopy, flow cytometry, fluorimetry, or other
techniques known in the art. The test sample is usually obtained
from an individual suspected of having a deficiency or abnormality
of the immune system.
[0032] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
determining the presence of an IL-17A/F polypeptide in a sample
comprising exposing a test sample of cells suspected of containing
the IL-17A/F polypeptide to an anti-IL-17A/F antibody and
determining the binding of said antibody to said cell sample. In a
specific aspect, the sample comprises a cell suspected of
containing the IL-17A/F polypeptide and the antibody binds to the
cell. The antibody is preferably detectably labeled and/or bound to
a solid support.
[0033] In another embodiment, the present invention concerns an
immune-related disease diagnostic kit, comprising an anti-IL-17A/F
antibody and a carrier in suitable packaging. The kit preferably
contains instructions for using the antibody to detect the presence
of the IL-17A/F polypeptide. Preferably the carrier is
pharmaceutically acceptable.
[0034] In another embodiment, the present invention concerns a
diagnostic kit, containing an anti-IL-17A/F antibody in suitable
packaging. The kit preferably contains instructions for using the
antibody to detect the IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0035] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of
diagnosing an immune-related disease in a mammal which comprises
detecting the presence or absence or an IL-17A/F polypeptide in a
test sample of tissue cells obtained from said mammal, wherein the
presence or absence of the IL-17A/F polypeptide in said test sample
is indicative of the presence of an immune-related disease in said
mammal.
[0036] In another embodiment, the present invention concerns a
method for identifying an agonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide
comprising:
(a) contacting cells and a test compound to be screened under
conditions suitable for the induction of a cellular response
normally induced by an IL-17A/F polypeptide; and (b) determining
the induction of said cellular response to determine if the test
compound is an effective agonist, wherein the induction of said
cellular response is indicative of said test compound being an
effective agonist.
[0037] In another embodiment, the invention concerns a method for
identifying a compound capable of inhibiting the activity of an
IL-17A/F polypeptide comprising contacting a candidate compound
with an IL-17A/F polypeptide under conditions and for a time
sufficient to allow these two components to interact and
determining whether the activity of the IL-17A/F polypeptide is
inhibited. In a specific aspect, either the candidate compound or
the IL-17A/F polypeptide is immobilized on a solid support. In
another aspect, the non-immobilized component carries a detectable
label. In a preferred aspect, this method comprises the steps
of:
(a) contacting cells and a test compound to be screened in the
presence of an IL-17A/F polypeptide under conditions suitable for
the induction of a cellular response normally induced by an
IL-17A/F polypeptide; and (b) determining the induction of said
cellular response to determine if the test compound is an effective
antagonist.
[0038] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
identifying a compound that inhibits the expression of an IL-17A/F
polypeptide in cells that normally express the polypeptide, wherein
the method comprises contacting the cells with a test compound and
determining whether the expression of the IL-17A/F polypeptide is
inhibited. In a preferred aspect, this method comprises the steps
of:
(a) contacting cells and a test compound to be screened under
conditions suitable for allowing expression of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide; and (b) determining the inhibition of expression of
said polypeptide.
[0039] In yet another embodiment, the present invention concerns a
method for treating an immune-related disorder in a mammal that
suffers therefrom comprising administering to the mammal a nucleic
acid molecule that codes for either (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide,
(b) an agonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide or (c) an antagonist of
an IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein said agonist or antagonist may be
an anti-IL-17A/F antibody. In a preferred embodiment, the mammal is
human. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid is
administered via ex vivo gene therapy. In a further preferred
embodiment, the nucleic acid is comprised within a vector, more
preferably an adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, lentiviral or
retroviral vector.
[0040] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a recombinant
viral particle comprising a viral vector consisting essentially of
a promoter, nucleic acid encoding (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide, (b)
an agonist polypeptide of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, or (c) an
antagonist polypeptide of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, and a signal
sequence for cellular secretion of the polypeptide, wherein the
viral vector is in association with viral structural proteins.
Preferably, the signal sequence is from a mammal, such as from a
native IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0041] In a still further embodiment, the invention concerns an ex
vivo producer cell comprising a nucleic acid construct that
expresses retroviral structural proteins and also comprises a
retroviral vector consisting essentially of a promoter, nucleic
acid encoding (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide, (b) an agonist
polypeptide of an IL-17A/F polypeptide or (c) an antagonist
polypeptide of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, and a signal sequence for
cellular secretion of the polypeptide, wherein said producer cell
packages the retroviral vector in association with the structural
proteins to produce recombinant retroviral particles.
[0042] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a
method for enhancing the infiltration of inflammatory cells from
the vasculature into a tissue of a mammal comprising administering
to said mammal (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide or (b) an agonist of an
IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein the infiltration of inflammatory
cells from the vasculature in the mammal is enhanced.
[0043] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a
method for decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory cells from
the vasculature into a tissue of a mammal comprising administering
to said mammal (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide or (b) an antagonist of
an IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein the infiltration of inflammatory
cells from the vasculature in the mammal is decreased.
[0044] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a
method of increasing the activity of T-lymphocytes in a mammal
comprising administering to said mammal (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide
or (b) an agonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein the activity
of T-lymphocytes in the mammal is increased.
[0045] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a
method of decreasing the activity of T-lymphocytes in a mammal
comprising administering to said mammal (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide
or (b) an antagonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein the
activity of T-lymphocytes in the mammal is decreased.
[0046] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a
method of increasing the proliferation of T-lymphocytes in a mammal
comprising administering to said mammal (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide
or (b) an agonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein the
proliferation of T-lymphocytes in the mammal is increased.
[0047] In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a
method of decreasing the proliferation of T-lymphocytes in a mammal
comprising administering to said mammal (a) an IL-17A/F polypeptide
or (b) an antagonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, wherein the
proliferation of T-lymphocytes in the mammal is decreased.
[0048] In still a further embodiment, the invention concerns the
use of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, or an agonist or antagonist thereof
as hereinbefore described, or an anti-IL-17A/F antibody, for the
preparation of a medicament useful in the treatment of a condition
which is responsive to the IL-17A/F polypeptide or an agonist or
antagonist thereof (e.g., anti-IL-17A/F). In a particular aspect,
the invention concerns the use of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, or an
agonist or antagonist thereof in a method for treating a
degenerative cartilaginous disorder.
[0049] In still a further embodiment, the invention relates to a
method of treating a degenerative cartilaginous disorder in a
mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount
of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, agonist, or antagonist thereof, to said
mammal suffering from said disorder.
[0050] In still a further embodiment, the invention relates to a
kit comprising a composition comprising an IL-17A/F polypeptide, or
an agonist or antagonist thereof, in admixture with a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; a container containing said
composition; and a label affixed to said container, referring to
the use of said composition, in the treatment of a degenerative
cartilaginous disorder.
B. Additional Embodiments
[0051] In other embodiments of the present invention, the invention
provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide
sequence that encodes an IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0052] In one aspect, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises
a nucleotide sequence having at least about 80% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 81% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 82% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 83% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 84% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 85% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 86% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 87% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 88% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 89% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 90% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 91% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 92% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 93% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 94% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 95% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 96% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 97% nucleic acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 98% nucleic acid
sequence identity and alternatively at least about 99% nucleic acid
sequence identity to (a) a DNA molecule encoding an IL-17A/F
polypeptide having a full-length amino acid sequence as disclosed
herein, an amino acid sequence lacking the signal peptide as
disclosed herein, or any other specifically defined fragment of the
full-length amino acid sequence as disclosed herein, or (b) the
complement of the DNA molecule of (a).
[0053] In other aspects, the isolated nucleic acid molecule
comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least about 80% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 81% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 82% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 83% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 84% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 85% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 86% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 87% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 88% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 89% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 90% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 91% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 92% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 93% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 94% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 95% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 96% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 97% nucleic
acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 98% nucleic
acid sequence identity and alternatively at least about 99% nucleic
acid sequence identity to (a) a DNA molecule comprising the coding
sequence of a full-length IL-17A/F polypeptide cDNA as disclosed
herein, the coding sequence of an IL-17A/F polypeptide lacking the
signal peptide as disclosed herein, or the coding sequence of any
other specifically defined fragment of the full-length amino acid
sequence as disclosed herein, or (b) the complement of the DNA
molecule of (a).
[0054] In a further aspect, the invention concerns an isolated
nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence having at
least about 80% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 81% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 82% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 83% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 84% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 85% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 86% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 87% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 88% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 89% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 90% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 91% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 92% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 93% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 94% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 95% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 96% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 97% nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 98% nucleic acid sequence identity and alternatively at
least about 99% nucleic acid sequence identity to (a) a DNA
molecule that encodes the same mature polypeptide encoded by any of
the human protein cDNAs deposited with the ATCC as disclosed
herein, or (b) the complement of the DNA molecule of (a).
[0055] Another embodiment is directed to fragments of an IL-17A/F
polypeptide coding sequence, or the complement thereof, that may
find use as, for example, hybridization probes, for encoding
fragments of an IL-17A/F polypeptide that may optionally encode a
polypeptide comprising a binding site for an anti-IL-17A/F antibody
or as antisense oligonucleotide probes. Such nucleic acid fragments
are usually at least about 20 nucleotides in length, alternatively
at least about 30 nucleotides in length, alternatively at least
about 40 nucleotides in length, alternatively at least about 50
nucleotides in length, alternatively at least about 60 nucleotides
in length, alternatively at least about 70 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 80 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 90 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 100 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 110 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 120 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 130 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 140 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 150 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 160 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 170 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 180 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 190 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 200 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 250 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 300 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 350 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 400 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 450 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 500 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 600 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 700 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 800 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 900 nucleotides in length and
alternatively at least about 1000 nucleotides in length, wherein in
this context the term "about" means the referenced nucleotide
sequence length plus or minus 10% of that referenced length. It is
noted that novel fragments of an IL-17A/F polypeptide-encoding
nucleotide sequence may be determined in a routine manner by
aligning the IL-17A/F polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequence with
other known nucleotide sequences using any of a number of well
known sequence alignment programs and determining which
polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequence fragment(s) are novel. All
of such polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequences are contemplated
herein. Also contemplated are the polypeptide fragments encoded by
these nucleotide molecule fragments, preferably those IL-17A/F
polypeptide fragments that comprise a binding site for an
anti-IL-17A/F antibody.
[0056] In another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated
IL-17A/F polypeptide encoded by any of the isolated nucleic acid
sequences hereinabove identified.
[0057] In a certain aspect, the invention concerns an isolated
IL-17A/F polypeptide, comprising an amino acid sequence having at
least about 80% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 81% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 82% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 83% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 84% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 85% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 86% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 87% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 88% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 89% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 90% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 91% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 92% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 93% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 94% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 95% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 96% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 97% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 98% amino acid sequence identity and alternatively at
least about 99% amino acid sequence identity to an IL-17A/F
polypeptide having a full-length amino acid sequence as disclosed
herein, an amino acid sequence lacking the signal peptide as
disclosed herein, as disclosed herein or any other specifically
defined fragment of the full-length amino acid sequence as
disclosed herein.
[0058] In a further aspect, the invention concerns an isolated
IL-17A/F polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at
least about 80% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 81% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 82% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 83% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 84% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 85% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 86% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 87% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 88% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 89% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 90% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 91% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 92% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 93% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 94% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 95% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 96% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 97% amino acid sequence identity, alternatively at
least about 98% amino acid sequence identity and alternatively at
least about 99% amino acid sequence identity to an amino acid
sequence, encoded by any of the human protein cDNAs deposited with
the ATCC as disclosed herein.
[0059] In a further aspect, the invention concerns an isolated
IL-17A/F polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence scoring at
least about 80% positives, alternatively at least about 81%
positives, alternatively at least about 82% positives,
alternatively at least about 83% positives, alternatively at least
about 84% positives, alternatively at least about 85% positives,
alternatively at least about 86% positives, alternatively at least
about 87% positives, alternatively at least about 88% positives,
alternatively at least about 89% positives, alternatively at least
about 90% positives, alternatively at least about 91% positives,
alternatively at least about 92% positives, alternatively at least
about 93% positives, alternatively at least about 94% positives,
alternatively at least about 95% positives, alternatively at least
about 96% positives, alternatively at least about 97% positives,
alternatively at least about 98% positives and alternatively at
least about 99% positives when compared with the amino acid
sequence of an IL-17A/F polypeptide having a full-length amino acid
sequence as disclosed herein, an amino acid sequence lacking the
signal peptide as disclosed herein, or any other specifically
defined fragment of the full-length amino acid sequence as
disclosed herein.
[0060] In a specific aspect, the invention provides an isolated
IL-17A/F polypeptide without the N-terminal signal sequence and/or
the initiating methionine and is encoded by a nucleotide sequence
that encodes such an amino acid sequence as hereinbefore described.
Processes for producing the same are also herein described, wherein
those processes comprise culturing a host cell comprising a vector
which comprises the appropriate encoding nucleic acid molecule
under conditions suitable for expression of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide and recovering the IL-17A/F polypeptide from the cell
culture.
[0061] In yet another embodiment, the invention concerns agonists
and antagonists of a native IL-17A/F polypeptide as defined herein.
In a particular embodiment, the agonist or antagonist is an
anti-IL-17A/F antibody or a small molecule.
[0062] In a further embodiment, the invention concerns a method of
identifying agonists or antagonists to an IL-17A/F polypeptide
which comprise contacting the IL-17A/F polypeptide with a candidate
molecule and monitoring a biological activity mediated by said
IL-17A/F polypeptide. Preferably, the IL-17A/F polypeptide is a
native IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0063] In a still further embodiment, the invention concerns a
composition of matter comprising an IL-17A/F polypeptide, or an
agonist or antagonist of an IL-17A/F polypeptide as herein
described, or an anti-IL-17A/F antibody, in combination with a
carrier. Optionally, the carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
[0064] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to
the use of an IL-17A/F polypeptide, or an agonist or antagonist
thereof as hereinbefore described, or an anti-IL-17A/F antibody,
for the preparation of a medicament useful in the treatment of a
condition which is responsive to the IL-17A/F polypeptide, an
agonist or antagonist thereof or an anti-IL-17A/F antibody.
[0065] In additional embodiments of the present invention, the
invention provides vectors comprising DNA encoding any of the
herein described polypeptides. Host cell comprising any such vector
are also provided. By way of example, the host cells may be CHO
cells, E. coli, yeast, or Baculovirus-infected insect cells. An
process for producing any of the herein described polypeptides is
further provided and comprises culturing host cells under
conditions suitable for expression of the desired polypeptide and
recovering the desired polypeptide from the cell culture.
[0066] In other embodiments, the invention provides chimeric
molecules comprising any of the herein described polypeptides fused
to a heterologous polypeptide or amino acid sequence. Example of
such chimeric molecules comprise any of the herein described
polypeptides fused to an epitope tag sequence or a Fc region of an
immunoglobulin.
[0067] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an
antibody which specifically binds to any of the above or below
described polypeptides. Optionally, the antibody is a monoclonal
antibody, humanized antibody, antibody fragment or single-chain
antibody.
[0068] In yet other embodiments, the invention provides
oligonucleotide probes useful for isolating genomic and cDNA
nucleotide sequences or as antisense probes, wherein those probes
may be derived from any of the above or below described nucleotide
sequences.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0069] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the results of expressing and
isolating a novel human cytokine designated IL-17A/F. Human 293
kidney cells were transfected with cDNA expression vectors encoding
human IL-17 and IL-17F alone or in combination as indicated in FIG.
1A and FIG. 1B. Conditioned media from transfected cells was
immunoprecipitated (IP) utilizing antibodies that are able to
recognize IL-17 (lanes 1-5), or IL-17F (lanes 6-10) as indicated in
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Western Blot analysis is shown demonstrating
the presence of a dimeric IL-17A/F complex in lane 8 of FIGS. 1A
and 1n lane 3 of FIG. 1B. The dimeric IL-17A/F complex is
consistent in size with a covalent heterodimeric species comprised
of one polypeptide chain of IL-17 and one polypeptide chain of
IL-17F.
[0070] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B-1, FIG. 2B-2, and FIG. 2C show the
purification of recombinant IL-17A/F. FIG. 2A shows the results of
silver stained SDS-PAGE of protein fractions from initial
fractionation of IL-17A/F on an S-Sepharose column. Fractions 31
and 32 contains a protein with an apparent molecular mass of
approximately 33 kD consistent with IL-17A/F. FIG. 2B-1 and FIG.
2B-2 show the results of further purification of IL-17A/F using
Vydac C4 column chromatography. Shown is the chromatograph of
eluted proteins measured at 214 nm and 280 nm. FIG. 2C demonstrates
that purified IL-17A/F protein fractions from the Vydac C4
purification column induce IL-8 production in TK-10 cells.
[0071] FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C show the results of amino acid
sequence analysis of IL-17A/F. FIG. 3A shows the non-reducing
SDS-PAGE analysis of purified IL-17A/F. Resolved protein was
transferred to a PVDF membrane and stained with Coomassie blue
protein stain. The positions of molecular weight markers are
indicated on the right side. FIG. 3B shows the results of
N-terminal sequence analysis of isolated IL-17A/F (amino acid
residues detected from an N-terminal sequence analysis of the band
shown in FIG. 3A). The sequence analysis reveals two N-terminal
sequences (Sequence 1 is designated SEQ ID NO:1 and Sequence 2 is
designated SEQ ID NO:2, respectively). FIG. 3C shows the amino acid
sequence of human IL-17 (shown in both FIG. 3C and FIG. 8,
designated SEQ ID NO:3) and the amino acid sequence of human IL-17F
(shown both in FIG. 3C and FIG. 10, designated SEQ ID NO:4). The
signal sequences of IL-17 and IL-17F are underlined. The sequences
that have identity to the two N-terminal peptide sequences (SEQ ID
NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2) present in IL-17A/F are highlighted in bold
for the shown IL-17 and IL-17F polypeptide sequences.
[0072] FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D-1, FIG. 4D-2, and FIG.
4D-3 show mass spectrometry analysis of IL-17A/F. FIG. 4A is a
schematic showing the amino acid sequence with its interchain and
intrachain disulfide bonds of mature IL-17A/F heterodimer (SEQ ID
NO:77). The cysteines involved in disulfide linkages are indicated
by bullet, (.cndot.), and residue number. The disulfide bonds are
indicated by black lines connecting the bonded cysteines. Those
disulfide bonds that form interchain disulfide linkages are
highlighted by bold black lines. FIG. 4B shows the schematic of
IL-17A/F peptide fragments #1 and #2 containing disulfide bonds
between the IL-17 chain and the IL-17F chain that would be
anticipated to be produced by digestion of IL-17A/F with trypsin
[IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #1 is designated SEQ ID NO:7;
IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #2 is designated SEQ ID NO:8,
respectively]. The amino acids contained within these fragments are
indicated and numbered relative to the initiating methionine of
each chain. Also indicated is the calculated approximate molecular
mass of these fragments that would be expected to be observed by
mass spectrometry. FIG. 4C shows the matrix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)
peptide map of IL-17A/F. The resulting peptide map contains peaks
with [M+H]+=2420.12 Da and 3410.60 Da, consistent with the
disulfide linked peptides. FIGS. 4D-1, 4D-2, and 4D-3 demonstrate
further characterization of non-reduced samples of IL-17A/F by
liquid-chromatography electrospray ionization ion trap mass
spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The ion chromatograms represent (from top
to bottom) FIG. 4D-1: the total ion chromatogram, FIG. 4D-2:
reconstructed ion chromatogram (RIC) of IL-17A/F disulfide bond
fragment #2 [M+2H]2+, and FIG. 4D-3: IL-17A/F disulfide bond
fragment #1 [M+2H]3+. Peaks consistent with both heterodimers were
observed whereas no peaks above background chemical noise were
observed at the anticipated masses for homodimeric peptides.
[0073] FIG. 5A shows the dose response curves comparing the
proinflammatory response induced by IL-17A/F, IL-17 and IL-17F.
IL-17A/F, IL-17 and IL-17F were incubated with TK-10 cells at the
indicated concentrations for 24 hours. IL-17A/F was shown to have
potent IL-8 inducing activity with substantial activity seen at
sub-nM concentrations. FIG. 5B shows the dose response curves
comparing IL-6 induction by IL-17A/F, IL-17 and IL-17F. IL-17A/F,
IL-17 and IL-17F were incubated with TK-10 cells at the indicated
concentrations for 24 hours. TK-10 conditioned media was collected
and analyzed by IL-6 ELISA.
[0074] FIG. 6 shows the amino acid sequence of the region of the
heavy chain variable region containing CDR H1-H3 from Fab that bind
IL-17A/F. Shown is an alignment of a region of the predicted amino
acid sequence of thirty four (34) clones (SEQ ID NO:9 to SEQ ID
NO:42, respectively) that encode distinct antibody heavy chain
sequences that are able to bind to IL-17A/F. The three heavy chain
CDR regions (CDR-H1, CDR-H2, CDR-H3) are shaded.
[0075] FIG. 7 shows a nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:5) of a native
sequence IL-17 cDNA.
[0076] FIG. 8 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) derived
from the coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 shown in FIG. 7.
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:6) of a native
sequence IL-17F cDNA.
[0078] FIG. 10 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) derived
from the coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 shown in FIG. 9.
[0079] FIG. 11 shows IL-17A/F ELISA measurements of IL-17A/F
produced from anti-CD.sup.3/anti-CD28 activated human T-cells.
[0080] FIG. 12 shows the specificity of the IL-17A/F ELISA wherein
three fractions #31-#33 assayed in parallel were shown to contain
nearly equivalent quantities of IL-17A/F (IL-17A and IL-17F were
used as controls).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I. Definitions
[0081] A "native sequence IL-17A/F polypeptide" comprises a
polypeptide having the same amino acid sequence as the
corresponding IL-17A/F polypeptide derived from nature. Such native
sequence IL-17A/F polypeptides can be isolated from nature or can
be produced by recombinant or synthetic means. The term "native
sequence IL-17A/F polypeptide" specifically encompasses
naturally-occurring truncated or secreted forms of the specific
IL-17A/F polypeptide (e.g., an extracellular domain sequence),
naturally-occurring variant forms (e.g., alternatively spliced
forms) and naturally-occurring allelic variants of the polypeptide.
In various embodiments of the invention, the native sequence
IL-17A/F polypeptides disclosed herein are mature or full-length
native sequence polypeptides comprising the full-length amino acid
sequences shown in the accompanying figures. Start and stop codons
are shown in bold font and underlined in the figures. However,
while the IL-17A/F polypeptides disclosed in the accompanying
figures are shown to begin with methionine residues designated
herein as amino acid position 1 in the figures, it is conceivable
and possible that other methionine residues located either upstream
or downstream from the amino acid position 1 in the figures may be
employed as the starting amino acid residue for the IL-17A/F
polypeptides.
[0082] The approximate location of the "signal peptides" of the
various IL-17A/F polypeptides disclosed herein are shown in the
present specification and/or the accompanying figures. It is noted,
however, that the C-terminal boundary of a signal peptide may vary,
but most likely by no more than about 5 amino acids on either side
of the signal peptide C-terminal boundary as initially identified
herein, wherein the C-terminal boundary of the signal peptide may
be identified pursuant to criteria routinely employed in the art
for identifying that type of amino acid sequence element (e.g.,
Nielsen et al., Prot. Eng., 10:1-6 (1997) and von Heinje et al.,
Nucl. Acids. Res., 14:4683-4690 (1986)). Moreover, it is also
recognized that, in some cases, cleavage of a signal sequence from
a secreted polypeptide is not entirely uniform, resulting in more
than one secreted species. These mature polypeptides, where the
signal peptide is cleaved within no more than about 5 amino acids
on either side of the C-terminal boundary of the signal peptide as
identified herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them, are
contemplated by the present invention.
[0083] "IL-17A/F polypeptide variant" means an active IL-17A/F
polypeptide as defined above or below having at least about 80%
amino acid sequence identity with a full-length native sequence
IL-17A/F polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein, an IL-17A/F
polypeptide sequence lacking the signal peptide as disclosed
herein, or any other fragment of a full-length IL-17A/F polypeptide
sequence as disclosed herein. Such IL-17A/F polypeptide variants
include, for instance, IL-17A/F polypeptides wherein one or more
amino acid residues are added, or deleted, at the--or C-terminus of
the full-length native amino acid sequence. Ordinarily, an IL-17A/F
polypeptide variant will have at least about 80% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 81% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 82% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 83% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 84% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 85% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 86% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 87% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 88% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 89% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 90% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 91% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 92% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 93% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 94% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 95% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 96% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 97% amino acid
sequence identity, alternatively at least about 98% amino acid
sequence identity and alternatively at least about 99% amino acid
sequence identity to a full-length native sequence IL-17A/F
polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein, an IL-17A/F polypeptide
sequence lacking the signal peptide as disclosed herein, or any
other specifically defined fragment of a full-length IL-17A/F
polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein. Ordinarily, IL-17A/F
variant polypeptides are at least about 10 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 20 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 30 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 40 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 50 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 60 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 70 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 80 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 90 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 100 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 150 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 200 amino acids in length,
alternatively at least about 300 amino acids in length, or
more.
[0084] "Percent (%) amino acid sequence identity" with respect to
the IL-17A/F polypeptide sequences identified herein is defined as
the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that
are identical with the amino acid residues in the specific IL-17A/F
polypeptide sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing
gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence
identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as
part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of
determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in
various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance,
using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2,
ALIGN or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can
determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including
any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full
length of the sequences being compared. For purposes herein,
however, % amino acid sequence identity values are generated using
the sequence comparison computer program ALIGN-2, wherein the
complete source code for the ALIGN-2 program is provided in Table 1
below. The ALIGN-2 sequence comparison computer program was
authored by Genentech, Inc. and the source code shown in Table 1
below has been filed with user documentation in the U.S. Copyright
Office, Washington D.C., 20559, where it is registered under U.S.
Copyright Registration No. TXU510087. The ALIGN-2 program is
publicly available through Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco,
Calif. or may be compiled from the source code provided in Table 1
below. The ALIGN-2 program should be compiled for use on a UNIX
operating system, preferably digital UNIX V4.0D. All sequence
comparison parameters are set by the ALIGN-2 program and do not
vary.
[0085] In situations where ALIGN-2 is employed for amino acid
sequence comparisons, the % amino acid sequence identity of a given
amino acid sequence A to, with, or against a given amino acid
sequence B (which can alternatively be phrased as a given amino
acid sequence A that has or comprises a certain % amino acid
sequence identity to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence
B) is calculated as follows:
100 times the fraction X/Y
where X is the number of amino acid residues scored as identical
matches by the sequence alignment program ALIGN-2 in that program's
alignment of A and B, and where Y is the total number of amino acid
residues in B. It will be appreciated that where the length of
amino acid sequence A is not equal to the length of amino acid
sequence B, the % amino acid sequence identity of A to H will not
equal the % amino acid sequence identity of B to A. As examples of
% amino acid sequence identity calculations using this method,
Tables 2 and 3 demonstrate how to calculate the % amino acid
sequence identity of the amino acid sequence designated "Comparison
Protein" to the amino acid sequence of a hypothetical polypeptide
of interest, "Comparison Protein" represents the amino acid
sequence of a polypeptide against which the polypeptide of interest
is being compared, and "X, "Y" and "Z" each represent different
hypothetical amino acid residues.
[0086] Unless specifically stated otherwise, all % amino acid
sequence identity values used herein are obtained as described in
the immediately preceding paragraph using the ALIGN-2 computer
program. However, % amino acid sequence identity values may also be
obtained as described below by using the WU-BLAST-2 computer
program (Altschul et al., Methods in Enzymology 266:460-480
(1996)). Most of the WU-BLAST-2 search parameters are set to the
default values. Those not set to default values, i.e., the
adjustable parameters, are set with the following values: overlap
span=1, overlap fraction=0.125, word threshold (T)=11, and scoring
matrix=BLOSUM62. When WU-BLAST-2 is employed, a % amino acid
sequence identity value is determined by dividing (a) the number of
matching identical amino acid residues between the amino acid
sequence of the polypeptide of interest having a sequence derived
from the native polypeptide and the comparison amino acid sequence
of interest (i.e., the sequence against which the polypeptide of
interest is being compared which may be an IL-17A/F variant
polypeptide) as determined by WU-BLAST-2 by (b) the total number of
amino acid residues of the polypeptide of interest. For example, in
the statement "a polypeptide comprising an the amino acid sequence
A which has or having at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to
the amino acid sequence B", the amino acid sequence A is the
comparison amino acid sequence of the "Comparison Protein" of
interest and the amino acid sequence B is the amino acid sequence
of the polypeptide of interest.
[0087] Percent amino acid sequence identity may also be determined
using the sequence comparison program NCBI-BLAST2 (Altschul et al.,
Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402 (1997)). The NCBI-BLAST2 sequence
comparison program may be downloaded from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov_or otherwise obtained from the National
Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md. NCBI-BLAST2 uses several search
parameters, wherein all of those search parameters are set to
default values including, for example, unmask=yes, strand=all,
expected occurrences=10, minimum low complexity length=15/5,
multi-pass e-value=0.01, constant for multi-pass=25, dropoff for
final gapped alignment=25 and scoring matrix=BLOSUM62.
[0088] In situations where NCBI-BLAST2 is employed for amino acid
sequence comparisons, the % amino acid sequence identity of a given
amino acid sequence A to, with, or against a given amino acid
sequence B (which can alternatively be phrased as a given amino
acid sequence A that has or comprises a certain % amino acid
sequence identity to, with, or against a given amino acid sequence
B) is calculated as follows:
100 times the fraction X/Y
where X is the number of amino acid residues scored as identical
matches by the sequence alignment program NCBI-BLAST2 in that
program's alignment of A and B, and where Y is the total number of
amino acid residues in B. It will be appreciated that where the
length of amino acid sequence A is not equal to the length of amino
acid sequence B, the % amino acid sequence identity of A to B will
not equal the % amino acid sequence identity of B to A.
[0089] "IL-17A/F variant polynucleotide" or "IL-17A/F variant
nucleic acid sequence" means a nucleic acid molecule which encodes
an active IL-17A/F polypeptide as defined below and which has at
least about 80% nucleic acid sequence identity with a nucleotide
acid sequence encoding a full-length native sequence IL-17A/F
polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein, a full-length native
sequence IL-17A/F polypeptide sequence lacking the signal peptide
as disclosed herein, or any other fragment of a full-length
IL-17A/F polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein. Ordinarily, an
IL-17A/F variant polynucleotide will have at least about 80%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 81%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 82%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 83%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 84%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 85%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 86%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 87%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 88%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 89%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 90%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 91%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 92%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 93%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 94%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 95%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 96%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 97%
nucleic acid sequence identity, alternatively at least about 98%
nucleic acid sequence identity and alternatively at least about 99%
nucleic acid sequence identity with a nucleic acid sequence
encoding a full-length native sequence IL-17A/F polypeptide
sequence as disclosed herein, a full-length native sequence
IL-17A/F polypeptide sequence lacking the signal peptide as
disclosed herein, or any other fragment of a full-length IL-17A/F
polypeptide sequence as disclosed herein. Variants do not encompass
the native nucleotide sequence.
[0090] Ordinarily, IL-17A/F variant polynucleotides are at least
about 30 nucleotides in length, alternatively at least about 60
nucleotides in length, alternatively at least about 90 nucleotides
in length, alternatively at least about 120 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 150 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 180 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 210 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 240 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 270 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 300 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 450 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 600 nucleotides in length,
alternatively at least about 900 nucleotides in length, or
more.
[0091] "Percent (%) nucleic acid sequence identity" with respect to
IL-17A/F-encoding nucleic acid sequences identified herein is
defined as the percentage of nucleotides in a candidate sequence
that are identical with the nucleotides in the IL-17A/F nucleic
acid sequence of interest, after aligning the sequences and
introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent
sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent
nucleic acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that
are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly
available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or
Megalign (DNASTAR) software. For purposes herein, however, %
nucleic acid sequence identity values are generated using the
sequence comparison computer program ALIGN-2, wherein the complete
source code for the ALIGN-2 program is provided in Table 1 below.
The ALIGN-2 sequence comparison computer program was authored by
Genentech, Inc. and the source code shown in Table 1 below has been
filed with user documentation in the U.S. Copyright Office,
Washington D.C., 20559, where it is registered under U.S. Copyright
Registration No. TXU510087. The ALIGN-2 program is publicly
available through Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, Calif. or
may be compiled from the source code provided in Table 1 below. The
ALIGN-2 program should be compiled for use on a UNIX operating
system, preferably digital UNIX V4.0D. All sequence comparison
parameters are set by the ALIGN-2 program and do not vary.
[0092] In situations where ALIGN-2 is employed for nucleic acid
sequence comparisons, the % nucleic acid sequence identity of a
given nucleic acid sequence C to, with, or against a given nucleic
acid sequence D (which can alternatively be phrased as a given
nucleic acid sequence C that has or comprises a certain % nucleic
acid sequence identity to, with, or against a given nucleic acid
sequence D) is calculated as follows:
100 times the fraction W/Z
where W is the number of nucleotides scored as identical matches by
the sequence alignment program ALIGN-2 in that program's alignment
of C and D, and where Z is the total number of nucleotides in D. It
will be appreciated that where the length of nucleic acid sequence
C is not equal to the length of nucleic acid sequence D, the %
nucleic acid sequence identity of C to D will not equal the %
nucleic acid sequence identity of D to C. As examples of % nucleic
acid sequence identity calculations, Tables 4 and 5, demonstrate
how to calculate the % nucleic acid sequence identity of the
nucleic acid sequence designated "Comparison DNA" to the nucleic
acid sequence designated "IL-17A/F-DNA", wherein "IL-17A/F-DNA"
represents a hypothetical IL-17A/F-encoding nucleic acid sequence
of interest, "Comparison DNA" represents the nucleotide sequence of
a nucleic acid molecule against which the "IL-17A/F-DNA" nucleic
acid molecule of interest is being compared, and "N", "L" and "V"
each represent different hypothetical nucleotides.
[0093] Unless specifically stated otherwise, all % nucleic acid
sequence identity values used herein are obtained as described in
the immediately preceding paragraph using the ALIGN-2 computer
program. However, % nucleic acid sequence identity values may also
be obtained as described below by using the WU-BLAST-2 computer
program (Altschul et al., Methods in Enzymology 266:460-480
(1996)). Most of the WU-BLAST-2 search parameters are set to the
default values. Those not set to default values, i.e., the
adjustable parameters, are set with the following values: overlap
span=1, overlap fraction=0.125, word threshold (T)=11, and scoring
matrix=BLOSUM62. When WU-BLAST-2 is employed, a % nucleic acid
sequence identity value is determined by dividing (a) the number of
matching identical nucleotides between the nucleic acid sequence of
the IL-17A/F polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule of interest
having a sequence derived from the native sequence IL-17A/F
polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid and the comparison nucleic acid
molecule of interest (i.e., the sequence against which the IL-17A/F
polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule of interest is being
compared which may be a variant IL-17A/F polynucleotide) as
determined by WU-BLAST-2 by (b) the total number of nucleotides of
the IL-17A/F polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule of
interest. For example, in the statement "an isolated nucleic acid
molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence A which has or having
at least 80% nucleic acid sequence identity to the nucleic acid
sequence B", the nucleic acid sequence A is the comparison nucleic
acid molecule of interest and the nucleic acid sequence B is the
nucleic acid sequence of the IL-17A/F polypeptide-encoding nucleic
acid molecule of interest.
[0094] Percent nucleic acid sequence identity may also be
determined using the sequence comparison program NCBI-BLAST2
(Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402 (1997)). The
NCBI-BLAST2 sequence comparison program may be downloaded from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov or otherwise obtained from the National
Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md. NCBI-BLAST2 uses several search
parameters, wherein all of those search parameters are set to
default values including, for example, unmask=yes, strand=all,
expected occurrences=10, minimum low complexity length=15/5,
multi-pass e-value=0.01, constant for multi-pass=25, dropoff for
final gapped alignment=25 and scoring matrix=BLOSUM62.
[0095] In situations where NCBI-BLAST2 is employed for sequence
comparisons, the % nucleic acid sequence identity of a given
nucleic acid sequence C to, with, or against a given nucleic acid
sequence D (which can alternatively be phrased as a given nucleic
acid sequence C that has or comprises a certain % nucleic acid
sequence identity to, with, or against a given nucleic acid
sequence D) is calculated as follows:
100 times the fraction W/Z
where W is the number of nucleotides scored as identical matches by
the sequence alignment program NCBI-BLAST2 in that program's
alignment of C and D, and where Z is the total number of
nucleotides in D. It will be appreciated that where the length of
nucleic acid sequence C is not equal to the length of nucleic acid
sequence D, the % nucleic acid sequence identity of C to D will not
equal the % nucleic acid sequence identity of D to C.
[0096] In other embodiments, IL-17A/F variant polynucleotides are
nucleic acid molecules that encode an active IL-17A/F polypeptide
and which are capable of hybridizing, preferably under stringent
hybridization and wash conditions, to nucleotide sequences encoding
a full-length IL-17A/F polypeptide as disclosed herein. IL-17A/F
variant polypeptides may be those that are encoded by an IL-17A/F
variant polynucleotide.
[0097] "Isolated," when used to describe the various polypeptides
disclosed herein, means polypeptide that has been identified and
separated and/or recovered from a component of its natural
environment. Contaminant components of its natural environment are
materials that would typically interfere with diagnostic or
therapeutic uses for the polypeptide, and may include enzymes,
hormones, and other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes. In
preferred embodiments, the polypeptide will be purified (1) to a
degree sufficient to obtain at least 15 residues of N-terminal or
internal amino acid sequence by use of a spinning cup sequenator,
or (2) to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing or reducing
conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain.
Isolated polypeptide includes polypeptide in situ within
recombinant cells, since at least one component of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide natural environment will not be present. Ordinarily,
however, isolated polypeptide will be prepared by at least one
purification step.
[0098] An "isolated" IL-17A/F polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid or
other polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid is a nucleic acid molecule
that is identified and separated from at least one contaminant
nucleic acid molecule with which it is ordinarily associated in the
natural source of the polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid. An
isolated polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule is other than
in the form or setting in which it is found in nature. Isolated
polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecules therefore are
distinguished from the specific polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid
molecule as it exists in natural cells. However, an isolated
polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecule includes
polypeptide-encoding nucleic acid molecules contained in cells that
ordinarily express the polypeptide where, for example, the nucleic
acid molecule is in a chromosomal location different from that of
natural cells.
[0099] The term "control sequences" refers to DNA sequences
necessary for the expression of an operably linked coding sequence
in a particular host organism. The control sequences that are
suitable for prokaryotes, for example, include an promoter,
optionally an operator sequence, and a ribosome binding site.
Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, polyadenylation
signals, and enhancers.
[0100] Nucleic acid is "operably linked" when it is placed into a
functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For
example, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably
linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein
that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; an promoter
or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects
the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is
operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to
facilitate translation. Generally, "operably linked" means that the
DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a
secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase. However,
enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished by
ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not
exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used
in accordance with conventional practice.
[0101] "Stringency" of hybridization reactions is readily
determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art, and generally is
an empirical calculation dependent upon probe length, washing
temperature, and salt concentration. In general, longer probes
require higher temperatures for proper annealing, while shorter
probes need lower temperatures. Hybridization generally depends on
the ability of denatured DNA to reanneal when complementary strands
are present in an environment below their melting temperature. The
higher the degree of desired homology between the probe and
hybridizable sequence, the higher the relative temperature which
can be used. As a result, it follows that higher relative
temperatures would tend to make the reaction conditions more
stringent, while lower temperatures less so. For additional details
and explanation of stringency of hybridization reactions, see
Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley
Interscience Publishers, (1995).
[0102] "Stringent conditions" or "high stringency conditions", as
defined herein, may be identified by those that: (1) employ low
ionic strength and high temperature for washing, for example 0.015
M sodium chloride/0.0015 M sodium citrate/0.1% sodium dodecyl
sulfate at 50.degree. C.; (2) employ during hybridization a
denaturing agent, such as formamide, for example, 50% (v/v)
formamide with 0.1% bovine serum albumin/0.1% Ficol1/0.1%
polyvinylpyrrolidone/50 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 with
750 mM sodium chloride, 75 mM sodium citrate at 42.degree. C.; or
(3) employ 50% formamide, 5.times.SSC (0.75 M NaCl, 0.075 M sodium
citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 6.8), 0.1% sodium
pyrophosphate, 5.times.Denhardt's solution, sonicated salmon sperm
DNA (50 .mu.g/ml), 0.1% SDS, and 10% dextran sulfate at 42.degree.
C., with washes at 42.degree. C. in 0.2.times.SSC (sodium
chloride/sodium citrate) and 50% formamide at 55.degree. C.,
followed by a high-stringency wash consisting of 0.1.times.SSC
containing EDTA at 55.degree. C.
[0103] "Moderately stringent conditions" may be identified as
described by Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory
Manual, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989, and include the
use of washing solution and hybridization conditions (e.g.,
temperature, ionic strength and % SDS) less stringent that those
described above. An example of moderately stringent conditions is
overnight incubation at 37''C in a solution comprising: 20%
formamide, 5.times.SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate), 50
mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5.times.Denhardt's solution, 10%
dextran sulfate, and 20 mg/ml denatured sheared salmon sperm DNA,
followed by washing the filters in 1.times.SSC at about
37-50.degree. C. The skilled artisan will recognize how to adjust
the temperature, ionic strength, etc. as necessary to accommodate
factors such as probe length and the like.
[0104] The term "epitope tagged" when used herein refers to a
chimeric polypeptide comprising an IL-17A/F polypeptide fused to a
"tag polypeptide". The tag polypeptide has enough residues to
provide an epitope against which an antibody can be made, yet is
short enough such that it does not interfere with activity of the
polypeptide to which it is fused. The tag polypeptide preferably
also is fairly unique so that the antibody does not substantially
cross-react with other epitopes. Suitable tag polypeptides
generally have at least six amino acid residues and usually between
about 8 and 50 amino acid residues (preferably, between about 10
and 20 amino acid residues).
[0105] As used herein, the term "immunoadhesin" designates
antibody-like molecules which combine the binding specificity of a
heterologous protein (an "adhesin") with the effector functions of
immunoglobulin constant domains Structurally, the immunoadhesins
comprise a fusion of an amino acid sequence with the desired
binding specificity which is other than the antigen recognition and
binding site of an antibody (i.e., is "heterologous"), and an
immunoglobulin constant domain sequence. The adhesin part of an
immunoadhesin molecule typically is a contiguous amino acid
sequence comprising at least the binding site of a receptor or a
ligand. The immunoglobulin constant domain sequence in the
immunoadhesin may be obtained from any immunoglobulin, such as
IgG-1, IgG-2, IgG-3, or IgG-4 subtypes, IgA (including IgA-1 and
IgA-2), IgE, IgD or IgM.
[0106] The term "antagonist" is used in the broadest sense, and
includes any molecule that partially or fully blocks, inhibits, or
neutralizes a biological activity of a native IL-17A/F polypeptide
disclosed herein. In a similar manner, the term "agonist" is used
in the broadest sense and includes any molecule that mimics a
biological activity of a native IL-17A/F polypeptide disclosed
herein. Suitable agonist or antagonist molecules specifically
include agonist or antagonist antibodies or antibody fragments,
fragments or amino acid sequence variants of native IL-17A/F
polypeptides, peptides, antisense oligonucleotides, small organic
molecules, etc. Methods for identifying agonists or antagonists of
an IL-17A/F polypeptide may comprise contacting an IL-17A/F
polypeptide with a candidate agonist or antagonist molecule and
measuring a detectable change in one or more biological activities
normally associated with the IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0107] "Treatment" refers to both therapeutic treatment and
prophylactic or preventative measures, wherein the object is to
prevent or slow down (lessen) the targeted pathologic condition or
disorder. Those in need of treatment include those already with the
disorder as well as those prone to have the disorder or those in
whom the disorder is to be prevented.
[0108] "Chronic" administration refers to administration of the
agent(s) in a continuous mode as opposed to an acute mode, so as to
maintain the initial therapeutic effect (activity) for an extended
period of time. "Intermittent" administration is treatment that is
not consecutively done without interruption, but rather is cyclic
in nature.
[0109] "Mammal" for purposes of treatment refers to any animal
classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm
animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such as dogs, cats,
cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, etc. Preferably, the
mammal is human.
[0110] Administration "in combination with" one or more further
therapeutic agents includes simultaneous (concurrent) and
consecutive administration in any order.
[0111] "Carriers" as used herein include pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers which are nontoxic
to the cell or mammal being exposed thereto at the dosages and
concentrations employed. Often the physiologically acceptable
carrier is an aqueous pH buffered solution. Examples of
physiologically acceptable carriers include buffers such as
phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including
ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues)
polypeptide; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or
immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone;
amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or
lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates
including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as
EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming
counterions such as sodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as
TWEEN.TM., polyethylene glycol (PEG), and PLURONICS.TM..
[0112] The term "antibody" is used in the broadest sense and
specifically covers, for example, single anti-IL-17A/F monoclonal
antibodies (including agonist, antagonist, and neutralizing
antibodies), anti-IL-17A/F antibody compositions with polyepitopic
specificity, polyclonal antibodies, single chain anti-IL-17A/F
antibodies, and fragments of anti-IL-17A/F antibodies (see below)
as long as they exhibit the desired biological or immunological
activity. The term "immunoglobulin" (Ig) is used interchangeable
with antibody herein.
[0113] An "isolated antibody" is one which has been identified and
separated and/or recovered from a component of its natural
environment. Contaminant components of its natural environment are
materials which would interfere with diagnostic or therapeutic uses
for the antibody, and may include enzymes, hormones, and other
proteinaceous or nonproteinaceous solutes. In preferred
embodiments, the antibody will be purified (1) to greater than 95%
by weight of antibody as determined by the Lowry method, and most
preferably more than 99% by weight, (2) to a degree sufficient to
obtain at least 15 residues of N-terminal or internal amino acid
sequence by use of a spinning cup sequenator, or (3) to homogeneity
by SDS-PAGE under reducing or nonreducing conditions using
Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain. Isolated antibody
includes the antibody in situ within recombinant cells since at
least one component of the antibody's natural environment will not
be present. Ordinarily, however, isolated antibody will be prepared
by at least one purification step.
[0114] The basic 4-chain antibody unit is a heterotetrameric
glycoprotein composed of two identical light (L) chains and two
identical heavy (H) chains (an IgM antibody consists of 5 of the
basic heterotetramer unit along with an additional polypeptide
called J chain, and therefore contain 10 antigen binding sites,
while secreted IgA antibodies can polymerize to form polyvalent
assemblages comprising 2-5 of the basic 4-chain units along with J
chain). In the case of IgGs, the 4-chain unit is generally about
150,000 daltons. Each L chain is linked to a H chain by one
covalent disulfide bond, while the two H chains are linked to each
other by one or more disulfide bonds depending on the H chain
isotype. Each H and L chain also has regularly spaced intrachain
disulfide bridges. Each H chain has at the N-terminus, a variable
domain (V.sub.H) followed by three constant domains (C.sub.H) for
each of the .alpha. and .gamma. chains and four C.sub.H domains for
.mu. and .epsilon. isotypes. Each L chain has at the N-terminus, a
variable domain (V.sub.L) followed by a constant domain (C.sub.L)
at its other end. The V.sub.L is aligned with the V.sub.H and the
C.sub.L is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy
chain (C.sub.H 1). Particular amino acid residues are believed to
form an interface between the light chain and heavy chain variable
domains. The pairing of a V.sub.H and V.sub.L together forms a
single antigen-binding site. For the structure and properties of
the different classes of antibodies, see, e.g., Basic and Clinical
Immunology, 8th edition, Daniel P. Stites, Abba I. Terr and
Tristram G. Parslow (eds.), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn.,
1994, page 71 and Chapter 6.
[0115] The L chain from any vertebrate species can be assigned to
one of two clearly distinct types, called kappa and lambda, based
on the amino acid sequences of their constant domains Depending on
the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy
chains (C.sub.H), immunoglobulins can be assigned to different
classes or isotypes. There are five classes of immunoglobulins:
IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, having heavy chains designated
.alpha., .delta., .epsilon., .gamma., and .mu., respectively. The
.gamma. and .alpha. classes are further divided into subclasses on
the basis of relatively minor differences in C.sub.H sequence and
function, e g, humans express the following subclasses: IgG1, IgG2,
IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2.
[0116] The term "variable" refers to the fact that certain segments
of the variable domains differ extensively in sequence among
antibodies. The V domain mediates antigen binding and define
specificity of a particular antibody for its particular antigen.
However, the variability is not evenly distributed across the
110-amino acid span of the variable domains Instead, the V regions
consist of relatively invariant stretches called framework regions
(FRs) of 15-30 amino acids separated by shorter regions of extreme
variability called "hypervariable regions" that are each 9-12 amino
acids long. The variable domains of native heavy and light chains
each comprise four FRs, largely adopting a .beta.-sheet
configuration, connected by three hypervariable regions, which form
loops connecting, and in some cases forming part of, the
.beta.-sheet structure. The hypervariable regions in each chain are
held together in close proximity by the FRs and, with the
hypervariable regions from the other chain, contribute to the
formation of the antigen-binding site of antibodies (see Kabat et
al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed.
Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
(1991)). The constant domains are not involved directly in binding
an antibody to an antigen, but exhibit various effector functions,
such as participation of the antibody in antibody dependent
cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
[0117] The term "hypervariable region" when used herein refers to
the amino acid residues of an antibody which are responsible for
antigen-binding. The hypervariable region generally comprises amino
acid residues from a "complementarity determining region" or "CDR"
(e.g. around about residues 24-34 (L1), 50-56 (L2) and 89-97 (L3)
in the V.sub.L, and around about 1-35 (H1), 50-65 (H2) and 95-102
(H3) in the V.sub.H, Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of
Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National
Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)) and/or those residues
from a "hypervariable loop" (e.g. residues 26-32 (L1), 50-52 (L2)
and 91-96 (L3) in the V.sub.L, and 26-32 (H1), 53-55 (H2) and
96-101 (H3) in the VII; Chothia and Lesk J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917
(1987)).
[0118] The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an
antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous
antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the
population are identical except for possible naturally occurring
mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal
antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single
antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to polyclonal antibody
preparations which include different antibodies directed against
different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is
directed against a single determinant on the antigen. In addition
to their specificity, the monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in
that they may be synthesized uncontaminated by other antibodies.
The modifier "monoclonal" is not to be construed as requiring
production of the antibody by any particular method. For example,
the monoclonal antibodies useful in the present invention may be
prepared by the hybridoma methodology first described by Kohler et
al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be made using recombinant DNA
methods in bacterial, eukaryotic animal or plant cells (see, e.g.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The "monoclonal antibodies" may also be
isolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques
described in Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks
et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991), for example.
[0119] The monoclonal antibodies herein include "chimeric"
antibodies in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is
identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in
antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a
particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the
chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences
in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another
antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such
antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity
(see U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrison et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-6855 (1984)). Chimeric antibodies of
interest herein include "primatized" antibodies comprising variable
domain antigen-binding sequences derived from a non-human primate
(e.g. Old World Monkey, Ape etc.), and human constant region
sequences.
[0120] An "intact" antibody is one which comprises an
antigen-binding site as well as a C.sub.L and at least heavy chain
constant domains, C.sub.H 1, C.sub.H 2 and C.sub.H 3. The constant
domains may be native sequence constant domains (e g human native
sequence constant domains) or amino acid sequence variant thereof.
Preferably, the intact antibody has one or more effector
functions.
[0121] "Antibody fragments" comprise a portion of an intact
antibody, preferably the antigen binding or variable region of the
intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab',
F(ab').sub.2, and Fv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies (see
U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,870, Example 2; Zapata et al., Protein Eng.
8(10): 1057-1062 [1995]); single-chain antibody molecules; and
multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.
[0122] Papain digestion of antibodies produces two identical
antigen-binding fragments, called "Fab" fragments, and a residual
"Fc" fragment, a designation reflecting the ability to crystallize
readily. The Fab fragment consists of an entire L chain along with
the variable region domain of the H chain (V.sub.H), and the first
constant domain of one heavy chain (C.sub.H 1). Each Fab fragment
is monovalent with respect to antigen binding, i.e., it has a
single antigen-binding site. Pepsin treatment of an antibody yields
a single large F(ab').sub.2 fragment which roughly corresponds to
two disulfide linked Fab fragments having divalent antigen-binding
activity and is still capable of cross-linking antigen. Fab'
fragments differ from Fab fragments by having additional few
residues at the carboxy terminus of the C.sub.H 1 domain including
one or more cysteines from the antibody hinge region. Fab'-SH is
the designation herein for Fab' in which the cysteine residue(s) of
the constant domains bear a free thiol group. F(ab').sub.2 antibody
fragments originally were produced as pairs of Fab' fragments which
have hinge cysteines between them. Other chemical couplings of
antibody fragments are also known.
[0123] The Fc fragment comprises the carboxy-terminal portions of
both H chains held together by disulfides. The effector functions
of antibodies are determined by sequences in the Fc region, which
region is also the part recognized by Fc receptors (FcR) found on
certain types of cells.
[0124] "Fv" is the minimum antibody fragment which contains a
complete antigen-recognition and -binding site. This fragment
consists of a dimer of one heavy- and one light-chain variable
region domain in tight, non-covalent association. From the folding
of these two domains emanate six hypervariable loops (3 loops each
from the H and L chain) that contribute the amino acid residues for
antigen binding and confer antigen binding specificity to the
antibody. However, even a single variable domain (or half of an Fv
comprising only three CDRs specific for an antigen) has the ability
to recognize and bind antigen, although at a lower affinity than
the entire binding site.
[0125] "Single-chain Fv" also abbreviated as "sFv" or "scFv" are
antibody fragments that comprise the V.sub.H and V.sub.L antibody
domains connected into a single polypeptide chain. Preferably, the
sFv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the
V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains which enables the sFv to form the
desired structure for antigen binding. For a review of sFv, see
Pluckthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113,
Rosenburg and Moore eds., Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315
(1994); Burrebaeck 1995, infra.
[0126] The term "diabodies" refers to small antibody fragments
prepared by constructing sFv fragments (see preceding paragraph)
with short linkers (about 5-10 residues) between the V.sub.H and
V.sub.L domains such that inter-chain but not intra-chain pairing
of the V domains is achieved, resulting in a bivalent fragment,
i.e., fragment having two antigen-binding sites. Bispecific
diabodies are heterodimers of two "crossover" sFv fragments in
which the V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains of the two antibodies are
present on different polypeptide chains Diabodies are described
more fully in, for example, EP 404,097; WO 93/11161; and Hollinger
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:6444-6448 (1993).
[0127] "Humanized" forms of non-human (e.g., rodent) antibodies are
chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from the
non-human antibody. For the most part, humanized antibodies are
human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a
hypervariable region of the recipient are replaced by residues from
a hypervariable region of a non-human species (donor antibody) such
as mouse, rat, rabbit or non-human primate having the desired
antibody specificity, affinity, and capability. In some instances,
framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are
replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore,
humanized antibodies may comprise residues that are not found in
the recipient antibody or in the donor antibody. These
modifications are made to further refine antibody performance. In
general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of
at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or
substantially all of the hypervariable loops correspond to those of
a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FRs
are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized
antibody optionally also will comprise at least a portion of an
immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human
immunoglobulin. For further details, see Jones et al., Nature
321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988);
and Presta. Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2:593-596 (1992).
[0128] A "species-dependent antibody," e.g., a mammalian anti-human
IgE antibody, is an antibody which has a stronger binding affinity
for an antigen from a first mammalian species than it has for a
homologue of that antigen from a second mammalian species.
Normally, the species-dependent antibody "bind specifically" to a
human antigen (i.e., has a binding affinity (Kd) value of no more
than about 1.times.10.sup.-7 M, preferably no more than about
1.times.10.sup.-8 and most preferably no more than about
1.times.10.sup.-9 M) but has a binding affinity for a homologue of
the antigen from a second non-human mammalian species which is at
least about 50 fold, or at least about 500 fold, or at least about
1000 fold, weaker than its binding affinity for the human antigen.
The species-dependent antibody can be of any of the various types
of antibodies as defined above, but preferably is a humanized or
human antibody.
[0129] An "IL-17A/F binding oligopeptide" is an oligopeptide that
binds, preferably specifically, to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as
described herein. IL-17A/F binding oligopeptides may be chemically
synthesized using known oligopeptide synthesis methodology or may
be prepared and purified using recombinant technology. IL-17A/F
binding oligopeptides are usually at least about 5 amino acids in
length, alternatively at least about 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64,
65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,
82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98,
99, or 100 amino acids in length or more, wherein such
oligopeptides that are capable of binding, preferably specifically,
to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as described herein. IL-17A/F binding
oligopeptides may be identified without undue experimentation using
well known techniques. In this regard, it is noted that techniques
for screening oligopeptide libraries for oligopeptides that are
capable of specifically binding to a polypeptide target are well
known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,556,762, 5,750,373,
4,708,871, 4,833,092, 5,223,409, 5,403,484, 5,571,689, 5,663,143;
PCT Publication Nos. WO 84/03506 and WO84/03564; Geysen et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 81:3998-4002 (1984); Geysen et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 82:178-182 (1985); Geysen et al., in
Synthetic Peptides as Antigens, 130-149 (1986); Geysen et al., J.
Immunol. Meth., 102:259-274 (1987); Schoofs et al., J. Immunol.,
140:611-616 (1988), Cwirla, S. E. et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA, 87:6378; Lowman, H. B. et al. (1991) Biochemistry.
30:10832; Clackson, T. et al. (1991) Nature, 352: 624; Marks, J. D.
et al. (1991), J. Mol. Biol., 222:581; Kang, A. S. et al. (1991)
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:8363, and Smith, G. P. (1991)
Current Opin. Biotechnol., 2:668).
[0130] An "IL-17A/F binding organic molecule" is an organic
molecule other than an oligopeptide or antibody as defined herein
that binds, preferably specifically, to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as
described herein. IL-17A/F binding organic molecules may be
identified and chemically synthesized using known methodology (see,
e.g., PCT Publication Nos. WO00/00823 and WO00/39585). IL-17A/F
binding organic molecules are usually less than about 2000 daltons
in size, alternatively less than about 1500, 750, 500, 250 or 200
daltons in size, wherein such organic molecules that are capable of
binding, preferably specifically, to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as
described herein may be identified without undue experimentation
using well known techniques. In this regard, it is noted that
techniques for screening organic molecule libraries for molecules
that are capable of binding to a polypeptide target are well known
in the art (see, e.g., PCT Publication Nos. WO00/00823 and
WO00/39585).
[0131] An antibody, oligopeptide or other organic molecule "which
binds" an antigen of interest, e.g. a tumor-associated polypeptide
antigen target, is one that binds the antigen with sufficient
affinity such that the antibody, oligopeptide or other organic
molecule is useful as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent in
targeting a cell or tissue expressing the antigen, and does not
significantly cross-react with other proteins. In such embodiments,
the extent of binding of the antibody, oligopeptide or other
organic molecule to a "non-target" protein will be less than about
10% of the binding of the antibody, oligopeptide or other organic
molecule to its particular target protein as determined by
fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis or
radioimmunoprecipitation (RIA). With regard to the binding of an
antibody, oligopeptide or other organic molecule to a target
molecule, the term "specific binding" or "specifically binds to" or
is "specific for" a particular polypeptide or an epitope on a
particular polypeptide target means binding that is measurably
different from a non-specific interaction. Specific binding can be
measured, for example, by determining binding of a molecule
compared to binding of a control molecule, which generally is a
molecule of similar structure that does not have binding activity.
For example, specific binding can be determined by competition with
a control molecule that is similar to the target, for example, an
excess of non-labeled target. In this case, specific binding is
indicated if the binding of the labeled target to a probe is
competitively inhibited by excess unlabeled target. The term
"specific binding" or "specifically binds to" or is "specific for"
a particular polypeptide or an epitope on a particular polypeptide
target as used herein can be exhibited, for example, by a molecule
having a Kd for the target of at least about 10.sup.-4 M,
alternatively at least about 10.sup.-5 M, alternatively at least
about 10.sup.-6 M, alternatively at least about 10.sup.-7 M,
alternatively at least about 10.sup.-8 M, alternatively at least
about 10.sup.-9 M, alternatively at least about 10.sup.-10 M,
alternatively at least about 10.sup.-11 M, alternatively at least
about 10.sup.12 M, or greater. In one embodiment, the term
"specific binding" refers to binding where a molecule binds to a
particular polypeptide or epitope on a particular polypeptide
without substantially binding to any other polypeptide or
polypeptide epitope.
[0132] An antibody, oligopeptide or other organic molecule that
"inhibits the growth of tumor cells expressing an "IL-17A/F
polypeptide" or a "growth inhibitory" antibody, oligopeptide or
other organic molecule is one which results in measurable growth
inhibition of cancer cells expressing or overexpressing the
appropriate IL-17A/F polypeptide. Preferred growth inhibitory
anti-IL-17A/F antibodies, oligopeptides or organic molecules
inhibit growth of IL-17A/F-expressing tumor cells by greater than
20%, preferably from about 20% to about 50%, and even more
preferably, by greater than 50% (e.g., from about 50% to about
100%) as compared to the appropriate control, the control typically
being tumor cells not treated with the antibody, oligopeptide or
other organic molecule being tested. In one embodiment, growth
inhibition can be measured at an antibody concentration of about
0.1 to 30 .mu.g/ml or about 0.5 nM to 200 nM in cell culture, where
the growth inhibition is determined 1-10 days after exposure of the
tumor cells to the antibody. Growth inhibition of tumor cells in
vivo can be determined in various ways. The antibody is growth
inhibitory in vivo if administration of the anti-IL-17A/F antibody
at about 1 .mu.g/kg to about 100 mg/kg body weight results in
reduction in tumor size or tumor cell proliferation within about 5
days to 3 months from the first administration of the antibody,
preferably within about 5 to 30 days.
[0133] An antibody, oligopeptide or other organic molecule which
"induces apoptosis" is one which induces programmed cell death as
determined by binding of annexin V, fragmentation of DNA, cell
shrinkage, dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, cell fragmentation,
and/or formation of membrane vesicle s (called apoptotic bodies).
The cell is usually one which overexpresses an IL-17A/F
polypeptide. Preferably the cell is a tumor cell, e.g., a prostate,
breast ovarian, stomach, endometrial, lung, kidney, colon, bladder
cell. Various methods are available for evaluating the cellular
events associated with apoptosis. For example, phosphatidyl serine
(PS) translocation can be measured by annexin binding; DNA
fragmentation can be evaluated through DNA laddering; and
nuclear/chromatin condensation along with DNA fragmentation can be
evaluated by any increase in hypodiploid cells. Preferably, the
antibody, oligopeptide or other organic molecule which induces
apoptosis is one which results in about 2 to 50 fold, preferably
about 5 to 50 fold, and most preferably about 10 to 50 fold,
induction of annexin binding relative to untreated cell in an
annexin binding assay.
[0134] Antibody "effector functions" refer to those biological
activities attributable to the Fc region (a native sequence Fc
region or amino acid sequence variant Fc region) of an antibody,
and vary with the antibody isotype. Examples of antibody effector
functions include: C1q binding and complement dependent
cytotoxicity; Fc receptor binding; antibody-dependent cell-mediated
cytotoxicity (AOCC); phagocytosis; down regulation of cell surface
receptors (e.g., B cell receptor); and B cell activation.
[0135] "Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity" or "ADCC"
refers to a form of cytotoxicity in which secreted Ig bound onto Fc
receptors (FcRs) present on certain cytotoxic cells (e.g., Natural
Killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, and macrophages) enable these
cytotoxic effector cells to bind specifically to an antigen-bearing
target cell and subsequently kill the target cell with cytotoxins.
The antibodies "arm" the cytotoxic cells and are absolutely
required for such killing. The primary cells for mediating ADCC, NK
cells, express Fc.gamma.RIII only, whereas monocytes express
Fc.gamma.RI, Fc.gamma.RII and Fc.gamma.RIII. FcR expression on
hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch
and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:457-92 (1991). To assess ADCC
activity of a molecule of interest, an in vitro ADCC assay, such as
that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,362 or 5,821,337 may be
performed. Useful effector cells for such assays include peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Alternatively, or additionally, ADCC activity of the molecule of
interest may be assessed in vivo, e.g., in a animal model such as
that disclosed in Clynes et al. Prue. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
95:652-656 (1998).
[0136] "Fc receptor" or "FcR" describes a receptor that binds to
the Fc region of an antibody. The preferred FcR is a native
sequence human FcR. Moreover, a preferred FcR is one which binds an
IgG antibody (a gamma receptor) and includes receptors of the
Fc.gamma.RI, Fc.gamma.RII and Fc.gamma.RIII subclasses, including
allelic variants and alternatively spliced forms of these
receptors. Fc.gamma.RII receptors include Fc.gamma.RIIA (an
"activating receptor") and Fc.gamma.RIIB (an "inhibiting
receptor"), which have similar amino acid sequences that differ
primarily in the cytoplasmic domains thereof. Activating receptor
Fc.gamma.RIIA contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation
motif (ITAM) in its cytoplasmic domain Inhibiting receptor
Fc.gamma.RIIB contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition
motif (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic domain (see review M. in Daeron,
Annu. Rev. Immunol. 15:203-234 (1997)). FcRs are reviewed in
Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:457-492 (1991); Capel et
al., Immunomethods 4:25-34 (1994); and de Haas et al., J. Lab.
Clin. Med. 126:330-41 (1995). Other FcRs, including those to be
identified in the future, are encompassed by the term "FcR" herein.
The term also includes the neonatal receptor, FcRn, which is
responsible for the transfer of maternal IgGs to the fetus (Guyer
et al., J. Immunol. 117:587 (1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol.
24:249 (1994)).
[0137] "Human effector cells" are leukocytes which express one or
more FcRs and perform effector functions. Preferably, the cells
express at least Fc.gamma.RIII and perform ADCC effector function.
Examples of human leukocytes which mediate ADCC include peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), natural killer (NK) cells,
monocytes, cytotoxic T cells and neutrophils; with PBMCs and NK
cells being preferred. The effector cells may be isolated from a
native source, e.g., from blood.
[0138] "Complement dependent cytotoxicity" or "CDC" refers to the
lysis of a target cell in the presence of complement. Activation of
the classical complement pathway is initiated by the binding of the
first component of the complement system (C1q) to antibodies (of
the appropriate subclass) which are bound to their cognate antigen.
To assess complement activation, a CDC assay. e.g., as described in
Gazzano-Santoro et al., J. Immunol. Methods 202:163 (1996), may be
performed.
[0139] The word "label" when used herein refers to a detectable
compound or composition which is conjugated directly or indirectly
to the antibody so as to generate a "labeled" antibody. The label
may be detectable by itself (e.g. radioisotope labels or
fluorescent labels) or, in the case of an enzymatic label, may
catalyze chemical alteration of a substrate compound or composition
which is detectable.
[0140] By "solid phase" is meant a non-aqueous matrix to which the
antibody of the present invention can adhere. Examples of solid
phases encompassed herein include those formed partially or
entirely of glass (e.g., controlled pore glass), polysaccharides
(e.g., agarose), polyacrylamides, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol
and silicones. In certain embodiments, depending on the context,
the solid phase can comprise the well of an assay plate; in others
it is a purification column (e.g., an affinity chromatography
column). This term also includes a discontinuous solid phase of
discrete particles, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,275,149.
[0141] A "liposome" is a small vesicle composed of various types of
lipids, phospholipids and/or surfactant which is useful for
delivery of a drug (such as an IL-17A/F polypeptide or antibody
thereto) to a mammal. The components of the liposome are commonly
arranged in a bilayer formation, similar to the lipid arrangement
of biological membranes.
[0142] A "small molecule" is defined herein to have a molecular
weight below about 500 Daltons.
[0143] The term "modulate" means to affect (e.g., either
upregulate, downregulate or otherwise control) the level of a
signaling pathway. Cellular processes under the control of signal
transduction include, but are not limited to, transcription of
specific genes, normal cellular functions, such as metabolism,
proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, apoptosis and survival,
as well as abnormal processes, such as transformation, blocking of
differentiation and metastasis.
[0144] "Active" or "activity" for the purposes herein refers to
form(s) of an IL-17A/P polypeptide which retain a biological and/or
an immunological activity of native or naturally-occurring IL-17A/F
polypeptides, wherein "biological" activity refers to a biological
function (either inhibitory or stimulatory) caused by a native or
naturally-occurring IL-17A/F polypeptide other than the ability to
induce the production of an antibody against an antigenic epitope
possessed by a native or naturally-occurring IL-17A/F polypeptide
and an "immunological" activity refers to the ability to induce the
production of an antibody against an antigenic epitope possessed by
a native or naturally-occurring IL-17A/F polypeptide. One preferred
biological activity includes inducing activation of NF-.kappa.B and
stimulation of the production of the proinflammatory chemokines
IL-8 and IL-6. Another preferred biological activity includes
stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells or CD4.sup.+
cells. Another preferred biological activity includes stimulation
of the proliferation of T-lymphocytes. Another preferred biological
activity includes, for example, the release of TNF-.alpha. from
THP1 cells. Another activity includes an enhancement of matrix
synthesis in articular cartilage. Alternatively, another activity
includes promoting breakdown of articular cartilage matrix as well
as inhibiting matrix synthesis. Another preferred biological
activity includes modulating the level of the interleukin-17
signalling pathway during mild to severe stages of inflammatory
bowel disease or during stroke.
[0145] An "immunological" activity refers only to the ability to
induce the production of an antibody against an antigenic epitope
possessed by a native or naturally-occurring IL-17A/F
polypeptide.
[0146] "Degenerative cartilagenous disorder" describes a host of
disorders that is characterized principally by the destruction of
the cartilage matrix. Additional pathologies includes nitric oxide
production, and elevated proteoglycan breakdown. Exemplary
disorders encompassed within this definition, include, for example,
arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic
arthritis).
[0147] The term "immune related disease" means a disease in which a
component of the immune system of a mammal causes, mediates or
otherwise contributes to a morbidity in the mammal. Also included
are diseases in which stimulation or intervention of the immune
response has an ameliorative effect on progression of the disease.
Included within this term are immune-mediated inflammatory
diseases, non-immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, infectious
diseases, immunodeficiency diseases, neoplasia, etc.
[0148] The term "T cell mediated disease" means a disease in which
T cells directly or indirectly mediate or otherwise contribute to a
morbidity in a mammal. The T cell mediated disease may be
associated with cell mediated effects, lymphokine mediated effects,
etc., and even effects associated with B cells if the B cells are
stimulated, for example, by the lymphokines secreted by T
cells.
[0149] Examples of immune-related and inflammatory diseases, some
of which are immune or T cell mediated, which can be treated
according to the invention include systemic lupus erythematosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis,
spondyloarthropathies, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), idiopathic
inflammatory myopathies (dermatomyositis, polymyositis), Sjogren's
syndrome, systemic vasculitis, sarcoidosis, autoimmune hemolytic
anemia (immune pancytopenia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria),
autoimmune thrombocytopenia (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,
immune-mediated thrombocytopenia), thyroiditis (Grave's disease.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, juvenile lymphocytic thyroiditis, atrophic
thyroiditis), diabetes mellitus, immune-mediated renal disease
(glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), demyelinating
diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems such as
multiple sclerosis, idiopathic demyelinating polyneuropathy or
Guillain-Barre syndrome, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy, hepatobiliary diseases such as infectious hepatitis
(hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and other non-hepatotropic viruses),
autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
granulomatous hepatitis, and sclerosing cholangitis, inflammatory
bowel disease (ulcerative colitis: Crohn's disease),
gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and Whipple's disease, autoimmune or
immune-mediated skin diseases including bullous skin diseases,
erythema multiforme and contact dermatitis, psoriasis, allergic
diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food
hypersensitivity and urticaria, immunologic diseases of the lung
such as eosinophilic pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and
hypersensitivity pneumonitis, transplantation associated diseases
including graft rejection and graft-versus-host-disease. Infectious
diseases including viral diseases such as AIDS (HIV infection),
hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, herpes, etc., bacterial infections,
fungal infections, protozoal infections and parasitic infections.
The term "effective amount" is a concentration or amount of an
IL-17A/F polypeptide and/or agonist/antagonist which results in
achieving a particular stated purpose. An "effective amount" of an
IL-17A/F polypeptide or agonist or antagonist thereof may be
determined empirically. Furthermore, a "therapeutically effective
amount" is a concentration or amount of an IL-17A/F polypeptide
and/or agonist/antagonist which is effective for achieving a stated
therapeutic effect. This amount may also be determined
empirically.
[0150] The term "cytotoxic agent" as used herein refers to a
substance that inhibits or prevents the function of cells and/or
causes destruction of cells. The term is intended to include
radioactive isotopes (e.g., I.sup.131, I.sup.125, Y.sup.90 and
Re.sup.186), chemotherapeutic agents, and toxins such as
enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal
origin, or fragments thereof.
[0151] A "chemotherapeutic agent" is a chemical compound useful in
the treatment of cancer. Examples of chemotherapeutic agents
include adriamycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil,
cytosine arabinoside ("Ara-C"), cyclophosphamide, thiotepa,
busulfan, cytoxin, taxoids, e.g., paclitaxel (Taxol, Bristol-Myers
Squibb Oncology, Princeton, N.J.), and doxetaxel (Taxotere,
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France), toxotere, methotrexate,
cisplatin, melphalan, vinblastine, bleomycin, etoposide,
ifosfamide, mitomycin C, mitoxantrone, vincristine, vinorelbine,
carboplatin, teniposide, daunomycin, carminomycin, aminopterin,
dactinomycin, mitomycins, esperamicins (see U.S. Pat. No.
4,675,187), melphalan and other related nitrogen mustards. Also
included in this definition are hormonal agents that act to
regulate or inhibit hormone action on tumors such as tamoxifen and
onapristone.
[0152] A "growth inhibitory agent" when used herein refers to a
compound or composition which inhibits growth of a cell, especially
cancer cell overexpressing any of the genes identified herein,
either in vitro or in vivo. Thus, the growth inhibitory agent is
one which significantly reduces the percentage of cells
overexpressing such genes in S phase. Examples of growth inhibitory
agents include agents that block cell cycle progression (at a place
other than S phase), such as agents that induce G1 arrest and
M-phase arrest. Classical M-phase blockers include the vincas
(vincristine and vinblastine), taxol, and topo II inhibitors such
as doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, etoposide, and bleomycin.
Those agents that arrest G1 also spill over into S-phase arrest,
for example, DNA alkylating agents such as tamoxifen, prednisone,
dacarbazine, mechlorethamine, cisplatin, methotrexate,
5-fluorouracil, and ara-C. Further information can be found in The
Molecular Basis of Cancer, Mendelsohn and Israel, eds., Chapter 1,
entitled "Cell cycle regulation, oncogens, and antineoplastic
drugs" by Murakami et al., (WB Saunders: Philadelphia, 1995),
especially p. 13.
[0153] The term "cytokine" is a generic term for proteins released
by one cell population which act on another cell as intercellular
mediators. Examples of such cytokines are lymphokines, monokines,
and traditional polypeptide hormones. Included among the cytokines
are growth hormone such as human growth hormone, N-methionyl human
growth hormone, and bovine growth hormone; parathyroid hormone;
thyroxine; insulin; proinsulin: relaxin; prorelaxin; glycoprotein
hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid
stimulating hormone (TSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH); hepatic
growth factor; fibroblast growth factor; prolactin; placental
lactogen; tumor necrosis factor-.alpha. and -.beta.;
mullerian-inhibiting substance; mouse gonadotropin-associated
peptide; inhibin; activin; vascular endothelial growth factor;
integrin; thrombopoietin (TPO); nerve growth factors such as
NGF-.beta.; platelet-growth factor; transforming growth factors
(TGFs) such as TGF-.alpha. and TGF-.beta.; insulin-like growth
factor-I and --II; erythropoietin (EPO); osteoinductive factors;
interferons such as interferon-.alpha., -.beta., and -.gamma.;
colony stimulating factors (CSFs) such as macrophage-CSF (M-CSF);
granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF); and granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF);
interleukins (ILs) such as IL-1, IL-1a, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5,
IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, or IL-17; a tumor
necrosis factor such as TNF-.alpha. or TNF-.beta.; and other
polypeptide factors including leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and
kit ligand (KL). As used herein, the term cytokine includes
proteins from natural sources or from recombinant cell culture and
biologically active equivalents of the native sequence
cytokines.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 2 IL-17A/F XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Length = 15 amino
acids) Protein Comparison XXXXXYYYYYYY (Length = 12 amino acids)
Protein % amino acid sequence identity = (the number of identically
matching amino acid residues between the two polypeptide sequences
as determined by ALIGN-2) divided by (the total number of amino
acid residues of the IL-17A/F protein) = 5 divided by 15 =
33.3%
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 3 IL-17A/F XXXXXXXXXX (Length = 10 amino
acids) Protein Comparison XXXXXYYYYYYZZYZ (Length = 15 amino acids)
Protein % amino acid sequence identity = (the number of identically
matching amino acid residues between the two polypeptide sequences
as determined by ALIGN-2) divided by (the total number of amino
acid residues of the IL-17A/F protein) = 5 divided by 10 = 50%
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 4 IL-17A/F- NNNNNNNNNNNNNN (Length = 14
nucleotides) DNA Comparison NNNNNNLLLLLLLLLL (Length = 16
nucleotides) DNA % nucleic acid sequence identity = (the number of
identically matching nucleotides between the two nucleic acid
sequences as determined by ALIGN-2) divided by (the total number of
nucleotides of the IL-17A/F-DNA nucleic acid sequence) = 6 divided
by 14 = 42.9%
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 5 IL-17A/F- NNNNNNNNNNNN (Length = 12
nucleotides) DNA Comparison NNNNLLLVV (Length = 9 nucleotides) DNA
% nucleic acid sequence identity = (the number of identically
matching nucleotides between the two nucleic acid sequences as
determined by ALIGN-2) divided by (the total number of nucleotides
of the IL-17A/F-DNA nucleic acid sequence) = 4 divided by 12 =
33.3%
II. Compositions and Methods of the Invention
[0154] A. Full-Length IL-17A/F Polypeptides
[0155] The present invention provides newly identified and isolated
nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides referred to in the
present application as IL-17A/F polypeptides. In particular, cDNAs
encoding various IL-17A/F polypeptides have been identified and
isolated, as disclosed in further detail in the Examples below.
[0156] B. IL-17A/F Polypeptide Variants
[0157] In addition to the full-length native sequence IL-17A/F
polypeptides described herein, it is contemplated that IL-17A/F
variants can be prepared. IL-17A/F variants can be prepared by
introducing appropriate nucleotide changes into the IL-17A/F DNA,
and/or by synthesis of the desired IL-17A/F polypeptide. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that amino acid changes may
alter post-translational processes of the IL-17A/F, such as
changing the number or position of glycosylation sites or altering
the membrane anchoring characteristics.
[0158] Variations in the native full-length sequence IL-17A/F or in
various domains of the IL-17A/F described herein, can be made, for
example, using any of the techniques and guidelines for
conservative and non-conservative mutations set forth, for
instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,934. Variations may be a
substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more codons encoding
the IL-17A/F that results in a change in the amino acid sequence of
the IL-17A/F as compared with the native sequence IL-17A/F.
Optionally the variation is by substitution of at least one amino
acid with any other amino acid in one or more of the domains of the
IL-17A/F. Guidance in determining which amino acid residue may be
inserted, substituted or deleted without adversely affecting the
desired activity may be found by comparing the sequence of the
IL-17A/F with that of homologous known protein molecules and
minimizing the number of amino acid sequence changes made in
regions of high homology. Amino acid substitutions can be the
result of replacing one amino acid with another amino acid having
similar structural and/or chemical properties, such as the
replacement of a leucine with a serine, i.e., conservative amino
acid replacements. Insertions or deletions may optionally be in the
range of about 1 to 5 amino acids. The variation allowed may be
determined by systematically making insertions, deletions or
substitutions of amino acids in the sequence and testing the
resulting variants for activity exhibited by the full-length or
mature native sequence.
[0159] IL-17A/F polypeptide fragments are provided herein. Such
fragments may be truncated at the N-terminus or C-terminus, or may
lack internal residues, for example, when compared with a full
length native protein. Certain fragments lack amino acid residues
that are not essential for a desired biological activity of the
IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0160] IL-17A/F fragments may be prepared by any of a number of
conventional techniques. Desired peptide fragments may be
chemically synthesized. An alternative approach involves generating
IL-17A/F fragments by enzymatic digestion, e.g., by treating the
protein with an enzyme known to cleave proteins at sites defined by
particular amino acid residues, or by digesting the DNA with
suitable restriction enzymes and isolating the desired fragment.
Yet another suitable technique involves isolating and amplifying a
DNA fragment encoding a desired polypeptide fragment, by polymerase
chain reaction (PCR). Oligonucleotides that define the desired
termini of the DNA fragment are employed at the 5' and 3' primers
in the PCR. Preferably, IL-17A/F polypeptide fragments share at
least one biological and/or immunological activity with the native
IL-17A/F polypeptide disclosed herein.
[0161] In particular embodiments, conservative substitutions of
interest are shown in Table 6 under the heading of preferred
substitutions. If such substitutions result in a change in
biological activity, then more substantial changes, denominated
exemplary substitutions in Table 6, or as further described below
in reference to amino acid classes, are introduced and the products
screened.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 6 Origlnal Exemplary Preferred Residue
Substitutions Substitutions Ala (A) val; leu; ile val Arg (R) lys;
gln; asn lys Asn (N) gln; his; lys; arg gln Asp (D) glu glu Cys (C)
ser ser Gln (Q) asn asn Glu (E) asp asp Gly (G) pro; ala ala His
(H) asn; gln; lys; arg arg Ile (I) leu; val; met; ala; leu phe;
norleucine Leu (L) norleucine; ile; val; ile met; ala; phe Lys (K)
arg; gln; asn arg Met (M) leu; phe; ile leu Phe (F) leu; val; ile;
ala; tyr leu Pro (P) ala ala Ser (S) thr thr Thr (T) ser ser Trp
(W) tyr; phe tyr Tyr (Y) trp; phe; thr; ser phe Val (V) ile; leu;
met; phe; leu ala; norleucine
[0162] Substantial modifications in function or immunological
identity of the IL-17A/F polypeptide are accomplished by selecting
substitutions that differ significantly in their effect on
maintaining (a) the structure of the polypeptide backbone in the
area of the substitution, for example, as a sheet or helical
conformation, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at
the target site, or (c) the bulk of the side chain. Naturally
occurring residues are divided into groups based on common
side-chain properties:
(1) hydrophobic: norleucine, met, ala, val, leu, ile; (2) neutral
hydrophilic: cys, ser, thr; (3) acidic: asp, glu; (4) basic: asn,
gln, his, lys, arg; (5) residues that influence chain orientation:
gly, pro; and (6) aromatic: trp, tyr, phe.
[0163] Non-conservative substitutions will entail exchanging a
member of one of these classes for another class. Such substituted
residues also may be introduced into the conservative substitution
sites or, more preferably, into the remaining (non-conserved)
sites.
[0164] The variations can be made using methods known in the art
such as oligonucleotide-mediated (site-directed) mutagenesis,
alanine scanning, and PCR mutagenesis. Site-directed mutagenesis
[Carter et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 13:4331 (1986); Zoller et al.,
Nucl. Acids Res., 10:6487 (1987)], cassette mutagenesis (Wells et
al., Gene, 34:315 [1985]), restriction selection mutagenesis (Wells
et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London SerA, 317:415 [1986]) or
other known techniques can be performed on the cloned DNA to
produce the IL-17A/F valiant DNA.
[0165] Scanning amino acid analysis can also be employed to
identify one or more amino acids along a contiguous sequence. Among
the preferred scanning amino acids are relatively small, neutral
amino acids. Such amino acids include alanine, glycine, serine, and
cysteine. Alanine is typically a preferred scanning amino acid
among this group because it eliminates the side-chain beyond the
beta-carbon and is less likely to alter the main-chain conformation
of the variant (Cunningham and Wells, Science, 244: 1081-1085
[1989]). Alanine is also typically preferred because it is the most
common amino acid. Further, it is frequently found in both buried
and exposed positions (Creighton, The Proteins, (W.H. Freeman &
Co., N.Y.); Chothia, J. Mol. Biol., 150:1 [1976]). If alanine
substitution does not yield adequate amounts of variant, an
isoteric amino acid can be used.
[0166] C. Modifications of IL-17A/F
[0167] Covalent modifications of IL-17A/F are included within the
scope of this invention. One type of covalent modification includes
reacting targeted amino acid residues of an IL-17A/F polypeptide
with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with
selected side chains or the N- or C-terminal residues of the
IL-17A/F. Derivatization with bifunctional agents is useful, for
instance, for crosslinking IL-17A/F to a water-insoluble support
matrix or surface for use in the method for purifying anti-IL-17A/F
antibodies, and vice-versa. Commonly used crosslinking agents
include, e.g., 1,1-bis(diazoacetyl)-2-phenylethane, glutaraldehyde,
N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, for example, esters with
4-azidosalicylic acid, homobifunctional imidoesters, including
disuccinimidyl esters such as
3,3'-dithiobis(succinumidylpropionate), bifunctional maleimides
such as bis-N-maleimido-1,8-octane and agents such as
methyl-3-[(p-azidophenyl)dithio]propioimidate.
[0168] Other modifications include deamidation of glutaminyl and
asparaginyl residues to the corresponding glutamyl and aspartyl
residues, respectively, hydroxylation of proline and lysine,
phosphorylation of hydroxyl groups of seryl or threonyl residues,
methylation of the a-amino groups of lysine, arginine, and
histidine side chains [T. E. Creighton, Proteins: Structure and
Molecular Properties, W.H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, pp.
79-86 (1983)], acetylation of the N-terminal amine, and amidation
of any C-terminal carboxyl group.
[0169] Another type of covalent modification of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide included within the scope of this invention comprises
altering the native glycosylation pattern of the polypeptide.
"Altering the native glycosylation pattern" is intended for
purposes herein to mean deleting one or more carbohydrate moieties
found in native sequence IL-17A/F (either by removing the
underlying glycosylation site or by deleting the glycosylation by
chemical and/or enzymatic means), and/or adding one or more
glycosylation sites that are not present in the native sequence
IL-17A/F. In addition, the phrase includes qualitative changes in
the glycosylation of the native proteins, involving a change in the
nature and proportions of the various carbohydrate moieties
present.
[0170] Addition of glycosylation sites to the IL-17A/F polypeptide
may be accomplished by altering the amino acid sequence. The
alteration may be made, for example, by the addition of, or
substitution by, one or more serine or threonine residues to the
native sequence IL-17A/F (for O-linked glycosylation sites}. The
IL-17A/F amino acid sequence may optionally be altered through
changes at the DNA level, particularly by mutating the DNA encoding
the IL-17A/F polypeptide at preselected bases such that codons are
generated that will translate into the desired amino acids.
[0171] Another means of increasing the number of carbohydrate
moieties on the IL-17A/F polypeptide is by chemical or enzymatic
coupling of glycosides to the polypeptide. Such methods are
described in the art, e.g., in WO 87/05330 published 11 Sep. 1987,
and in Aplin and Wriston, CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem., pp. 259-306
(1981).
[0172] Removal of carbohydrate moieties present on the IL-17A/F
polypeptide may be accomplished chemically or enzymatically or by
mutational substitution of codons encoding for amino acid residues
that serve as targets for glycosylation. Chemical deglycosylation
techniques are known in the art and described, for instance, by
Hakimuddin, et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 259:52 (1987) and by
Edge et al., Anal. Biochem., 118:131 (1981). Enzymatic cleavage of
carbohydrate moieties on polypeptides can be achieved by the use of
a variety of endo- and exo-glycosidases as described by Thotakura
et al., Meth. Enzymol., 138:350 (1987).
[0173] Another type of covalent modification of IL-17A/F comprises
linking the IL-17A/F polypeptide to one of a variety of
nonproteinaceous polymers, e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG),
polypropylene glycol, or polyoxyalkylenes, in the manner set forth
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144; 4,670,417;
4,791,192 or 4,179,337.
[0174] The IL-17A/F of the present invention may also be modified
in a way to form a chimeric molecule comprising IL-17A/F fused to
another, heterologous polypeptide or amino acid sequence.
[0175] In one embodiment, such a chimeric molecule comprises a
fusion of the IL-17A/F with a tag polypeptide which provides an
epitope to which an anti-tag antibody can selectively bind. The
epitope tag is generally placed at the amino- or carboxyl-terminus
of the IL-17A/F. The presence of such epitope-tagged forms of the
IL-17A/F can be detected using an antibody against the tag
polypeptide. Also, provision of the epitope tag enables the
IL-17A/F to be readily purified by affinity purification using an
anti-tag antibody or another type of affinity matrix that binds to
the epitope tag. Various tag polypeptides and their respective
antibodies are well known in the art. Examples include
poly-histidine (poly-his) or poly-histidine-glycine (poly-his-gly)
tags; the flu HA tag polypeptide and its antibody 12CA5 [Field et
al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 8:2159-2165 (1988)]; the c-myc tag and the
8F9, 3C7, 6E10, G4, B7 and 9E10 antibodies thereto [Evan et al.,
Molecular and Cellular Biology, 5:3610-3616 (1985)]; and the Herpes
Simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD) tag and its antibody [Paborsky et
al., Protein Engineering, 3(6):547-553 (1990)]. Other tag
polypeptides include the Flag-peptide [Hopp et al., BioTechnology,
6:1204-1210 (1988)]; the KT3 epitope peptide. [Martin et al.,
Science, 255: 192-194 (1992)]; an .alpha.-tubulin epitope peptide
[Skinner et al., J. Biol. Chem., 266:15163-15166 (1991)]; and the
T7 gene 10 protein peptide tag [Lutz-Freyermuth et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6393-6397 (1990)].
[0176] In an alternative embodiment, the chimeric molecule may
comprise a fusion of the IL-17A/F with an immunoglobulin or a
particular region of an immunoglobulin. For a bivalent form of the
chimeric molecule (also referred to as an "immunoadhesin"), such a
fusion could be to the Fc region of an IgG molecule. The Ig fusions
preferably include the substitution of a soluble (transmembrane
domain deleted or inactivated) form of an IL-17A/F polypeptide in
place of at least one variable region within an Ig molecule. In a
particularly preferred embodiment, the immunoglobulin fusion
includes the hinge, CH2 and CH3, or the hinge, CH1, CH2 and CH3
regions of an IgG1 molecule. For the production of immunoglobulin
fusions see also U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,130 issued Jun. 27, 1995.
[0177] In yet a further embodiment, the IL-17A/F polypeptides of
the present invention may also be modified in a way to form a
chimeric molecule comprising an IL-17A/F polypeptide fused to a
leucine zipper. Various leucine zipper polypeptides have been
described in the art. See, e.g., Landschulz et al., Science,
240:1759 (1988); WO 94/10308; Hoppe et al., FEBS Letters, 344:1991
(1994); Maniatis et al., Nature, 341:24 (1989). It is believed that
use of a leucine zipper fused to an IL-17A/F polypeptide may be
desirable to assist in dimerizing or trimerizing soluble IL-17A/F
polypeptide in solution. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the leucine zipper may be fused at either the N- or C-terminal
end of the IL-17A/F molecule.
[0178] D. Preparation of IL-17A/F
[0179] The description below relates primarily to production of
IL-17A/F by culturing cells transformed or transfected with a
vector containing IL-17A/F nucleic acid. It is, of course,
contemplated that alternative methods, which are well known in the
art, may be employed to prepare IL-17A/F. For instance, the
IL-17A/F sequence, or portions thereof, may be produced by direct
peptide synthesis using solid-phase techniques [see, e.g., Stewart
et al., Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis, W.H. Freeman Co., San
Francisco, Calif. (1969); Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
85:2149-2154 (1963)]. In vitro protein synthesis may be performed
using manual techniques or by automation. Automated synthesis may
be accomplished, for instance, using an Applied Biosystems Peptide
Synthesizer (Foster City, Calif.) using manufacturer's
instructions. Various portions of the IL-17A/F may be chemically
synthesized separately and combined using chemical or enzymatic
methods to produce the full-length IL-17A/F.
1. Isolation of DNA Encoding IL-17A/F
[0180] DNA encoding IL-17A/F may be obtained from a cDNA library
prepared from tissue believed to possess the IL-17A/F mRNA and to
express it at a detectable level. Accordingly, human IL-17A/F DNA
can be conveniently obtained from a cDNA library prepared from
human tissue, such as described in the Examples. The
IL-17A/F-encoding gene may also be obtained from a genomic library
or by known synthetic procedures (e.g., automated nucleic acid
synthesis).
[0181] Libraries can be screened with probes (such as antibodies to
the IL-17A/F or oligonucleotides of at least about 20-80 bases)
designed to identify the gene of interest or the protein encoded by
it. Screening the cDNA or genomic library with the selected probe
may be conducted using standard procedures, such as described in
Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (New York:
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989). An alternative means to
isolate the gene encoding IL-17A/F is to use PCR methodology
[Sambrook et al., supra; Dieffenbach et al., PCR Primer: A
Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1995)].
[0182] The Examples below describe techniques for screening a cDNA
library. The oligonucleotide sequences selected as probes should be
of sufficient length and sufficiently unambiguous that false
positives are minimized. The oligonucleotide is preferably labeled
such that it can be detected upon hybridization to DNA in the
library being screened. Methods of labeling are well known in the
art, and include the use of radiolabels like .sup.32P-labeled ATP,
biotinylation or enzyme labeling. Hybridization conditions,
including moderate stringency and high stringency, are provided in
Sambrook et al., supra.
[0183] Sequences identified in such library screening methods can
be compared and aligned to other known sequences deposited and
available in public databases such as GenBank or other private
sequence databases. Sequence identity (at either the amino acid or
nucleotide level) within defined regions of the molecule or across
the full-length sequence can be determined using methods known in
the art and as described herein.
[0184] Nucleic acid having protein coding sequence may be obtained
by screening selected cDNA or genomic libraries using the deduced
amino acid sequence disclosed herein for the first time, and, if
necessary, using conventional primer extension procedures as
described in Sambrook et al., supra, to detect precursors and
processing intermediates of mRNA that may not have been
reverse-transcribed into cDNA.
2. Selection and Transformation of Host Cells
[0185] Host cells are transfected or transformed with expression or
cloning vectors described herein for IL-17A/F production and
cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for
inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the
genes encoding the desired sequences. The culture conditions, such
as media, temperature, pH and the like, can be selected by the
skilled artisan without undue experimentation. In general,
principles, protocols, and practical techniques for maximizing the
productivity of cell cultures can be found in Mammalian Cell
Biotechnology: a Practical Approach, M. Butler, ed. (IRL Press,
1991) and Sambrook et al., supra.
[0186] Methods of eukaryotic cell transfection and prokaryotic cell
transformation are known to the ordinarily skilled artisan, for
example, CaCl.sub.2, CaPO.sub.4, liposome-mediated and
electroporation. Depending on the host cell used, transformation is
performed using standard techniques appropriate to such cells. The
calcium treatment employing calcium chloride, as described in
Sambrook et al., supra, or electroporation is generally used for
prokaryotes. Infection with Agrobacterium tumefaciens is used for
transformation of certain plant cells, as described by Shaw et al.,
Gene, 23:315 (1983) and WO 89/05859 published 29 Jun. 1989. For
mammalian cells without such cell walls, the calcium phosphate
precipitation method of Graham and van der Eb, Virology. 52:456-457
(1978) can be employed. General aspects of mammalian cell host
system transfections have been described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,399,216. Transformations into yeast are typically carried out
according to the method of Van Solingen et al., J. Bact., 130:946
(1977) and Hsiao et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 76:3829
(1979). However, other methods for introducing DNA into cells, such
as by nuclear microinjection, electroporation, bacterial protoplast
fusion with intact cells, or polycations, e.g., polybrene,
polyornithine, may also be used. For various techniques for
transforming mammalian cells, see Keown et al., Methods in
Enzymology, 185:527-537 (1990) and Mansour et al., Nature,
336:348-352 (1988).
[0187] Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the DNA in the
vectors herein include prokaryote, yeast, or higher eukaryote
cells. Suitable prokaryotes include but are not limited to
eubacteria, such as Gram-negative or Gram-positive organisms, for
example, Enterobacteriaceae such as E. coli. Various E. coli
strains are publicly available, such as E. coli K12 strain MM294
(ATCC 31,446); E. coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537); E. coli strain W3110
(ATCC 27,325) and K5 772 (ATCC 53,635). Other suitable prokaryotic
host cells include Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia, e.g., E.
coli, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, e.g.,
Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia, e.g., Serratia marcescans, and
Shigella, as well as Bacilli such as B. subtilis and B.
licheniformis (e.g., B. licheniformis 41P disclosed in DD 266,710
published 12 Apr. 1989), Pseudomonas such as P. aeruginosa, and
Streptomyces. These examples are illustrative rather than limiting.
Strain W3110 is one particularly preferred host or parent host
because it is a common host strain for recombinant IL-17A/F duct
fermentations. Preferably, the host cell secretes minimal amounts
of proteolytic enzymes. For example, strain W3110 may be modified
to effect a genetic mutation in the genes encoding proteins
endogenous to the host, with examples of such hosts including E.
coli W3110 strain IA2, which has the complete genotype tonA; E.
coli W3110 strain 9E4, which has the complete genotype tonA ptr3;
E. coli W3110 strain 27C7 (ATCC 55,244), which has the complete
genotype tonA ptr3 phoA E15 (argF-lac)169 degP ompT kan'; E. coli
W3110 strain 37D6, which has the complete genotype tonA ptr3 phoA
E15 (argF-lac)169 degP ompT rbs7 ilvG kan'; E. coli W3110 strain
40B4, which is strain 37D6 with a non-kanamycin resistant degP
deletion mutation; and an E. coli strain having mutant periplasmic
protease disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,783 issued 7 Aug. 1990.
Alternatively, in vitro methods of cloning, e.g., PCR or other
nucleic acid polymerase reactions, are suitable.
[0188] In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as
filamentous fungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts
for IL-17A/F-encoding vectors. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a
commonly used lower eukaryotic host microorganism. Others include
Schizosaccharomyces pombe [Beach and Nurse, Nature, 290: 140
(1981); EP 139,383 published 2 May 1985]; Kluyveromyces hosts (U.S.
Pat. No. 4,943,529; Fleer et al., Bio/Technology. 9:968-975 [1991])
such as, e.g., K. lactis (MW98-8C, CBS683, CBS4574; Louvencourt et
al., J. Bacteriol., 154(2):737-742 [1983]), K. fragilis (ATCC
12,424), K. bulgaricus (ATCC 16,045), K. wickeramii (ATCC 24,178),
K. waltii (ATCC 56,500), K. drosophilarum (ATCC 36,906; Van den
Berg et al., Bio/Technology, 8:135 [1990]), K. thermotolerans, and
K. marxianus; yarrowia (EP 402,226); Pichia pastoris (EP 183,070;
Sreekrishna et al., J. Basic Microbiol., 28:265-278 [1988]);
Candida; Trichoderma reesia (EP 244,234); Neurospora crassa (Case
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 76:5259-5263 [1979]);
Schwanniomyces such as Schwanniomyces occidentalis (EP 394,538
published 31 Oct. 1990); and filamentous fungi such as, e.g.,
Neurospora, Penicillium. Tolypocladium (WO 91/00357 published 10
Jan. 1991), and Aspergillus hosts such as A. nidulans (Ballance et
al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 112:284-289 [1983]; Tilburn et
al., Gene, 26:205-221 [1983]; Yelton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 81:1470-1474 [1984]) and A. niger (Kelly and Hynes, EMBO J.,
4:475-479 [1985]). Methylotropic yeasts are suitable herein and
include, but are not limited to, yeast capable of growth on
methanol selected from the genera consisting of Hansenula, Candida,
Kloeckera, Pichia, Saccharomyces, Torulopsis, and Rhodotorula. A
list of specific species that are exemplary of this class of yeasts
may be found in C. Anthony, The Biochemistry of Methylotrophs, 269
(1982).
[0189] Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated
IL-17A/F are derived from multicellular organisms. Examples of
invertebrate cells include insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and
Spodoptera Sf9 or Spodoptera High 5 cells, as well as plant cells.
Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines include Chinese
hamster ovary (CHO) and COS cells. More specific examples include
monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651);
human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth
in suspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen Virol., 36:59 (1977));
Chinese hamster ovary cells/-DHFR (CHO, Urlaub and Chasin, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:4216 [1980]); mouse sertoli cells (TM4,
Mather, Biol. Reprod., 23:243-251 [1980]); human lung cells (W138,
ATCC CCL 75); human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065); and mouse
mammary tumor (MMT 060562, ATCC CCLS51). The selection of the
appropriate host cell is deemed to be within the skill in the
art.
3. Selection and Use of a Replicable Vector
[0190] The nucleic acid (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) encoding
IL-17A/F may be inserted into a replicable vector for cloning
(amplification of the DNA) or for expression. Various vectors are
publicly available. The vector may, for example, be in the form of
a plasmid, cosmid, viral particle, or phage. The appropriate
nucleic acid sequence may be inserted into the vector by a variety
of procedures. In general, DNA is inserted into an appropriate
restriction endonuclease site(s) using techniques known in the art.
Vector components generally include, but are not limited to, one or
more of a signal sequence, an origin of replication, one or more
marker genes, an enhancer element, an promoter, and a transcription
termination sequence. Construction of suitable vectors containing
one or more of these components employs standard ligation
techniques which are known to the skilled artisan.
[0191] The IL-17A/F may be produced recombinantly not only
directly, but also as a fusion polypeptide with a heterologous
polypeptide, which may be a signal sequence or other polypeptide
having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus of the mature
protein or polypeptide. In general, the signal sequence may be a
component of the vector, or it may be a part of the
IL-17A/F-encoding DNA that is inserted into the vector. The signal
sequence may be a prokaryotic signal sequence selected, for
example, from the group of the alkaline phosphatase, penicillinase,
1pp, or heat-stable enterotoxin II leaders. For yeast secretion the
signal sequence may be, e.g., the yeast invertase leader, alpha
factor leader (including Saccharomyces and Kluyveromyces
.alpha.-factor leaders, the latter described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,010,182), or acid phosphatase leader, the C. albicans
glucoamylase leader (EP 362,179 published 4 Apr. 1990), or the
signal described in WO 90/13646 published 15 Nov. 1990. In
mammalian cell expression, mammalian signal sequences may be used
to direct secretion of the protein, such as signal sequences from
secreted polypeptides of the same or related species, as well as
viral secretory leaders.
[0192] Both expression and cloning vectors contain a nucleic acid
sequence that enables the vector to replicate in one or more
selected host cells. Such sequences are well known for a variety of
bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The origin of replication from the
plasmid pBR322 is suitable for most Gram-negative bacteria, the
2.mu. plasmid origin is suitable for yeast, and various viral
origins (SV40, polyoma, adenovirus, VSV or BPV) are useful for
cloning vectors in mammalian cells.
[0193] Expression and cloning vectors will typically contain a
selection gene, also termed a selectable marker. Typical selection
genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance to antibiotics or
other toxins, e.g., ampicillin, neomycin, methotrexate, or
tetracycline, (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or (c)
supply critical nutrients not available from complex media, e.g.,
the gene encoding D-alanine racemase for Bacilli.
[0194] An example of suitable selectable markers for mammalian
cells are those that enable the identification of cells competent
to take up the IL-17A/F-encoding nucleic acid, such as DHFR or
thymidine kinase. An appropriate host cell when wild-type DHFR is
employed is the CHO cell line deficient in DHFR activity, prepared
and propagated as described by Urlaub et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA, 77:4216 (1980). A suitable selection gene for use in
yeast is the trp1 gene present in the yeast plasmid YRp7
[Stinchcomb et al., Nature, 282:39 (1979); Kingsman et al., Gene,
7:141 (1979); Tschemper et al, Gene. 10:157 (1980)]. The trp1 gene
provides a selection marker for a mutant strain of yeast lacking
the ability to grow in tryptophan, for example, ATCC No. 44076 or
PEP4-1 [Jones, Genetics, 85:12 (1977)].
[0195] Expression and cloning vectors usually contain a promoter
operably linked to the IL-17A/F-encoding nucleic acid sequence to
direct mRNA synthesis. Promoters recognized by a variety of
potential host cells are well known. Promoters suitable for use
with prokaryotic hosts include the .beta.-lactamase and lactose
promoter systems [Chang et al., Nature, 275:615 (1978); Goeddel et
al., Nature, 281:544 (1979)], alkaline phosphatase, a tryptophan
(trp) promoter system [Goeddel, Nucleic Acids Res., 8:4057 (1980);
EP 36,776], and hybrid promoters such as the tac promoter [deBoer
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 80:21-25 (1983)]. Promoters for
use in bacterial systems also will contain a Shine-Dalgarno (S.D.)
sequence operably linked to the DNA encoding IL-17A/F.
[0196] Examples of suitable promoting sequences for use with yeast
hosts include the promoters for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase [Hitzeman
et al., J. Biol. Chem., 255:2073 (1980)] or other glycolytic
enzymes [Hess et al., J. Adv. Enzyme Reg., 7:149 (1968); Holland,
Biochemistry, 17:4900 (1978)], such as enolase,
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, pyruvate
decarboxylase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase,
3-phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase, triosephosphate
isomerase, phosphoglucose isomerase, and glucokinase.
[0197] Other yeast promoters, which are inducible promoters having
the additional advantage of transcription controlled by growth
conditions, are the promoter regions for alcohol dehydrogenase 2,
isocytochrome C, acid phosphatase, degradative enzymes associated
with nitrogen metabolism, metallothionein,
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and enzymes responsible
for maltose and galactose utilization. Suitable vectors and
promoters for use in yeast expression are further described in EP
73,657.
[0198] IL-17A/F transcription from vectors in mammalian host cells
is controlled, for example, by promoters obtained from the genomes
of viruses such as polyoma virus, fowlpox virus (UK 2,211,504
published 5 Jul. 1989), adenovirus (such as Adenovirus 2), bovine
papilloma virus, avian sarcoma virus, cytomegalovirus, a
retrovirus, hepatitis-B virus and Simian Virus 40 (SV40), from
heterologous mammalian promoters, e.g., the actin promoter or an
immunoglobulin promoter, and from heat-shock promoters, provided
such promoters are compatible with the host cell systems.
[0199] Transcription of a DNA encoding the IL-17A/F by higher
eukaryotes may be increased by inserting an enhancer sequence into
the vector. Enhancers are cis-acting elements of DNA, usually about
from 10 to 300 bp, that act on a promoter to increase its
transcription. Many enhancer sequences are now known from mammalian
genes (globin, elastase, albumin, .alpha.-fetoprotein, and
insulin). Typically, however, one will use an enhancer from a
eukaryotic cell virus. Examples include the SV40 enhancer on the
late side of the replication origin (bp 100-270), the
cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma enhancer on
the late side of the replication origin, and adenovirus enhancers.
The enhancer may be spliced into the vector at a position 5' or 3'
to the IL-17 A/F coding sequence, but is preferably located at a
site 5' from the promoter.
[0200] Expression vectors used in eukaryotic host cells (yeast,
fungi, insect, plant, animal, human, or nucleated cells from other
multicellular organisms) will also contain sequences necessary for
the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA. Such
sequences are commonly available from the 5' and, occasionally 3',
untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs or cDNAs. These
regions contain nucleotide segments transcribed as polyadenylated
fragments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA encoding
IL-17A/F.
[0201] Still other methods, vectors, and host cells suitable for
adaptation to the synthesis of IL-17A/F in recombinant vertebrate
cell culture are described in Gething et al., Nature, 293:620-625
(1981); Mantei et al., Nature, 281:40-46 (1979); EP 117,060; and EP
117,058.
4. Detecting Gene Amplification/Expression
[0202] Gene amplification and/or expression may be measured in a
sample directly, for example, by conventional Southern blotting,
Northern blotting to quantitate the transcription of mRNA (Thomas,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:5201-5205 [1980]), dot blotting (DNA
analysis), or in situ hybridization, using an appropriately labeled
probe, based on the sequences provided herein. Alternatively,
antibodies may be employed that can recognize specific duplexes,
including DNA duplexes, RNA duplexes, and DNA-RNA hybrid duplexes
or DNA-protein duplexes. The antibodies in turn may be labeled and
the assay may be carried out where the duplex is bound to a
surface, so that upon the formation of duplex on the surface, the
presence of antibody bound to the duplex can be detected.
[0203] Gene expression, alternatively, may be measured by
immunological methods, such as immunohistochemical staining of
cells or tissue sections and assay of cell culture or body fluids,
to quantitate directly the expression of gene product. Antibodies
useful for immunohistochemical staining and/or assay of sample
fluids may be either monoclonal or polyclonal, and may be prepared
in any mammal Conveniently, the antibodies may be prepared against
a native sequence IL-17A/F polypeptide or against a synthetic
peptide based on the DNA sequences provided herein or against
exogenous sequence fused to IL-17A/F DNA and encoding a specific
antibody epitope.
5. Purification of Polypeptide
[0204] Forms of IL-17A/F may be recovered from culture medium or
from host cell lysates. If membrane-bound, it can be released from
the membrane using a suitable detergent solution (e.g., Triton-X
100) or by enzymatic cleavage. Cells employed in expression of
IL-17A/F can be disrupted by various physical or chemical means,
such as freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or
cell lysing agents.
[0205] It may be desired to purify IL-17A/F from recombinant cell
proteins or polypeptides. The following procedures are exemplary of
suitable purification procedures: by fractionation on an
ion-exchange column; ethanol precipitation; reverse phase HPLC;
chromatography on silica or on a cation-exchange resin such as
DEAE; chromatofocusing; SDS-PAGE; ammonium sulfate precipitation;
gel filtration using, for example, Sephadex G-75; protein A
Sepharose columns to remove contaminants such as IgG; and metal
chelating columns to bind epitope-tagged forms of the IL-17A/F.
Various methods of protein purification may be employed and such
methods are known in the art and described for example in
Deutscher, Methods in Enzymology, 182 (1990); Scopes, Protein
Purification: Principles and Practice, Springer-Verlag, New York
(1982). The purification step(s) selected will depend, for example,
on the nature of the production process used and the particular
IL-17A/F produced.
[0206] E. Uses for IL-17A/F
[0207] Nucleotide sequences (or their complement) encoding IL-17A/F
have various applications in the art of molecular biology,
including uses as hybridization probes, in chromosome and gene
mapping and in the generation of anti-sense RNA and DNA. IL-17A/F
nucleic acid will also be useful for the preparation of IL-17A/F
polypeptides by the recombinant techniques described herein.
[0208] The full-length native sequence IL-17A/F gene, or portions
thereof, may be used as hybridization probes for a cDNA library to
isolate the full-length IL-17A/F cDNA or to isolate still other
cDNAs (for instance, those encoding naturally-occurring variants of
IL-17A/F or IL-17A/F from other species) which have a desired
sequence identity to the native IL-17A/F sequence disclosed herein.
Optionally, the length of the probes will be about 20 to about 50
bases. The hybridization probes may be derived from at least
partially novel regions of the full length native nucleotide
sequence wherein those regions may be determined without undue
experimentation or from genomic sequences including promoters,
enhancer elements and introns of native sequence IL-17A/F. By way
of example, a screening method will comprise isolating the coding
region of the IL-17A/F gene using the known DNA sequence to
synthesize a selected probe of about 40 bases. Hybridization probes
may be labeled by a variety of labels, including radionucleotides
such as .sup.32P or .sup.35S, or enzymatic labels such as alkaline
phosphatase coupled to the probe via avidin/biotin coupling
systems. Labeled probes having a sequence complementary to that of
the IL-17A/F gene of the present invention can be used to screen
libraries of human cDNA, genomic DNA or mRNA to determine which
members of such libraries the probe hybridizes to. Hybridization
techniques are described in further detail in the Examples
below.
[0209] Any EST sequences disclosed in the present application may
similarly be employed as probes, using the methods disclosed
herein.
[0210] Other useful fragments of the IL-17A/F nucleic acids include
antisense or sense oligonucleotides comprising a singe-stranded
nucleic acid sequence (either RNA or DNA) capable of binding to
target IL-17A/F mRNA (sense) or IL-17A/F DNA (antisense) sequences.
Antisense or sense oligonucleotides, according to the present
invention, comprise a fragment of the coding region of IL-17A/F
DNA. Such a fragment generally comprises at least about 14
nucleotides, preferably from about 14 to 30 nucleotides. The
ability to derive an antisense or a sense oligonucleotide, based
upon a cDNA sequence encoding a given protein is described in, for
example, Stein and Cohen (Cancer Res. 48:2659, [1988]) and van der
Krol et al. (BioTechniques, 6:958, [1988]).
[0211] Binding of antisense or sense oligonucleotides to target
nucleic acid sequences results in the formation of duplexes that
block transcription or translation of the target sequence by one of
several means, including enhanced degradation of the duplexes,
premature termination of transcription or translation, or by other
means. The antisense oligonucleotides thus may be used to block
expression of IL-17A/F proteins. Antisense or sense
oligonucleotides further comprise oligonucleotides having modified
sugar-phosphodiester backbones (or other sugar linkages, such as
those described in WO 91/06629) and wherein such sugar linkages are
resistant to endogenous nucleases. Such oligonucleotides with
resistant sugar linkages are stable in vivo (i.e., capable of
resisting enzymatic degradation) but retain sequence specificity to
be able to bind to target nucleotide sequences.
[0212] Other examples of sense or antisense oligonucleotides
include those oligonucleotides which are covalently linked to
organic moieties, such as those described in WO 90/10048, and other
moieties that increases affinity of the oligonucleotide for a
target nucleic acid sequence, such as poly-(L-lysine). Further
still, intercalating agents, such as ellipticine, and alkylating
agents or metal complexes may be attached to sense or antisense
oligonucleotides to modify binding specificities of the antisense
or sense oligonucleotide for the target nucleotide sequence.
[0213] Antisense or sense oligonucleotides may be introduced into a
cell containing the target nucleic acid sequence by any gene
transfer method, including, for example, CaPO.sub.4-mediated DNA
transfection, electroporation, or by using gene transfer vectors
such as Epstein-Barr virus. In a preferred procedure, an antisense
or sense oligonucleotide is inserted into a suitable retroviral
vector. A cell containing the target nucleic acid sequence is
contacted with the recombinant retroviral vector, either in vivo or
ex vivo. Suitable retroviral vectors include, but are not limited
to, those derived from the murine retrovirus M-MuLV, N2 (a
retrovirus derived from M-MuLV), or the double copy vectors
designated DCT5A, DCT5B and DCT5C (see WO 90/13641).
[0214] Sense or antisense oligonucleotides also may be introduced
into a cell containing the target nucleotide sequence by formation
of a conjugate with a ligand binding molecule, as described in WO
91/04753. Suitable ligand binding molecules include, but are not
limited to, cell surface receptors, growth factors, other
cytokines, or other ligands that bind to cell surface receptors.
Preferably, conjugation of the ligand binding molecule does not
substantially interfere with the ability of the ligand binding
molecule to bind to its corresponding molecule or receptor, or
block entry of the sense or antisense oligonucleotide or its
conjugated version into the cell.
[0215] Alternatively, a sense or an antisense oligonucleotide may
be introduced into a cell containing the target nucleic acid
sequence by formation of an oligonucleotide-lipid complex, as
described in WO 90/10448. The sense or antisense
oligonucleotide-lipid complex is preferably dissociated within the
cell by an endogenous lipase.
[0216] Antisense or sense RNA or DNA molecules are generally at
least about 5 bases in length, about 10 bases in length, about 15
bases in length, about 20 bases in length, about 25 bases in
length, about 30 bases in length, about 35 bases in length, about
40 bases in length, about 45 bases in length, about 50 bases in
length, about 55 bases in length, about 60 bases in length, about
65 bases in length, about 70 bases in length, about 75 bases in
length, about 80 bases in length, about 85 bases in length, about
90 bases in length, about 95 bases in length, about 100 bases in
length, or more.
[0217] The probes may also be employed in PCR techniques to
generate a pool of sequences for identification of closely related
IL-17A/F coding sequences.
[0218] Nucleotide sequences encoding an IL-17A/F can also be used
to construct hybridization probes for mapping the gene which
encodes that IL-17A/F and for the genetic analysis of individuals
with genetic disorders. The nucleotide sequences provided herein
may be mapped to a chromosome and specific regions of a chromosome
using known techniques, such as in situ hybridization, linkage
analysis against known chromosomal markers, and hybridization
screening with libraries.
[0219] When the coding sequences for IL-17A/F encode a protein
which binds to another protein (example, where the protein is a
receptor), the protein can be used in assays to identify the other
proteins or molecules involved in the binding interaction. By such
methods, inhibitors of the receptor/ligand binding interaction can
be identified. Proteins involved in such binding interactions can
also be used to screen for peptide or small molecule inhibitors or
agonists of the binding interaction. Also, the receptor protein can
be used to isolate correlative ligand(s) Screening assays can be
designed to find lead compounds that mimic the biological activity
of a native IL-17A/F or a receptor for IL-17A/F. Such screening
assays will include assays amenable to high-throughput screening of
chemical libraries, making them particularly suitable for
identifying small molecule drug candidates. Small molecules
contemplated include synthetic organic or inorganic compounds. The
assays can be performed in a variety of formats, including
protein-protein binding assays, biochemical screening assays,
immunoassays and cell based assays, which are well characterized in
the art.
[0220] Nucleic acids which encode IL-17A/F or its modified forms
can also be used to generate either transgenic animals or "knock
out" animals which, in turn, are useful in the development and
screening of therapeutically useful reagents. A transgenic animal
(e.g., a mouse or rat) is an animal having cells that contain a
transgene, which transgene was introduced into the animal or an
ancestor of the animal at a prenatal, e.g., an embryonic stage. A
transgene is a DNA which is integrated into the genome of a cell
from which a transgenic animal develops. In one embodiment, cDNA
encoding IL-17A/F can be used to clone genomic DNA encoding
IL-17A/F in accordance with established techniques and the genomic
sequences used to generate transgenic animals that contain cells
which express DNA encoding IL-17A/F. Methods for generating
transgenic animals, particularly animals such as mice or rats, have
become conventional in the art and are described, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,736,866 and 4,870,009. Typically, particular cells
would be targeted for IL-17A/F transgene incorporation with
tissue-specific enhancers. Transgenic animals that include a copy
of a transgene encoding IL-17A/F introduced into the germ line of
the animal at an embryonic stage can be used to examine the effect
of increased expression of DNA encoding IL-17A/F. Such animals can
be used as tester animals for reagents thought to confer protection
from, for example, pathological conditions associated with its
overexpression. In accordance with this facet of the invention, an
animal is treated with the reagent and a reduced incidence of the
pathological condition, compared to untreated animals bearing the
transgene, would indicate a potential therapeutic intervention for
the pathological condition.
[0221] Alternatively, non-human homologues of IL-17A/F can be used
to construct an IL-17A/F "knock out" animal which has a defective
or altered gene encoding IL-17A/F as a result of homologous
recombination between the endogenous gene encoding IL-17A/F and
altered genomic DNA encoding IL-17A/F introduced into an embryonic
stem cell of the animal. For example, cDNA encoding IL-17A/F can be
used to clone genomic DNA encoding IL-17A/F in accordance with
established techniques. A portion of the genomic DNA encoding
IL-17A/F can be deleted or replaced with another gene, such as a
gene encoding a selectable marker which can be used to monitor
integration. Typically, several kilobases of unaltered flanking DNA
(both at the 5' and 3' ends) are included in the vector [see e.g.,
Thomas and Capecchi, Cell, 51:503 (1987) for a description of
homologous recombination vectors}. The vector is introduced into an
embryonic stem cell line (e.g., by electroporation) and cells in
which the introduced DNA has homologously recombined with the
endogenous DNA are selected [see, e.g., Li et al., Cell, 69:915
(1992)]. The selected cells are then injected into a blastocyst of
an animal (e.g., a mouse or rat) to form aggregation chimeras [see,
e.g., Bradley, in Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A
Practical Approach, E. J. Robertson, ed. (IRL, Oxford, 1987), pp.
113-152]. A chimeric embryo can then be implanted into a suitable
pseudopregnant female foster animal and the embryo brought to term
to create a "knock out" animal Progeny harboring the homologously
recombined DNA in their germ cells can be identified by standard
techniques and used to breed animals in which all cells of the
animal contain the homologously recombined DNA. Knockout animals
can be characterized for instance, for their ability to defend
against certain pathological conditions and for their development
of pathological conditions due to absence of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide.
[0222] Nucleic acid encoding the IL-17A/F polypeptides may also be
used in gene therapy. In gene therapy applications, genes are
introduced into cells in order to achieve in vivo synthesis of a
therapeutically effective genetic product, for example for
replacement of a defective gene. "Gene therapy" includes both
conventional gene therapy where a lasting effect is achieved by a
single treatment, and the administration of gene therapeutic
agents, which involves the one time or repeated administration of a
therapeutically effective DNA or mRNA. Antisense RNAs and DNAs can
be used as therapeutic agents for blocking the expression of
certain genes in vivo. It has already been shown that short
antisense oligonucleotides can be imported into cells where they
act as inhibitors, despite their low intracellular concentrations
caused by their restricted uptake by the cell membrane. (Zamecnik
et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:4143-4146 [1986]). The
oligonucleotides can be modified to enhance their uptake, e.g., by
substituting their negatively charged phosphodiester groups by
uncharged groups.
[0223] There are a variety of techniques available for introducing
nucleic acids into viable cells. The techniques vary depending upon
whether the nucleic acid is transferred into cultured cells in
vitro, or in vivo in the cells of the intended host. Techniques
suitable for the transfer of nucleic acid into mammalian cells in
vitro include the use of liposomes, electroporation,
microinjection, cell fusion, DEAE-dextran, the calcium phosphate
precipitation method, etc. The currently preferred in vivo gene
transfer techniques include transfection with viral (typically
retroviral) vectors and viral coat protein-liposome mediated
transfection (Dzau et al., Trends in Biotechnology, 11: 205-210
[1993]). In some situations it is desirable to provide the nucleic
acid source with an agent that targets the target cells, such as an
antibody specific for a cell surface membrane protein or the target
cell, a ligand for a receptor on the target cell, etc. Where
liposomes are employed, proteins which bind to a cell surface
membrane protein associated with endocytosis may be used for
targeting and/or to facilitate uptake, e.g., capsid proteins or
fragments thereof tropic for a particular cell type, antibodies for
proteins which undergo internalization in cycling, proteins that
target intracellular localization and enhance intracellular
half-life. The technique of receptor-mediated endocytosis is
described, for example, by Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem., 262:
4429-4432 (1987); and Wagner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
87: 3410-3414 (1990). For review of gene marking and gene therapy
protocols see Anderson et al., Science, 256: 808-813 (1992).
[0224] The IL-17A/F polypeptides described herein may also be
employed as molecular weight markers for protein electrophoresis
purposes and the isolated nucleic acid sequences may be used for
recombinantly expressing those markers.
[0225] The nucleic acid molecules encoding the IL-17A/F
polypeptides or fragments thereof described herein are useful for
chromosome identification. In this regard, there exists an ongoing
need to identify new chromosome markers, since relatively few
chromosome marking reagents, based upon actual sequence data are
presently available. Each IL-17A/F nucleic acid molecule of the
present invention can be used as a chromosome marker.
[0226] The IL-17A/F polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules of the
present invention may also be used diagnostically for tissue
typing, wherein the IL-17A/F polypeptides of the present invention
may be differentially expressed in one tissue as compared to
another, preferably in a diseased tissue as compared to a normal
tissue of the same tissue type. IL-17A/F nucleic acid molecules
will find use for generating probes for PCR, Northern analysis.
Southern analysis and Western analysis.
[0227] The IL-17 A/F polypeptides described herein may also be
employed as therapeutic agents. The IL-17A/F polypeptides of the
present invention can be formulated according to known methods to
prepare pharmaceutically useful compositions, whereby the IL-17A/F
product hereof is combined in admixture with a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier vehicle. Therapeutic formulations are prepared
for storage by mixing the active ingredient having the desired
degree of purity with optional physiologically acceptable carriers,
excipients or stabilizers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th
edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980)), in the form of lyophilized
formulations or aqueous solutions. Acceptable carriers, excipients
or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and
concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate,
citrate and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic
acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues)
polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin or
immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone,
amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or
lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides and other carbohydrates
including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as
EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming
counterions such as sodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as
TWEEN.TM., PLURONICS.TM. or PEG.
[0228] The formulations to be used for in vivo administration must
be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through
sterile filtration membranes, prior to or following lyophilization
and reconstitution.
[0229] Therapeutic compositions herein generally are placed into a
container having a sterile access port, for example, an intravenous
solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic
injection needle.
[0230] The route of administration is in accord with known methods,
e.g., injection or infusion by intravenous, intraperitoneal,
intracerebral, intramuscular, intraocular, intraarterial or
intralesional routes, topical administration, or by sustained
release systems.
[0231] Dosages and desired drug concentrations of pharmaceutical
compositions of the present invention may vary depending on the
particular use envisioned. The determination of the appropriate
dosage or route of administration is well within the skill of an
ordinary physician Animal experiments provide reliable guidance for
the determination of effective doses for human therapy.
Interspecies scaling of effective doses can be performed following
the principles laid down by Mordenti, J. and Chappell, W. "The use
of interspecies scaling in toxicokinetics" In Toxicokinetics and
New Drug Development, Yacobi et al., Eds., Pergamon Press, New York
1989, pp. 42-96.
[0232] When in vivo administration of an IL-17A/F polypeptide or
agonist or antagonist thereof is employed, normal dosage amounts
may vary from about 10 ng/kg to up to 100 mg/kg of mammal body
weight or more per day, preferably about 1 .mu.g/kg/day to 10
mg/kg/day, depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as
to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the
literature; see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,657,760; 5,206,344;
or 5,225,212. It is anticipated that different formulations will be
effective for different treatment compounds and different
disorders, that administration targeting one organ or tissue, for
example, may necessitate delivery in a manner different from that
to another organ or tissue.
[0233] Where sustained-release administration of an IL-17A/F
polypeptide is desired in a formulation with release
characteristics suitable for the treatment of any disease or
disorder requiring administration of the IL-17A/F polypeptide,
microencapsulation of the IL-17A/F polypeptide is contemplated.
Microencapsulation of recombinant proteins for sustained release
has been successfully performed with human growth hormone (rhGH),
interferon-(rhIFN-), interleukin-2, and MN rgpl20. Johnson et al.,
Nat. Med., 2:795-799 (1996); Yasuda, Biomed. Ther., 27:1221-1223
(1993); Hora et al., Bio/Technology, 8:755-758 (1990); Cleland,
"Design and Production of Single Immunization Vaccines Using
Polylactide Polyglycolide Microsphere Systems," in Vaccine Design:
The Subunit and Adjuvant Approach, Powell and Newman, eds, (Plenum
Press: New York, 1995), pp. 439-462; WO 97/03692, WO 96/40072. WO
96/07399; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,010.
[0234] The sustained-release formulations of these proteins were
developed using poly-lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) polymer due to
its biocompatibility and wide range of biodegradable properties.
The degradation products of PLGA, lactic and glycolic acids, can be
cleared quickly within the human body. Moreover, the degradability
of this polymer can be adjusted from months to years depending on
its molecular weight and composition. Lewis, "Controlled release of
bioactive agents from lactide/glycolide polymer," in: M. Chasin and
R Langer (Eds.). Biodegradable Polymers as Drug Delivery Systems
(Marcel Dekker: New York, 1990), pp. 1-41.
[0235] This invention encompasses methods of screening compounds to
identify those that mimic the IL-17A/F polypeptide (agonists) or
prevent the effect of the IL-17A/F polypeptide (antagonists).
Screening assays for antagonist drug candidates are designed to
identify compounds that bind or complex with the IL-17A/F
polypeptides encoded by the genes identified herein, or otherwise
interfere with the interaction of the encoded polypeptides with
other cellular proteins. Such screening assays will include assays
amenable to high-throughput screening of chemical libraries, making
them particularly suitable for identifying small molecule drug
candidates.
[0236] The assays can be performed in a variety of formats,
including protein-protein binding assays, biochemical screening
assays, immunoassays, and cell-based assays, which are well
characterized in the art.
[0237] All assays for antagonists are common in that they call for
contacting the drug candidate with an IL-17A/F polypeptide encoded
by a nucleic acid identified herein under conditions and for a time
sufficient to allow these two components to interact.
[0238] In binding assays, the interaction is binding and the
complex formed can be isolated or detected in the reaction mixture.
In a particular embodiment, the IL-17A/F polypeptide encoded by the
gene identified herein or the drug candidate is immobilized on a
solid phase, e.g., on a microtiter plate, by covalent or
non-covalent attachments. Non-covalent attachment generally is
accomplished by coating the solid surface with a solution of the
IL-17A/F polypeptide and drying. Alternatively, an immobilized
antibody, e.g., a monoclonal antibody, specific for the IL-17A/F
polypeptide to be immobilized can be used to anchor it to a solid
surface. The assay is performed by adding the non-immobilized
component, which may be labeled by a detectable label, to the
immobilized component, e.g., the coated surface containing the
anchored component. When the reaction is complete, the non-reacted
components are removed, e.g., by washing, and complexes anchored on
the solid surface are detected. When the originally non-immobilized
component carries a detectable label, the detection of label
immobilized on the surface indicates that complexing occurred.
Where the originally non-immobilized component does not carry a
label, complexing can be detected, for example, by using a labeled
antibody specifically binding the immobilized complex.
[0239] If the candidate compound interacts with but does not bind
to a particular IL-17A/F polypeptide encoded by a gene identified
herein, its interaction with that polypeptide can be assayed by
methods well known for detecting protein-protein interactions. Such
assays include traditional approaches, such as, e.g.,
cross-linking, co-immunoprecipitation, and co-purification through
gradients or chromatographic columns In addition, protein-protein
interactions can be monitored by using a yeast-based genetic system
described by Fields and co-workers (Fields and Song, Nature
(London). 340:245-246 [1989]); Chien et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 88:9578-9582 [1991]) as disclosed by Chevray and Nathan, Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:5789-5793 (1991). Many transcriptional
activators, such as yeast GAL4, consist of two physically discrete
modular domains, one acting as the DNA-binding domain, the other
one functioning as the transcription-activation domain. The yeast
expression system described in the foregoing publications
(generally referred to as the "two-hybrid system") takes advantage
of this property, and employs two hybrid proteins, one in which the
target protein is fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, and
another, in which candidate activating proteins are fused to the
activation domain. The expression of a GAL1-lacZ reporter gene
under control of a GAL4-activated promoter depends on
reconstitution of GAL4 activity via protein-protein interaction.
Colonies containing interacting polypeptides are detected with a
chromogenic substrate for .beta.-galactosidase. A complete kit
(MATCHMAKER.TM.) for identifying protein-protein interactions
between two specific proteins using the two-hybrid technique is
commercially available from Clontech. This system can also be
extended to map protein domains involved in specific protein
interactions as well as to pinpoint amino acid residues that are
crucial for these interactions.
[0240] Compounds that interfere with the interaction of a gene
encoding an IL-17A/F polypeptide identified herein and other intra-
or extracellular components can be tested as follows: usually a
reaction mixture is prepared containing the product of the gene and
the intra- or extracellular component under conditions and for a
time allowing for the interaction and binding of the two products.
To test the ability of a candidate compound to inhibit binding, the
reaction is run in the absence and in the presence of the test
compound. In addition, a placebo may be added to a third reaction
mixture, to serve as positive control. The binding (complex
formation) between the test compound and the intra- or
extracellular component present in the mixture is monitored as
described herein above. The formation of a complex in the control
reaction(s) but not in the reaction mixture containing the test
compound indicates that the test compound interferes with the
interaction of the test compound and its reaction partner.
[0241] To assay for antagonists, the IL-17A/F polypeptide may be
added to a cell along with the compound to be screened for a
particular activity and the ability of the compound to inhibit the
activity of interest in the presence of the IL-17A/F polypeptide
indicates that the compound is an antagonist to the IL-17A/F
polypeptide. Alternatively, antagonists may be detected by
combining the IL-17A/F polypeptide and a potential antagonist with
membrane-bound IL-17A/F polypeptide receptors or recombinant
receptors under appropriate conditions for a competitive inhibition
assay. The IL-17A/F polypeptide can be labeled, such as by
radioactivity, such that the number of IL-17A/F polypeptide
molecules bound to the receptor can be used to determine the
effectiveness of the potential antagonist. The gene encoding the
receptor can be identified by numerous methods known to those of
skill in the art, for example, ligand panning and FACS sorting.
Coligan et al., Current Protocols in Immun., 1(2): Chapter 5
(1991). Preferably, expression cloning is employed wherein
polyadenylated RNA is prepared from a cell responsive to the
IL-17A/F polypeptide and a cDNA library created from this RNA is
divided into pools and used to transfect COS cells or other cells
that are not responsive to the IL-17A/F polypeptide. Transfected
cells that are grown on glass slides are exposed to labeled
IL-17A/F polypeptide. The IL-17A/F polypeptide can be labeled by a
variety of means including iodination or inclusion of a recognition
site for a site-specific protein kinase Following fixation and
incubation, the slides are subjected to autoradiographic analysis.
Positive pools are identified and sub-pools are prepared and
re-transfected using an interactive sub-pooling and re-screening
process, eventually yielding a single clone that encodes the
putative receptor.
[0242] As an alternative approach for receptor identification,
labeled IL-17A/F polypeptide can be photoaffinity-linked with cell
membrane or extract preparations that express the receptor
molecule. Cross-linked material is resolved by PAGE and exposed to
X-ray film. The labeled complex containing the receptor can be
excised, resolved into peptide fragments, and subjected to protein
micro-sequencing. The amino acid sequence obtained from
micro-sequencing would be used to design a set of degenerate
oligonucleotide probes to screen a cDNA library to identify the
gene encoding the putative receptor.
[0243] In another assay for antagonists, mammalian cells or a
membrane preparation expressing the receptor would be incubated
with labeled IL-17A/F polypeptide in the presence of the candidate
compound. The ability of the compound to enhance or block this
interaction could then be measured.
[0244] More specific examples of potential antagonists include an
oligonucleotide that binds to the fusions of immunoglobulin with
IL-17A/F polypeptide, and, in particular, antibodies including,
without limitation, poly- and monoclonal antibodies and antibody
fragments, single-chain antibodies, anti-idiotypic antibodies, and
chimeric or humanized versions of such antibodies or fragments, as
well as human antibodies and antibody fragments. Alternatively, a
potential antagonist may be a closely related protein, for example,
a mutated form of the IL-17A/F polypeptide that recognizes the
receptor but imparts no effect, thereby competitively inhibiting
the action of the IL-17A/F polypeptide.
[0245] Another potential IL-17A/F polypeptide antagonist is an
antisense RNA or DNA construct prepared using antisense technology,
where, e.g., an antisense RNA or DNA molecule acts to block
directly the translation of mRNA by hybridizing to targeted mRNA
and preventing protein translation. Antisense technology can be
used to control gene expression through triple-helix formation or
antisense DNA or RNA, both of which methods are based on binding of
a polynucleotide to DNA or RNA. For example, the 5' coding portion
of the polynucleotide sequence, which encodes the mature IL-17A/F
polypeptides herein, is used to design an antisense RNA
oligonucleotide of from about 10 to 40 base pairs in length. A DNA
oligonucleotide is designed to be complementary to a region of the
gene involved in transcription (triple helix--see Lee et al., Nucl.
Acids Res., 6:3073 (1979); Cooney et al., Science, 241:456 (1988);
Dervan et al., Science, 251:1360 (1991)), thereby preventing
transcription and the production of the IL-17A/F polypeptide. The
antisense RNA oligonucleotide hybridizes to the mRNA in vivo and
blocks translation of the mRNA molecule into the IL-17A/F
polypeptide (antisense--Okano, Neurochem., 56:560 (1991);
Oligodeoxynucleotides as Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression
(CRC Press: Boca Raton, Fla., 1988). The oligonucleotides described
above can also be delivered to cells such that the antisense RNA or
DNA may be expressed in vivo to inhibit production of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide. When antisense DNA is used, oligodeoxyribonucleotides
derived from the translation-initiation site, e.g., between about
-10 and +10 positions of the target gene nucleotide sequence, are
preferred.
[0246] Potential antagonists include small molecules that bind to
the active site, the receptor binding site, or growth factor or
other relevant binding site of the IL-17A/F polypeptide, thereby
blocking the normal biological activity of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide. Examples of small molecules include, but are not
limited to, small peptides or peptide-like molecules, preferably
soluble peptides, and synthetic non-peptidyl organic or inorganic
compounds.
[0247] Ribozymes are enzymatic RNA molecules capable of catalyzing
the specific cleavage of RNA Ribozymes act by sequence-specific
hybridization to the complementary target RNA, followed by
endonucleolytic cleavage. Specific ribozyme cleavage sites within a
potential RNA target can be identified by known techniques. For
further details see, e.g., Rossi, Current Biology, 4:469-471
(1994), and PCT publication No. WO 97/33551 (published Sep. 18,
1997).
[0248] Nucleic acid molecules in triple-helix formation used to
inhibit transcription should be single-stranded and composed of
deoxynucleotides. The base composition of these oligonucleotides is
designed such that it promotes triple-helix formation via Hoogsteen
base-pairing rules, which generally require sizeable stretches of
purines or pyrimidines on one strand of a duplex. For further
details see, e.g., PCT publication No. WO 97/33551, supra.
[0249] These small molecules can be identified by any one or more
of the screening assays discussed herein above and/or by any other
screening techniques well known for those skilled in the art.
[0250] Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the herein disclosed
molecules may also be based upon the positive functional assay hits
disclosed and described below
[0251] F. Tissue Distribution
[0252] The location of tissues expressing the IL-17A/F can be
identified by determining mRNA expression in various human tissues.
The location of such genes provides information about which tissues
are most likely to be affected by the stimulating and inhibiting
activities of the IL-17A/F polypeptides. The location of a gene in
a specific tissue also provides sample tissue fur the activity
blocking assays discussed below.
[0253] As noted before, gene expression in various tissues may be
measured by conventional Southern blotting, Northern blotting to
quantitate the transcription of mRNA (Thomas, Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA, 77:5201-5205 [1980]), dot blotting (DNA analysis), or in
situ hybridization, using an appropriately labeled probe, based on
the sequences provided herein. Alternatively, antibodies may be
employed that can recognize specific duplexes, including DNA
duplexes, RNA duplexes, and DNA-RNA hybrid duplexes or DNA-protein
duplexes.
[0254] Gene expression in various tissues, alternatively, may be
measured by immunological methods, such as immunohistochemical
staining of tissue sections and assay of cell culture or body
fluids, to quantitate directly the expression of gene product.
Antibodies useful for immunohistochemical staining and/or assay of
sample fluids may be either monoclonal or polyclonal, and may be
prepared in any mammal Conveniently, the antibodies may be prepared
against a native sequence of an IL-17A/F polypeptide or against a
synthetic peptide based on the DNA sequences encoding the IL-17A/F
polypeptide or against an exogenous sequence fused to a DNA
encoding an IL-17A/F polypeptide and encoding a specific antibody
epitope. General techniques for generating antibodies, and special
protocols for Northern blotting and in situ hybridization are
provided below.
[0255] G. Antibody Binding Studies
[0256] The activity of the IL-17A/F polypeptides can be further
verified by antibody binding studies, in which the ability of
anti-IL-17A/F antibodies to inhibit the effect of the IL-17A/F
polypeptides, respectively, on tissue cells is tested. Exemplary
antibodies include polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, bispecific,
and heteroconjugate antibodies, the preparation of which will be
described herein below.
[0257] Antibody binding studies may be carried out in any known
assay method, such as competitive binding assays, direct and
indirect sandwich assays, and immunoprecipitation assays. Zola.
Monoclonal Antibodies: A Manual of Techniques, pp. 147-158 (CRC
Press, Inc., 1987).
[0258] Competitive binding assays rely on the ability of a labeled
standard to compete with the test sample analyte for binding with a
limited amount of antibody. The amount of target protein in the
test sample is inversely proportional to the amount of standard
that becomes bound to the antibodies. To facilitate determining the
amount of standard that becomes bound, the antibodies preferably
arc insolubilized before or after the competition, so that the
standard and analyte that are bound to the antibodies may
conveniently be separated from the standard and analyte which
remain unbound.
[0259] Sandwich assays involve the use of two antibodies, each
capable of binding to a different immunogenic portion, or epitope,
of the protein to be detected. In a sandwich assay, the test sample
analyte is bound by a first antibody which is immobilized on a
solid support, and thereafter a second antibody binds to the
analyte, thus forming an insoluble three-part complex. See, e.g.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110. The second antibody may itself be labeled
with a delectable moiety (direct sandwich assays) or may be
measured using an anti-immunoglobulin antibody that is labeled with
a detectable moiety (indirect sandwich assay). For example, one
type of sandwich assay is an ELISA assay, in which case the
detectable moiety is an enzyme. For immunohistochemistry, the
tissue sample may be fresh or frozen or may be embedded in paraffin
and fixed with a preservative such as formalin, for example.
[0260] H. Cell-Based Assays
[0261] Cell-based assays and animal models for immune related
diseases can be used to further understand the relationship between
the genes and polypeptides identified herein and the development
and pathogenesis of immune related disease.
[0262] In a different approach, cells of a cell type known to be
involved in a particular immune related disease are transfected
with the cDNAs described herein, and the ability of these cDNAs to
stimulate or inhibit immune function is analyzed. Suitable cells
can be transfected with the desired gene, and monitored for immune
function activity. Such transfected cell lines can then be used to
test the ability of poly- or monoclonal antibodies or antibody
compositions to inhibit or stimulate immune function, for example
to modulate T-cell proliferation or inflammatory cell infiltration.
Cells transfected with the coding sequences of the genes identified
herein can further be used to identify drug candidates for the
treatment of immune related diseases.
[0263] In addition, primary cultures derived from transgenic
animals (as described below) can be used in the cell-based assays
herein, although stable cell lines are preferred. Techniques to
derive continuous cell lines from transgenic animals are well known
in the art (see, e.g., Small et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 5: 642 648
[1985]).
[0264] One suitable cell based assay is the mixed lymphocyte
reaction (MLR). Current Protocols in Immunology, unit 3.12; edited
by J E Coligan, A M Kruisbeek, D H Marglies, E M Shevach, W
Strober, National Institutes of Health, Published by John Wiley
& Sons, Inc. In this assay, the ability of a test compound to
stimulate or inhibit the proliferation of activated T cells is
assayed. A suspension of responder T cells is cultured with
allogeneic stimulator cells and the proliferation of T cells is
measured by uptake of tritiated thymidine. This assay is a general
measure of T cell reactivity. Since the majority of T cells respond
to and produce IL-2 upon activation, differences in responsiveness
in this assay in part reflect differences in IL-2 production by the
responding cells. The MLR results can be verified by a standard
lymphokine (IL-2) detection assay. Current Protocols in Immunology,
above, 3.15, 6.3.
[0265] A proliferative T cell response in an MLR assay may be due
to direct mitogenic properties of an assayed molecule or to
external antigen induced activation. Additional verification of the
T cell stimulatory activity of the IL-17A/F polypeptides can be
obtained by a costimulation assay. T cell activation requires an
antigen specific signal mediated through the T-cell receptor (TCR)
and a costimulatory signal mediated through a second ligand binding
interaction, for example, the B7 (CD80, CD86)/CD28 binding
interaction. CD28 crosslinking increases lymphokine secretion by
activated T cells. T cell activation has both negative and positive
controls through the binding of ligands which have a negative or
positive effect. CD28 and CTLA-4 are related glycoproteins in the
Ig superfamily which bind to B7. CD28 binding to B7 has a positive
costimulation effect of T cell activation; conversely, CTLA-4
binding to B7 has a negative T cell deactivating effect. Chambers,
C. A and Allison, J. P., Curr. Opin. Immunol., (1997) 9:396.
Schwartz, R. H., Cell (1992) 71:1065; Linsley, P. S. and Ledbetter,
J. A., Annu. Rev. Immunol. (1993) 11:191; June, C. H. et al.,
Immunol. Today (1994) 15:321; Jenkins, M. K., Immunity (1994)
1:405. In a costimulation assay, the IL-17A/F polypeptides are
assayed for T cell costimulatory or inhibitory activity.
[0266] IL-17A/F polypeptides, as well as other compounds of the
invention, which are stimulators (costimulators) of T cell
proliferation and agonists, e.g., agonist antibodies, thereto as
determined by MLR and costimulation assays, for example, are useful
in treating immune related diseases characterized by poor,
suboptimal or inadequate immune function. These diseases are
treated by stimulating the proliferation and activation of T cells
(and T cell mediated immunity) and enhancing the immune response in
a mammal through administration of a stimulatory compound, such as
the stimulating IL-17A/F polypeptides. The stimulating polypeptide
may, for example, be an IL-17A/F polypeptide or an agonist antibody
thereof.
[0267] Direct use of a stimulating compound as in the invention has
been validated in experiments with 4-1BB glycoprotein, a member of
the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, which binds to a ligand
(4-1BBL) expressed on primed T cells and signals T cell activation
and growth. Alderson, M. E. et al., J. Immunol., 24:2219
(1994).
[0268] The use of an agonist stimulating compound has also been
validated experimentally. Activation of 4-1BB by treatment with an
agonist anti-4-1BB antibody enhances eradication of tumors.
Hellstrom, I. and Hellstrom, K. E., Crit. Rev. Immunol., 18:1
(1998). Immunoadjuvant therapy for treatment of tumors, described
in more detail below, is another example of the use of the
stimulating compounds of the invention. An immune stimulating or
enhancing effect can also be achieved by antagonizing or blocking
the activity of an IL-17A/F which has been found to be inhibiting
in the MLR assay. Negating the inhibitory activity of the compound
produces a net stimulatory effect. Suitable antagonists/blocking
compounds are antibodies or fragments thereof which recognize and
bind to the inhibitory protein, thereby blocking the effective
interaction of the protein with its receptor and inhibiting
signaling through the receptor. This effect has been validated in
experiments using anti-CTLA-4 antibodies which enhance T cell
proliferation, presumably by removal of the inhibitory signal
caused by CTLA-4 binding. Walunas, T. L. et al., Immunity, 1:405
(1994).
[0269] Alternatively, an immune stimulating or enhancing effect can
also be achieved by administration of an IL-17A/F polypeptide which
has vascular permeability enhancing properties Enhanced vacuolar
permeability would be beneficial to disorders which can be
attenuated by local infiltration of immune cells (e.g., monocytes,
eosinophils, PMNs) and inflammation.
[0270] On the other hand, IL-17A/F polypeptides, as well as other
compounds of the invention, which are direct inhibitors of T cell
proliferation/activation, lymphokine secretion, and/or vascular
permeability can be directly used to suppress the immune response.
These compounds are useful to reduce the degree of the immune
response and to treat immune related diseases characterized by a
hyperactive, superoptimal, or autoimmune response. This use of the
compounds of the invention has been validated by the experiments
described above in which CTLA-4 binding to receptor B7 deactivates
T cells. The direct inhibitory compounds of the invention function
in an analogous manner. The use of compound which suppress vascular
permeability would be expected to reduce inflammation. Such uses
would be beneficial in treating conditions associated with
excessive inflammation.
[0271] Alternatively, compounds, e.g., antibodies, which bind to
stimulating IL-17A/F polypeptides and block the stimulating effect
of these molecules produce a net inhibitory effect and can be used
to suppress the T cell mediated immune response by inhibiting T
cell proliferation/activation and/or lymphokine secretion. Blocking
the stimulating effect of the polypeptides suppresses the immune
response of the mammal. This use has been validated in experiments
using an anti-IL2 antibody. In these experiments, the antibody
binds to IL2 and blocks binding of IL2 to its receptor thereby
achieving a T cell inhibitory effect.
[0272] I. Animal Models
[0273] The results of the cell based in vitro assays can be further
verified using in vivo animal models and assays for T-cell
function. A variety of well known animal models can be used to
further understand the role of the genes identified herein in the
development and pathogenesis of immune related disease, and to test
the efficacy of candidate therapeutic agents, including antibodies,
and other antagonists of the native polypeptides, including small
molecule antagonists. The in vivo nature of such models makes them
predictive of responses in human patients Animal models of immune
related diseases include both non-recombinant and recombinant
(transgenic) animals Non-recombinant animal models include, for
example, rodent, e.g., murine models. Such models can be generated
by introducing cells into syngeneic mice using standard techniques,
e.g., subcutaneous injection, tail vein injection, spleen
implantation, intraperitoneal implantation, implantation under the
renal capsule, etc.
[0274] Graft-versus-host disease occurs when immunocompetent cells
are transplanted into immunosuppressed or tolerant patients. The
donor cells recognize and respond to host antigens. The response
can vary from life threatening severe inflammation to mild cases of
diarrhea and weight loss. Graft-versus-host disease models provide
a means of assessing T cell reactivity against MHC antigens and
minor transplant antigens. A suitable procedure is described in
detail in Current Protocols in Immunology, above, unit 4.3.
[0275] An animal model for skin allograft rejection is a means of
testing the ability of T cells to mediate in vivo tissue
destruction and a measure of their role in transplant rejection.
The most common and accepted models use murine tail-skin grafts.
Repeated experiments have shown that skin allograft rejection is
mediated by T cells, helper T cells and killer-effector T cells,
and not antibodies. Auchincloss, H. Jr. and Sachs, D. H.,
Fundamental Immunology, 2nd ed., W. E. Paul ed., Raven Press, NY,
889-992 (1989). A suitable procedure is described in detail in
Current Protocols in Immunology, above, unit 4.4. Other transplant
rejection models which can be used to test the compounds of the
invention are the allogeneic heart transplant models described by
Tanabe, M. et al., Transplantation, 58:23 (1994) and Tinubu, S. A
et al., J. Immunol., 4330-4338 (1994).
[0276] Animal models for delayed type hypersensitivity provides an
assay of cell mediated immune function as well. Delayed type
hypersensitivity reactions are a T cell mediated in vivo immune
response characterized by inflammation which does not reach a peak
until after a period of time has elapsed after challenge with an
antigen. These reactions also occur in tissue specific autoimmune
diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, a model for MS). A suitable
procedure is described in detail in Current Protocols in
Immunology, above, unit 4.5.
[0277] EAE is a T cell mediated autoimmune disease characterized by
T cell and mononuclear cell inflammation and subsequent
demyelination of axons in the central nervous system. EAE is
generally considered to be a relevant animal model for MS in humans
Bolton, C., Multiple Sclerosis, 1:143 (1995). Both acute and
relapsing-remitting models have been developed. The compounds of
the invention can be tested for T cell stimulatory or inhibitory
activity against immune mediated demyelinating disease using the
protocol described in Current Protocols in Immunology, above, units
15.1 and 15.2. See also the models for myelin disease in which
oligodendrocytes or Schwann cells are grafted into the central
nervous system as described in Duncan, I. D. et al., Molec. Med.
Today, 554 561 (1997).
[0278] Contact hypersensitivity is a simple delayed type
hypersensitivity in vivo assay of cell mediated immune function. In
this procedure, cutaneous exposure to exogenous haptens which gives
rise to a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction which is measured
and quantitated. Contact sensitivity involves an initial
sensitizing phase followed by an elicitation phase. The elicitation
phase occurs when the T lymphocytes encounter an antigen to which
they have had previous contact. Swelling and inflammation occur,
making this an excellent model of human allergic contact
dermatitis. A suitable procedure is described in detail in Current
Protocols in Immunology, Eds. J. E. Cologan, A. M. Kruisbeek, D. H.
Margulies, E. M. Shevach and W. Strober, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., unit 4.2 (1994). I also Grabbe, S. and Schwarz, T, Immun.
Today, 19 (1): 37-44 (1998).
[0279] An animal model for arthritis is collagen-induced arthritis.
This model shares clinical, histological and immunological
characteristics of human autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis and is an
acceptable model for human autoimmune arthritis. Mouse and rat
models are characterized by synovitis, erosion of cartilage and
subchondral bone. The compounds of the invention can be tested for
activity against autoimmune arthritis using the protocols described
in Current Protocols in Immunology, above, units 15.5. See also the
model using a monoclonal antibody to CD18 and VLA-4 integrins
described in Issekutz, A. C. et al., Immunology, 88:569 (1996).
[0280] A model of asthma has been described in which
antigen-induced airway hyper-reactivity, pulmonary eosinophilia and
inflammation are induced by sensitizing an animal with ovalbumin
and then challenging the animal with the same protein delivered by
aerosol. Several animal models (guinea pig, rat, non-human primate)
show symptoms similar to atopic asthma in humans upon challenge
with aerosol antigens. Murine models have many of the features of
human asthma. Suitable procedures to test the compounds of the
invention for activity and effectiveness in the treatment of asthma
are described by Wolyniec, W. W. et al., Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol.
Biol., 18:777 (1998) and the references cited therein.
[0281] Additionally, the compounds of the invention can be tested
on animal models for psoriasis like diseases. Evidence suggests a T
cell pathogenesis for psoriasis. The compounds of the invention can
be tested in the scid/scid mouse model described by Schon, M. P. et
al., Nat. Med., 3:183 (1997), in which the mice demonstrate
histopathologic skin lesions resembling psoriasis. Another suitable
model is the human skin/scid mouse chimera prepared as described by
Nickoloff, B. J. et al., Am. J. Path., 146:580 (1995).
[0282] Recombinant (transgenic) animal models can be engineered by
introducing the coding portion of the genes identified herein into
the genome of animals of interest, using standard techniques for
producing transgenic animals Animals that can serve as a target for
transgenic manipulation include, without limitation, mice, rats,
rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, pigs, and non-human primates,
e.g., baboons, chimpanzees and monkeys. Techniques known in the art
to introduce a transgene into such animals include pronucleic
microinjection (Hoppe and Wanger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191);
retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into germ lines (e.g., Van der
Putten et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 6148-615 [1985]);
gene targeting in embryonic stem cells (Thompson et al., Cell, 56,
313-321 [1989]); electroporation of embryos (Lo, Mol. Cel. Biol.,
3, 1803-1814 [1983]); sperm-mediated gene transfer (Lavitrano et
al., Cell, 57, 717-73 [1989]). For review, see, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,736,866.
[0283] For the purpose of the present invention, transgenic animals
include those that carry the transgene only in part of their cells
("mosaic animals") The transgene can be integrated either as a
single transgene, or in concatamers, e.g., head-to-head or
head-to-tail tandems. Selective introduction of a transgene into a
particular cell type is also possible by following, for example,
the technique of Lasko et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89,
6232-636 (1992).
[0284] The expression of the transgene in transgenic animals can be
monitored by standard techniques. For example, Southern blot
analysis or PCR amplification can be used to verify the integration
of the transgene. The level of mRNA expression can then be analyzed
using techniques such as in situ hybridization, Northern blot
analysis, PCR, or immunocytochemistry.
[0285] The animals may be further examined for signs of immune
disease pathology, for example by histological examination to
determine infiltration of immune cells into specific tissues.
Blocking experiments can also be performed in which the transgenic
animals are treated with the compounds of the invention to
determine the extent of the T cell proliferation stimulation or
inhibition of the compounds. In these experiments, blocking
antibodies which bind to the IL-17A/F polypeptide, prepared as
described above, are administered to the animal and the effect on
immune function is determined.
[0286] Alternatively, "knock out" animals can be constructed which
have a defective or altered gene encoding a polypeptide identified
herein, as a result of homologous recombination between the
endogenous gene encoding the polypeptide and altered genomic DNA
encoding the same polypeptide introduced into an embryonic cell of
the animal. For example, cDNA encoding a particular polypeptide can
be used to clone genomic DNA encoding that polypeptide in
accordance with established techniques. A portion of the genomic
DNA encoding a particular polypeptide can be deleted or replaced
with another gene, such as a gene encoding a selectable marker
which can be used to monitor integration. Typically, several
kilobases of unaltered flanking DNA (both at the 5' and 3' ends)
are included in the vector [see e.g., Thomas and Capecchi, Cell,
51:503 (1987) for a description of homologous recombination
vectors]. The vector is introduced into an embryonic stem cell line
(e.g., by electroporation) and cells in which the introduced DNA
has homologously recombined with the endogenous DNA are selected
[see e.g., Li et al., Cell, 69:915 (1992)]. The selected cells are
then injected into a blastocyst of an animal (e.g., a mouse or rat)
to form aggregation chimeras [see e.g., Bradley, in
Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, E.
J. Robertson, ed. (IRL, Oxford, 1987), pp. 113-152]. A chimeric
embryo can then be implanted into a suitable pseudopregnant female
foster animal and the embryo brought to term to create a "knock
out" animal Progeny harboring the homologously recombined DNA in
their germ cells can be identified by standard techniques and used
to breed animals in which all cells of the animal contain the
homologously recombined DNA Knockout animals can be characterized
for instance, for their ability to defend against certain
pathological conditions and for their development of pathological
conditions due to absence of the polypeptide.
[0287] J. ImmunoAdjuvant Therapy
[0288] In one embodiment, the immunostimulating compounds of the
invention can be used in immunoadjuvant therapy for the treatment
of tumors (cancer). It is now well established that T cells
recognize human tumor specific antigens. One group of tumor
antigens, encoded by the MAGE, BAGE and GAGE families of genes, are
silent in all adult normal tissues, but are expressed in
significant amounts in tumors, such as melanomas, lung tumors, head
and neck tumors, and bladder carcinomas. DeSmet, C. et al., Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 93:7149 (1996). It has been shown that
costimulation of T cells induces tumor regression and an antitumor
response both in vitro and in vivo. Melero, I. et al., Nature
Medicine, 3:682 (1997); Kwon, E. D. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 94: 8099 (1997); Lynch, D. H. et al., Nature Medicine, 3:625
(1997); Finn, 0. J. and Lotze. M. T., J. Immunol., 21:14 (1998).
The stimulatory compounds of the invention can be administered as
adjuvants, alone or together with a growth regulating agent,
cytotoxic agent or chemotherapeutic agent, to stimulate T cell
proliferation/activation and an antitumor response to tumor
antigens. The growth regulating, cytotoxic, or chemotherapeutic
agent may be administered in conventional amounts using known
administration regimes. Immunostimulating activity by the compounds
of the invention allows reduced amounts of the growth regulating,
cytotoxic, or chemotherapeutic agents thereby potentially lowering
the toxicity to the patient.
[0289] K. Screening Assays for Drug Candidates
[0290] Screening assays for drug candidates are designed to
identify compounds that bind to or complex with the polypeptides
encoded by the genes identified herein or a biologically active
fragment thereof, or otherwise interfere with the interaction of
the encoded polypeptides with other cellular proteins. Such
screening assays will include assays amenable to high-throughput
screening of chemical libraries, making them particularly suitable
for identifying small molecule drug candidates. Small molecules
contemplated include synthetic organic or inorganic compounds,
including peptides, preferably soluble peptides,
(poly)peptide-immunoglobulin fusions, and, in particular,
antibodies including, without limitation, poly- and monoclonal
antibodies and antibody fragments, single-chain antibodies,
anti-idiotypic antibodies, and chimeric or humanized versions of
such antibodies or fragments, as well as human antibodies and
antibody fragments. The assays can be performed in a variety of
formats, including protein-protein binding assays, biochemical
screening assays, immunoassays and cell based assays, which are
well characterized in the art. All assays are common in that they
call for contacting the drug candidate with a polypeptide encoded
by a nucleic acid identified herein under conditions and for a time
sufficient to allow these two components to interact.
[0291] In binding assays, the interaction is binding and the
complex formed can be isolated or detected in the reaction mixture.
In a particular embodiment, the polypeptide encoded by the gene
identified herein or the drug candidate is immobilized on a solid
phase, e.g., on a microliter plate, by covalent or non-covalent
attachments. Non-covalent attachment generally is accomplished by
coating the solid surface with a solution of the polypeptide and
drying. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody, e.g., a monoclonal
antibody, specific for the polypeptide to be immobilized can be
used to anchor it to a solid surface. The assay is performed by
adding the non-immobilized component, which may be labeled by a
detectable label, to the immobilized component, e.g., the coated
surface containing the anchored component. When the reaction is
complete, the non-reacted components are removed, e.g., by washing,
and complexes anchored on the solid surface are detected. When the
originally non-immobilized component carries a detectable label,
the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that
complexing occurred. Where the originally non-immobilized component
does not carry a label, complexing can be detected, for example, by
using a labelled antibody specifically binding the immobilized
complex.
[0292] If the candidate compound interacts with but does not bind
to a particular protein encoded by a gene identified herein, its
interaction with that protein can be assayed by methods well known
for detecting protein-protein interactions. Such assays include
traditional approaches, such as, cross-linking,
co-immunoprecipitation, and co-purification through gradients or
chromatographic columns In addition, protein-protein interactions
can be monitored by using a yeast-based genetic system described by
Fields and co-workers [Fields and Song, Nature (London), 340,
245-246 (1989); Chien et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88,
9578-9582 (1991)] as disclosed by Chevray and Nathans, Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA, 89, 5789-5793 (1991). Many transcriptional
activators, such as yeast GAL4, consist of two physically discrete
modular domains, one acting as the DNA-binding domain, while the
other one functioning as the transcription activation domain. The
yeast expression system described in the foregoing publications
(generally referred to as the "two-hybrid system") takes advantage
of this property, and employs two hybrid proteins, one in which the
target protein is fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, and
another, in which candidate activating proteins are fused to the
activation domain. The expression of a GAL 1-lacZ reporter gene
under control of a GAL4-activated promoter depends on
reconstitution of GAL4 activity via protein-protein interaction.
Colonies containing interacting polypeptides are detected with a
chromogenic substrate for .beta.-galactosidase. A complete kit
(MATCHMAKER.TM.) for identifying protein-protein interactions
between two specific proteins using the two-hybrid technique is
commercially available from Clontech. This system can also be
extended to map protein domains involved in specific protein
interactions as well as to pinpoint amino acid residues that are
crucial for these interactions.
[0293] In order to find compounds that interfere with the
interaction of a gene identified herein and other intra- or
extracellular components can be tested, a reaction mixture is
usually prepared containing the product of the gene and the intra-
or extracellular component under conditions and for a time allowing
for the interaction and binding of the two products. To test the
ability of a test compound to inhibit binding, the reaction is run
in the absence and in the presence of the test compound. In
addition, a placebo may be added to a third reaction mixture, to
serve as positive control. The binding (complex formation) between
the test compound and the intra- or extracellular component present
in the mixture is monitored as described above. The formation of a
complex in the control reaction(s) but not in the reaction mixture
containing the test compound indicates that the test compound
interferes with the interaction of the test compound and its
reaction partner.
[0294] L. Compositions and Methods for the Treatment of Immune
Related Diseases
[0295] The compositions useful in the treatment of immune related
diseases include, without limitation, proteins, antibodies, small
organic molecules, peptides, phosphopeptides, antisense and
ribozyme molecules, triple helix molecules, etc. that inhibit or
stimulate immune function, for example, T cell
proliferation/activation, lymphokine release, or immune cell
infiltration.
[0296] For example, antisense RNA and RNA molecules act to directly
block the translation of mRNA by hybridizing to targeted mRNA and
preventing protein translation. When antisense DNA is used,
oligodeoxyribonucleotides derived from the translation initiation
site, e.g., between about -10 and +10 positions of the target gene
nucleotide sequence, are preferred.
[0297] Ribozymes are enzymatic RNA molecules capable of catalyzing
the specific cleavage of RNA. Ribozymes act by sequence-specific
hybridization to the complementary target RNA, followed by
endonucleolytic cleavage. Specific ribozyme cleavage sites within a
potential RNA target can be identified by known techniques. For
further details see, e.g., Rossi, Current Biology, 4, 469-471
(1994), and PCT publication No. WO 97/33551 (published Sep. 18,
1997).
[0298] Nucleic acid molecules in triple helix formation used to
inhibit transcription should be single-stranded and composed of
deoxynucleotides. The base composition of these oligonucleotides is
designed such that it promotes triple helix formation via Hoogsteen
base pairing rules, which generally require sizeable stretches of
purines or pyrimidines on one strand of a duplex. For further
details see, e.g., PCT publication No. WO 97/33551, supra.
[0299] These molecules can be identified by any or any combination
of the screening assays discussed above and/or by any other
screening techniques well known for those skilled in the art.
[0300] M. Anti-IL-17A/F Antibodies
[0301] In one embodiment, the present invention provides
anti-IL-17A/F antibodies which may find use herein as therapeutic
and/or diagnostic agents. Exemplary antibodies include polyclonal,
monoclonal, humanized, bispecific, and heteroconjugate
antibodies.
[0302] 1. Polyclonal Antibodies
[0303] Polyclonal antibodies are preferably raised in animals by
multiple subcutaneous (sc) or intraperitoneal (ip) injections of
the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. It may be useful to conjugate
the relevant antigen (especially when synthetic peptides are used)
to a protein that is immunogenic in the species to be immunized.
For example, the antigen can be conjugated to keyhole limpet
hemocyanin (KLH), serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean
trypsin inhibitor, using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent,
e.g., maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through
cysteine residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysine residues),
glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl.sub.2, or
R'N.dbd.C.dbd.NR, where R and R.sup.1 are different alkyl
groups.
[0304] Animals are immunized against the antigen, immunogenic
conjugates, or derivatives by combining, e.g., 100 .mu.g or 5 .mu.g
of the protein or conjugate (for rabbits or mice, respectively)
with 3 volumes of Freund's complete adjuvant and injecting the
solution intradermally at multiple sites. One month later, the
animals are boosted with 1/5 to 1/10 the original amount of peptide
or conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant by subcutaneous
injection at multiple sites. Seven to 14 days later, the animals
are bled and the serum is assayed for antibody titer. Animals are
boosted until the titer plateaus. Conjugates also can be made in
recombinant cell culture as protein fusions. Also, aggregating
agents such as alum are suitably used to enhance the immune
response.
[0305] 2. Monoclonal Antibodies
[0306] Monoclonal antibodies may be made using the hybridoma method
first described by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be
made by recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567).
[0307] In the hybridoma method, a mouse or other appropriate host
animal, such as a hamster, is immunized as described above to
elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing
antibodies that will specifically bind to the protein used for
immunization. Alternatively, lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.
After immunization, lymphocytes are isolated and then fused with a
myeloma cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as
polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, Monoclonal
Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 59-103 (Academic Press,
1986)).
[0308] The hybridoma cells thus prepared are seeded and grown in a
suitable culture medium which medium preferably contains one or
more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused,
parental myeloma cells (also referred to as fusion partner). For
example, if the parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine
guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the selective
culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include
hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (HAT medium), which
substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.
[0309] Preferred fusion partner myeloma cells are those that fuse
efficiently, support stable high-level production of antibody by
the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a
selective medium that selects against the unfused parental cells.
Preferred myeloma cell lines are murine myeloma lines, such as
those derived from MOPC-21 and MPC-11 mouse tumors available from
the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, Calif. USA,
and SP-2 and derivatives e.g. X63-Ag8-653 cells available from the
American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va., USA. Human myeloma
and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described
for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, J.
Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); and Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody
Production Techniques and Applications, pp. 51-63 (Marcel Dekker,
Inc., New York, 1987)).
[0310] Culture medium in which hybridoma cells are growing is
assayed for production of monoclonal antibodies directed against
the antigen. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal
antibodies produced by hybridoma cells is determined by
immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as
radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA).
[0311] The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for
example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis described in
Munson et al., Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).
[0312] Once hybridoma cells that produce antibodies of the desired
specificity, affinity, and/or activity are identified, the clones
may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by
standard methods (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and
Practice, pp. 59-103 (Academic Press, 1986)). Suitable culture
media for this purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640
medium. In addition, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as
ascites tumors in an animal e g, by i.p. injection of the cells
into mice.
[0313] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are
suitably separated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum
by conventional antibody purification procedures such as, for
example, affinity chromatography (e.g., using protein A or protein
G-Sepharose) or ion-exchange chromatography, hydroxylapatite
chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, etc.
[0314] DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily isolated
and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using
oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to
genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies).
The hybridoma cells serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once
isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are
then transfected into host cells such as E. coli cells, simian COS
cells, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do
not otherwise produce antibody protein, to obtain the synthesis of
monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. Review
articles on recombinant expression in bacteria of DNA encoding the
antibody include Skerra et al., Curr. Opinion in Immunol.,
5:256-262 (1993) and Pluckthun, Immunol. Revs. 130:151-188
(1992).
[0315] In a further embodiment, monoclonal antibodies or antibody
fragments can be isolated from antibody phage libraries generated
using the techniques described in McCafferty et al., Nature,
348:552-554 (1990). Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and
Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991) describe the
isolation of murine and human antibodies, respectively, using phage
libraries. Subsequent publications describe the production of high
affinity (nM range) human antibodies by chain shuffling (Marks et
al., Bio/Technology, 10:779-783 (1992)), as well as combinatorial
infection and in vivo recombination as a strategy for constructing
very large phage libraries (Waterhouse et al., Nuc. Acids. Res.
21:2265-2266 (1993)). Thus, these techniques are viable
alternatives to traditional monoclonal antibody hybridoma
techniques for isolation of monoclonal antibodies.
[0316] The DNA that encodes the antibody may be modified to produce
chimeric or fusion antibody polypeptides, for example, by
substituting human heavy chain and light chain constant domain
(C.sub.H and C.sub.L sequences for the homologous murine sequences
(U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrison, et al., Proc. Natl Acad.
Sci. USA, 81:6851 (1984)), or by fusing the immunoglobulin coding
sequence with all or part of the coding sequence for a
non-immunoglobulin polypeptide (heterologous polypeptide). The
non-immunoglobulin polypeptide sequences can substitute for the
constant domains of an antibody, or they are substituted for the
variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody to
create a chimeric bivalent antibody comprising one
antigen-combining site having specificity for an antigen and
another antigen-combining site having specificity for a different
antigen.
[0317] 3. Human and Humanized Antibodies
[0318] The anti-IL-17A/F antibodies of the invention may further
comprise humanized antibodies or human antibodies. Humanized forms
of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric
immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such
as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab').sub.2 or other antigen-binding
subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimal sequence derived
from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodies include human
immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a
complementary determining region (CDR) of the recipient are
replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor
antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired
specificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework
residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding
non-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also comprise residues
which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the
imported CDR or framework sequences. In general, the humanized
antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and
typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all
of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human
immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are
those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized
antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an
immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human
immunoglobulin [Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann
et al., Nature, 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct.
Biol., 2:593-596 (1992)].
[0319] Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known
in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino
acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human.
These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as
"import" residues, which are typically taken from an "import"
variable domain Humanization can be essentially performed following
the method of Winter and co-workers [Jones et al., Nature,
321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature, 332:323-327 (1988);
Verhoeyen et al., Science, 239:1534-1536 (1988)], by substituting
rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a
human antibody. Accordingly, such "humanized" antibodies are
chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein
substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been
substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species.
In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in
which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are
substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent
antibodies.
[0320] The choice of human variable domains, both light and heavy,
to be used in making the humanized antibodies is very important to
reduce antigenicity and HAMA response (human anti-mouse antibody)
when the antibody is intended for human therapeutic use. According
to the so-called "best-fit" method, the sequence of the variable
domain of a rodent antibody is screened against the entire library
of known human variable domain sequences. The human V domain
sequence which is closest to that of the rodent is identified and
the human framework region (FR) within it accepted for the
humanized antibody (Sims et al., J. Immunol. 151:2296 (1993);
Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol., 196:901 (1987)). Another method uses
a particular framework region derived from the consensus sequence
of all human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy
chains. The same framework may be used for several different
humanized antibodies (Carter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
89:4285 (1992); Presta et al., J. Immunol. 151:2623 (1993)).
[0321] It is further important that antibodies be humanized with
retention of high binding affinity for the antigen and other
favorable biological properties. To achieve this goal, according to
a preferred method, humanized antibodies are prepared by a process
of analysis of the parental sequences and various conceptual
humanized products using three-dimensional models of the parental
and humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models
are commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the
art. Computer programs are available which illustrate and display
probable three-dimensional conformational structures of selected
candidate immunoglobulin sequences. Inspection of these displays
permits analysis of the likely role of the residues in the
functioning of the candidate immunoglobulin sequence, i.e., the
analysis of residues that influence the ability of the candidate
immunoglobulin to bind its antigen. In this way, FR residues can be
selected and combined from the recipient and import sequences so
that the desired antibody characteristic, such as increased
affinity for the target antigen(s), is achieved. In general, the
hypervariable region residues are directly and most substantially
involved in influencing antigen binding.
[0322] Various forms of a humanized anti-IL-17A/F antibody are
contemplated. For example, the humanized antibody may be an
antibody fragment, such as a Fab, which is optionally conjugated
with one or more cytotoxic agent(s) in order to generate an
immunoconjugate. Alternatively, the humanized antibody may be an
intact antibody, such as an intact IgG1 antibody.
[0323] As an alternative to humanization, human antibodies can be
generated. For example, it is now possible to produce transgenic
animals (e.g., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of
producing a full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of
endogenous immunoglobulin production. For example, it has been
described that the homozygous deletion of the antibody heavy-chain
joining region (JO gene in chimeric and germ-line mutant mice
results in complete inhibition of endogenous antibody production.
Transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array into such
germ-line mutant mice will result in the production of human
antibodies upon antigen challenge. See, e.g., Jakobovits et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits et al.,
Nature, 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggemann et al., Year in Immuno. 7:33
(1993); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,806, 5,569,825, 5,591,669 (all of
GenPharm); 5,545,807; and WO 97/17852.
[0324] Alternatively, phage display technology (McCafferty et al.,
Nature 348:552-553 [1990]) can be used to produce human antibodies
and antibody fragments in vitro, from immunoglobulin variable (V)
domain gene repertoires from unimmunized donors. According to this
technique, antibody V domain genes are cloned in-frame into either
a major or minor coat protein gene of a filamentous bacteriophage,
such as M13 or fd, and displayed as functional antibody fragments
on the surface of the phage particle. Because the filamentous
particle contains a single-stranded DNA copy of the phage genome,
selections based on the functional properties of the antibody also
result in selection of the gene encoding the antibody exhibiting
those properties. Thus, the phage mimics some of the properties of
the B-cell. Phage display can be performed in a variety of formats,
reviewed in, e.g., Johnson, Kevin S. and Chiswell, David J.,
Current Opinion in Structural Biology 3:564-571 (1993). Several
sources of V-gene segments can be used for phage display. Clackson
et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) isolated a diverse array of
anti-oxazolone antibodies from a small random combinatorial library
of V genes derived from the spleens of immunized mice. A repertoire
of V genes from unimmunized human donors can be constructed and
antibodies to a diverse array of antigens (including self-antigens)
can be isolated essentially following the techniques described by
Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-597 (1991), or Griffith et al.,
EMBO J. 12:725-734 (1993). See, also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,332 and
5,573,905.
[0325] As discussed above, human antibodies may also be generated
by in vitro activated B cells (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,610 and
5,229,275).
[0326] 4. Antibody Fragments
[0327] In certain circumstances there are advantages of using
antibody fragments, rather than whole antibodies. The smaller size
of the fragments allows for rapid clearance, and may lead to
improved access to solid tumors.
[0328] Various techniques have been developed for the production of
antibody fragments. Traditionally, these fragments were derived via
proteolytic digestion of intact antibodies (see, e.g., Morimoto et
al., Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods 24:107-117
(1992); and Brennan et al., Science, 229:81 (1985)). However, these
fragments can now be produced directly by recombinant host cells.
Fab, Fv and ScFv antibody fragments can all be expressed in and
secreted from E. coli, thus allowing the facile production of large
amounts of these fragments. Antibody fragments can be isolated from
the antibody phage libraries discussed above. Alternatively,
Fab'-SH fragments can be directly recovered from E. coli and
chemically coupled to form F(ab').sub.2 fragments (Carter et al.,
Bio/Technology 10:163-167 (1992)). According to another approach,
F(ab').sub.2 fragments can be isolated directly from recombinant
host cell culture. Fab and F(ab').sub.2 fragment with increased in
vivo half-life comprising a salvage receptor binding epitope
residues are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,046. Other techniques
for the production of antibody fragments will be apparent to the
skilled practitioner. In other embodiments, the antibody of choice
is a single chain Fv fragment (scFv). See WO 93/16185; U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,571,894; and 5,587,458. Fv and sFv are the only species with
intact combining sites that are devoid of constant regions; thus,
they are suitable for reduced nonspecific binding during in vivo
use, sFv fusion proteins may be constructed to yield fusion of an
effector protein at either the amino or the carboxy terminus of an
sFv. See Antibody Engineering, ed. Borrebaeck, supra. The antibody
fragment may also be a "linear antibody", e.g., as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,870 for example. Such linear antibody fragments
may be monospecific or bispecific.
[0329] 5. Bispecific Antibodies
[0330] Bispecific antibodies are antibodies that have binding
specificities for at least two different epitopes. Exemplary
bispecific antibodies may bind to two different epitopes of an
IL-17A/F protein as described herein. Other such antibodies may
combine an IL-17A/F binding site with a binding site for another
protein. Alternatively, an anti-IL-17A/F arm may be combined with
an arm which binds to a triggering molecule on a leukocyte such as
a T-cell receptor molecule (e.g. CD3), or Fc receptors for IgG
(Fc.gamma.R), such as Fc.gamma.RI (CD64), Fc.gamma.RII (CD32) and
Fc.gamma.RIII (CD16), so as to focus and localize cellular defense
mechanisms to the IL-17A/F-expressing cell. Bispecific antibodies
may also be used to localize cytotoxic agents to cells which
express IL-17A/F. These antibodies possess an IL-17A/F-binding arm
and an arm which binds the cytotoxic agent (e.g., saporin,
anti-interferon-.alpha., vinca alkaloid, ricin A chain,
methotrexate or radioactive isotope hapten). Bispecific antibodies
can be prepared as full length antibodies or antibody fragments
(e.g., F(ab').sub.2 bispecific antibodies).
[0331] WO 96/16673 describes a bispecific
anti-ErbB2/anti-Fc.gamma.RIII antibody and U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,234
discloses a bispecific anti-ErbB2/anti-Fc.gamma.RI antibody. A
bispecific anti-ErbB2/Fc.alpha. antibody is shown in WO98/02463.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,337 teaches a bispecific anti-ErbB2/anti-CD3
antibody.
[0332] Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the
art. Traditional production of full length bispecific antibodies is
based on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light
chain pairs, where the two chains have different specificities
(Millstein et al., Nature 305:537-539 (1983)). Because of the
random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these
hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10 different
antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific
structure. Purification of the correct molecule, which is usually
done by affinity chromatography steps, is rather cumbersome, and
the product yields are low Similar procedures are disclosed in WO
93/08829, and in Traunccker et al., EMBO J. 10:3655-3659
(1991).
[0333] According to a different approach, antibody variable domains
with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining
sites) are fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences.
Preferably, the fusion is with an Ig heavy chain constant domain,
comprising at least part of the hinge, C.sub.H2, and C.sub.H3
regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant
region (C.sub.H1) containing the site necessary for light chain
bonding, present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the
immunoglobulin heavy chain fusions and, if desired, the
immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression
vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host cell. This
provides for greater flexibility in adjusting the mutual
proportions of the three polypeptide fragments in embodiments when
unequal ratios of the three polypeptide chains used in the
construction provide the optimum yield of the desired bispecific
antibody. It is, however, possible to insert the coding sequences
for two or all three polypeptide chains into a single expression
vector when the expression of at least two polypeptide chains in
equal ratios results in high yields or when the ratios have no
significant affect on the yield of the desired chain
combination.
[0334] In a preferred embodiment of this approach, the bispecific
antibodies are composed of a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain with
a first binding specificity in one arm, and a hybrid immunoglobulin
heavy chain-light chain pair (providing a second binding
specificity) in the other arm. It was found that this asymmetric
structure facilitates the separation of the desired bispecific
compound from unwanted immunoglobulin chain combinations, as the
presence of an immunoglobulin light chain in only one half of the
bispecific molecule provides for a facile way of separation. This
approach is disclosed in WO 94/04690. For further details of
generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh et at.,
Methods in Enzymology 121:210 (1986).
[0335] According to another approach described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,731,168, the interface between a pair of antibody molecules can
be engineered to maximize the percentage of heterodimers which are
recovered from recombinant cell culture. The preferred interface
comprises at least a part of the C.sub.H3 domain In this method,
one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface of the
first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g.,
tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory "cavities" of identical or
similar size to the large side chain(s) are created on the
interface of the second antibody molecule by replacing large amino
acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g., alanine or threonine).
This provides a mechanism for increasing the yield of the
heterodimer over other unwanted end-products such as
homodimers.
[0336] Bispecific antibodies include cross-linked or
"heteroconjugate" antibodies. For example, one of the antibodies in
the heteroconjugate can be coupled to avidin, the other to biotin.
Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune
system cells to unwanted cells (U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980), and for
treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360, WO 92/200373, and EP
03089). Heteroconjugate antibodies may be made using any convenient
cross-linking methods. Suitable cross-linking agents are well known
in the art, and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, along
with a number of cross-linking techniques.
[0337] Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from
antibody fragments have also been described in the literature. For
example, bispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical
linkage. Brennan et al., Science 229:81 (1985) describe a procedure
wherein intact antibodies are proteolytically cleaved to generate
F(ab').sub.2 fragments. These fragments are reduced in the presence
of the dithiol complexing agent, sodium arsenite, to stabilize
vicinal dithiols and prevent intermolecular disulfide formation.
The Fab' fragments generated are then converted to
thionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives. One of the Fab'-TNB
derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab'-thiol by reduction with
mercaptoethylamine and is mixed with an equimolar amount of the
other Fab'-TNB derivative to form the bispecific antibody. The
bispecific antibodies produced can be used as agents for the
selective immobilization of enzymes.
[0338] Recent progress has facilitated the direct recovery of
Fab'-SH fragments from E. coli, which can be chemically coupled to
form bispecific antibodies. Shalaby et al., J. Exp. Med. 175:
217-225 (1992) describe the production of a fully humanized
bispecific antibody F(ab').sub.2 molecule. Each Fab' fragment was
separately secreted from E. coli and subjected to directed chemical
coupling in vitro to form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific
antibody thus formed was able to bind to cells overexpressing the
ErbB2 receptor and normal human T cells, as well as trigger the
lytic activity of human cytotoxic lymphocytes against human breast
tumor targets. Various techniques for making and isolating
bispecific antibody fragments directly from recombinant cell
culture have also been described. For example, bispecific
antibodies have been produced using leucine zippers. Kostelny et
al., J. Immunol. 148(5):1547-1553 (1992). The leucine zipper
peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab'
portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion. The antibody
homodimers were reduced at the hinge region to form monomers and
then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers. This method can
also be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers. The
"diabody" technology described by Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative
mechanism for making bispecific antibody fragments. The fragments
comprise a V.sub.H connected to a V.sub.L by a linker which is too
short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain.
Accordingly, the V.sub.H and V.sub.L domains of one fragment are
forced to pair with the complementary V.sub.L and V.sub.H domains
of another fragment, thereby forming two antigen-binding sites.
Another strategy for making bispecific antibody fragments by the
use of single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also been reported. See
Gruber et al., J. Immunol., 152:5368 (1994).
[0339] Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated.
For example, trispecific antibodies can be prepared. Tutt et al.,
J. Immunol. 147:60 (1991).
[0340] 6. Heteroconjugate Antibodies
[0341] Heteroconjugate antibodies are also within the scope of the
present invention. Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two
covalently joined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example,
been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells [U.S.
Pat. No. 4,676,980], and for treatment of HIV infection [WO
91/00360; WO 92/200373; EP 03089]. It is contemplated that the
antibodies may be prepared in vitro using known methods in
synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking
agents. For example, immunotoxins may be constructed using a
disulfide exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond.
Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include
iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those
disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.
[0342] 7. Multivalent Antibodies
[0343] A multivalent antibody may be internalized (and/or
catabolized) faster than a bivalent antibody by a cell expressing
an antigen to which the antibodies bind. The antibodies of the
present invention can be multivalent antibodies (which are other
than of the IgM class) with three or more antigen binding sites
(e.g. tetravalent antibodies), which can be readily produced by
recombinant expression of nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide
chains of the antibody. The multivalent antibody can comprise a
dimerization domain and three or more antigen binding sites. The
preferred dimerization domain comprises (or consists of) an Fc
region or a hinge region. In this scenario, the antibody will
comprise an Fc region and three or more antigen binding sites
amino-terminal to the Fc region. The preferred multivalent antibody
herein comprises (or consists of) three to about eight, but
preferably four, antigen binding sites. The multivalent antibody
comprises at least one polypeptide chain (and preferably two
polypeptide chains), wherein the polypeptide chain(s) comprise two
or more variable domains. For instance, the polypeptide chain(s)
may comprise VD1-(X1).sub.n-VD2-(X2).sub.n-Fc, wherein VD1 is a
first variable domain, VD2 is a second variable domain, Fc is one
polypeptide chain of an Fc region, X1 and X2 represent an amino
acid or polypeptide, and n is 0 or 1. For instance, the polypeptide
chain(s) may comprise: VH--CH1-flexible linker-VH--CH1-Fc region
chain; or VH--CH1-VH--CH1-Fc region chain. The multivalent antibody
herein preferably further comprises at least two (and preferably
four) light chain variable domain polypeptides. The multivalent
antibody herein may, for instance, comprise from about two to about
eight light chain variable domain polypeptides. The light chain
variable domain polypeptides contemplated here comprise a light
chain variable domain and, optionally, further comprise a C.sub.L
domain
[0344] 8. Effector Function Engineering
[0345] It may be desirable to modify the antibody of the invention
with respect to effector function, e.g., so as to enhance
antigen-dependent, cell-mediated cyotoxicity (ADCC) and/or
complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) of the antibody. This may
be achieved by introducing one or more amino acid substitutions in
an Fc region of the antibody. Alternatively or additionally,
cysteine residue(s) may be introduced in the Fc region, thereby
allowing interchain disulfide bond formation in this region. The
homodimeric antibody thus generated may have improved
internalization capability and/or increased complement-mediated
cell killing and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
See Caron et al., J. Exp Med. 176:1191-1195 (1992) and Shapes, B.
J. Immunol. 148:2918-2922 (1992). Homodimeric antibodies with
enhanced anti-tumor activity may also be prepared using
heterobifunctional cross-linkers as described in Wolff et al.,
Cancer Research 53:2560-2565 (1993). Alternatively, an antibody can
be engineered which has dual Fc regions and may thereby have
enhanced complement lysis and ADCC capabilities. See Stevenson et
al., Anti-Cancer Drug Design 3:219-230 (1989). To increase the
serum half life of the antibody, one may incorporate a salvage
receptor binding epitope into the antibody (especially an antibody
fragment) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,277, for example. As
used herein, the term "salvage receptor binding epitope" refers to
an epitope of the Fc region of an IgG molecule (e.g., IgG.sub.1,
IgG.sub.2, IgG.sub.3, or IgG.sub.4) that is responsible for
increasing the in vivo serum half-life of the IgG molecule.
[0346] 9. Immunoconjugates
[0347] The invention also pertains to immunoconjugates comprising
an antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic agent such as a
chemotherapeutic agent, a growth inhibitory agent, a toxin (e.g.,
an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant, or
animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioactive isotope
(i.e., a radioconjugate).
[0348] Chemotherapeutic agents useful in the generation of such
immunoconjugates have been described above. Enzymatically active
toxins and fragments thereof that can be used include diphtheria A
chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A
chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain,
modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin
proteins, Phytolaca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S),
Momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, Sapaonaria
officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogellin, restrictocin,
phenomycin, enomycin, and the tricothecenes. A variety of
radionuclides are available for the production of radioconjugated
antibodies. Examples include .sup.212Bi, .sup.131I, .sup.131In,
.sup.90Y, and .sup.186Re. Conjugates of the antibody and cytotoxic
agent are made using a variety of bifunctional protein-coupling
agents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate
(SPDP), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters
(such as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as
disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde),
bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine),
bis-diazonium derivatives (such as
bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such as
tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such
as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). For example, a ricin
immunotoxin can be prepared as described in Vitetta et al.,
Science, 238: 1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled
1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid
(MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of
radionucleotide to the antibody. See WO94/11026.
[0349] Conjugates of an antibody and one or more small molecule
toxins, such as a calicheamicin, maytansinoids, a trichothene, and
CC1065, and the derivatives of these toxins that have toxin
activity, are also contemplated herein.
Maytansine and Maytansinoids
[0350] In one preferred embodiment, an anti-IL-17A/F antibody (full
length or fragments) of the invention is conjugated to one or more
maytansinoid molecules.
[0351] Maytansinoids are mitototic inhibitors which act by
inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Maytansine was first isolated
from the east African shrub Maytenus serrata (U.S. Pat. No.
3,896,111). Subsequently, it was discovered that certain microbes
also produce maytansinoids, such as maytansinol and C-3 maytansinol
esters (U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,042). Synthetic maytansinol and
derivatives and analogues thereof are disclosed, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,137,230; 4,248,870; 4,256,746; 4,260,608;
4,265,814; 4,294,757; 4,307,016; 4,308,268; 4,308,269; 4,309,428;
4,313,946; 4,315,929; 4,317,821; 4,322,348; 4,331,598; 4,361,650;
4,364,866; 4,424,219; 4,450,254; 4,362,663; and 4,371,533, the
disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference.
Maytansinoid-Antibody Conjugates
[0352] In an attempt to improve their therapeutic index, maytansine
and maytansinoids have been conjugated to antibodies specifically
binding to tumor cell antigens. Immunoconjugates containing
maytansinoids and their therapeutic use are disclosed, for example,
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,208,020, 5,416,064 and European Patent EP 0 425
235 B1, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated
by reference. Liu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:8618-8623
(1996) described immunoconjugates comprising a maytansinoid
designated DMI linked to the monoclonal antibody C242 directed
against human colorectal cancer. The conjugate was found to be
highly cytotoxic towards cultured colon cancer cells, and showed
antitumor activity in an in vivo tumor growth assay. Chari et al.,
Cancer Research 52:127-131 (1992) describe immunoconjugates in
which a maytansinoid was conjugated via a disulfide linker to the
murine antibody A7 binding to an antigen on human colon cancer cell
lines, or to another murine monoclonal antibody TA.1 that binds the
HER-2/neu oncogene. The cytotoxicity of the TA.1-maytansonoid
conjugate was tested in vitro on the human breast cancer cell line
SK-BR-3, which expresses 3.times.10.sup.5 HER-2 surface antigens
per cell. The drug conjugate achieved a degree of cytotoxicity
similar to the free maytansonid drug, which could be increased by
increasing the number of maytansinoid molecules per antibody
molecule. The A7-maytansinoid conjugate showed low systemic
cytotoxicity in mice.
Anti-IL-17A/F Polypeptide Antibody-Maytansinoid Conjugates
(Immunoconjugates)
[0353] Anti-IL-17A/F antibody-maytansinoid conjugates are prepared
by chemically linking an anti-IL-17A/F antibody to a maytansinoid
molecule without significantly diminishing the biological activity
of either the antibody or the maytansinoid molecule. An average of
3-4 maytansinoid molecules conjugated per antibody molecule has
shown efficacy in enhancing cytotoxicity of target cells without
negatively affecting the function or solubility of the antibody,
although even one molecule of toxin/antibody would be expected to
enhance cytotoxicity over the use of naked antibody. Maytansinoids
are well known in the art and can be synthesized by known
techniques or isolated from natural sources. Suitable maytansinoids
are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020 and in the
other patents and nonpatent publications referred to hereinabove.
Preferred maytansinoids are maytansinol and maytansinol analogues
modified in the aromatic ring or at other positions of the
maytansinol molecule, such as various maytansinol esters.
[0354] There are many linking groups known in the art for making
antibody-maytansinoid conjugates, including, for example, those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,020 or EP Patent 0 425 235 B1, and
Chari et al., Cancer Research 52:127-131 (1992). The linking groups
include disufide groups, thioether groups, acid labile groups,
photolabile groups, peptidase labile groups, or esterase labile
groups, as disclosed in the above-identified patents, disulfide and
thioether groups being preferred.
[0355] Conjugates of the antibody and maytansinoid may be made
using a variety of bifunctional protein coupling agents such as
N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP),
succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate,
iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such
as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl
suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds
(such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazonium
derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine),
diisocyanates (such as toluene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active
fluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene).
Particularly preferred coupling agents include
N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) (Carlsson et
al., Biochem. J. 173:723-737 [1978]) and
N-succinimidyl-4-(2-pyridylthio)pentanoate (SPP) to provide for a
disulfide linkage.
[0356] The linker may be attached to the maytansinoid molecule at
various positions, depending on the type of the link. For example,
an ester linkage may be formed by reaction with a hydroxyl group
using conventional coupling techniques. The reaction may occur at
the C-3 position having a hydroxyl group, the C-14 position
modified with hyrdoxymethyl the C-15 position modified with a
hydroxyl group, and the C-20 position having a hydroxyl group. In a
preferred embodiment, the linkage is formed at the C-3 position of
maytansinol or a maytansinol analogue.
Calicheamicin
[0357] Another immunoconjugate of interest comprises an anti-IL-17
A/F antibody conjugated to one or more calicheamicin molecules. The
calicheamicin family of antibiotics are capable of producing
double-stranded DNA breaks at sub-picomolar concentrations. For the
preparation of conjugates of the calicheamicin family, see U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,712,374, 5,714,586, 5,739.116, 5,767,285, 5,770,701,
5,770,710, 5,773,001, 5,877,296 (all to American Cyanamid Company).
Structural analogues of calicheamicin which may be used include,
but are not limited to, .gamma..sub.1.sup.I, .alpha..sub.2.sup.I,
.alpha..sub.3.sup.I N-acetyl-.gamma..sub.1.sup.I, PSAG
.theta..sup.I.sub.1 and (Hinman et al., Cancer Research
53:3336-3342 (1993), Lode et al., Cancer Research 58:2925-2928
(1998) and the aforementioned U.S. patents to American Cyanamid)
Another anti-tumor drug that the antibody can be conjugated is QFA
which is an antifolate. Both calicheamicin and QFA have
intracellular sites of action and do not readily cross the plasma
membrane. Therefore, cellular uptake of these agents through
antibody mediated internalization greatly enhances their cytotoxic
effects.
Other Cytotoxic Agents
[0358] Other antitumor agents that can be conjugated to the
anti-IL-17A/F antibodies of the invention include BCNU,
streptozoicin, vincristine and 5-fluorouracil, the family of agents
known collectively LL-E33288 complex described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,053,394, 5,770,710, as well as esperamicins (U.S. Pat. No.
5,877,296).
[0359] Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof which can
be used include diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of
diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa),
ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin,
Aleurites fordii proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana
proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), Momordica charantia inhibitor,
curcin, crotin, Sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin,
mitogellin, restrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin and the
tricothecenes. See, for example, WO 93/21232 published Oct. 28,
1993.
[0360] The present invention further contemplates an
immunoconjugate formed between an antibody and a compound with
nucleolytic activity (e.g., a ribonuclease or a DNA endonuclease
such as a deoxyribonuclease; DNase).
[0361] For selective destruction of the tumor, the antibody may
comprise a highly radioactive atom. A variety of radioactive
isotopes are available for the production of radioconjugated
anti-IL-17A/F antibodies. Examples include At.sup.211, I.sup.131,
I.sup.125, Y.sup.90, Re.sup.186, Re.sup.188, Sm.sup.153,
Bi.sup.212, P.sup.32, Pb.sup.212, and radioactive isotopes of Lu.
When the conjugate is used for diagnosis, it may comprise a
radioactive atom for scintigraphic studies, for example tc.sup.99m
or I.sup.123, or a spin label for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
imaging (also known as magnetic resonance imaging, mri), such as
iodine-123 again, iodine-131, indium-111, fluorine-19, carbon-13,
nitrogen-15, oxygen-17, gadolinium, manganese or iron.
[0362] The radio- or other labels may be incorporated in the
conjugate in known ways. For example, the peptide may be
biosynthesized or may be synthesized by chemical amino acid
synthesis using suitable amino acid precursors involving, for
example, fluorine-19 in place of hydrogen. Labels such as
tc.sup.99m or I.sup.123, Re.sup.186, Re.sup.188, and In.sup.111,
and attached via a cysteine residue in the peptide. Yttrium-90 can
be attached via a lysine residue. The IODOGEN method (Fraker et al
(1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 80: 49-57 can be used to
incorporate iodine-123. "Monoclonal Antibodies in
Immunoscintigraphy" (Chatal, CRC Press 1989) describes other
methods in detail.
[0363] Conjugates of the antibody and cytotoxic agent may be made
using a variety of bifunctional protein coupling agents such as
N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP),
succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate,
iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such
as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl
suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds
(such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazonium
derivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine),
diisocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active
fluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). For
example, a ricin immunotoxin can be prepared as described in
Vitetta et al., Science 238:1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled
1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid
(MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of
radionucleotide to the antibody. See WO94/1 1026. The linker may be
a "cleavable linker" facilitating release of cytotoxic drug in the
cell. For example, an acid-labile linker, peptidase-sensitive
linker, photolabile linker, dimethyl linker or disulfide-containing
linker (Chari et al., Cancer Research 52:127-131 (1992); U.S. Pat.
No. 5,208,020) may be used.
[0364] Alternatively, a fusion protein comprising the anti-IL-17A/F
antibody and cytotoxic agent may be made, e.g., by recombinant
techniques or peptide synthesis. The length of DNA may comprise
respective regions encoding the two portions of the conjugate
either adjacent one another or separated by a region encoding a
linker peptide which does not destroy the desired properties of the
conjugate.
[0365] In yet another embodiment, the antibody may be conjugated to
a "receptor" (such streptavidin) for utilization in tumor
pre-targeting wherein the antibody-receptor conjugate is
administered to the patient, followed by removal of unbound
conjugate from the circulation using a clearing agent and then
administration of a "ligand" (e.g., avidin) which is conjugated to
a cytotoxic agent (e.g., a radionucleotide).
[0366] 10. Immunoliposomes
[0367] The anti-IL-17A/F antibodies disclosed herein may also be
formulated as immunoliposomes. A "liposome" is a small vesicle
composed of various types of lipids, phospholipids and/or
surfactant which is useful for delivery of a drug to a mammal. The
components of the liposome are commonly arranged in a bilayer
formation, similar to the lipid arrangement of biological
membranes. Liposomes containing the antibody are prepared by
methods known in the art, such as described in Epstein et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3688 (1985); Hwang et al., Proc. Natl
Acad. Sci. USA 77:4030 (1980); U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,045 and
4,544,545; and WO97/38731 published Oct. 23, 1997. Liposomes with
enhanced circulation time are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,013,556.
[0368] Particularly useful liposomes can be generated by the
reverse phase evaporation method with a lipid composition
comprising phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and PEG-derivatized
phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE). Liposomes are extruded through
filters of defined pore size to yield liposomes with the desired
diameter. Fab' fragments of the antibody of the present invention
can be conjugated to the liposomes as described in Martin et al.,
J. Biol. Chem. 257:286-288 (1982) via a disulfide interchange
reaction. A chemotherapeutic agent is optionally contained within
the liposome. See Gabizon et al., J. National Cancer Inst.
81(19):1484 (1989).
[0369] N. IL-17A/F Binding Oligopeptides
[0370] IL-17A/F binding oligopeptides of the present invention are
oligopeptides that bind, preferably specifically, to an IL-17A/F
polypeptide as described herein. IL-17A/F binding oligopeptides may
be chemically synthesized using known oligopeptide synthesis
methodology or may be prepared and purified using recombinant
technology. IL-17A/F binding oligopeptides are usually at least
about amino acids in length, alternatively at least about 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42,
43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59,
60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76,
77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93,
94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 amino acids in length or more,
wherein such oligopeptides that are capable of binding, preferably
specifically, to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as described herein.
IL-17A/F binding oligopeptides may be identified without undue
experimentation using well known techniques. In this regard, it is
noted that techniques for screening oligopeptide libraries for
oligopeptides that are capable of specifically binding to a
polypeptide target are well known in the art (see, e.g. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,556,762, 5,750,373, 4,708,871, 4,833,092, 5,223,409,
5,403,484, 5,571,689, 5,663,143; PCT Publication Nos. WO 84/03506
and WO84/03564; Geysen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.,
81:3998-4002 (1984); Geysen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.,
82:178-182 (1985): Geysen et al., in Synthetic Peptides as
Antigens, 130-149 (1986); Geysen et al., J. Immunol. Meth.,
102:259-274 (1987); Schoofs et al., J. Immunol., 140:611-616
(1988), Cwirla, S. E. et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
87:6378; Lowman, H. B. et al. (1991) Biochemistry, 30:10832;
Clackson, T. et al. (1991) Nature, 352: 624; Marks, J. D. et al.
(1991), J. Mol. Biol., 222:581; Kang, A. S. et al. (1991) Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:8363, and Smith., G. P. (1991) Current
Opin. Biotechnol., 2:668).
[0371] In this regard, bacteriophage (phage) display is one well
known technique which allows one to screen large oligopeptide
libraries to identify member(s) of those libraries which are
capable of specifically binding to a polypeptide target. Phage
display is a technique by which variant polypeptides are displayed
as fusion proteins to the coat protein on the surface of
bacteriophage particles (Scott, J. K. and Smith, G. P. (1990)
Science 249: 386). The utility of phage display lies in the fact
that large libraries of selectively randomized protein variants (or
randomly cloned cDNAs) can be rapidly and efficiently sorted for
those sequences that bind to a target molecule with high affinity.
Display of peptide (Cwirla, S. E. et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci. USA, 87:6378) or protein (Lowman, H. B. et al. (1991)
Biochemistry, 30:10832; Clackson, T. et al. (1991) Nature, 352:
624; Marks, J. D. et al. (1991), J. Mol. Biol., 222:581; Kang, A S.
et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:8363) libraries on
phage have been used for screening millions of polypeptides or
oligopeptides for ones with specific binding properties (Smith, G.
P. (1991) Current Opin. Biotechnol., 2:668). Sorting phage
libraries of random mutants requires a strategy for constructing
and propagating a large number of variants, a procedure for
affinity purification using the target receptor, and a means of
evaluating the results of binding enrichments. U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,223,409, 5,403,484, 5,571,689, and 5,663,143.
[0372] Although most phage display methods have used filamentous
phage, lambdoid phage display systems (WO 95/34683; U.S. Pat. No.
5,627,024), T4 phage display systems (Ren, Z-J. et al. (1998) Gene
215:439; Zhu, Z. (1997) CAN 33:534; Jiang, J. et al. (1997) can
128:44380; Ren, Z-J. et al. (1997) CAN 127:215644; Ren, Z-J. (1996)
Protein Sci. 5:1833; Efimov, V. P. et al. (1995) Virus Genes
10:173) and T7 phage display systems (Smith, G. P. and Scott, J. K.
(1993) Methods in Enzymology, 217. 228.quadrature.J257; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,766,905) are also known.
[0373] Many other improvements and variations of the basic phage
display concept have now been developed. These improvements enhance
the ability of display systems to screen peptide libraries for
binding to selected target molecules and to display functional
proteins with the potential of screening these proteins for desired
properties. Combinatorial reaction devices for phage display
reactions have been developed (WO 98/14277) and phage display
libraries have been used to analyze and control bimolecular
interactions (WO 98/20169; WO 98/20159) and properties of
constrained helical peptides (WO 98/20036). WO 97/35196 describes a
method of isolating an affinity ligand in which a phage display
library is contacted with one solution in which the ligand will
bind to a target molecule and a second solution in which the
affinity ligand will not bind to the target molecule, to
selectively isolate binding ligands. WO 97/46251 describes a method
of biopanning a random phage display library with an affinity
purified antibody and then isolating binding phage, followed by a
micropanning process using microplate wells to isolate high
affinity binding phage. The use of Staphylococcus aureus protein A
as an affinity tag has also been reported (Li et al. (1998) Mol
Biotech., 9:187). WO 97/47314 describes the use of substrate
subtraction libraries to distinguish enzyme specificities using a
combinatorial library which may be a phage display library. A
method for selecting enzymes suitable for use in detergents using
phage display is described in WO 97/09446. Additional methods of
selecting specific binding proteins are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,498,538, 5,432,018, and WO 98/15833.
[0374] Methods of generating peptide libraries and screening these
libraries are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,723,286,
5,432,018, 5,580,717, 5,427,908, 5,498,530, 5,770,434, 5,734,018,
5,698,426, 5,763,192, and 5,723,323.
[0375] O. IL-17 A/F Binding Organic Molecules
[0376] IL-17AJF binding organic molecules are organic molecules
other than oligopeptides or antibodies as defined herein that bind,
preferably specifically, to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as described
herein. IL-17A/F binding organic molecules may be identified and
chemically synthesized using known methodology (see, e.g., PCT
Publication Nos. WO00/00823 and WO00/39585). IL-17A/F binding
organic molecules are usually less than about 2000 daltons in size,
alternatively less than about 1500, 750, 500, 250 or 200 daltons in
size, wherein such organic molecules that are capable of binding,
preferably specifically, to an IL-17A/F polypeptide as described
herein may be identified without undue experimentation using well
known techniques. In this regard, it is noted that techniques for
screening organic molecule libraries for molecules that are capable
of binding to a polypeptide target are well known in the art (see,
e.g., PCT Publication Nos. WO00/00823 and WO00/39585). IL-17A/F
binding organic molecules may be, for example, aldehydes, ketones,
oximes, hydrazones, semicarbazones, carbazides, primary amines,
secondary amines, tertiary amines, N-substituted hydrazines,
hydrazides, alcohols, ethers, thiols, thioethers, disulfides,
carboxylic acids, esters, amides, ureas, carbomates, carbonates,
ketals, thioketals, acetals, thioacetals, aryl halides, aryl
sulfonates, alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, aromatic compounds,
heterocyclic compounds, anilines, alkenes, alkynes, diols, amino
alcohols, oxazolidines, oxazolines, thiazolidines, thiazolines,
enamines, sulfonamides, epoxides, aziridines, isocyanates, sulfonyl
chlorides, diazo compounds, acid chlorides, or the like.
[0377] P. Screening for Anti-IL-17A/F Antibodies, IL-17A/F Binding
Oligopeptides and IL-17A/F Binding Organic Molecules with the
Desired Properties
[0378] Techniques for generating antibodies, oligopeptides and
organic molecules that bind to IL-17A/F polypeptides have been
described above. One may further select antibodies, oligopeptides
or other organic molecules with certain biological characteristics,
as desired.
[0379] The growth inhibitory effects of an anti-IL-17A/F antibody,
oligopeptide or other organic molecule of the invention may be
assessed by methods known in the art, e.g., using cells which
express an IL-17A/F polypeptide either endogenously or following
transfection with the IL-17A/F gene. For example, appropriate tumor
cell lines and IL-17A/F transfected cells may treated with an
anti-IL-17A/F monoclonal antibody, oligopeptide or other organic
molecule of the invention at various concentrations for a few days
(e.g., 2-7) days and stained with crystal violet or MTT or analyzed
by some other colorimetric assay. Another method of measuring
proliferation would be by comparing .sup.3H-thymidine uptake by the
cells treated in the presence or absence an anti-IL-17A/F antibody.
IL-17A/F binding oligopeptide or IL-17A/F binding organic molecule
of the invention. After treatment, the cells are harvested and the
amount of radioactivity incorporated into the DNA quantitated in a
scintillation counter. Appropriate positive controls include
treatment of a selected cell line with a growth inhibitory antibody
known to inhibit growth of that cell line. Growth inhibition of
tumor cells in vivo can be determined in various ways known in the
art. Preferably, the tumor cell is one that overexpresses an
IL-17A/F polypeptide. Preferably, the anti-IL-17A/F antibody,
IL-17A/F binding oligopeptide or IL-17A/F binding organic molecule
will inhibit cell proliferation of an IL-17A/F-expressing tumor
cell in vitro or in vivo by about 25-100% compared to the untreated
tumor cell, more preferably, by about 30-100%, and even more
preferably by about 50-100% or 70-100%, in one embodiment, at an
antibody concentration of about 0.5 to 30 .mu.g/ml. Growth
inhibition can be measured at an antibody concentration of about
0.5 to 30 .mu.g/ml or about 0.5 nM to 200 nM in cell culture, where
the growth inhibition is determined 1-10 days after exposure of the
tumor cells to the antibody. The antibody is growth inhibitory in
vivo if administration of the anti-IL-17A/F antibody at about 1
.mu.g/kg to about 100 mg/kg body weight results in reduction in
tumor size or reduction of tumor cell proliferation within about 5
days to 3 months from the first administration of the antibody,
preferably within about 5 to 30 days.
[0380] To select for an anti-IL-17A/F antibody, IL-17A/F binding
oligopeptide or IL-17A/F binding organic molecule which induces
cell death, loss of membrane integrity as indicated by, e.g.,
propidium iodide (PI), trypan blue or 7AAD uptake may be assessed
relative to control. A PI uptake assay can be performed in the
absence of complement and immune effector cells IL-17A/F
polypeptide-expressing tumor cells are incubated with medium alone
or medium containing the appropriate anti-IL-17A/F antibody (e.g.,
at about 10 .mu.g/ml). IL-17A/F binding oligopeptide or IL-17A/F
binding organic molecule. The cells are incubated for a 3 day time
period. Following each treatment, cells are washed and aliquoted
into 35 mm strainer-capped 12.times.75 tubes (1 ml per tube, 3
tubes per treatment group) for removal of cell clumps. Tubes then
receive PI (10 .mu.g/ml). Samples may be analyzed using a
FACSCAN.RTM. flow cytometer and FACSCONVERT.RTM. CellQuest software
(Becton Dickinson). Those anti-IL-17A/F antibodies, IL-17A/F
binding oligopeptides or IL-17A/F binding organic molecules that
induce statistically significant levels of cell death as determined
by PI uptake may be selected as cell death-inducing anti-IL-17A/F
antibodies, IL-17A/F binding oligopeptides or IL-17A/F binding
organic molecules.
[0381] To screen for antibodies, oligopeptides or other organic
molecules which bind to an epitope on an IL-17A/F polypeptide bound
by an antibody of interest, a routine cross-blocking assay such as
that described in Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring
Harbor Laboratory, Ed Harlow and David Lane (1988), can be
performed. This assay can be used to determine if a test antibody,
oligopeptide or other organic molecule binds the same site or
epitope as a known anti-IL-17A/F antibody. Alternatively, or
additionally, epitope mapping can be performed by methods known in
the art. For example, the antibody sequence can be mutagenized such
as by alanine scanning, to identify contact residues. The mutant
antibody is initially tested for binding with polyclonal antibody
to ensure proper folding. In a different method, peptides
corresponding to different regions of an IL-17A/F polypeptide can
be used in competition assays with the test antibodies or with a
test antibody and an antibody with a characterized or known
epitope.
[0382] Q. Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0383] The active IL-17A/F molecules of the invention (e.g.,
IL-17A/F polypeptides, anti-IL-17A/F antibodies, and/or variants of
each) as well as other molecules identified by the screening assays
disclosed above, can be administered for the treatment of immune
related diseases, in the form of pharmaceutical compositions.
[0384] Therapeutic formulations of the active IL-17A/F molecule,
preferably a polypeptide or antibody of the invention, are prepared
for storage by mixing the active molecule having the desired degree
of purity with optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers,
excipients or stabilizers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th
edition, Osol, A. Ed. [1980]), in the form of lyophilized
formulations or aqueous solutions. Acceptable carriers, excipients,
or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and
concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate,
citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic
acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl
ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride,
benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl
parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol;
cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less
than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum
albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as
polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine,
asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides,
disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose,
or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose,
mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as
sodium; metal complexes (e.g., Zn-protein complexes); and/or
non-ionic surfactants such as TWEEN.TM., PLURONICS.TM. or
polyethylene glycol (PEG).
[0385] Compounds identified by the screening assays disclosed
herein can be formulated in an analogous manner, using standard
techniques well known in the art.
[0386] Lipofections or liposomes can also be used to deliver the
IL-17A/F molecule into cells. Where antibody fragments are used,
the smallest inhibitory fragment which specifically binds to the
binding domain of the target protein is preferred. For example,
based upon the variable region sequences of an antibody, peptide
molecules can be designed which retain the ability to bind the
target protein sequence. Such peptides can be synthesized
chemically and/or produced by recombinant DNA technology (see,
e.g., Marasco et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:7889-7893
[1993]).
[0387] The formulation herein may also contain more than one active
compound as necessary for the particular indication being treated,
preferably those with complementary activities that do not
adversely affect each other. Alternatively. or in addition, the
composition may comprise a cytotoxic agent, cytokine or growth
inhibitory agent. Such molecules are suitably present in
combination in amounts that are effective for the purpose
intended.
[0388] The active IL-17A/F molecules may also be entrapped in
microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or
by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose
or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate)
microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems
(for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions,
nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such
techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences
16th edition, Osol. A. Ed. (1980).
[0389] The formulations to be used for in vivo administration must
be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through
sterile filtration membranes.
[0390] Sustained-release preparations or the IL-17A/F molecules may
be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations
include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers
containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped
articles, e.g., films, or microcapsules. Examples of
sustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (for
example, poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinylalcohol)),
polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic
acid and .gamma.-ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl
acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as
the LUPRON DEPOT.TM. (injectable microspheres composed of lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and
poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid. While polymers such as
ethylene-vinyl acetate and lactic acid-glycolic acid enable release
of molecules for over 100 days, certain hydrogels release proteins
for shorter time periods. When encapsulated antibodies remain in
the body for a long time, they may denature or aggregate as a
result of exposure to moisture at 37.degree. C., resulting in a
loss of biological activity and possible changes in immunogenicity.
Rational strategies can be devised for stabilization depending on
the mechanism involved. For example, if the aggregation mechanism
is discovered to be intermolecular S-S bond formation through
thio-disulfide interchange, stabilization may be achieved by
modifying sulfhydryl residues, lyophilizing from acidic solutions,
controlling moisture content, using appropriate additives, and
developing specific polymer matrix compositions.
[0391] R. Methods of Treatment
[0392] It is contemplated that the polypeptides, antibodies and
other active compounds of the present invention may be used to
treat various immune related diseases and conditions, such as T
cell mediated diseases, including those characterized by
infiltration of inflammatory cells into a tissue, stimulation of
T-cell proliferation, inhibition of T-cell proliferation, increased
or decreased vascular permeability or the inhibition thereof.
[0393] Exemplary conditions or disorders to be treated with the
polypeptides, antibodies and other compounds of the invention,
include, but are not limited to systemic lupus erythematosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, osteoarthritis,
spondyloarthropathies, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), idiopathic
inflammatory myopathies (dermatomyositis, polymyositis), Sjogren's
syndrome, systemic vasculitis, sarcoidosis, autoimmune hemolytic
anemia (immune pancytopenia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria),
autoimmune thrombocytopenia (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,
immune-mediated thrombocytopenia), thyroiditis (Grave's disease,
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, juvenile lymphocytic thyroiditis, atrophic
thyroiditis), diabetes mellitus, immune-mediated renal disease
(glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), demyelinating
diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems such as
multiple sclerosis, idiopathic demyelinating polyneuropathy or
Guillain-Barre syndrome, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy, hepatobiliary diseases such as infectious hepatitis
(hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and other non-hepatotropic viruses),
autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis,
granulomatous hepatitis, and sclerosing cholangitis, inflammatory
bowel disease (ulcerative colitis: Crohn's disease),
gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and Whipple's disease, autoimmune or
immune-mediated skin diseases including bullous skin diseases,
erythema multiforme and contact dermatitis, psoriasis, allergic
diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food
hypersensitivity and urticaria, immunologic diseases of the lung
such as eosinophilic pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and
hypersensitivity pneumonitis, transplantation associated diseases
including graft rejection and graft-versus-host-disease.
[0394] In systemic lupus erythematosus, the central mediator of
disease is the production of auto-reactive antibodies to self
proteins/tissues and the subsequent generation of immune-mediated
inflammation. Antibodies either directly or indirectly mediate
tissue injury. Though T lymphocytes have not been shown to be
directly involved in tissue damage, T lymphocytes are required for
the development of auto-reactive antibodies. The genesis of the
disease is thus T lymphocyte dependent. Multiple organs and systems
are affected clinically including kidney, lung, musculoskeletal
system, mucocutaneous, eye, central nervous system, cardiovascular
system, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow and blood.
[0395] Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune
inflammatory disease that mainly involves the synovial membrane of
multiple joints with resultant injury to the articular cartilage.
The pathogenesis is T lymphocyte dependent and is associated with
the production of rheumatoid factors, auto-antibodies directed
against self IgG, with the resultant formation of immune complexes
that attain high levels in joint fluid and blood. These complexes
in the joint may induce the marked infiltrate of lymphocytes and
monocytes into the synovium and subsequent marked synovial changes;
the joint space/fluid if infiltrated by similar cells with the
addition of numerous neutrophils. Tissues affected are primarily
the joints, often in symmetrical pattern. However, extra-articular
disease also occurs in two major forms. One form is the development
of extra-articular lesions with ongoing progressive joint disease
and typical lesions of pulmonary fibrosis, vasculitis, and
cutaneous ulcers. The second form of extra-articular disease is the
so called Felty's syndrome which occurs late in the RA disease
course, sometimes after joint disease has become quiescent, and
involves the presence of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and
splenomegaly. This can be accompanied by vasculitis in multiple
organs with formations of infarcts, skin ulcers and gangrene.
Patients often also develop rheumatoid nodules in the subcutis
tissue overlying affected joints; the nodules late stage have
necrotic centers surrounded by a mixed inflammatory cell
infiltrate. Other manifestations which can occur in RA include:
pericarditis, pleuritis, coronary arteritis, interstitial
pneumonitis with pulmonary fibrosis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca,
and rheumatoid nodules.
[0396] Juvenile chronic arthritis is a chronic idiopathic
inflammatory disease which begins often at less than 16 years of
age. Its phenotype has some similarities to RA; some patients which
are rheumatoid factor positive are classified as juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is sub-classified into three
major categories: pauciarticular, polyarticular, and systemic. The
arthritis can be severe and is typically destructive and leads to
joint ankylosis and retarded growth. Other manifestations can
include chronic anterior uveitis and systemic amyloidosis.
[0397] Spondyloarthropathies are a group of disorders with some
common clinical features and the common association with the
expression of HLA-B27 gene product. The disorders include:
ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis),
arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, spondylitis
associated with psoriasis, juvenile onset spondyloarthropathy and
undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. Distinguishing features
include sacroileitis with or without spondylitis; inflammatory
asymmetric arthritis; association with HLA-B27 (a serologically
defined allele of the HLA-B locus of class I MHC); ocular
inflammation, and absence of autoantibodies associated with other
rheumatoid disease. The cell most implicated as key to induction of
the disease is the CD8.sup.+ T lymphocyte, a cell which targets
antigen presented by class I MHC molecules. CD8.sup.+ T cells may
react against the class I MHC allele 1-HLA-B27 as if it were a
foreign peptide expressed by MHC class I molecules. It has been
hypothesized that an epitope of HLA-B27 may mimic a bacterial or
other microbial antigenic epitope and thus induce a CM.sup.+ T
cells response.
[0398] Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) has an unknown etiology. A
hallmark of the disease is induration of the skin; likely this is
induced by an active inflammatory process. Scleroderma can be
localized or systemic; vascular lesions are common and endothelial
cell injury in the microvasculature is an early and important event
in the development of systemic sclerosis; the vascular injury may
be immune mediated. An immunologic basis is implied by the presence
of mononuclear cell infiltrates in the cutaneous lesions and the
presence of anti-nuclear antibodies in many patients. ICAM-1 is
often upregulated on the cell surface of fibroblasts in skin
lesions suggesting that T cell interaction with these cells may
have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Other organs
involved include: the gastrointestinal tract: smooth muscle atrophy
and fibrosis resulting in abnormal peristalsis/motility: kidney:
concentric subendothelial intimal proliferation affecting small
arcuate and interlobular arteries with resultant reduced renal
cortical blood flow, results in proteinuria, azotemia and
hypertension; skeletal muscle: atrophy, interstitial fibrosis;
inflammation; lung: interstitial pneumonitis and interstitial
fibrosis; and heart: contraction band necrosis,
scarring/fibrosis.
[0399] Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies including
dermatomyositis, polymyositis and others are disorders of chronic
muscle inflammation of unknown etiology resulting in muscle
weakness. Muscle injury/inflammation is often symmetric and
progressive. Autoantibodies are associated with most forms. These
myositis-specific autoantibodies are directed against and inhibit
the function of components, proteins and RNA's, involved in protein
synthesis.
[0400] Sjogren's syndrome is due to immune-mediated inflammation
and subsequent functional destruction of the tear glands and
salivary glands. The disease can be associated with or accompanied
by inflammatory connective tissue diseases. The disease is
associated with autoantibody production against Ro and La antigens,
both of which are small RNA-protein complexes. Lesions result in
keratoconjunctivitis sicca, xerostomia, with other manifestations
or associations including biliary cirrhosis, peripheral or sensory
neuropathy, and palpable purpura.
[0401] Systemic vasculitis are diseases in which the primary lesion
is inflammation and subsequent damage to blood vessels which
results in ischemia/necrosis/degeneration to tissues supplied by
the affected vessels and eventual end-organ dysfunction in some
cases. Vasculitides can also occur as a secondary lesion or
sequelae to other immune-inflammatory mediated diseases such as
rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, etc., particularly in
diseases also associated with the formation of immune complexes.
Diseases in the primary systemic vasculitis group include: systemic
necrotizing vasculitis: polyarteritis nodosa, allergic angiitis and
granulomatosis, polyangiitis; Wegener's granulomatosis:
lymphomatoid granulomatosis; and giant cell arteritis.
Miscellaneous vasculitides include: mucocutaneous lymph node
syndrome (MLNS or Kawasaki's disease), isolated CNS vasculitis,
Behet's disease, thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) and
cutaneous necrotizing venulitis. The pathogenic mechanism of most
of the types of vasculitis listed is believed to be primarily due
to the deposition of immunoglobulin complexes in the vessel wall
and subsequent induction of an inflammatory response either via
ADCC, complement activation, or both.
[0402] Sarcoidosis is a condition of unknown etiology which is
characterized by the presence of epithelioid granulomas in nearly
any tissue in the body; involvement of the lung is most common. The
pathogenesis involves the persistence of activated macrophages and
lymphoid cells at sites of the disease with subsequent chronic
sequelae resultant from the release of locally and systemically
active products released by these cell types.
[0403] Autoimmune hemolytic anemia including autoimmune hemolytic
anemia, immune pancylopenia, and paroxysmal noctural hemoglobinuria
is a result of production of antibodies that react with antigens
expressed on the surface of red blood cells (and in some cases
other blood cells including platelets as well) and is a reflection
of the removal of those antibody coated cells via complement
mediated lysis and/or ADCC/Fc-receptor-mediated mechanisms.
[0404] In autoimmune thrombocytopenia including thrombocytopenic
purpura, and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in other clinical
settings, platelet destruction/removal occurs as a result of either
antibody or complement attaching to platelets and subsequent
removal by complement lysis, ADCC or FC-receptor mediated
mechanisms.
[0405] Thyroiditis including Grave's disease, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, juvenile lymphocytic thyroiditis, and atrophic
thyroiditis, are the result of an autoimmune response against
thyroid antigens with production of antibodies that react with
proteins present in and often specific for the thyroid gland.
Experimental models exist including spontaneous models: rats (BUF
and BB rats) and chickens (obese chicken strain); inducible models:
immunization of animals with either thyroglobulin, thyroid
microsomal antigen (thyroid peroxidase).
[0406] Type I diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent diabetes is
the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet cells; this
destruction is mediated by auto-antibodies and auto-reactive T
cells. Antibodies to insulin or the insulin receptor can also
produce the phenotype of insulin-non-responsiveness.
[0407] Immune mediated renal diseases, including glomerulonephritis
and tubulointerstitial nephritis, are the result of antibody or T
lymphocyte mediated injury to renal tissue either directly as a
result of the production of autoreactive antibodies or T cells
against renal antigens or indirectly as a result of the deposition
of antibodies and/or immune complexes in the kidney that are
reactive against other, non-renal antigens. Thus other
immune-mediated diseases that result in the formation of
immune-complexes can also induce immune mediated renal disease as
an indirect sequelae. Both direct and indirect immune mechanisms
result in inflammatory response that produces/induces lesion
development in renal tissues with resultant organ function
impairment and in some cases progression to renal failure. Both
humoral and cellular immune mechanisms can be involved in the
pathogenesis of lesions.
[0408] Demyelinating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous
systems, including multiple sclerosis; idiopathic demyelinating
polyneuropathy or Guillain-Barre syndrome; and chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy, are believed to have an autoimmune
basis and result in nerve demyelination as a result of damage
caused to oligodendrocytes or to myelin directly. In MS there is
evidence to suggest that disease induction and progression is
dependent on T lymphocytes. Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating
disease that is T lymphocyte-dependent and has either a
relapsing-remitting course or a chronic progressive course. The
etiology is unknown; however, viral infections, genetic
predisposition, environment, and autoimmunity all contribute.
Lesions contain infiltrates of predominantly T lymphocyte mediated,
microglial cells and infiltrating macrophages; CD4+T lymphocytes
are the predominant cell type at lesions. The mechanism of
oligodendrocyte cell death and subsequent demyelination is not
known but is likely T lymphocyte driven.
[0409] Inflammatory and fibrotic lung disease, including
eosinophilic pneumonia; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and
hypersensitivity pneumonitis may involve a disregulated
immune-inflammatory response. Inhibition of that response would be
of therapeutic benefit.
[0410] Autoimmune or immune-mediated skin disease including bullous
skin diseases, erythema multiforme, and contact dermatitis are
mediated by auto-antibodies, the genesis of which is T
lymphocyte-dependent.
[0411] Psoriasis is a T lymphocyte-mediated inflammatory disease.
Lesions contain infiltrates of T lymphocytes, macrophages and
antigen processing cells, and some neutrophils.
[0412] Allergic diseases, including asthma; allergic rhinitis;
atopic dermatitis; food hypersensitivity; and urticaria are T
lymphocyte dependent. These diseases are predominantly mediated by
T lymphocyte induced inflammation, IgE mediated-inflammation or a
combination of both.
[0413] Transplantation associated diseases, including graft
rejection and graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) are T
lymphocyte-dependent; inhibition of T lymphocyte function is
ameliorative.
[0414] Other diseases in which intervention of the immune and/or
inflammatory response have benefit are infectious disease including
but not limited to viral infection (including but not limited to
AIDS, hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and herpes) bacterial infection,
fungal infections, and protozoal and parasitic infections
(molecules (or derivatives/agonists) which stimulate the MLR can be
utilized therapeutically to enhance the immune response to
infectious agents), diseases of immunodeficiency
(molecules/derivatives/agonists) which stimulate the MLR can be
utilized therapeutically to enhance the immune response for
conditions of inherited, acquired, infectious induced (as in HIV
infection), or iatrogenic (i.e., as from chemotherapy)
immunodeficiency, and neoplasia.
[0415] It has been demonstrated that some human cancer patients
develop an antibody and/or T lymphocyte response to antigens on
neoplastic cells. It has also been shown in animal models of
neoplasia that enhancement of the immune response can result in
rejection or regression of that particular neoplasm. Molecules that
enhance the T lymphocyte response in the MLR have utility in vivo
in enhancing the immune response against neoplasia. Molecules which
enhance the T lymphocyte proliferative response in the MLR (or
small molecule agonists or antibodies that affected the same
receptor in an agonistic fashion) can be used therapeutically to
treat cancer. Molecules that inhibit the lymphocyte response in the
MLR also function in vivo during neoplasia to suppress the immune
response to a neoplasm; such molecules can either be expressed by
the neoplastic cells themselves or their expression can be induced
by the neoplasm in other cells Antagonism of such inhibitory
molecules (either with antibody, small molecule antagonists or
other means) enhances immune-mediated tumor rejection.
[0416] Additionally, inhibition of molecules with proinflammatory
properties may have therapeutic benefit in reperfusion injury;
stroke; myocardial infarction; atherosclerosis; acute lung injury;
hemorrhagic shock; burn; sepsis/septic shock; acute tubular
necrosis; endometriosis; degenerative joint disease and
pancreatitis. The compounds of the present invention, e.g.,
polypeptides or antibodies, are administered to a mammal,
preferably a human, in accord with known methods, such as
intravenous administration as a bolus or by continuous infusion
over a period of time, by intramuscular, intraperitoneal,
intracerebral spinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intra
synovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, or inhalation (intranasal,
intrapulmonary) routes. Intravenous or inhaled administration of
polypeptides and antibodies is preferred.
[0417] In immunoadjuvant therapy, other therapeutic regimens, such
administration of an anti-cancer agent, may be combined with the
administration of the proteins, antibodies or compounds of the
instant invention. For example, the patient to be treated with a
the immunoadjuvant of the invention may also receive an anti-cancer
agent (chemotherapeutic agent) or radiation therapy. Preparation
and dosing schedules for such chemotherapeutic agents may be used
according to manufacturers' instructions or as determined
empirically by the skilled practitioner. Preparation and dosing
schedules for such chemotherapy are also described in Chemotherapy
Service, Ed., M. C. Perry, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md.
(1992). The chemotherapeutic agent may precede, or follow
administration of the immunoadjuvant or may be given simultaneously
therewith. Additionally, an anti-oestrogen compound such as
tamoxifen or an anti-progesterone such as onapristone (see, EP
616812) may be given in dosages known for such molecules.
[0418] It may be desirable to also administer antibodies against
other immune disease associated or tumor associated antigens, such
as antibodies which bind to CD20, CD11a, CD18, ErbB2, EGFR, ErbB3,
ErbB4, or vascular endothelial factor (VEGF). Alternatively, or in
addition, two or more antibodies binding the same or two or more
different antigens disclosed herein may be coadministered to the
patient. Sometimes, it may be beneficial to also administer one or
more cytokines to the patient. In one embodiment, the IL-17A/F
polypeptides are coadministered with a growth inhibitory agent. For
example, the growth inhibitory agent may be administered first,
followed by an IL-17A/F polypeptide. However, simultaneous
administration or administration first is also contemplated.
Suitable dosages for the growth inhibitory agent are those
presently used and may be lowered due to the combined action
(synergy) of the growth inhibitory agent and the IL-17A/F
polypeptide.
[0419] For the treatment or reduction in the severity of immune
related disease, the appropriate dosage of an a compound of the
invention will depend on the type of disease to be treated, as
defined above, the severity and course of the disease, whether the
agent is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes,
previous therapy, the patients clinical history and response to the
compound, and the discretion of the attending physician. The
compound is suitably administered to the patient at one time or
over a series of treatments.
[0420] For example, depending on the type and severity of the
disease, about 1 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg (e.g., 0.1-20 mg/kg) of
polypeptide or antibody is an initial candidate dosage for
administration to the patient, whether, for example, by one or more
separate administrations, or by continuous infusion. A typical
daily dosage might range from about 1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg or more,
depending on the factors mentioned above. For repeated
administrations over several days or longer, depending on the
condition, the treatment is sustained until a desired suppression
of disease symptoms occurs. However, other dosage regimens may be
useful. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by
conventional techniques and assays.
[0421] S. Articles of Manufacture
[0422] In another embodiment of the invention, an article of
manufacture containing materials (e.g., comprising an IL-17A/F
molecule) useful for the diagnosis or treatment of the disorders
described above is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a
container and an instruction. Suitable containers include, for
example, bottles, vials, syringes, and test tubes. The containers
may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic.
The container holds a composition which is effective for diagnosing
or treating the condition and may have a sterile access port (for
example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial
having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). The
active agent in the composition is usually a polypeptide or an
antibody of the invention. An instruction or label on, or
associated with, the container indicates that the composition is
used for diagnosing or treating the condition of choice. The
article of manufacture may further comprise a second container
comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as
phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution.
It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial
and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters,
needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for
use.
[0423] T. Diagnosis and Prognosis of Immune Related Disease
[0424] Cell surface proteins, such as proteins which are
overexpressed in certain immune related diseases, are excellent
targets for drug candidates or disease treatment. The same proteins
along with secreted proteins encoded by the genes amplified in
immune related disease states find additional use in the diagnosis
and prognosis of these diseases. For example, antibodies directed
against the protein products of genes amplified in multiple
sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorder, or
another immune related disease, can be used as diagnostics or
prognostics.
[0425] For example, antibodies, including antibody fragments, can
be used to qualitatively or quantitatively detect the expression of
proteins encoded by amplified or overexpressed genes ("marker gene
products"). The antibody preferably is equipped with a detectable,
e.g., fluorescent label, and binding can be monitored by light
microscopy, flow cytometry, fluorimetry, or other techniques known
in the art. These techniques are particularly suitable, if the
overexpressed gene encodes a cell surface protein Such binding
assays are performed essentially as described above.
[0426] In situ detection of antibody binding to the marker gene
products can be performed, for example, by immunofluorescence or
immunoelectron microscopy. For this purpose, a histological
specimen is removed from the patient, and a labeled antibody is
applied to it, preferably by overlaying the antibody on a
biological sample. This procedure also allows for determining the
distribution of the marker gene product in the tissue examined. It
will be apparent for those skilled in the art that a wide variety
of histological methods are readily available for in situ
detection.
[0427] The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes
only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention in any way.
[0428] All patent and literature references cited in the present
specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
EXAMPLES
[0429] Commercially available reagents referred to in the examples
were used according to manufacturer's instructions unless otherwise
indicated. The source of those cells identified in the following
examples, and throughout the specification, by ATCC accession
numbers is the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.
Example 1
Recombinant Expression of a Novel IL-17 Cytokine Identified as
IL-17A/F
[0430] Human 293 kidney cells transfection with cDNA expression
vectors encoding IL-17 and IL-17F
[0431] Human 293 kidney cells were transfected with equal amounts
of plasmids encoding the human IL-17, IL-17C and IL-17F genes,
using a calcium phosphate precipitation procedure. For each 50%-80%
confluent T-150 flask, 50 .mu.g of each plasmid was mixed Lo form a
precipitate to layer onto cells. One day after transfection, 50:50
F12:DMEM containing 10% FCS, 5 mM L-glutamine,
penicillin-streptomycin was removed and replaced with serum-free
PS24 media and cultured for an additional four days. After four
days, conditioned media was collected centrifuged and sterile
filtered, prim- to purification.
[0432] Purification of Recombinant IL-17A/F
[0433] A. Initial Fractionation Step 1:
[0434] Two and a half liters of recombinant IL-17A/F conditioned
media from human 293 kidney cell transient cultures was
concentrated and dialyzed against 20 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.0, 1
mM sodium azide (Buffer A) using a 10 kilodalton cutoff membrane to
a volume of 480 milliliters, then applied to a Pharmacia HiLoad S
Sepharose 26/10 column at 6 ml/min. The column was eluted with a
linear gradient to 100% Buffer B (20 mM sodium acetate, 1 M NaCl, 1
mM sodium azide, pH 5.0) at a rate of 1%/minute with a flow rate of
6 ml/min collecting 12 ml fractions. SDS PAGE analysis was
performed on the fractions collected from this column. Proteins
were revealed with silver staining. Molecular mass markers are
labeled for gel containing fractions 25-37 (FIG. 2). Fractions 31
and 32 contained a protein with an apparent molecular mass of
approximately 33 kD consistent with IL-17A/F.
[0435] B. Purification of IL-17A/F:
[0436] Four ml of fraction 32 (FIG. 2) was acidified with 0.1%
trifluoroacetic acid then applied at 0.5 ml/min to a Vydac C4
column equilibrated in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (Buffer C) and
gradient eluted to 100% Buffer D (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in 100%
acetonitrile) with a three step gradient (0-35% D over 10 minutes,
35-50% D over 35 minutes, 50-100% D over 10 minutes). FIG. 2 shows
the chromatograph of eluted proteins measured at 214 nm and 280 nm.
The acetonitrile step gradient is overlain over the profile.
Protein concentration of fraction 38 was found to be 0.536 mg/ml by
amino acid analysis. Gels, blots, amino acid sequence and activity
assays were run on this fraction.
[0437] Fraction 31 and the remaining volume of fraction 32, from
the HiLoad S Sepharose run were pooled and dialyzed against Buffer
A for eight hours using a 10 kD cutoff membrane and passed through
a 0.2 micron filter. This material was loaded on a Mono S column
equilibrated in Buffer A at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and eluted with
a three step gradient to 100% Buffer B (0-30% B over 10 column
volumes, 30-75% B over 45 column volumes, 75-100% B over 10 column
volumes) while collecting 1 ml/fraction. Fractions 26-43 were
assayed and protein concentrations were determined by amino acid
analysis. The concentration of fractions 31, 32 and 33 were 0.258,
0.359 and 0.291 mg/ml respectively. Gels, blots, amino acid
sequence, mass spectrophotometry and activity assays were run
primarily on fraction 32 and 33. Fractions generated by
chromatography were assayed for IL-17 and IL-17F content through
the use of Western blotting. One .mu.g/ml of monoclonal antibody
directed against either IL-17 or IL-17F was used to detect the
presence of either IL-17 or IL-17F in the samples.
[0438] Mass Spectrometry Analysis of IL-17A/F The amino acid
sequence and interchain disulfide bonds of mature IL-17A/F were
determined by mass spectrometry analysis (see FIG. 4A; IL-17A/F
heterodimeric polypeptide shown with interchain and intrachain
disulfide linkages). Two interchain disulfide linkages were
detected between IL-17F and IL-17 polypeptide chains [between
residue 47.sub.IL-17F and residue 129.sub.IL-17; and between
residue 137.sub.IL-17F and residue 33.sub.IL-17, respectively (bold
black lines in FIG. 4A). In addition, two intrachain disulfide
links form in each of the homodimer polypeptide chains IL-17
[between residues 102 and 152; and between residues 107 to 154] and
IL-17F[between residues 94 and 144; and between residues 99 and
146] (light black lines in FIG. 4A). The amino acids are numbered
relative to the initiating methionine in each precursor polypeptide
chain (FIG. 4A). FIG. 4B shows a schematic of the IL-17A/F peptide
fragments containing disulfide bonds between the IL-17 and the
IL-17F chain that would be anticipated by digestion of the IL-17A/F
with trypsin [IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #1 is designated as
SEQ ID NO:7; IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #2 is designated as
SEQ ID NO:8, respectively]. The amino acids contained within these
fragments are indicated and numbered relative to the initiating
methionine of each chain.
[0439] The calculated approximate molecular mass of these fragments
that would be observed by mass spectrometry is shown in FIG. 4B as
3410.58 Da and 2420.05 Da [IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #1 and
#2 respectively]. Matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time
of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) peptide mapping was
performed (FIG. 4C). 55 pmol of IL-17A/F in a buffer of 400 mM
NaCl, 20 mM NaOAC buffer pH 5 was digested overnight at 37.degree.
C. with Promega sequencing grade trypsin. Matrix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)
was performed with delayed extraction in positive ion reflectron
mode using a 2', 4', 6'-trihydoxyacetophenone matrix. The resulting
peptide map contained peaks with [M+H]+=2420.12 Da for fragment #2
and 3410.60 Da for fragment #1, consistent with the disulfide
linked peptides (FIG. 4C). A second sample aliquot was digested at
pH 8 following reduction of disulfide bonds with dithiothreitol and
alkylation of sulfhydryl groups with iodoacetamide. The MALDI-TOF
spectrum of this sample lacked the peaks in question, supporting
their assignment as disulfide-linked. The non-reduced sample was
further-characterized by liquid-chromatography electrospray
ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) (FIG. 4D). The
ion chromatograms represent (from top to bottom) the total ion
chromatogram, reconstructed ion chromatogram (RIC) of IL-17A/F
disulfide bond fragment #2 [M+2H]2+, and IL-17A/F disulfide bond
fragment #1 [M+2H]3+. Peaks consistent with both heterodimers were
observed whereas no peaks above background chemical noise were
observed at the anticipated masses of the homodimeric peptides thus
indicating the absence of IL-17 or IL-17F homodimers. The
composition of the disulfide-linked heterodimers was then confirmed
by tandem mass spectrometry. Collision-induced dissociation of the
doubly charged precursor at m/z 1210.9 corresponded to IL-17A/F
disulfide bond fragment #2 and the triply charged precursor at m/z
1138.0 corresponds to IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #1.
Predicted b- and .gamma.-ion series fragment peaks were observed in
the corresponding spectra.
[0440] Phage Library Screening for Antibodies that Bind to
IL-17A/F
[0441] In order to identify antibodies which bind to IL-17A/F, a
phage library of synthetic Fab antibodies was screened. Thirty four
(34) independent clones encoding distinct Fab antibody sequences
were identified. Which were able to mediate binding to IL-17A/F.
The phage library of human antibody sequences was prepared and
screened for antigen specific Fab in a manner similar to that
previously described (Gerstner. R. B. et al., J. Mol. Biol.,
321(5):851-62 (2002). Briefly, the humanized monoclonal antibody
4D5, an anti-HER2 antibody, was used as a scaffold to construct
phage-displayed Fab libraries. These Fab are displayed on the phage
monovalently and/or divalently by fusion to a homodimerizable
leucine zipper. To generate library diversity, we chose to
randomize surface exposed heavy chain CDR residues that were also
found to be highly diverse in the Kabat database of natural
antibody sequences and form a contiguous patch. Furthermore, we
used site-directed mutagenesis with tailored degenerate codons to
generate amino acid diversity that mimicked the natural immune
repertoire at each CDR site. First two CDR of heavy chain, H1 and
H2, were allowed limited diversity of same length as Herceptin,
whereas H3 is designed to have high degeneracy with length ranged
from 7 to 19. All antibodies generated from the initial library
selection have the identical light chain. Full length IgG or Fab
can be generated by one-step cloning of the heavy chain variable
domain into vectors providing the desired isotype specific constant
region sequence. To further improve the affinity of binders from
the heavy chain library, a second-step randomization of light chain
CDRs can be employed. The amino acid sequence of the region of the
variable domain of the heavy chains that contains the three (3)
CDRs [H1-H3] from Fab that bind IL-17A/F are shown in FIG. 6. Shown
is the alignment of a region of the predicted amino acid sequence
of 34 Fab clones that encode distinct antibody heavy chain
sequences that are able to bind to IL-17A/F. The three heavy chain
CDR regions are indicated as CDR-H1, CDR-H2 and CDR-H3,
respectively are shaded. The corresponding SEQ ID NO for each clone
is as follows: Clone #1=SEQ ID NO:9; Clone #2=SEQ ID NO:10; Clone
#3=SEQ ID NO:11; Clone #4=SEQ ID NO:12; Clone #5=SEQ ID NO:13;
Clone #6=SEQ ID NO: 14; Clone #7=SEQ ID NO:15; Clone #8=SEQ ID
NO:16; Clone #9=SEQ ID NO:17; Clone #10=SEQ ID NO:18; Clone #11=SEQ
ID NO:19; Clone #12=SEQ ID NO:20; Clone #13=SEQ ID NO:21; Clone
#14=SEQ ID NO:22; Clone #15=SEQ ID NO:23; Clone #16=SEQ ID NO:24;
Clone #17=SEQ ID NO:25; Clone #18=SEQ ID NO:26; Clone #19=SEQ ID
NO:27; Clone #20=SEQ ID NO:28; Clone #21=SEQ ID NO:29; Clone
#22=SEQ ID NO:30; Clone #23=SEQ ID NO:31; Clone #24=SEQ ID NO:32;
Clone #25=SEQ ID NO:33; Clone #26=SEQ ID NO:34; Clone #27=SEQ ID
NO:35; Clone #28=SEQ ID NO:36; Clone #29=SEQ ID NO:37; Clone
#30=SEQ ID NO:38; Clone #31=SEQ ID NO:39; Clone #32=SEQ ID NO:40;
Clone #33=SEQ ID NO:41; Clone #34=SEQ ID NO:42, respectively.
[0442] In addition, the corresponding encoding DNA sequences for
each of the thirty four (34) clones is shown in Table 7 below (SEQ
ID NO:43 to SEQ ID NO:76, respectively).
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 7 SEQ ID NO: 43:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGATTCCGCTATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTGGGATTACTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCAAAAGAGGCCCGCGAGGGCT
ACGACGTCGGCTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 44:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGATTCCTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTGAAATTTCTCCTCCTGGCGGCGATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTCTCTTGTGGTGGTGGGA
CGGGGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 45:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAATACTTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTGTTATTACTCCTTATGGCGGTGCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCAAGAGAGAGTATGTGGAGTA
AGTTCGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 46:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAATAGTTCTGCTATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTATATTACTCCTGATAACGGTGATACTAACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAATAGCTGAGGATACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCGGCCACGGCAACTTCTA
CGGTACCTGGGCGGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 47:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGGTTCTGATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTATATTAATCCTTATGGCGGTTCTACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGCGTACGAGATGTGGTA
CGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 48:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAATTCCTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTGTTATTACTCCTTCTAGCGGTTCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGGTCTTCCCCGACAT
CGGGGACTGCAGCAACGCCTACTGCTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 49:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAGTACTTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGGTGGGGTGGGGGG
ACTCGTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 50:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGGTTCTTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTGGGATTTATCCTTATGACGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGGCCGAGGGCCTGT
ACCAGTCCGGGATCTACGACGCGGGTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 51:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAGTTACTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTATCCTGCTGACGGTGCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGGGTCCTACTTCGGGGG
CTACGATATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 52:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAATGATTCTGATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTATTATTTATCCTTATGACGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCAAGAAGCAACCTGGACAACA
ACTTGTTCGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 53:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAATGGTTACTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTGATATTAATCCTAATGGCGGTTCTACTAACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGCCTACCGGTGCGGCGG
GCTCGCCGACTGGGCCGGGGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 54:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGGTTCTTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTATTATTACTCCTTCTGGCGGTAATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGGTCTTCGCCGTGTC
GACCGCCGGCTACCCCTGGGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 55:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGATTCTTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTCTATTACTCCTTATAACGGTAATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCAGGGGGGAGTCCGACG
AGGCCTACGCCGCGGTTATOGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 56:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTAGTTCCGATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTACTATTAATCCTGCTAGCGGTTCTACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCGGCGCCAACAGCAGCTT
CTACGCGCTCCAGTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 57:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGATAATTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTGGATTTCTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGACCCTCTTCTACGA
CAAGGACCAGTACTCCTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 58:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTAGTTCTTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGGGGCTCCTGCGGTG
GGGCTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 59:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGATAATGGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTGGATTACTCCTACTAGCGGTTATACTAACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCGACGGGGACACCTGGA
AGTGGGACGCCCCGTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 60:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAATACTTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGACCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCGAGATCTTGCTGGACTA
CGGTTCCGCGGGCTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 61:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAGTACCTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTGTTATTACTCCTACTAACGGTTCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCGAGGTGTGGTGGTGGG
GCGACGGCCACGGCTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 62:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTAGTTCTGCTATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTGGGATTACTCCTGCTAGCGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCTCGCCCGGCGGGGTGTT
CGTCGACGGCGGGGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 63:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAATAGTACTGATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTAGGATTAATCCTTCTGGCGGTTCTACTAACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGOACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTACCAGCGCGTACACCAC
GTGGGCGGTCGACTGGTTCATCGGCTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 64:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGGTTACGGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTGGATTTCTCCTTCTAACGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTCGCGTCAGCTACTACGT
CTACAGGCACGACTGGGTCAGGGGCTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 65:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGATACCTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTGTTATTACTCCTTATGGCGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCAAGAGACGGGGGCTTCTTCG
ATTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 66:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGATTCCTCTATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTTTATTTATCCTACTAGCGGTTCTACTTACTATGCC
AATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAAA
TGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCACGTGCCTCGTACGGGGTGAGC
AAGTGGACCTTTGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 67:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGGTTACGGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTTCTAACGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCATACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTCGCGTCAGCTACTACGT
CTACAGGCACGACTGGGTCAGGGGCTACGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 68:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGGTACTTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTAACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCAAGAGAGGCCCGCTCCTCGTT
GAGCGCGGACTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 69:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGATAATTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTTATAGCGGTTATACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTGAGTCCGGCTTCTCCGC
GTGCAACACGCGGGCGTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 70:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGATTCTTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTCTATTACTCCTTATAACGGTAATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGCAGGGGGGAGTCCGACG
AGGCCTACCCCGCGGTTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 71:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTAGTACCGCTATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTACTCCTTATGACGGTTATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACTA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTACGTGGTTCACGCTGGC
CTCGGCTATGGAACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 72:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTACTGGTAATGGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTTCTCCTACTAACGGTTCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTAGGGTCGACTACCAGGT
CTACCACGACCGCTTCGAGGAGGGGTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 73:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAATAGTTATTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTGGATTTCTCCTGATAACGGTGCTACTAACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTAAGTTCTGGGGCTGGGA
CTGGGGGGGTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 74:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGATTCTTATATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTGATATTACTCCTACTGACGGTTATACTGACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTAACTTGATGTGGTGGGA
CTCGTCGGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 75:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAGTGATTCTGGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGGTTTTATTTATCCTAATGGCGGTTCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCTCGTATGTCGTTGATCGGGTT
CTCGTACGCTATGGACTACTGGGGTCAA SEQ ID NO: 76:
TTGTCCTGTGCAGCTTCTGGCTTCACCATTAATAGTACCTGGATACACTGGGTGCGTCAG
GCCCCGGGTAAGGGCCTGGAATGGGTTGCTTGGATTAATCCTTATAACGGTTCTACTTACTATGC
CGATAGCGTCAAGGGCCGTTTCACTATAAGCGCAGACACATCCAAAAACACAGCCTACCTACAA
ATGAACAGCTTAAGAGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTCTATTATTGTGCAAGAGACTTGTACGACTACG
ACATCGGCTTCGACTACTGGGGTCAA
[0443] Cell-Based Assays--IL-17A/F Induces the Production of IL-8
and IL-6
[0444] Fractions isolated from the Vydac C4 purification step
described above (FIG. 3) were assayed for the ability of IL-17A/F
to induce the production of IL-8. Fractions were tested by
incubation with TK-10 cells for 24 hours (0.033 microliters
fraction/ml of cell culture media). Conditioned media was then
collected and IL-8 and IL-6 concentration measurements were
performed on each fraction by ELISA. Fraction 38 was found to have
robust activity. Protein concentration of fraction 38 was found to
be 0.536 mg/ml by amino acid analysis. Gels, blots, amino acid
sequence and activity assays were run on this fraction (FIG. 3).
Alternatively, fraction 31 and the remaining volume of fraction 32,
from the HiLoad S Sepharose run were pooled and dialyzed against
Buffer A for eight hours using a 10 kD cutoff membrane and passed
through a 0.2 micron filter. This material was loaded on a Mono S
column equilibrated in Buffer A at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and
eluted with a three step gradient to 100% Buffer B (0-30% B over 10
column volumes, 30-75% B over 45 column volumes, 75-100% B over 10
column volumes) while collecting 1 ml/fraction. Fractions 26-43
were assayed and protein concentrations were determined by amino
acid analysis. Pure IL-17A/F was identified in fractions 31-33 as a
single protein with apparent molecular mass of 30-35 kD. The
concentrations of fractions 31, 32 and 33 were 0.258, 0.359 and
0.291 mg/ml respectively. Gels and protein sequence analysis showed
this material to be identical to IL-17A/F purified by C4 column
(above). Dose response curves comparing IL-8 and IL-6 induction by
IL-17A/F, IL-17 and IL-17F are shown in FIG. 5. IL-17A/F, IL-17 and
IL-17F were incubated with TK-10 cells at the indicated
concentrations for 24 hours. TK-10 conditioned media was collected
and analyzed by IL-8 ELISA and IL-6 ELISA.
DISCUSSION
[0445] Co-expression of mRNA for IL-17 and IL-17F leads to the
secretion of a novel protein species that is able to bind with both
certain antibodies that are capable of binding to IL-17 and certain
antibodies that are capable of binding to IL-17F. This novel
protein species is designated herein as interleukin-17A/F
(IL-17A/F). This species is not observed when human kidney 293
cells are made to express either IL-17 or IL-17F in isolation.
Conditioned media from transfected cells was immunoprecipitated
(IP) utilizing antibodies that are able to recognize IL-17 (lanes
1-5) or IL-17F (lanes 6-10) as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.
Immunoprecipitated proteins were then resolved by Western blot
analysis and blotted with antibodies to IL-17 (FIG. 1A) or IL-17F
(FIG. 1B). Detection of IL-17A/F is indicated in lane 8 of FIGS. 1A
and 1n lane 3 of FIG. 1B by the presence of IL-17 in dimeric
complex with IL-17F. The molecular mass of this species, as
determined by non-reducing SDS-PAGE is approximately 30-35 kD,
consistent with the species being comprised of one molecule of
IL-17 and one molecule of IL-17F joined by covalent linkage. The
existence of this new species (IL-17A/F) can also be recognized as
protein of electrophoretic mobility that is distinct from that
observed when either IL-17 or IL-17F is expressed in isolation. As
such, this new species can also be visualized without the use of
antibodies through the use of other protein detection methods such
as conventional protein staining techniques.
[0446] The existence of a novel protein species produced by
co-expression of IL-17 and IL-17F was also observed by resolving
the secreted proteins present in conditioned media with reverse
phase chromatography. Comparison of the protein fractions observed
from the secreted proteins produced by cells co-expressing IL-17
and IL-17F with the patterns observed with cells producing either
IL-17 or IL-17F revealed the presence of an additional protein
species. This protein species, IL-17A/F, was purified and isolated
to homogeneity by column chromatography (FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0447] Purified protein ran as a single band of approximately 30-35
kD as determined by non-reducing SDS-PAGE (FIG. 3A). However, under
reducing conditions two dearly distinct bands were revealed with an
apparent molecular mass of approximately 15-18 kD (not shown).
Thus, IL-17A/F is a covalent dimer. An independent means of
assessing the composition of the novel protein, N-terminal peptide
sequence analysis, also clearly indicated that the isolated
IL-17A/F contains both IL-17 and IL-17F peptides (FIG. 3B). The
detected peptide sequences are identical to sequence contained
within the N-terminal end of IL-17 and IL-17F (FIG. 3C). Western
Blot analysis indicated that this novel protein species is also
able to interact both with an antibody that is able to bind to
IL-17 and with an antibody that is able to bind to IL-17F. Each of
these observations and the distinct molecular mass of the novel
isolated protein species suggest that the isolated protein IL-17A/F
is a novel protein species comprised of a covalent association of
IL-17 and IL-17F.
[0448] The existence and location of the disulfide bonds that link
the IL-17 and IL-17F chains of IL-17A/F were further characterized
by use of mass spectrometry. The position of disulfide linkages
within IL-17A/F is shown in schematic FIG. 4A. Two interchain
disulfide bonds link the IL-17 and IL-17F chains in IL-17A/F.
Digestion of IL-17A/F with trypsin would be expected to produce two
distinct peptide fragments containing the interchain disulfide
bonds (IL-17A/F disulfide bond fragment #1 and #2; SEQ ID NOs:7 and
8, respectively. These peptides are shown schematically (FIG. 4B)
together with the respective predicted molecular mass. These
peptides were observed by Marix-assisted laser
desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF)
(FIG. 4C) and by liquid-chromatography electrospray ionization ion
trap mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) (FIG. 4D). Peptide peaks
corresponding to homodimers of IL-17 or IL-17F were not detected,
indicating that the purified IL-17A/F was comprised of covalent
heterodimers of IL-17 and IL-17F chains and did not contain
detectable levels of homodimers of either IL-17 or IL-17F.
[0449] In addition, antibodies which bind to IL-17A/F have been
identified by screening a phage library of synthetic Fab
antibodies. Thirty four (34) independent clones encoding distinct
Fab antibody sequences were identified. Which were able to mediate
binding to IL-17A/F. The amino acid sequence of the region of the
variable domain of the heavy chains that contains the three (3)
CDRs [H1-H3] from Fab that bind IL-17A/F are shown in FIG. 6. Shown
is the alignment of a region of the predicted amino acid sequence
of 34 Fab clones that encode distinct antibody heavy chain
sequences that are able to bind to IL-17A/F. The three heavy chain
CDR regions are indicated as CDR-H1, CDR-H2 and CDR-H3,
respectively are highlighted in yellow. The corresponding amino
acid sequences for each of the thirty four (34) clones are
identified as SEQ ID NOs:9-42. In addition, the corresponding
encoding DNA sequences for each of the identified thirty four (34)
clones is shown in Table 7 below (SEQ ID NO:43 to SEQ ID NO:76,
respectively). Thus, specific antibodies which bind selectively to
the novel heterodimeric complex of IL-17A/F have been identified
which may serve to modulate the acclivity of this novel
cytokine.
[0450] IL-17A/F was analyzed for ability to stimulate a
proinflammatory response using the TK-10 human kidney cell line
(FIG. 5). This cell line responds to both IL-17 and IL-17F by
production of IL-8. IL-17A/F also robustly induced IL-8 production
in this cell line (FIG. 5A). Interestingly, IL-17A/F was observed
to have a unique potency that differs from that of either IL-17 or
IL-17F. The difference in activity differs from IL-17 and IL-17F by
roughly an order of magnitude in each case. The substantially
greater activity of IL-17A/F than IL-17F in this assay suggests
that IL-17A/F may comprise a critical component of the cytokine
activity resulting from the IL-17F gene product. This unique
potency may enable the molecule to possess distinct range of
actions in vivo. IL-17A/F also induced production of IL-6 from this
cell line (FIG. 5B). Additionally, it is likely that IL-17A/F may
possess additional characteristics not present in either IL-17 or
IL-17F as a result of its novel heterodimeric composition that may
alter the kinetics and utilization of receptor subunits in vivo,
resulting in unique biological consequences.
Example 2
Identification of a Novel IL-17 Cytokine Produced in Activated
Human T Cells
[0451] A novel human IL-17 cytokine (herein identified as human
IL-17A/F) is herein described for the first time as being naturally
produced in activated human T-lymphocyte cells. Isolation and
activation of human T-lymphocyte cells was performed and IL-17A/F
production was detected and quantitatively measured by IL-17A/F
ELISA as demonstrated below:
[0452] Isolation and Activation of Human T-Cells
[0453] Heparinized (0.5 ml/50 cc) freshly-drawn human blood from a
normal healthy donor was diluted 1:1 with physiological saline,
then layered onto LSM Lymphcyte Separation Media (ICN) and
centrifuged as recommended by the manufacturer (ICN). Recovered
mononuclear lymphocytes were plated in tissue culture flasks in
complete RPMI (RPMI, 10% FCS, 2 nM L-Glutamine,
Penicillin/Streptomycin (GIBCO)), for one hour
at 37 degrees C. to deplete monocytes, Culture supernates were
centrifuged to pellet the remaining cells, human T lymphocytes were
then isolated by negative selection using a CD4+ T cell isolation
kit (MACS). To activate the isolated T lymphocytes, tissue culture
flasks were coated with 5 ug/ml each of anti-CD3 (BD Bioscience)
and anti-CD28 (BD Bioscience) in PBS overnight at 4 degrees C.
After removing the coat media, isolated human T lymphocytes were
plated in complete RPMI at an approximate density of 2 million
cells per milliliter of media. Samples of media were collected at
various time points following plating and assayed for IL-17A/F by
ELISA. Non-activated control supernates were collected from cell
supernatants from flasks not coated with anti-CD3 and
anti-CD28.
[0454] ELISA Measurement of Human IL-17A/F Production in
Anti-CD3/Anti-CD28 Activated Human T-Cells
[0455] Human IL-17A/F levels were measured by ELISA. Mouse
anti-human IL-17 was diluted in coat buffer (0.05 M sodium
carbonate buffer, pH 9.6) and coated on 96-well microliter plates
(Nunc), for 12-15 hours at 2-8.degree. C. All subsequent steps were
performed at room temperature. Non-specific binding was blocked by
emptying the wells and adding block buffer (PBS, 0.5% BSA, 10 ppm
Proclin 300). After a 1 hour incubation, the wells were washed with
wash buffer (PBS, 0.05% Tween 20, 10 ppm Proclin 300). Human
IL-17A/F reference standards and samples, diluted in assay buffer
(PBS, 0.5% BSA, 0.05% Tween 20, 10 ppm Proclin 300) were then
added. Following a 2-hour incubation, the wells were washed with
wash buffer. Biotinylated mouse anti-human IL-17F, diluted in assay
buffer, was added and allowed to incubate for 1 hour. After washing
the plates with wash buffer, Streptavidin-HRP (horseradish
peroxidase) (Amersham), diluted in assay buffer, was added and
allowed to incubate for 1 hour. After washing the plates with wash
buffer, the substrate solution, TMB (tetra methyl
benzidine)-Peroxidase (R & D Systems) was added. Color
development was stopped by adding 2 N sulphuric acid. The plates
were then read on a microtiter reader (SLT) at 450 nm with a
subtracted blank at 540 nm. A four-parameter curve-fitting program
was used to generate a standard curve, and sample concentrations
were derived by interpolation from the linear portion of the curve.
IL-17A and IL-17F were included as controls in the ELISA to
illustrate the assay specificity for IL-17A/F (FIG. 12).
[0456] Results:
[0457] The results of ELISA measurements of IL-17A/F production is
shown in FIG. 11. These studies demonstrate the production of a
novel cytokine IL-17A/F from anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activated human T
lymphocyte cells compared to non-activated human T-cells wherein no
production of IL-17A/F was detected. These results show for the
first time the natural occurrence of a novel cytokine which is
produced and released in response to the activation of human T
lymphocytes. In addition, the specificity of the ELISA assay was
demonstrated by observing nearly equivalent quantities of IL-17A/F
in three samples (#31-#33) when assayed in parallel. Negligible
amounts of IL-17A or IL-17F were detected in this IL-17A/F specific
ELISA (FIG. 12).
[0458] The studies described herein in both Example 1 and 2
establish that recombinant human IL-17A/F is a distinctly new
cytokine, distinguishable from human IL-17 and IL-17F in both
protein structure and in cell-based activity assays. Through the
use of purified recombinant human IL-17A/F as a standard, a human
IL-17AF-specific ELISA has been developed (shown in FIG. 11).
Through the use of this specific ELISA, the induced expression of
human IL-17A/F was detected, confirming that IL-17A/F is naturally
produced from activated human T cells in culture. Hence, IL-17A/F
is a distinctly new cytokine, detectable as a natural product of
isolated activated human T cells, whose recombinant form has been
characterized, in both protein structure and cell-based assays, as
to be different and distinguishable from related cytokines.
[0459] This new cytokine can act to modulate the activity of IL-17
in vivo, acting as a competitive inhibitor to binding sites for
IL-17 or other related cytokines. IL-17A/F can also modulate the
activity of other related cytokines by down regulation of binding
sites for itself and/or binding sites for other related cytokines.
IL-17A/F can exhibit activity through intracellular adapters or
signaling molecules which act to affect its own signaling activity
or that of other related cytokines. IL-17A/F has the ability to
affect the pairing of receptors and co-receptors found at the
surface of cells or within the intracellular compartment.
[0460] Thus, these studies provide and identify a novel immune
stimulant (i.e. IL-17A/F) that can boost the immune system to
respond to a particular antigen that may not have been
immunologically active previously. As such, the newly identified
immune stimulant has important clinical applications. Other known
immune stimulants such as IL-12 have been identified. [see Gubler
et al. PNAS 88, 4143 (1991)]. In a recent cancer vaccine trial,
researchers from the University of Chicago and Genetics Institute
(Cambridge, Mass.) have relied upon the immune stimulatory activity
of IL-12, for the treatment of melanoma. [Peterson et al. Journal
of Clinical Oncology 21 (12). 2342-48 (2003)] They extracted
circulating white blood cells carrying one or more markers of
melanoma cells, isolated the antigen, and returned them to the
patients. Normally patients would not have an immune response to
his or her own human antigens. The patients were then treated with
different doses of IL-12, an immune stimulant capable of inducing
the proliferation of T cells that have been co-stimulated by
dendritic cells. Due to the immune stimulatory effect of IL-12, the
treatment provided superior results in comparison to earlier work,
where patients' own dendritic cells were prepared from peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), treated with antigens, then
cultured in vitro and returned to the patient to stimulate
anti-cancer response. [Thurner et al. J. Exp. Med. 190 (11),
1669-78 (1999)] Likewise, this novel IL-17A/F cytokine or agonists
thereof, would therefore find practical utility as an immune
stimulant. Whereas molecules which inhibit IL-17A/F activity
(antagonists) would be expected to find practical utility when an
inhibition of the immune response is desired, such as in autoimmune
diseases.
[0461] Thus, antibodies to this new cytokine which either mimic
(agonist antibodies) or inhibit (antagonist antibodies) the
immunological activities of IL-17A/F would possess therapeutic
qualities. Small molecules which act to inhibit the activity of
this novel cytokine would also have potential therapeutic uses.
Example 3
Use of IL-17A/F as a Hybridization Probe
[0462] The following method describes use of a nucleotide sequence
encoding IL-17A/F as a hybridization probe.
[0463] DNA comprising the coding sequence of full-length or mature
IL-17A/F as disclosed herein is employed as a probe to screen for
homologous DNAs (such as those encoding naturally-occurring
variants of IL-17A/F) in human tissue cDNA libraries or human
tissue genomic libraries.
[0464] Hybridization and washing of filters containing either
library DNAs is performed under the following high stringency
conditions. Hybridization of radiolabeled IL-17A/F-derived probe to
the filters is performed in a solution of 50% formamide,
5.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS, 0.1% sodium pyrophosphate, 50 mM sodium
phosphate, pH 6.8, 2.times.Denhardt's solution, and 10% dextran
sulfate at 42.degree. C. for 20 hours. Washing of the filters is
performed in an aqueous solution of 0.1.times.SSC and 0.1% SDS at
42.degree. C.
[0465] DNAs having a desired sequence identity with the DNA
encoding full-length native sequence IL-17A/F can then be
identified using standard techniques known in the art.
Example 4
Expression of IL-17A/F in E. coli
[0466] This example illustrates preparation of an unglycosylated
form of IL-17A/F polypeptides by recombinant expression in E.
coli.
[0467] The DNA sequence encoding an IL-17A/F polypeptide is
initially amplified using selected PCR primers. The primers should
contain restriction enzyme sites which correspond to the
restriction enzyme sites on the selected expression vector. A
variety of expression vectors may be employed. An example of a
suitable vector is pBR322 (derived from E. coli; see Bolivar et
al., Gene, 2:95 (1977)) which contains genes for ampicillin and
tetracycline resistance. The vector is digested with restriction
enzyme and dephosphorylated. The PCR amplified sequences are then
ligated into the vector. The vector will preferably include
sequences which encode for an antibiotic resistance gene, a trp
promoter, a polyHis leader (including the first six STII codons,
polyHis sequence, and enterokinase cleavage site), the IL-17A/F
polypeptide coding region, lambda transcriptional terminator, and
an argU gene.
[0468] The ligation mixture is then used to transform a selected E.
coli strain using the methods described in Sambrook et al. supra.
Transformants are identified by their ability to grow on LB plates
and antibiotic resistant colonies are then selected. Plasmid DNA
can be isolated and confirmed by restriction analysis and DNA
sequencing.
[0469] Selected clones can be grown overnight in liquid culture
medium such as LB broth supplemented with antibiotics. The
overnight culture may subsequently be used to inoculate a larger
scale culture. The cells are then grown to a desired optical
density, during which the expression promoter is turned on.
[0470] After culturing the cells for several more hours, the cells
can be harvested by centrifugation. The cell pellet obtained by the
centrifugation can be solubilized using various agents known in the
art, and the solubilized IL-17A/F protein can then be purified
using a metal chelating column under conditions that allow tight
binding of the protein.
[0471] IL-17A/F polypeptides may be expressed in E. coli in a
poly-His tagged form, using the following procedure. The DNA
encoding an IL-17A/F polypeptide is initially amplified using
selected PCR primers. The primers will contain restriction enzyme
sites which correspond to the restriction enzyme sites on the
selected expression vector, and other useful sequences providing
for efficient and reliable translation initiation, rapid
purification on a metal chelation column, and proteolytic removal
with enterokinase. The PCR-amplified, poly-His tagged sequences are
then ligated into an expression vector, which is used to transform
an E. coli host based on strain 52 (W3 110 fuhA(tonA) lon galE
rpoHts(htpRts) clpP(lacIq). Transformants are first grown in LB
containing 50 mg/ml carbenicillin at 30.degree. C. with shaking
until an O.D.600 of 3-5 is reached. Cultures are then diluted
50-100 fold into CRAP media (prepared by mixing 3.57 g
(NH.sub.4).sub.2SO.sub.4, 0.71 g sodium citrate*2H2O, 1.07 g KCl,
5.36 g Difco yeast extract, 5.36 g Sheffield hycase SF in 500 mL
water, as well as 110 mM MPOS, pH 7.3, 0.55% (w/v) glucose and 7 mM
MgSO.sub.4) and grown for approximately 20-30 hours at 30.degree.
C. with shaking Samples are removed to verify expression by
SDS-PAGE analysis, and the bulk culture is centrifuged to pellet
the cells. Cell pellets are frozen until purification and
refolding.
[0472] E. coli paste from 0.5 to 1 L fermentations (6-10 g pellets)
is resuspended in 10 volumes (w/v) in 7 M guanidine, 20 mM Tris, pH
8 buffer. Solid sodium sulfite and sodium tetrathionate is added to
make final concentrations of 0.1 M and 0.02 M, respectively, and
the solution is stirred overnight at 4.degree. C. This step results
in a denatured protein with all cysteine residues blocked by
sulfitolization. The solution is centrifuged at 40,000 rpm in a
Beckman Ultracentrifuge for 30 min. The supernatant is diluted with
3-5 volumes of metal chelate column buffer (6 M guanidine, 20 mM
Tris, pH 7.4) and filtered through 0.22 micron filters to clarify.
The clarified extract is loaded onto a 5 ml Qiagen Ni-NTA metal
chelate column equilibrated in the metal chelate column buffer. The
column is washed with additional buffer containing 50 mM imidazole
(Calbiochem, Utrol grade), pH 7.4. The protein is eluted with
buffer containing 250 mM imidazole. Fractions containing the
desired protein are pooled and stored at 4.degree. C. Protein
concentration is estimated by its absorbance at 280 nm using the
calculated extinction coefficient based on its amino acid
sequence.
[0473] The proteins are refolded by diluting the sample slowly into
freshly prepared refolding buffer consisting of: 20 mM Tris, pH
8.6, 0.3 M NaCl, 2.5 M urea, 5 mM cysteine, 20 mM glycine and 1 mM
EDTA. Refolding volumes are chosen so that the final protein
concentration is between 50 to 100 micrograms/ml. The refolding
solution is stirred gently at 4.degree. C. for 12-36 hours. The
refolding reaction is quenched by the addition of TFA to a final
concentration of 0.4% (pH of approximately 3). Before further
purification of the protein, the solution is filtered through a
0.22 micron filter and acetonitrile is added to 2-10% final
concentration. The refolded protein is chromatographed on a Poros
R1/H reversed phase column using a mobile buffer of 0.1% TFA with
elution with a gradient of acetonitrile from 10 to 80%. Aliquots of
fractions with A280 absorbance are analyzed on SOS polyacrylamide
gels and fractions containing homogeneous refolded protein are
pooled. Generally, the properly refolded species of most proteins
are eluted at the lowest concentrations of acetonitrile since those
species are the most compact with their hydrophobic interiors
shielded from interaction with the reversed phase resin. Aggregated
species are usually eluted at higher acetonitrile concentrations.
In addition to resolving misfolded forms of proteins from the
desired form, the reversed phase step also removes endotoxin from
the samples.
[0474] Fractions containing the desired folded IL-17A/F polypeptide
are pooled and the acetonitrile removed using a gentle stream of
nitrogen directed at the solution. Proteins are formulated into 20
mM Hepes, pH 6.8 with 0.14 M sodium chloride and 4% mannitol by
dialysis or by gel filtration using G25 Superfine (Pharmacia)
resins equilibrated in the formulation buffer and sterile
filtered.
Example 5
Expression of IL-17A/F in Mammalian Cells
[0475] This example illustrates preparation of a potentially
glycosylated form of 1L-17A/F polypeptides by recombinant
expression in mammalian cells.
[0476] The vector, pRK5 (see EP 307,247, published Mar. 15, 1989),
is employed as the expression vector. Optionally, the IL-17A/F DNA
is ligated into pRK5 with selected restriction enzymes to allow
insertion of the IL-17A/F DNA using ligation methods such as
described in Sambrook et al., supra. The resulting vector is called
pRK5-IL-17A/F.
[0477] In one embodiment, the selected host cells may be 293 cells
Human 293 cells (ATCC CCL 1573) are grown to confluence in tissue
culture plates in medium such as DMEM supplemented with fetal calf
serum and optionally, nutrient components and/or antibiotics. About
10 .mu.g pRK5-IL-17A/F DNA is mixed with about 1 .mu.g DNA encoding
the VA RNA gene [Thimmappaya et al., Cell, 31:543 (1982)] and
dissolved in 500 .mu.l of 1 mM Tris-HCl, 0.1 mM EDTA. 0.227 M
CaCl.sub.2. To this mixture is added, dropwise, 500 .mu.l of 50 mM
HEPES (pH 7.35), 280 mM NaCl, 1.5 mM NaPO.sub.4, and a precipitate
is allowed to form for 10 minutes at 25.degree. C. The precipitate
is suspended and added to the 293 cells and allowed to settle for
about four hours at 37.degree. C. The culture medium is aspirated
off and 2 ml of 20% glycerol in PBS is added for 30 seconds. The
293 cells are then washed with serum free medium, fresh medium is
added and the cells are incubated for about 5 days.
[0478] Approximately 24 hours after the transfections, the culture
medium is removed and replaced with culture medium (alone) or
culture medium containing 200 .mu.Ci/ml .sup.35S-cysteine and 200
.mu.Ci/ml .sup.35S-methionine. After a 12 hour incubation, the
conditioned medium is collected, concentrated on a spin filter, and
loaded onto a 15% SDS gel. The processed gel may be dried and
exposed to film for a selected period of time to reveal the
presence of the IL-17A/F polypeptide. The cultures containing
transfected cells may undergo further incubation (in serum free
medium) and the medium is tested in selected bioassays.
[0479] In an alternative technique, IL-17A/F may be introduced into
293 cells transiently using the dextran sulfate method described by
Somparyrac et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 12:7575 (1981). 293
cells are grown to maximal density in a spinner flask and 700 .mu.g
pRK5-IL-17A/F DNA is added. The cells are first concentrated from
the spinner flask by centrifugation and washed with PBS. The
DNA-dextran precipitate is incubated on the cell pellet for four
hours. The cells are treated with 20% glycerol for 90 seconds,
washed with tissue culture medium, and re-introduced into the
spinner flask containing tissue culture medium, 5 .mu.g/ml bovine
insulin and 0.1 .mu.g/ml bovine transferrin. After about four days,
the conditioned media is centrifuged and filtered to remove cells
and debris. The sample containing the expressed IL-17A/F
polypeptide can then be concentrated and purified by any selected
method, such as dialysis and/or column chromatography.
[0480] In another embodiment, IL-17A/F polypeptides can be
expressed in CHO cells. The pRK5-IL-17A/F can be transfected into
CHO cells using known reagents such as CaPO.sub.4 or DEAE-dextran.
As described above, the cell cultures can be incubated, and the
medium replaced with culture medium (alone) or medium containing a
radiolabel such as .sup.35S-methionine. After determining the
presence of the IL-17A/F polypeptide, the culture medium may be
replaced with serum free medium. Preferably, the cultures are
incubated for about 6 days, and then the conditioned medium is
harvested. The medium containing the expressed IL-17A/F polypeptide
can then be concentrated and purified by any selected method.
[0481] Epitope-tagged IL-17A/F may also be expressed in host CHO
cells. The IL-17A/F may be subcloned out of the pRK5 vector. The
subclone insert can undergo PCR to fuse in frame with a selected
epitope tag such as a poly-His tag into a Baculovirus expression
vector. The poly-His tagged IL-17A/F insert can then be subcloned
into a SV40 driven vector containing a selection marker such as
DHFR for selection of stable clones. Finally, the CHO cells can be
transfected (as described above) with the SV40 driven vector.
Labeling may be performed, as described above, to verify
expression. The culture medium containing the expressed poly-His
tagged IL-17A/F can then be concentrated and purified by any
selected method, such as by Ni.sup.2+-chelate affinity
chromatography.
[0482] IL-17A/F polypeptides may also be expressed in CHO and/or
COS cells by a transient expression procedure or in CHO cells by
another stable expression procedure.
[0483] Stable expression in CHO cells is performed using the
following procedure. The proteins are expressed as an IgG construct
(immunoadhesin), in which the coding sequences for the soluble
forms (e.g., extracellular domains) of the respective proteins are
fused to an IgG1 constant region sequence containing the hinge, CH2
and CH2 domains, and/or as a poly-His tagged form.
[0484] Following PCR amplification, the respective DNAs are
subcloned in a CHO expression vector using standard techniques as
described in Ausubel et al., Current Protocols of Molecular
Biology, Unit 3.16, John Wiley and Sons (1997). CHO expression
vectors are constructed to have compatible restriction sites 5' and
3' of the DNA of interest to allow the convenient shuttling of
cDNA's. The vector used in expression in CHO cells is as described
in Lucas et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 24:9 (1774-1779 (1996), and uses
the SV40 early promoter/enhancer to drive expression of the cDNA of
interest and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). DHFR expression
permits selection for stable maintenance of the plasmid following
transfection.
[0485] Twelve micrograms of the desired plasmid DNA is introduced
into approximately 10 million CHO cells using commercially
available transfection reagents Superfect.RTM. (Qiagen),
Dosper.RTM. or Eugene.RTM. (Boehringer Mannheim). The cells are
grown as described in Lucas et al., supra. Approximately
3.times.10.sup.7 cells are frozen in an ampule for further growth
and production as described below.
[0486] The ampules containing the plasmid DNA are thawed by
placement into water bath and mixed by vortexing. The contents are
pipetted into a centrifuge tube containing 10 mLs of media and
centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 5 minutes. The supernatant is aspirated
and the cells are resuspended in 10 mL of selective media (0.2
.mu.m filtered PS20 with 5% 0.2 .mu.m diafiltered fetal bovine
serum). The cells are then aliquoted into a 100 mL spinner
containing 90 mL of selective media. After 1-2 days, the cells are
transferred into a 250 mL spinner filled with 150 mL selective
growth medium and incubated at 37.degree. C. After another 2-3
days, 250 mL, 500 mL and 2000 mL spinners are seeded with
3.times.10.sup.5 cells/mL. The cell media is exchanged with fresh
media by centrifugation and resuspension in production medium.
Although any suitable CHO media may be employed, a production
medium described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,469, issued Jun. 16, 1992
may actually be used. A 3L production spinner is seeded at
1.2.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL. On day 0, the cell number pH ie
determined. On day 1, the spinner is sampled and sparging with
filtered air is commenced. On day 2, the spinner is sampled, the
temperature shifted to 33.degree. C., and 30 mL of 500 g/L glucose
and 0.6 mL of 10% antifoam (e.g., 35% polydimethylsiloxane
emulsion, Dow Corning 365 Medical Grade Emulsion) taken. Throughout
the production, the pH is adjusted as necessary to keep it at
around 7.2. After 10 days, or until the viability dropped below
70%, the cell culture is harvested by centrifugation and filtering
through a 0.22 .mu.m filter. The filtrate was either stored at
4.degree. C. or immediately loaded onto columns for
purification.
[0487] For the poly-His tagged constructs, the proteins are
purified using a Ni-NTA column (Qiagen). Before purification,
imidazole is added to the conditioned media to a concentration of 5
mM. The conditioned media is pumped onto a 6 ml Ni-NTA column
equilibrated in 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.4, buffer containing 0.3 M NaCl
and 5 mM imidazole at a flow rate of 4-5 ml/min. at 4.degree. C.
After loading, the column is washed with additional equilibration
buffer and the protein eluted with equilibration buffer containing
0.25 M imidazole. The highly purified protein is subsequently
desalted into a storage buffer containing 10 mM Hepes, 0.14 M NaCl
and 4% mannitol, pH 6.8, with a 25 ml G25 Superfine (Pharmacia)
column and stored at -80.degree. C.
[0488] Immunoadhesin (Fc-containing) constructs are purified from
the conditioned media as follows. The conditioned medium is pumped
onto a 5 ml Protein A column (Pharmacia) which had been
equilibrated in 20 mM Na phosphate buffer, pH 6.8. After loading,
the column is washed extensively with equilibration buffer before
elution with 100 mM citric acid, pH 3.5. The eluted protein is
immediately neutralized by collecting 1 ml fractions into tubes
containing 275 .mu.L of 1 M Tris buffer, pH 9. The highly purified
protein is subsequently desalted into storage buffer as described
above for the poly-His tagged proteins. The homogeneity is assessed
by SDS polyacrylamide gels and by N-terminal amino acid sequencing
by Edman degradation.
Example 6
Expression of IL-17A/F in Yeast
[0489] The following method describes recombinant expression of
IL-17A/F polypeptides in yeast.
[0490] First, yeast expression vectors are constructed for
intracellular production or secretion of IL-17A/F from the
ADH2/GAPDH promoter. DNA encoding the IL-17A/F polypeptide and the
promoter is inserted into suitable restriction enzyme sites in the
selected plasmid Lu direct intracellular expression of the IL-17A/F
polypeptide. For secretion, DNA encoding IL-17A/F can be cloned
into the selected plasmid, together with DNA encoding the
ADH2/GAPDH promoter, a native IL-17A/F signal peptide or other
mammalian signal peptide, or, for example, a yeast alpha-factor or
invertase secretory signal/leader sequence, and linker sequences
(if needed) for expression of IL-17A/F.
[0491] Yeast cells, such as yeast strain AB110, can then be
transformed with the expression plasmids described above and
cultured in selected fermentation media. The transformed yeast
supernatants can be analyzed by precipitation with 10%
trichloroacetic acid and separation by SDS-PAGE, followed by
staining of the gels with Coomassie Blue stain.
[0492] Recombinant IL-17A/F polypeptides can subsequently be
isolated and purified by removing the yeast cells from the
fermentation medium by centrifugation and then concentrating the
medium using selected cartridge filters. The concentrate containing
the IL-17A/F polypeptide may further be purified using selected
column chromatography resins.
Example 7
Expression of IL-17A/F in Baculovirus-Infected Insect Cells
[0493] The following method describes recombinant expression of
IL-17A/F polypeptides in Baculovirus-infected insect cells.
[0494] The sequence coding for IL-17A/F is fused upstream of an
epitope tag contained within a Baculovirus expression vector. Such
epitope tags include poly-His tags and immunoglobulin tags (like Fc
regions of IgG). A variety of plasmids may be employed, including
plasmids derived from commercially available plasmids such as
pVL1393 (Novagen). Briefly, the sequence encoding IL-17A/F or the
desired portion of the coding sequence of IL-17A/F such as the
sequence encoding the extracellular domain of a transmembrane
protein or the sequence encoding the mature protein if the protein
is extracellular is amplified by PCR with primers complementary to
the 5' and 3' regions. The 5' primer may incorporate flanking
(selected) restriction enzyme sites. The product is then digested
with those selected restriction enzymes and subcloned into the
expression vector.
[0495] Recombinant baculovirus is generated by co-transfecting the
above plasmid and BaculoGold.TM. virus DNA (Pharmingen) into
Spodoptera frugiperda ("Sf9") cells (ATCC CRL 1711) using
lipofectin (commercially available from GIBCO-BRL). After 4-5 days
of incubation at 28.degree. C., the released viruses are harvested
and used for further amplifications. Viral infection and protein
expression are performed as described by O'Reilley et al.,
Baculovirus expression vectors: A Laboratory Manual, Oxford: Oxford
University Press (1994).
[0496] Expressed poly-His tagged IL-17A/F can then be purified, for
example, by Ni.sup.2+-chelate affinity chromatography as follows.
Extracts are prepared from recombinant virus-infected Sf9 cells as
described by Rupert et al., Nature, 362:175-179 (1993). Briefly,
Sf9 cells are washed, resuspended in sonication buffer (25 mL
Hepes, pH 7.9; 12.5 mM MgCl.sub.2; 0.1 mM EDTA; 10% glycerol; 0.1%
NP-40; 0.4 M KCl), and sonicated twice for 20 seconds on ice. The
sonicates are cleared by centrifugation, and the supernatant is
diluted 50-fold in loading buffer (50 mM phosphate, 300 mM NaCl,
10% glycerol, pH 7.8) and filtered through a 0.45 .mu.m filter. A
Ni.sup.2+-NTA agarose column (commercially available from Qiagen)
is prepared with a bed volume of 5 mL, washed with 25 mL of water
and equilibrated with 25 mL of loading buffer. The filtered cell
extract is loaded onto the column at 0.5 mL per minute. The column
is washed to baseline A.sub.280 with loading buffer, at which point
fraction collection is started. Next, the column is washed with a
secondary wash buffer (50 mM phosphate; 300 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol,
pH 6.0), which elutes nonspecifically bound protein. After reaching
A280 baseline again, the column is developed with a 0 to 500 mM
Imidazole gradient in the secondary wash buffer. One mL fractions
are collected and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and silver staining or
Western blot with Ni.sup.2+-NTA-conjugated to alkaline phosphatase
(Qiagen). Fractions containing the eluted His.sub.10-tagged
IL-17A/F are pooled and dialyzed against loading buffer.
[0497] Alternatively, purification of the IgG tagged (or Fc tagged)
IL-17A/F can be performed using known chromatography techniques,
including for instance, Protein A or Protein G column
chromatography.
Example 8
Preparation of Antibodies that Bind IL-17A/F
[0498] This example illustrates preparation of monoclonal
antibodies which can specifically bind IL-17A/F. Techniques for
producing the monoclonal antibodies are known in the art and are
described, for instance, in Goding, supra. Immunogens that may be
employed include purified IL-17A/F polypeptides, fusion proteins
containing IL-17A/F polypeptides, and cells expressing recombinant
IL-17A/F polypeptides on the cell surface. Selection of the
immunogen can be made by the skilled artisan without undue
experimentation.
[0499] Mice such as BALB/c, are immunized with the IL-17A/F
immunogen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant and injected
subcutaneously or intraperitoneally in an amount from 1-100
micrograms. Alternatively, the immunogen is emulsified in MPL-TDM
adjuvant (Ribi Immunochemical Research, Hamilton, Mont.) and
injected into the animal's hind foot pads. The immunized mice are
then boosted 10 to 12 days later with additional immunogen
emulsified in the selected adjuvant. Thereafter, for several weeks,
the mice may also be boosted with additional immunization
injections. Serum samples may be periodically obtained from the
mice by retro-orbital bleeding for testing in ELISA assays to
detect anti-IL-17A/F antibodies.
[0500] After a suitable antibody titer has been detected, the
animals "positive" for antibodies can be injected with a final
intravenous injection of IL-17A/F. Three to four days later, the
mice are sacrificed and the spleen cells are harvested. The spleen
cells are then fused (using 35% polyethylene glycol) to a selected
murine myeloma cell line such as P3X63AgU.1, available from ATCC,
No. CRL 1597. The fusions generate hybridoma cells which can then
be plated in 96 well tissue culture plates containing HAT
(hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine) medium to inhibit
proliferation of non-fused cells, myeloma hybrids, and spleen cell
hybrids.
[0501] The hybridoma cells will be screened in an ELISA for
reactivity against IL-17A/F. Determination of "positive" hybridoma
cells secreting the desired monoclonal antibodies against IL-17A/F
is within the skill in the art.
[0502] The positive hybridoma cells can be injected
intraperitoneally into syngeneic BALB/c mice to produce ascites
containing the anti-IL-17A/F monoclonal antibodies. Alternatively,
the hybridoma cells can be grown in tissue culture flasks or roller
bottles. Purification of the monoclonal antibodies produced in the
ascites can be accomplished using ammonium sulfate precipitation,
followed by gel exclusion chromatography. Alternatively, affinity
chromatography based upon binding of antibody to protein A or
protein G can be employed.
Example 9
Purification of IL-17A/F Polypeptides Using Specific Antibodies
[0503] Native or recombinant IL-17A/F polypeptides may be purified
by a variety of standard techniques in the art of protein
purification. For example, pro-IL-17A/F polypeptide, mature
IL-17A/F polypeptide, or pre-IL-17A/F polypeptide is purified by
immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies specific for the
IL-17A/F polypeptide of interest. In general, an immunoaffinity
column is constructed by covalently coupling the anti-IL-17A/F
polypeptide antibody to an activated chromatographic resin.
[0504] Polyclonal immunoglobulins are prepared from immune sera
either by precipitation with ammonium sulfate or by purification on
immobilized Protein A (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Piscataway,
N.J.). Likewise, monoclonal antibodies are prepared from mouse
ascites fluid by ammonium sulfate precipitation or chromatography
on immobilized Protein A. Partially purified immunoglobulin is
covalently attached to a chromatographic resin such as
CnBr-activated SEPHAROSE.TM. (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology). The
antibody is coupled to the resin, the resin is blocked, and the
derivative resin is washed according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
[0505] Such an immunoaffinity column is utilized in the
purification of IL-17A/F polypeptide by preparing a fraction from
cells containing IL-17A/F polypeptide in a soluble form. This
preparation is derived by solubilization of the whole cell or of a
subcellular fraction obtained via differential centrifugation by
the addition of detergent or by other methods well known in the
art. Alternatively, soluble IL-17A/F polypeptide containing a
signal sequence may be secreted in useful quantity into the medium
in which the cells are grown.
[0506] A soluble IL-17A/F polypeptide-containing preparation is
passed over the immunoaffinity column, and the column is washed
under conditions that allow the preferential absorbance of IL-17A/F
polypeptide (e.g., high ionic strength buffers in the presence of
detergent). Then, the column is eluted under conditions that
disrupt antibody/IL-17A/F polypeptide binding (e.g., a low pH
buffer such as approximately pH 2-3, or a high concentration of a
chaotrope such as urea or thiocyanate ion), and IL-17A/F
polypeptide is collected.
Example 10
Drug Screening
[0507] This invention is particularly useful for screening
compounds by using IL-17A/F polypeptides or binding fragment
thereof in any of a variety of drug screening techniques. The
IL-17A/F polypeptide or fragment employed in such a test may either
be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, borne on a cell
surface, or located intracellularly. One method of drug screening
utilizes eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cells which are stably
transformed with recombinant nucleic acids expressing the IL-17A/F
polypeptide or fragment. Drugs are screened against such
transformed cells in competitive binding assays. Such cells, either
in viable or fixed form, can be used for standard binding assays.
One may measure, for example, the formation of complexes between
IL-17A/F polypeptide or a fragment and the agent being tested.
Alternatively, one can examine the diminution in complex formation
between the IL-17A/F polypeptide and its target cell or target
receptors caused by the agent being tested.
[0508] Thus, the present invention provides methods of screening
for drugs or any other agents which can affect an IL-17A/F
polypeptide-associated disease or disorder. These methods comprise
contacting such an agent with an IL-17A/F polypeptide or fragment
thereof and assaying (i) for the presence of a complex between the
agent and the IL-17A/F polypeptide or fragment, or (ii) for the
presence of a complex between the IL-17A/F polypeptide or fragment
and the cell, by methods well known in the art. In such competitive
binding assays, the IL-17A/F polypeptide or fragment is typically
labeled. After suitable incubation, free IL-17A/F polypeptide or
fragment is separated from that present in bound form, and the
amount of free or uncomplexed label is a measure of the ability of
the particular agent to bind to IL-17A/F polypeptide or to
interfere with the IL-17A/F polypeptide/cell complex.
[0509] Another technique for drug screening provides high
throughput screening for compounds having suitable binding affinity
to a polypeptide and is described in detail in WO 84/03564,
published on Sep. 13, 1984. Briefly stated, large numbers of
different small peptide test compounds are synthesized on a solid
substrate, such as plastic pins or some other surface. As applied
to an IL-17A/F polypeptide, the peptide test compounds are reacted
with IL-17A/F polypeptide and washed. Bound IL-17A/F polypeptide is
detected by methods well known in the art. Purified IL-17A/F
polypeptide can also be coated directly onto plates for use in the
aforementioned drug screening techniques. In addition,
non-neutralizing antibodies can be used to capture the peptide and
immobilize it on the solid support.
[0510] This invention also contemplates the use of competitive drug
screening assays in which neutralizing antibodies capable of
binding IL-17A/F polypeptide specifically compete with a test
compound for binding to IL-17A/F polypeptide or fragments thereof.
In this manner, the antibodies can be used to detect the presence
of any peptide which shares one or more antigenic determinants with
IL-17A/F polypeptide.
Example 11
Rational Drug Design
[0511] The goal of rational drug design is to produce structural
analogs of biologically active polypeptide of interest (i.e., an
IL-17A/F polypeptide) or of small molecules with which they
interact, e.g., agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors. Any of these
examples can be used to fashion drugs which are more active or
stable forms of the IL-17A/F polypeptide or which enhance or
interfere with the function of the IL-17A/F polypeptide In vivo
(c.f., Hodgson, Bio/Technology, 9: 19-21 (1991)).
[0512] In one approach, the three-dimensional structure of the
IL-17A/F polypeptide, or of an IL-17A/F polypeptide-inhibitor
complex, is determined by x-ray crystallography, by computer
modeling or, most typically, by a combination of the two
approaches. Both the shape and charges of the IL-17A/F polypeptide
must be ascertained to elucidate the structure and to determine
active site(s) of the molecule. Less often, useful information
regarding the structure of the IL 17A/F polypeptide may be gained
by modeling based on the structure of homologous proteins. In both
cases, relevant structural information is used to design analogous
IL-17A/F polypeptide-like molecules or to identify efficient
inhibitors. Useful examples of rational drug design may include
molecules which have improved activity or stability as shown by
Braxton and Wells, Biochemistry, 31:7796-7801 (1992) or which act
as inhibitors, agonists, or antagonists of native peptides as shown
by Athauda et al., J. Biochem., 113:742-746 (1993).
[0513] It is also possible to isolate a target-specific antibody,
selected by functional assay, as described above, and then to solve
its crystal structure. This approach, in principle, yields a
pharmacore upon which subsequent drug design can be based. It is
possible to bypass protein crystallography altogether by generating
anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-ids) to a functional,
pharmacologically active antibody. As a mirror image of a mirror
image, the binding site of the anti-ids would be expected to be an
analog of the original receptor. The anti-id could then be used to
identify and isolate peptides from banks of chemically or
biologically produced peptides. The isolated peptides would then
act as the pharmacore.
[0514] By virtue of the present invention, sufficient amounts of
the IL-17A/F polypeptide may be made available to perform such
analytical studies as X-ray crystallography. In addition, knowledge
of the IL-17A/F polypeptide amino acid sequence provided herein
will provide guidance to those employing computer modeling
techniques in place of or in addition to x-ray crystallography.
Sequence CWU 1
1
80112PRTHomo sapiensUnsure10Unknown amino acid 1Gly Ile Thr Ile Pro
Arg Asn Pro Gly Xaa Pro Asn 5 10212PRTHomo sapiens 2Arg Lys Ile Pro
Lys Val Gly His Thr Phe Phe Gln 5 103155PRTHomo sapiens 3Met Thr
Pro Gly Lys Thr Ser Leu Val Ser Leu Leu Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15Ser Leu
Glu Ala Ile Val Lys Ala Gly Ile Thr Ile Pro Arg Asn 20 25 30Pro Gly
Cys Pro Asn Ser Glu Asp Lys Asn Phe Pro Arg Thr Val 35 40 45Met Val
Asn Leu Asn Ile His Asn Arg Asn Thr Asn Thr Asn Pro 50 55 60Lys Arg
Ser Ser Asp Tyr Tyr Asn Arg Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn65 70 75Leu His
Arg Asn Glu Asp Pro Glu Arg Tyr Pro Ser Val Ile Trp 80 85 90Glu Ala
Lys Cys Arg His Leu Gly Cys Ile Asn Ala Asp Gly Asn 95 100 105Val
Asp Tyr His Met Asn Ser Val Pro Ile Gln Gln Glu Ile Leu 110 115
120Val Leu Arg Arg Glu Pro Pro His Cys Pro Asn Ser Phe Arg Leu 125
130 135Glu Lys Ile Leu Val Ser Val Gly Cys Thr Cys Val Thr Pro
Ile140 145 150Val His His Val Ala 1554163PRTHomo sapiens 4Met Thr
Val Lys Thr Leu His Gly Pro Ala Met Val Lys Tyr Leu1 5 10 15Leu Leu
Ser Ile Leu Gly Leu Ala Phe Leu Ser Glu Ala Ala Ala 20 25 30Arg Lys
Ile Pro Lys Val Gly His Thr Phe Phe Gln Lys Pro Glu 35 40 45Ser Cys
Pro Pro Val Pro Gly Gly Ser Met Lys Leu Asp Ile Gly 50 55 60Ile Ile
Asn Glu Asn Gln Arg Val Ser Met Ser Arg Asn Ile Glu65 70 75Ser Arg
Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn Tyr Thr Val Thr Trp Asp Pro 80 85 90Asn Arg
Tyr Pro Ser Glu Val Val Gln Ala Gln Cys Arg Asn Leu 95 100 105Gly
Cys Ile Asn Ala Gln Gly Lys Glu Asp Ile Ser Met Asn Ser 110 115
120Val Pro Ile Gln Gln Glu Thr Leu Val Val Arg Arg Lys His Gln 125
130 135Gly Cys Ser Val Ser Phe Gln Leu Glu Lys Val Leu Val Thr
Val140 145 150Gly Cys Thr Cys Val Thr Pro Val Ile His His Val Gln
155 16051859DNAHomo sapiens 5gcaggcacaa actcatccat ccccagttga
ttggaagaaa caacgatgac 50tcctgggaag acctcattgg tgtcactgct actgctgctg
agcctggagg 100ccatagtgaa ggcaggaatc acaatcccac gaaatccagg
atgcccaaat 150tctgaggaca agaacttccc ccggactgtg atggtcaacc
tgaacatcca 200taaccggaat accaatacca atcccaaaag gtcctcagat
tactacaacc 250gatccacctc accttggaat ctccaccgca atgaggaccc
tgagagatat 300ccctctgtga tctgggaggc aaagtgccgc cacttgggct
gcatcaacgc 350tgatgggaac gtggactacc acatgaactc tgtccccatc
cagcaagaga 400tcctggtcct gcgcagggag cctccacact gccccaactc
cttccggctg 450gagaagatac tggtgtccgt gggctgcacc tgtgtcaccc
cgattgtcca 500ccatgtggcc taagagctct ggggagccca cactccccaa
agcagttaga 550ctatggagag ccgacccagc ccctcaggaa ccctcatcct
tcaaagacag 600cctcatttcg gactaaactc attagagttc ttaaggcagt
ttgtccaatt 650aaagcttcag aggtaacact tggccaagat atgagatctg
aattaccttt 700ccctctttcc aagaaggaag gtttgactga gtaccaattt
gcttcttgtt 750tactttttta agggctttaa gttatttatg tatttaatat
gccctgagat 800aactttgggg tataagattc cattttaatg aattacctac
tttattttgt 850ttgtcttttt aaagaagata agattctggg cttgggaatt
ttattattta 900aaaggtaaaa cctgtattta tttgagctat ttaaggatct
atttatgttt 950aagtatttag aaaaaggtga aaaagcacta ttatcagttc
tgcctaggta 1000aatgtaagat agaattaaat ggcagtgcaa aatttctgag
tctttacaac 1050atacggatat agtatttcct cctctttgtt tttaaaagtt
ataacatggc 1100tgaaaagaaa gattaaacct actttcatat gtattaattt
aaattttgca 1150atttgttgag gttttacaag agatacagca agtctaactc
tctgttccat 1200taaaccctta taataaaatc cttctgtaat aataaagttt
caaaagaaaa 1250tgtttatttg ttctcattaa atgtatttta gcaaactcag
ctcttcccta 1300ttgggaagag ttatgcaaat tctcctataa gcaaaacaaa
gcatgtcttt 1350gagtaacaat gacctggaaa tacccaaaat tccaagttct
cgatttcaca 1400tgccttcaag actgaacacc gactaaggtt ttcatactat
tagccaatgc 1450tgtagacaga agcattttga taggaataga gcaaataaga
taatggccct 1500gaggaatggc atgtcattat taaagatcat atggggaaaa
tgaaaccctc 1550cccaaaatac aagaagttct gggaggagac attgtcttca
gactacaatg 1600tccagtttct cccctagact caggcttcct ttggagatta
aggcccctca 1650gagatcaaca gaccaacatt tttctcttcc tcaagcaaca
ctcctagggc 1700ctggcttctg tctgatcaag gcaccacaca acccagaaag
gagctgatgg 1750ggcagaacga actttaagta tgagaaaagt tcagcccaag
taaaataaaa 1800actcaatcac attcaattcc agagtagttt caagtttcac
atcgtaacca 1850ttttcgccc 18596559DNAHomo sapiens 6caactgcacc
tcggttctat cgatagccac cagcgcaaca tgacagtgaa 50gaccctgcat ggcccagcca
tggtcaagta cttgctgctg tcgatattgg 100ggcttgcctt tctgagtgag
gcggcagctc ggaaaatccc caaagtagga 150catacttttt tccaaaagcc
tgagagttgc ccgcctgtgc caggaggtag 200tatgaagctt gacattggca
tcatcaatga aaaccagcgc gtttccatgt 250cacgtaacat cgagagccgc
tccacctccc cctggaatta cactgtcact 300tgggacccca accggtaccc
ctcggaagtt gtacaggccc agtgtaggaa 350cttgggctgc atcaatgctc
aaggaaagga agacatctcc atgaattccg 400ttcccatcca gcaagagacc
ctggtcgtcc ggaggaagca ccaaggctgc 450tctgtttctt tccagttgga
gaaggtgctg gtgactgttg gctgcacctg 500cgtcacccct gtcatccacc
atgtgcagta agaggtgcat atccactcag 550ctgaagaag 559721PRTHomo sapiens
7Val Gly His Thr Phe Phe Gln Lys Pro Glu Ser Cys Pro Pro Val1 5 10
15Pro Gly Gly Ser Met Lys 20812PRTHomo sapiens 8His Gln Gly Cys Ser
Val Ser Phe Gln Leu Glu Lys 5 10996PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 9Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Asp Ser
Ala Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Ala 20 25 30Gly Ile Thr Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Lys Glu Ala Arg Glu Gly Tyr Asp Val Gly
Tyr Ala 80 85 90Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 951093PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 10Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Ser Asp Ser Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Glu Ile Ser Pro Pro Gly Gly Asp
Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Leu Leu Trp Trp
Trp Asp Gly Ala Met Asp Tyr 80 85 90Trp Gly Gln1191PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 11Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Thr Asn Thr Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Val Ile Thr Pro Tyr Gly Gly Ala
Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Ser Met Trp
Ser Lys Phe Asp Tyr Trp Gly 80 85 90Gln1296PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 12Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Asn Ser Ser Ala Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Tyr Ile Thr Pro Asp Asn Gly Asp
Thr Asn Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Ile
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Gly His Gly Asn
Phe Tyr Gly Thr Trp Ala Ala 80 85 90Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln
951392PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 13Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Gly Ser Asp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Tyr Ile Asn
Pro Tyr Gly Gly Ser Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Ala Tyr Glu Met Trp Tyr Val Met Asp Tyr Trp 80 85 90Gly
Gln14101PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 14Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Asn Ser Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Val Ile Thr
Pro Ser Ser Gly Ser Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Glu Val Phe Pro Asp Ile Gly Asp Cys Ser Asn 80 85 90Ala Tyr Cys
Tyr Ala Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 95 1001594PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 15Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Thr Ser Thr Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Val Gly Trp
Gly Asp Ser Tyr Ala Met Asp 80 85 90Tyr Trp Gly
Gln1699PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 16Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Gly Ser Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Gly Ile Tyr
Pro Tyr Asp Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Glu Ala Glu Gly Leu Tyr Gln Ser Gly Ile Tyr 80 85 90Asp Ala Gly
Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 951793PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 17Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Ser Tyr
Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Tyr Pro Ala Asp Gly Ala Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Gly Ser Tyr Phe Gly Gly Tyr Asp Met
Asp Tyr 80 85 90Trp Gly Gln1892PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 18Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Asn Asp Ser
Asp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Gly 20 25 30Ile Ile Tyr Pro Tyr Asp Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Ser Asn Leu Asp Asn Asn Leu Phe Asp
Tyr Trp 80 85 90Gly Gln1998PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 19Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Asn Gly Tyr
Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Ala 20 25 30Asp Ile Asn Pro Asn Gly Gly Ser Thr Asn Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Ala Tyr Arg Cys Gly Gly Leu Ala Asp
Trp Ala 80 85 90Gly Ala Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 952098PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 20Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Ser Gly Ser Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Ile Ile Thr Pro Ser Gly Gly Asn
Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Val Phe Ala
Val Ser Thr Ala Gly Tyr Pro 80 85 90Trp Val Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln
952196PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 21Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Asp Ser Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Ser Ile Thr
Pro Tyr Asn Gly Asn Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Arg Gly Glu Ser Asp Glu Ala Tyr Ala Ala Val 80 85 90Met Asp Tyr
Trp Gly Gln 952297PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides
22Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Ser Asp Ile1 5 10
15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25
30Thr Ile Asn Pro Ala Ser Gly Ser Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40
45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55
60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70
75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Gly Ala Asn Ser Ser Phe Tyr Ala Leu Gln Tyr 80 85
90Val Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 952398PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 23Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Asp Asn
Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Gly 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Thr Leu Phe Tyr Asp Lys Asp Gln
Tyr Ser 80 85 90Tyr Val Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 952494PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 24Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Ser Ser Ser Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Gly Leu Leu
Arg Trp Gly Tyr Ala Met Asp 80 85 90Tyr Trp Gly
Gln2596PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 25Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Ser Ala Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Gly Ile Thr
Pro Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser
Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp
Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Ser Pro Gly Gly Val Phe Val
Asp Gly Gly Val 80 85 90Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 952697PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 26Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Thr Asn Thr Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Asp Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Ile Leu Leu
Asp Tyr Gly Ser Ala Gly Tyr 80 85 90Ala Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln
952797PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 27Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Ser Thr Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Val Ile Thr
Pro Thr Asn Gly Ser Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Glu Val Trp Trp Trp Gly Asp Gly His Gly Tyr 80 85 90Val Met Asp
Tyr Trp Gly Gln 952896PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides
28Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Ser Ser Ala Ile1 5 10
15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25
30Gly Ile Thr Pro Ala Ser Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40
45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55
60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70
75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Ser Pro Gly Gly Val Phe Val Asp Gly Gly Val 80 85
90Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 9529101PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 29Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Asn Ser Thr
Asp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Gly 20 25 30Arg Ile Asn Pro Ser Gly Gly Ser Thr Asn Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Thr Ser Ala Tyr Thr Thr Trp Ala Val
Asp Trp 80 85 90Phe Ile Gly Tyr Val Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 95
10030101PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 30Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Gly Tyr Gly Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser
Pro Ser Asn Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Arg Val Ser Tyr Tyr Val Tyr Arg His Asp Trp 80 85 90Val Arg Gly
Tyr Val Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 95 1003190PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 31Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Thr Asp Thr Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Val Ile Thr Pro Tyr Gly Gly Tyr
Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Asp Gly Gly Phe
Phe Asp Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 80 85 903294PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 32Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Ser Asp Ser Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Asp Ile Thr Pro Thr Asp Gly Tyr
Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Asn Leu Met Trp
Trp Asp Ser Ser Ala Met Asp 80 85 90Tyr Trp Gly
Gln33101PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 33Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Gly Tyr Gly Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser
Pro Ser Asn Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Tyr Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Arg Val Ser Tyr Tyr Val Tyr Arg His Asp Trp 80 85 90Val Arg Gly
Tyr Val Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 95 1003496PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 34Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Thr Gly Thr Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr
Thr Asn Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Glu Ala Arg Ser
Ser Leu Ser Ala Asp Tyr Ala 80 85 90Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln
953598PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 35Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Asp Asn Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser
Pro Tyr Ser Gly Tyr Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Glu Ser Gly Phe Ser Ala Cys Asn Thr Arg Ala 80 85 90Tyr Ala Met
Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 953696PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic
polypeptides 36Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Asp Ser
Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp
Val Gly 20 25 30Ser Ile Thr Pro Tyr Asn Gly Asn Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp
Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn
Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala
Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Arg Gly Glu Ser Asp Glu Ala Tyr Pro
Ala Val 80 85 90Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 953794PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 37Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Thr Ser Thr Ala Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Thr Pro Tyr Asp Gly Tyr
Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Leu Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Thr Trp Phe Thr
Leu Ala Ser Ala Met Glu Leu 80 85 90Leu Gly Ser
Ala38101PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 38Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Thr Gly Asn Gly Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser
Pro Thr Asn Gly Ser Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Arg Val Asp Tyr Gln Val Tyr His Asp Arg Phe 80 85 90Glu Glu Gly
Tyr Ala Met Asp Tyr Trp Gly Gln 95 1003994PRTArtificial
sequencesynthetic polypeptides 39Leu Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe
Thr Ile Asn Ser Tyr Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly
Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Trp Ile Ser Pro Asp Asn Gly Ala
Thr Asn Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala
Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln Met Asn Ser Leu Arg
Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala Arg Lys Phe Trp Gly
Trp Asp Trp Gly Gly Met Asp 80 85 90Tyr Trp Gly
Gln4094PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 40Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Asp Ser Tyr Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Asp Ile Thr
Pro Thr Asp Gly Tyr Thr Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Asn Leu Met Trp Trp Asp Ser Ser Ala Met Asp 80 85 90Tyr Trp Gly
Gln4194PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 41Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Ser Asp Ser Gly Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Gly 20 25 30Phe Ile Tyr
Pro Asn Gly Gly Ser Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Met Ser Leu Ile Gly Phe Ser Tyr Ala Met Asp 80 85 90Tyr Trp Gly
Gln4293PRTArtificial sequencesynthetic polypeptides 42Leu Ser Cys
Ala Ala Ser Gly Phe Thr Ile Asn Ser Thr Trp Ile1 5 10 15His Trp Val
Arg Gln Ala Pro Gly Lys Gly Leu Glu Trp Val Ala 20 25 30Trp Ile Asn
Pro Tyr Asn Gly Ser Thr Tyr Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val 35 40 45Lys Gly Arg
Phe Thr Ile Ser Ala Asp Thr Ser Lys Asn Thr Ala 50 55 60Tyr Leu Gln
Met Asn Ser Leu Arg Ala Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr65 70 75Tyr Cys Ala
Arg Asp Leu Tyr Asp Tyr Asp Ile Gly Phe Asp Tyr 80 85 90Trp Gly
Gln43288DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
43ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtgattccg ctatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct gggattactc
100cttatagcgg ttatactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgcaaaagag gcccgcgagg
250gctacgacgt cggctacgct atggactact ggggtcaa 28844279DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 44ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt agtgattcct atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct gaaatttctc 100ctcctggcgg cgatacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtctc ttgtggtggt 250gggacggggc tatggactac tggggtcaa
27945273DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
45ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actaatactt ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct gttattactc
100cttatggcgg tgctacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgcaagagag agtatgtgga
250gtaagttcga ctactggggt caa 27346288DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 46ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt aatagttctg ctatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt tatattactc 100ctgataacgg tgatactaac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aatagctgag gatactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgcggc cacggcaact 250tctacggtac ctgggcggct atggactact ggggtcaa
28847276DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
47ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtggttctg atatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tatattaatc
100cttatggcgg ttctactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtgcg tacgagatgt
250ggtacgttat ggactactgg ggtcaa 27648303DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 48ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actaattcct ggatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt gttattactc 100cttctagcgg ttctacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtgag gtcttccccg 250acatcgggga ctgcagcaac gcctactgct
acgctatgga ctactggggt 300caa 30349282DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 49ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actagtactt atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct tggatttctc 100cttatagcgg ttatactgac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtgag gtggggtggg 250gggactcgta cgctatggac tactggggtc aa
28250297DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
50ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtggttctt ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct gggatttatc
100cttatgacgg ttatacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtgag gccgagggcc
250tgtaccagtc cgggatctac gacgcgggta tggactactg gggtcaa
29751279DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
51ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actagttact atatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tggatttatc
100ctgctgacgg tgctacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtggg tcctacttcg
250ggggctacga tatggactac tggggtcaa 27952276DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 52ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt aatgattctg atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt attatttatc 100cttatgacgg ttatacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgcaagaagc aacctggaca 250acaacttgtt cgactactgg ggtcaa
27653294DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
53ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt aatggttact ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct gatattaatc
100ctaatggcgg ttctactaac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtgcc taccggtgcg
250gcgggctcgc cgactgggcc ggggctatgg actactgggg tcaa
29454294DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
54ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtggttctt ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct attattactc
100cttctggcgg taatactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtgag gtcttcgccg
250tgtcgaccgc cggctacccc tgggttatgg actactgggg tcaa
29455288DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
55ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actgattctt ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt tctattactc
100cttataacgg taatactgac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgcagg ggggagtccg 250acgaggccta cgccgcggtt atggactact ggggtcaa
28856291DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
56ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtagttccg atatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt actattaatc
100ctgctagcgg ttctactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgcggc gccaacagca
250gcttctacgc gctccagtac gttatggact actggggtca a
29157294DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
57ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actgataatt atatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt tggatttctc
100cttatagcgg ttatacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtgag accctcttct
250acgacaagga ccagtactcc tacgttatgg actactgggg tcaa
29458282DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
58ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtagttctt atatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tggatttctc
100cttatagcgg ttatactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtgag gggctcctgc
250ggtggggcta cgctatggac tactggggtc aa 28259291DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 59ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actgataatg ggatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt tggattactc 100ctactagcgg ttatactaac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgcgac ggggacacct 250ggaagtggga cgccccgtac gttatggact
actggggtca a 29160291DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic
polynucleotides 60ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actaatactt
atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tggatttctc
100cttatagcgg ttatactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaagga ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgcgag atcttgctgg
250actacggttc cgcgggctac gctatggact actggggtca a
29161291DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
61ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actagtacct ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt gttattactc
100ctactaacgg ttctacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgcgag gtgtggtggt
250ggggcgacgg ccacggctac gttatggact actggggtca a
29162288DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
62ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtagttctg ctatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt gggattactc
100ctgctagcgg ttatacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgctcg cccggcgggg
250tgttcgtcga cggcggggtt atggactact ggggtcaa 28863303DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 63ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt aatagtactg atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt aggattaatc 100cttctggcgg ttctactaac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtacc agcgcgtaca 250ccacgtgggc ggtcgactgg ttcatcggct
acgttatgga ctactggggt 300caa 30364303DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 64ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actggttacg ggatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct tggatttctc 100cttctaacgg ttatacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtcgc gtcagctact 250acgtctacag gcacgactgg gtcaggggct
acgttatgga ctactggggt 300caa 30365267DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 65ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actgatacct ggatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt gttattactc 100cttatggcgg ttatacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgcaagagac gggggcttct 250tcgattactg gggtcaa 26766282DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 66ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt agtgattcct ctatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct tttatttatc 100ctactagcgg ttctacttac tatgccaata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgcacgtgcc tcgtacgggg 250tgagcaagtg gacctttgac tactggggtc aa
28267303DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
67ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actggttacg ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tggatttctc
100cttctaacgg ttatacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcat acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtcgc gtcagctact
250acgtctacag gcacgactgg gtcaggggct acgttatgga ctactggggt 300caa
30368288DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
68ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actggtactt atatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tggatttctc
100cttatagcgg ttatactaac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgcaagagag gcccgctcct
250cgttgagcgc ggactacgct atggactact ggggtcaa 28869294DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 69ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actgataatt atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct tggatttctc 100cttatagcgg ttatacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtgag tccggcttct 250ccgcgtgcaa cacgcgggcg tacgctatgg
actactgggg tcaa 29470288DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic
polynucleotides 70ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actgattctt
ggatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt tctattactc
100cttataacgg taatactgac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgcagg ggggagtccg
250acgaggccta ccccgcggtt atggactact ggggtcaa 28871280DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 71ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt actagtaccg ctatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct tggattactc 100cttatgacgg ttatactgac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctactaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtacg tggttcacgc 250tggcctcggc tatggaacta ctggggtcaa
28072303DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
72ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt actggtaatg ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttgct tggatttctc
100ctactaacgg ttctacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtagg gtcgactacc
250aggtctacca cgaccgcttc gaggaggggt acgctatgga ctactggggt 300caa
30373282DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
73ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt aatagttatt ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt tggatttctc
100ctgataacgg tgctactaac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtaag ttctggggct
250gggactgggg gggtatggac tactggggtc aa 28274282DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 74ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt agtgattctt atatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttggt gatattactc 100ctactgacgg ttatactgac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgctcgtaac ttgatgtggt 250gggactcgtc ggctatggac tactggggtc aa
28275282DNAArtificial sequencesynthetic polynucleotides
75ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg cttcaccatt agtgattctg ggatacactg
50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga atgggttggt tttatttatc
100ctaatggcgg ttctacttac tatgccgata gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact
150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc tacctacaaa tgaacagctt
200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg tgctcgtatg tcgttgatcg
250ggttctcgta cgctatggac tactggggtc aa 28276279DNAArtificial
sequencesynthetic polynucleotides 76ttgtcctgtg cagcttctgg
cttcaccatt aatagtacct ggatacactg 50ggtgcgtcag gccccgggta agggcctgga
atgggttgct tggattaatc 100cttataacgg ttctacttac tatgccgata
gcgtcaaggg ccgtttcact 150ataagcgcag acacatccaa aaacacagcc
tacctacaaa tgaacagctt 200aagagctgag gacactgccg tctattattg
tgcaagagac ttgtacgact 250acgacatcgg cttcgactac tggggtcaa
27977133PRTHomo sapiens 77Arg Lys Ile Pro Lys Val Gly His Thr Phe
Phe Gln Lys Pro Glu1 5 10 15Ser Cys Pro Pro Val Pro Gly Gly Ser Met
Lys Leu Asp Ile Gly 20 25 30Ile Ile Asn Glu Asn Gln Arg Val Ser Met
Ser Arg Asn Ile Glu 35 40 45Ser Arg Ser Thr Ser Pro Trp Asn Tyr Thr
Val Thr Trp Asp Pro 50 55 60Asn Arg Tyr Pro Ser Glu Val Val Gln Ala
Gln Cys Arg Asn Leu65 70 75Gly Cys Ile Asn Ala Gln Gly Lys Glu Asp
Ile Ser Met Asn Ser 80 85 90Val Pro Ile Gln Gln Glu Thr Leu Val Val
Arg Arg Lys His Gln 95 100 105Gly Cys Ser Val Ser Phe Gln Leu Glu
Lys Val Leu Val Thr Val 110 115 120Gly Cys Thr Cys Val Thr Pro Val
Ile His His Val Gln 125 13078132PRTHomo sapiens 78Gly Ile Thr Ile
Pro Arg Asn Pro Gly Cys Pro Asn Ser Glu Asp1 5 10 15Lys Asn Phe Pro
Arg Thr Val Met Val Asn Leu Asn Ile His Asn 20 25 30Arg Asn Thr Asn
Thr Asn Pro Lys Arg Ser Ser Asp Tyr Tyr Asn 35 40 45Arg Ser Thr Ser
Pro Trp Asn Leu His Arg Asn Glu Asp Pro Glu 50 55 60Arg Tyr Pro Ser
Val Ile Trp Glu Ala Lys Cys Arg His Leu Gly65 70 75Cys Ile Asn Ala
Asp Gly Asn Val Asp Tyr His Met Asn Ser Val 80 85 90Pro Ile Gln Gln
Glu Ile Leu Val Leu Arg Arg Glu Pro Pro His 95 100 105Cys Pro Asn
Ser Phe Arg Leu Glu Lys Ile Leu Val Ser Val Gly 110 115 120Cys Thr
Cys Val Thr Pro Ile Val His His Val Ala 125 1307910PRTHomo sapiens
79Glu Pro Pro His Cys Pro Asn Ser Phe Arg 5 108010PRTHomo sapiens
80Asn Pro Gly Cys Pro Asn Ser Glu Asp Lys 5 10
* * * * *
References