CA2275138A1

CA2275138A1 - Mammalian cytokine related to il10

Info

Publication number: CA2275138A1
Application number: CA002275138A
Authority: CA
Inventors: J. Fernando Bazan; Robert A. Kastelein; Rene De Waal Malefyt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp
Priority date: 1996-12-23
Filing date: 1997-12-22
Publication date: 1998-07-02
Also published as: EP0951550A1; AU5603298A; WO1998028425A1; JP2001508652A; BR9713632A

Abstract

Purified genes encoding cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding this molecule are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to compositions related to proteins which function in controlling biology and physiology of mammalian cells, e.g., cells of a mammalian immune system. In particular, it provides purified genes, proteins, antibodies) and related reagents useful, e.g., to regulate activation, development, differentiation, and function of various cell types) including hematopoietic cells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recombinant DNA technology refers generally to the technique of integrating genetic information from a donor source into vectors for subsequent processing, such as through introduction into a host, whereby the transferred genetic information is copied and/or expressed in the new environment. Commonly, the genetic information exists in the form of complementary DNA (cDNA) derived from messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for a desired protein product. The carrier is frequently a plasmid having the capacity to incorporate cDNA for later replication in a host and, in some cases, actually to control expression of the cDNA and thereby direct synthesis of the encoded product in the host.
V

For some time, it has been known that the mammalian immune response is based on a series of complex cellular interactions, called the "immune network". Recent research has provided new insights into the inner workings of this network. While it remains clear that much of the response does, in fact, revolve around the network-like interactions wp 98128425 . PCTIUS97I22975 of lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, and other cells, immunologists now generally hold the opinion that soluble proteins, known as lymphokines, cytokines, or monokines, play a critical role in controlling these cellular .
interactions. Thus, there is considerable interest in the isolation) characterization, and mechanisms of action of cell modulatory factors, an understanding of which will lead to significant advancements in the diagnosis and therapy of numerous medical abnormalities, e.g., immune system disorders.
Lymphokines apparently mediate cellular activities in a variety of ways. They have been shown to support the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells into vast numbers of progenitors comprising diverse cellular lineages making up a complex immune system. Proper and balanced interactions between the cellular components are necessary for a healthy immune response. The different cellular lineages often respond in a different manner when lymphokines are administered in conjunction with other agents.
Cell lineages especially important to the immune' response include two classes of lymphocytes: B-cells, which can produce and secrete immunoglobulins (proteins with the capability of recognizing and binding to foreign matter to effect its removal), and T-cells of various subsets that secrete lymphokines and induce or suppress the B-cells and various other cells (including other T-cells) making up the immune network. These lymphocytes interact with many other cell types.
Another important cell lineage is the mast cell (which has not been positively identified in all mammalian species), which is a granule-containing connective tissue cell located proximal to capillaries throughout the body.
These cells are found in especially high concentrations in the lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Mast cells play a central role in allergy-related wo s . pcr~s9~rszrrs disorders, particularly anaphylaxis as follows: when selected antigens crosslink one class of immunoglobulins bound to receptors on the mast cell surface, the mast cell degranulates and releases mediators, e.g., histamine, serotonin, he arin, and P prostaglandins, which cause allergic reactions, e.g., anaphylaxis.
Research to better understand and treat various immune disorders has been hampered by the general inability to maintain cells of the immune system in vitro. Immunologists have discovered that culturing these cells can be accomplished through the use of T-cell and other cell supernatants, which contain various growth factors, including many of the lymphokines.
The gene encoding IL-10, originally designated Cytokine Synthesis Inhibitory Factor (CSIF), was isolated in the 1980's. See, e.g., Mosmann, et al., U.S. Patent No.
5,231,012. Since then, much has been learned of the biology and physiology mediated by the cytokine. See, e.g., de Vries and de Waal Malefyt (1995) ~rterleukin-10 Landes Co., Austin, TX.
From the foregoing, it is evident that the discovery and development of new lymphokines, e.g., related to IL-10, could contribute to new therapies for a wide range of degenerative or abnormal conditions which directly or indirectly involve the immune system and/or hematopoietic cells. In particular, the discovery and development of lymphokines which enhance or potentiate the beneficial activities of known lymphokines would be highly advantageous. The present invention provides new interleukin compositions and related compounds, and methods for their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to mammalian, e.g., rodent, canine) feline, primate, :interleukin-BKw (IL-BKW), and its biological activities. It includes nucleic acids WO 98/28425 . PCT/US97I22975 coding for polypeptides themselves and methods for their production and use. The nucleic acids of the invention are -characterized, in part, by their homology to cloned complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences enclosed herein, and/or -by functional assays for IL-10-like activities applied to the polypeptides, which are typically encoded by these nucleic acids. Methods for modulating or intervening in the control of an immune response are provided.
The present invention is based, in part, upon the discovery of a new cytokine sequence exhibiting high sequence and structural similarity to cellular IL-10. In particular, it provides a gene encoding a protein whose mature size is about 158 amino acids. Functional equivalents exhibiting significant sequence homology will be available from other mammalian, e.g., mouse and rat, and non-mammalian species.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a substantially pure or recombinant soluble IL-BKW, including an antigenic protein or peptide fragment of the soluble IL-BKW. Preferably, the IL-BKW is a full length natural soluble protein from a mammal, including a primate, or may be in a sterile composition. Typically, the soluble IL-BKW
lacks the sequence MNFQQRLQSL WTLARPFCPP LLATASQMQM
VVLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSG of SEQ ID NO: 2; is a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID N0: 6; or is encoded by a nucleic acid of SEQ ID
NO: 5. Alternatively, the soluble IL-BKW is a full length secreted protein which exhibits a post-translational modification pattern distinct from natural soluble IL-BKW.
Functionally, the soluble IL-BKW will typically exhibit an immunological activity functionally antagonistic to IL-10.
The invention also provides a fusion protein comprising sequence of a soluble IL-BKW, but lacking sequence of MNFQQRLQSL WTLARPFCPP LLATASQMQM VVLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSG of SEQ
ID NO: 2; is a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6; or is encoded by SEQ ID N0: 5.

wo ~zs4zs . rcr~s9~nz~s The invention also provides a method of purifying a soluble IL-BKW protein or peptide from other materials in a mixture comprising contacting said mixture to an antibody to said protein, and separating bound IL-BKW from other 5 materials.
In other embodiments) the invention provides an isolated or recombinant expression vector encoding a soluble IL-BKW. Preferably, the vector encodes a secreted sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 6 and may comprise sequence of SEQ ID NO:
1 or 5.
The invention provides a kit for detection comprising a positive control which is a substantially pure soluble IL-HKW or fragment. The kit also provides a method for detecting in a sample for the presence of a soluble IL-BKW
protein, or antibody, comprising testing said sample with the kit.
The invention also provides a method of modulating the physiology of a cell comprising contacting the cell with a substantially pure soluble IL-BKW. In certain embodiments, the cell is a T cell and the modulating of physiology is inactivation of the T cell; or the cell is in a tissue.
The invention also provides a method of making a soluble IL-BKW comprising expressing a vector. The vector may be in a cell, tissue, or organ.
Finally, the invention provides a method of treating an animal having an abnormal immune response by administering to the animal an effective dose of a substantially pure soluble IL-BKW.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 shows alignment of IL-10 and related cytokines.

WO 98128425 , PCT/US97/22975 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by -reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
I. General The present invention provides amino acid sequences and DNA sequences encoding various mammalian proteins which are cytokines, e.g., which are secreted molecules which can mediate a signal between immune or other cells. See, e.g., Paul (1994) Fundamental Immunoloav, Raven Press, N.Y. . The full length cytokines, and fragments, or antagonists will be useful in physiological modulation of cells expressing a receptor. Early data suggests that the cytokine functions to effect the opposite effects that IL-10 does. It is likely that IL-BKW has either stimulatory or inhibitory effects on T-cells, B-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, hematopoietic progenitors, etc. The proteins will also be useful as antigens, e.g., immunogens, for raising antibodies to various epitopes on the protein, both linear and conformational epitopes.
A cDNA encoding IL-BKW was isolated from a human melanoma cell line. The molecule was designated mda7, and was characterized as a novel melanoma differentiation associated gene. SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2. See Jiang, et al.
(1995) Qncoaene 11:2477-86; Genbank accession number U16261.
That paper reported some small homology of the mda7 to human IL-10, but the relevance was unknown. Applicants have analyzed the sequence and believe that the coding region had been misidentified, a fact consistent with the sequence of the mouse gene.
The CDS was proposed by Jiang, et a1. to run about from 275..895 to encode:
MNFQQRLQSL WTLARPFCPP LLATASQMQM WLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSGAQ GQEFHFGPCQ

FKNYHNRTVE VRTLKSFSTL ANNFVLIVSQ LQPSQENEMF SIRDSAHRRF LLFRRAFKQL
DVEAALTKAL GEVDILLTWM QKFYKL (SEQ ID NO: 2);

wo zs rcT~rs~ns~rs however, Applicants propose~a mature form of IL-BKW which begins at about the 49th residue, or:
AQGQEFHFGP CQVKGWPQK LWEAFWAVKD TMQAQDNITS ARLLQQEVLQ NVSDAESCYL
VHTLLEFYLK TVFKNYHNRT VEVRTLKSFS TLANNFVLIV SQLQPSQENE MFSIRDSAHR
( 5 RFLLFRRAFK QLDVEAALTK ALGEVDILLT WMQKFYKL.
In Table 1 various human IL-10 embodiments are compared to human IL-BKW.
TABLE I
IL-BKW .MQMWLPCL GFTLLLWSQV SGAQGQEFHF GPCQVK.GW PQKL...WEA
IL-10 MHSSALLCCL ..VLLTGVRA SPGQGTQSEN SCTHFP.GNL PNMLRDLRDA
IL-XX MLVNFILRCG ..LLLVTLSL AIAKHKQSSF TKSCYPRGTL SQAVDALYIK
IL-BKW FWAVKDTMQA QDNITSAR.L LQQEVLQNVS DAESCYLVHT LLEFYLKTVF
IL-10 FSRVKTFFQM KDQLDNL..L LKESLLEDFK GYLGCQALSE MIQFYLEEVM
IL-XX AAWLKATIP. EDRIKNIR.L LKKKTKKQFM K..NCQFQEQ LLSFFNEDVF
IL-BKW KNYHNRTVEV RTLKSFSTLA NNFVLIVSQL QPSQENEMFS IRDSAHRRFL
2 O IL-10 PQAENQDPDI ..KAHVNSLG ENLKTLRLRL RRCHR...FL PCENKSKAVE
IL-XX GQLQLQG... ...CKKIRFV EDFHTLRQKL SHCIS...CA SSAREMKSIT
IL-BKW LFRRAFKQLD VEAALTKALG EVDILLTWMQ KFYKL....
IL-10 QVKNAFNKLQ .EKGIYKAMS EFDIFINYIE AYMTMKIRN
IL-XX RMKRIFYRIG .NKGIYKAIS ELDILLSWIK KLLESSQ..
hIL-BKW (SEQ ID NO: 2) hIL-10 (SEQ ID N0: 3) hIL-XX (SEQ ID NO: 4) 3 0 See Knappe, et al., USSN 08/718,753.
A murine clone for IL-BKW (mIL-BKW) has also been isolated from an activated mouse thymocyte cDNA library (A.
Zlotnik, DNAX Res. Institute, Palo Alto, CA). SEQ ID NO: 5 and 6. The signal sequence runs from about Met1 to G1y23.
The mature polypeptide begins at about Leu24. The conserved D-helix, implicated in receptor binding, runs from about G1u158 to Leu181. There is no corresponding ATG upstream of the leader sequence as found in the human, possibly indicating that this molecule is membrane bound.
mIL-BKW possess a high degree of amino acid sequence identity to the human counterpart. An alignment between hIL-10, mIL-10, hIL-BKW, and mIL~-BKW reveals that the D-helix is highly conserved. See Table 2 and SEQ ID N0: 2, 3, , 6, and 7.

wo 9sns4zs . rc~r~rs~rnzr~s Table 2 compares human and mouse IL-10 and human and mouse IL-BKW. In IL-10, this helix seems particularly important in receptor binding. Therefore) IL-BKW and IL-10 may share the same receptor subunit. .

hILlO ..MHSSALLC C.LVLLTGVRAS..PGQGTQSENSCTHFPGNLPNMLRDLR

mILlO ..MPGSALLC C.LLLLTGMRIS..RGQYSREDNNCTHFPVGQSHMLLELR

hILBKW ..MQMWLPC LGFTLLLWSQVSGAQGQEFHF.GPCQVKGV....VPQKLW

mILBKW MSWGLQILPC LSLILLLWNQVPGLEGQEFRS.GSCQVTGV....VLPELW

hILlO DAFSRVKTFF QMKDQLDNL.LLKESLLEDFKGYLGCQALSEMIQFYLEEV

mILlO TAFSQVKTFF QTKDQLDNI.LLTDSLMQDFKGYLGCQALSEMIQFYLVEV

hILBKW EAFWAVKDTM QAQDNITSARLLQQEVLQNVSDAESCYLVHTLLEFYLKTV

mILBKW EAFWTVKNTV QTQDDITSIRLLKPQVLRNVSGAESCYLAHSLLKFYLNTV

hILlO MPQAENQDPD IK..AHVNSLGENLKTLRLRLRR...CHRFLPCENKSKAV

mILlO MPQAEKHGPE IK..EHLNSLGEKLKTLRMRLRR...CHRFLPCENKSKAV

hILBKW FKNYHNRTVE VRTLKSFSTLANNFVLIVSQLQPSQENEMFSIRDSAHRRF

2 mILBKW FKNYHSKIAK FKVLRSFSTLANNFIVIMSQLQPSKDNSMLPISESAHQRF
O

hILlO EQVKNAFNKL Q. EKGIYKAM N
SEFDIFINYI
EAYMTMKIR

mILlO EQVKSDFNKL Q. DQGVYKAM S
NEFDIFINCI
EAYMMIKMK

hILBKW LLFRRAFKQL DV EAALTKAL
GEVDILLTWM
QKFYKL...

2 mILBKW LLFRRAFKQL DT EVALVKAF

QKFYHL...

I D-helix I

hIL-10 (SEQ ID N0:3) mIL-10 (SEQ ID NO: 7) hIL-BKW(SEQ ID N0: 2) 3 mIL-BKW(SEQ ID NO: 6).

Chromosomal mapping using mIL-BKW as a probe revealed that this cytokine maps to the central region of mouse chromosome 1 in between the regions of homology for human 35 chromosomes 2q and lq. Interestingly, mIL-BKW is located directly adjacent to the gene for mIL-10. Defects in this particular locus have been implicated in immune disorders, e.g., dominant hemimelia. See, e.g., Carter (1954) Mouse News Lett. 11:16; Higgins, et al. (1992) Genet. Res. 60:53-40 60; and Machado, et al. (1976) Am. J. Pathol. 85:515-518. -The protein had been characterized as an antigen with a predicted hydrophobic stretch encompassing residues 25-45 of the protein. But experiments failed to confirm that a membrane form exists. Applicants believe that the predicted 45 hydrophobic stretch is actually a signal sequence which is removed from the mature protein, which is likely to start at wo mss , rcr~s9nnz9~s g either residue 47 (Ser) or 49 (Ala), as designated in the original publication.
Applicants believe that the gene encodes a small soluble cytokine-like protein, of about 158 amino acids.
The pre-sequence probably starts at either the M at position 28 or 30, thus providing an N-terminal signal sequence of about 17-21 amino acids. See Table 1 and SEQ. ID. NO: 1 and 2. IL-BKW exhibits structural motifs characteristic of a member of the short chain cytokines. Compare, e.g., IL-BKW, cellular IL-10s from mouse and human, EBV viral IL-10, and the Equine herpesvirus IL-10, all sequences available from GenBank. See Table 1.
The structural homology of IL-BKW to the related IL-10 proteins suggests related function of this molecule. IL-BKW
is a small chain cytokine. Early experiments suggest that the new cytokine likely mediates immune functions via a receptor of the class of cytokine receptors, though it seems not to share all parts of a functional IL-10 receptor complex.
IL-BKW agonists, or antagonists, may also act as functional or receptor antagonists, e.g., which block IL-10 binding to its receptor, or mediating the opposite actions.
Thus, IL-BKW, or its antagonists, may be useful in the treatment of abnormal immune disorders, e.g., T cell immune deficiencies, chronic inflammation, or tissue rejection.
The natural antigens are capable of mediating various biochemical responses which lead to biological or physiological responses in target cells. The embodiments characterized herein are from human and mouse, but other primate, or other species counterparts are expected to exist in nature. Additional sequences for proteins in other mammalian species, e.g., primates, canines, felines, and rodents, should also be available. See below. The descriptions below are directed, for exemplary purposes, to a human IL-BKW, but are likewise applicable to related embodiments from other species.

wo ZS . rcrrtrss'r~~s 1o The human and mouse IL-BKW proteins exhibit structural features characteristic of short chain cytokines.
II. Purified IL-BKW
Human IL-BKW amino acid sequence) lacking the N-terminal sequence, e.g., MIVFQQRLQSL WTLARPFCPP LLATASQMQM
VVLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSG, is shown as one embodiment within SEQ
ID NO: 2. The corresponding mIL-BKW amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 6. These amino acid sequences, provided amino to carboxy, are important in providing sequence information in the cytokine allowing for distinguishing the protein antigen from other proteins and exemplifying numerous variants. Moreover, the peptide sequences allow preparation of peptides to generate antibodies to recognize such segments, and nucleotide sequences allow preparation of oligonucleotide probes, both of which are strategies for detection or isolation, e.g., cloning, of genes encoding such sequences. Potential glycosylation sites on the human sequence are asn31-thr39 and asn51-ser53; and on the mouse asn51-ser53.
As used herein, the term "human soluble IL-BKW" shall encompass, when used in a protein context, a protein having amino acid sequence corresponding to a soluble polypeptide shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, e.g., lacking the amino terminal portion described as membrane associated (MNFQQRLQSL
WTLARPFCPP LLATASQMQM VVLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSG?. Such will lack the first 45 residues described as the N terminus by Jiang, et al., or significant fragments thereof. "Mouse TL-BKW"
shall encompass the amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ
ID NO: 6. Binding components, e.g., antibodies, typically bind to an IL-BKW with high affinity, e.g., at least about 100 nM, usually better than about 30 r~M, preferably better than about 10 nM, and more preferably at better than about 3 nM. Homologous proteins would be found in mammalian species other than human, e.g., other primates or rodents. Non-mammalian species should also possess structurally or wo 9sns4ZS rcr~rs9~r~~rs 1i functionally related genes and proteins, e.g., birds or amphibians.
The term "palypeptide" as used herein includes a significant fragment or segment, and encompasses a stretch of amino acid residues of at least about 8 amino acids, generally at least about 12 amino acids, typically at least about 16 amino acids, preferably at least about 20 amino acids, and, in particularly preferred embodiments, at least about 30 or more amino acids, e.g., 35, 40, 45, 50, etc.
Such fragments may have ends which begin and/or end at virtually all positions, e.g., beginning at residues 1, 2, 3, etc., and ending at, e.g., 150, 149, 148, etc., in all combinations. Particularly interesting peptides have ends corresponding to structural domain boundaries, e.g., helices A, B, C, and/or D. See Table 1, Table 2, and Figure 1.
Note that the sequence of IL-BKW exhibits particular identity to cellular IL-10 in the region from residue 126-137, and the other regions exhibit greater extents of IL-BKW
specific sequence.
The term "binding composition" refers to molecules that bind with specificity to IL-BKW, e.g., in an antibody-antigen interaction. It also includes compounds, e.g., proteins,. which specifically associate with IL-BKW, including in a natural physiologically relevant protein-protein interaction, either covalent or non-covalent. The molecule may be a polymer, or chemical reagent. A
functional analog may be a protein with structural modifications, or it may be a molecule which has a molecular shape which interacts with the appropriate binding determinants. The compounds may serve as agonists or ' antagonists of a receptor binding interaction, see, e.g., Goodman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Goolman & Gil~an's~ The Pharmacologv?cal Bases of Therar~emtic~ (8th ed.), Pergamon Press.
Substantially pure typically means that the protein is free from other contaminating proteins, nucleic acids, or WO 98IZ8425 . PCTlUS97/~2975 other biologicals derived from the original source organism.
Purity may be assayed by standard methods) typically by weight, and will ordinarily be at least about 40~ pure, generally at least about 50~ pure, often at least about 60~ -pure, typically at least about 80~ pure, preferably at least about 90~ pure, and in most preferred embodiments, at least about 95~ pure. Carriers or excipients will often be added.
Solubility of a polypeptide or fragment depends upon the environment and the polypeptide. Many parameters affect polypeptide solubility, including temperature, electrolyte environment, size and molecular characteristics of the polypeptide, and nature of the solvent. Typically, the temperature at which the polypeptide is used ranges from about 4° C to about 65° C. Usually the temperature at use is greater than about 18° C. For diagnostic purposes, the temperature will usually be about room temperature or warmer, but less than the denaturation temperature of components in the assay. For therapeutic purposes, the temperature will usually be body temperature, typically about 37° C for humans and mice, though under certain situations the temperature may be raised or lowered in situ or in vitro.
The size and structure of the polypeptide should generally be in a substantially stable state, and usually not in a denatured state. The polypeptide may be associated with other polypeptides in a quaternary structure, e.g., to confer solubility, or associated with lipids or detergents.
The solvent and electrolytes will usually be a biologically compatible buffer, of a type used for preservation of biological activities, and will usually approximate a physiological aqueous solvent. Usually the solvent will have a neutral pH, typically between about 5 and 10, and preferably about 7.5. On some occasions, one or more detergents will be added, typically a mild non-denaturing one, e.g., CHS (cholesteryl hemisuccinate) or CHAPS (3-[3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane wo 98/28425 . PCT/US97/2Z975 sulfonate), or a low enough concentration as to avoid significant disruption of structural or physiological properties of the protein.

t III. Physical Variants This invention also encompasses proteins or peptides having substantial amino acid sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of the IL-BKW antigen. The variants include species, polymorphic, or allelic variants.

Amino acid sequence homology, or sequence identity, is determined by optimizing residue matches, if necessary, by introducing gaps as required. See also Needleham, et al.

(1970) J. Mol=~~iol. 48:443-453; Sankoff, et al. (1983) Chapter One in Time Waros String Edits and Maces~nmnl ~,~"1 P~

The- eo~y and Practice of Sea~u~Pnc~~ Comparison, Addison-Wesley, Reading) MA; and software packages from IntelliGenetics, Mountain View, CA; and the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group, Madison, WI. Sequence identity changes when considering conservative substitutions as matches. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamie acid; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine;

lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine. The conservation may apply to biological features, functional features, or structural features. Homologous amino acid sequences are typically intended to include natural polymorphic or allelic and interspecies variations in each respective protein sequence. Typical homologous proteins or peptides will have from 25-100 identity (if gaps can be introduced), to 50-100 identity (if conservative ' substitutions are included) with the amino acid sequence of the IL-BKW. Identity measures will be at least about 35~, ' generally at least about 40~, often at least about 50~, typically at least about 60~, usually at least about 70~, preferably at least about 80~, and more preferably at least about 90~.

wo 9sr~zs . rc~rrus9~r~z9~s The isolated IL-BKW DNA can be readily modified by nucleotide substitutions, nucleotide deletions, nucleotide insertions, and inversions of nucleotide stretches. These modifications result in novel DNA sequences which encode these antigens, their derivatives, or proteins having similar physiological, immunogenic, antigenic, or other functional activity. These modified sequences can be used to produce mutant antigens or to enhance expression.
Enhanced expression may involve gene amplification, increased transcription, increased translation, and other mechanisms. "Mutant IL-BKW" encompasses a polypeptide otherwise falling within the sequence identity definition of the IL-BKW as set forth above, but having an amino acid sequence which differs from that of IL-BKW as normally found in nature, whether by way of deletion, substitution, or insertion. This generally includes proteins having significant identity with a protein having sequence of SEQ
ID NO: 2 or 6, and as sharing various biological activities, e.g., antigenic or immunogenic, with those sequences, and in preferred embodiments contain most of the full length disclosed sequences. Full length sequences will typically be preferred, though truncated versions will also be useful, likewise, genes or proteins found from natural sources are typically most desired. Similar concepts apply to different IL-BKW proteins, particularly those found in various warm blooded animals, e.g., mammals and birds. These descriptions are generally meant to encompass all IL-BKW
proteins, not limited to the particular mouse embodiments specifically discussed.
IL-BKW mutagenesis can also be conducted by making amino acid insertions or deletions. Substitutions, deletions, insertions, or any combinations may be generated to arrive at a final construct. Insertions include amino- ' or carboxy- terminal fusions. Random mutagenesis can be conducted at a target codon and the expressed mutants can then be screened for the desired activity. Methods for wo zs rcrus~n~rs making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA
having a known sequence are well known in the art, e.g., by M13 primer mutagenesis or polymerise chain reaction (PCR) techniques. See, e.g., Sambrook) et al. (1989); Ausubel, et 5 al. (1987 and Supplements); and Kunkel, et al. (1987) Methods in Enzvmol. 154:367-382.
The present invention also provides recombinant proteins, e.g., heterologous fusion proteins using segments from these proteins. A heterologous fusion protein is a 10 fusion of proteins or segments which are naturally not normally fused in the same manner. A similar concept applies to heterologous nucleic acid sequences.
In addition, new constructs may be made from combining similar functional domains from other proteins. For 15 example, target-binding or other segments may be "swapped"
between different new fusion polypeptides or fragments.
See, e.g., Cunningham, et al. (1989) Science 243:1330-1336;
and O'Dowd, et al. (1988) J. BiQI. Chem. 263:15985-15992.
The phosphoramidite method described by Beaucage and Carruthers (1981) Tetra. Letts. 22:1859-1862, will produce suitable synthetic DNA fragments. A double stranded fragment will often be obtained either by synthesizing the complementary strand and annealing the strand together under appropriate conditions or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerise with an appropriate primer sequence, e.g., PCR techniques.
IV. Functional Variants The blocking of physiological response to IL-BKWs may result from the competitive inhibition of binding of the ligand to its receptor. Preliminary results suggest that ' the IL-BKTnT does not bind to the same as the described subunit of the receptor for IL-10. An IL-BKW antagonist ' would be expected to have the opposite effect as IL-BKW.
In vitro assays of the present invention will often use isolated protein, soluble fragments comprising receptor binding segments of these proteins, or fragments attached to wo 9sns4as . rcrnrs~rnz9~s 1 fi solid phase substrates. These assays will also allow for the diagnostic determination of the effects of either binding segment mutations and modifications, or cytokine mutations and modifications, e.g., IL-BKW analogs.
This invention also contemplates the use of competitive drug screening assays, e.g., where neutralizing antibodies to the cytokine, or receptor binding fragments compete with a test compound.
"Derivatives" of IL-BKW antigens include amino acid sequence mutants from naturally occurring forms, glycosylation variants, and covalent or aggregate conjugates with other chemical moieties. Covalent derivatives can be prepared by linkage of functionalities to groups which are found in IL-BKW amino acid side chains or at the N- or C-termini, e.g., by standard means. See, e.g., Lundblad and Noyes (1988) chemical Reaaents for Protein Modification, vols. 1-2, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL; Hugli (ed.) (1989) Techniaues in Protein Chemistrv, Academic Press, San Diego, CA; and Wong (1991) c"hemistrv of Protein Con~uaation and Cross Linking, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
In particular, glycosylation alterations are included, e.g., made by modifying the glycosylation patterns of a polypeptide during its synthesis and processing, or in further processing steps. See, e.g., Elbein (1987) Ann.
Rev. Biochem. 56:497-534. Also embraced are versions of the peptides with the same primary amino acid sequence which have other minor modifications, including phosphorylated amino acid residues, e.g., phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine, or phosphothreonine.
Fusion polypeptides between IL-BKWs and other homologous or heterologous proteins are also provided. Many cytokine receptors or other surface proteins are multimeric, e.g., homodimeric entities, and a repeat construct may have various advantages, including lessened susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage. Typical examples are fusions of a reporter polypeptide, e.g., luciferase, with a segment or WO ~ _ PCT/U997/Z2975 domain of a protein) e.g., a receptor-binding segment, so that the presence or location of the fused ligand may be easily determined. See, e.g., Dull, et al., U.S. Patent No.
4,859,609. Other gene fusion partners include bacterial f~-galactosidase, trpE, Protein A) f~-lactamase) alpha amylase, alcohol dehydrogenase, yeast alpha mating factor, and detection or purification tags such as a FLAG sequence of His6 sequence. See, e.g., Godowski, et al. (1988) Science 241:812-816.
Fusion peptides will typically be made by either recombinant nucleic acid methods or by synthetic polypeptide methods. Techniques for nucleic acid manipulation and expression are described generally, e.g., in Sambrook, et al. (1989) Mo7ecu~ar Cloning~ A Labo~.atory Manual (2d ed.), vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; and Ausubel, et al. (eds.) (1993) Current Protocols in Molecular Bioloc~.y, Greene and Wiley, NY. Techniques for synthesis of polypeptides are described, e.g., in Merrifield (1963) Amer. Chem. Soc. 85:2149-2156; Merrifield (1986) Science 232: 341-347; Atherton, et al. (1989) Solid Phase PeBtide Svnthesis: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford; and Grant (1992) Synthetic Peptides: A User's Guide, W.H.
Freeman, NY. Refolding methods may be applicable to synthetic proteins.
This invention also contemplates the use of derivatives of IL-BKW proteins other than variations in amino acid sequence or glycosylation. Such derivatives may involve covalent or aggregative association with chemical moieties or protein carriers. Covalent or aggregative derivatives will be useful as immunogens, as reagents in immunoassays, ' or in purification methods such as for affinity purification of binding partners, e.g., other antigens. An IL-BKW can be immobilized by covalent bonding to a solid support such as cyanogen bromide-activated SEPHAROSE, by methods which are well known in the art, or adsorbed onto polyolefin surfaces, with or without glutaraldehyde cross-linking, for use in the WO 98/28425 . PCT/US97/22975 assay or purification of anfi.i-IL-BKW antibodies or an alternative binding composition. The IL-BKW proteins can also be labeled with a detectable group, e.g., for use in diagnostic assays. Purification of IL-BKW may be effected by an immobilized antibody or complementary binding partner, e.g., binding portion of,a receptor.
A solubilized IL-BKW or fragment of this invention can be used as an immunogen for the production of antisera or antibodies specific for binding. Purified antigen can be used to screen monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments, encompassing antigen binding fragments of natural antibodies, e.g., Fab, Fab', F(ab)2, etc. Purified IL-BKW
antigens can also be used as a reagent to detect antibodies generated in response to the presence of elevated levels of the cytokine, which may be diagnostic of an abnormal or specific physiological or disease condition. This invention contemplates antibodies raised against amino acid sequences encoded by nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 of 5, or fragments of proteins containing it. In particular, this invention contemplates antibodies having binding affinity to or being raised against specific domains) e.g., helices A, B, C, or D.
The present invention contemplates the isolation of additional closely related species variants. Southern and Northern blot analysis will establish that similar genetic entities exist in other mammals. It is likely that IL-BKWs are widespread in species variants, e.g., rodents, lagomorphs, carnivores, artiodactyla, perissodactyla, and primates.
The invention also provides means to isolate a group of related antigens displaying both distinctness and similarities in structure, expression, and function.
Elucidation of many of the physiological effects of the molecules will be greatly accelerated by the isolation and characterization of additional distinct species or polymorphic variants of them. In particular, the present wo 9srlaszs rc°r~rss~rr~ns invention provides useful probes for identifying additional homologous genetic entities in different species.
The isolated genes will allow transformation of cells lacking expression of an IL-BKW, e.g., either species types or cells which lack corresponding proteins and exhibit negative background activity. This should allow analysis of the function of IL-BKW in comparison to untransformed control cells.
Dissection of critical structural elements which effect the various physiological functions mediated through these antigens is possible using standard techniques of modern molecular biology, particularly in comparing members of the related class. See, e.g., the homolog-scanning mutagenesis technique described in Cunningham, et al. (1989) Science 243:1339-1336; and approaches used in 0'Dowd, et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:15985-15992; and Lechleiter, et al.
(1990) EN~30 J. 9:4381-4390.
Intracellular functions would probably involve receptor signaling. However, protein internalization may occur under certain circumstances, and interaction between intracellular components and cytokine may occur. Specific segments of interaction of IL-BKW with interacting components may be identified by mutagenesis or direct biochemical means, e.g., cross-linking or affinity methods. Structural analysis by crystallographic or other physical methods will also be applicable. Further investigation of the mechanism of signal transduction will include study of associated components which may be isolatable by affinity methods or by genetic means, e.g., complementation analysis of mutants.
Further study of the expression and control of IL-BKW
' will be pursued. The controlling elements associated with the antigens should exhibit differential physiological, developmental, tissue specific, or other expression patterns. Upstream or downstream genetic regions, e.g., control elements, are of interest.

wo 9snsaZS _ rcrars9~ns9~s Structural studies of the IL-BKW antigens will lead to design of new antigens, particularly analogs exhibiting agonist or antagonist properties on the molecule. This can be combined with previously described screening methods to 5 isolate antigens exhibiting desired spectra of activities.
V. Antibodies Antibodies can be raised to various epitopes of the IL-BKW proteins, including species, polymorphic, or allelic variants, and fragments thereof, both in their naturally 10 occurring forms and in their recombinant forms.
Additionally, antibodies can be raised to IL-BKWs in either their active forms or in their inactive forms, including native or denatured versions. Anti-idiotypic antibodies are also contemplated.
15 Antibodies, including binding fragments and single chain versions, against predetermined fragments of the antigens can be raised by immunization of animals with conjugates of the fragments with immunogenic proteins.
Monoclonal antibodies are prepared from cells secreting the 20 desired antibody. These antibodies can be screened for binding to normal or defective IL-BKWs, or screened for agonistic or antagonistic activity, e.g., mediated through a receptor. Antibodies may be agonistic or antagonistic, e.g., by sterically blocking binding to a receptor. These monoclonal antibodies will usually bind with at least a KD
of about 1 mM, more usually at least about 300 E.4M, typically at least about 100 EIM, more typically at least about 30 E1M, preferably at least about 10 ~1M, and more preferably at least about 3 E1M or better.
The antibodies of this invention can also be useful in diagnostic applications. As capture or non-neutralizing antibodies, they can be screened for ability to bind to the antigens without inhibiting binding to a receptor. As neutralizing antibodies, they can be useful in competitive binding assays. They will also be useful in detecting or quantifying IL-BKW protein or its receptors. See, e.g., wo ZS .

Chan (ed. ) (1987) orgy: A Pract'~a~ r";r~A, Academic Press, Orlando, FLA; Price and Newman (eds.) (1991) Princit7les and Practice of Immunoas~a.., Stockton Press, N.Y.; and Ngo (ed.) (1988) Nonisotobic Immu_noassav, Plenum Press, N.Y. Cross absorptions or other tests will identify antibodies which exhibit various spectra of specificities, e.g., unique or shared species speeificities.
Further, the antibodies, including antigen binding fragments, of this invention can be potent antagonists that bind to the antigen and inhibit functional binding, e.g., to a receptor which may elicit a biological response. They also can be useful as non-neutralizing antibodies and can be coupled to toxins or radionuclides so that when the antibody binds to antigen, a cell expressing it, e.g., on its surface, is killed. Further, these antibodies can be conjugated to drugs or other therapeutic agents, either directly or indirectly by means of a linker, and may effect drug targeting.
Antigen fragments may be joined to other materials, particularly polypeptides, as fused or covalently joined polypeptides to be used as immunogens. An antigen and its fragments may be fused or covalently linked to a variety of immunogens, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, bovine serum albumin, tetanus toxoid, etc. See Microbioloav, Hoeber Medical Division, Harper and Row, 1969; Landsteiner (1962) ~f~c~tv of Serolocrical Reaction , Dover Publications, New York; Williams, et al . ( 1967 ) Methods in Imnnu_n~1 oar ~n_d ~mmunochemistrv) vol. 1, Academic Press, New York; and Harlow and Lane (1988) ~tibod~es~ A Laboratory Mamizal, CSH
Press, NY, for descriptions of methods of preparing ' polyclonal antisera.
In some instances, it is desirable to prepare monoclonal antibodies from various mammalian hosts, such as mice, rodents, primates, humans, etc. Description of techniques for preparing such monoclonal antibodies may be found in, e.g., Stites, et al. (eds.) Hasic and Clinical WO 988425 _ PCT/US97/229'15 Immunoloav (4th ed.), Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, CA, and references cited therein; Harlow and Lane (1988) ,Anrsbod~es: A.Laboratorv Manual) CSH Press; Goding (1986) Monoclonal Antibodies Principles and Practice (2d ed.), Academic Press, New York; and particularly in Kohler and Milstein (1975) in ature 256:495-497, which discusses one method of generating monoclonal antibodies.
Other suitable techniques involve in v' ro exposure of lymphocytes to the antigenic polypeptides or alternatively to selection of libraries of antibodies in phage or similar vectors. See, Huse, et al. (1989) "Generation of a Large Combinatorial Library of the Immunoglobulin Repertoire in Phage Lambda," Science 246:1275-1281; and Ward, et al.
(1989) Na re 341:544-546. The polypeptides and antibodies of the present invention may be used with or without modification, including chimeric or humanized antibodies.
Frequently, the polypeptides and antibodies will be labeled by joining, either covalently or non-covalently, a substance which provides for a detectable signal. A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known and are reported extensively in both the scientific and patent literature.
Suitable labels include radionuclides, enzymes, substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, fluorescent moieties, chemiluminescent moieties, magnetic particles, and the like.
Patents, teaching the use of such labels include U.S. Patent Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437;
4,275,149; and 4,366,241. Also, recombinant immunoglobulins may be produced, see Cabilly, U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567;
Moore, et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,642,334; and Queen, et al.
(1989) Proc Nat'1 Acad Sci USA 86:10029-10033.
The antibodies of this invention can also be used for affinity chromatography in isolating the protein. Columns can be prepared where the antibodies are linked to a solid support. See) e.g., Wilchek et al. (1984) Meth. Enzvmol.
104:3-55.

wo zs . rc~nus~rn~~s Antibodies raised against each IL-BKW will also be useful to raise anti-idiotypic antibodies. These will be useful in detecting or diagnosing various immunological conditions related to expression of the respective antigens.

VT. Nucleic Acids The described peptide sequences and the related reagents are useful in detecting, isolating, or identifying a DNA clone encoding IL-BKW, e.g., from a natural source.

Typically, it will be useful in isolating a gene from mammal, and similar procedures will be applied to isolate genes from other species, e.g., warm blooded animals, such as birds and mammals. Cross hybridization will allow isolation of IL-BKW from the same, e.g.) polymorphic variants, or other species. A number of different approaches should be available to successfully isolate a suitable nucleic acid clone.

The purified protein or defined peptides are useful for generating antibodies by standard methods, as described above. Synthetic peptides or purified protein can be presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunoloav Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) ~tibod~es~ A Laboratory Manua_1, Cold Spring Harbor Press.

For example, the specific binding composition could be used for screening of an expression library made from a cell line which expresses an IL-BKW. Screening of intracellular expression can be performed by various staining or immunofluorescence procedures. Binding compositions could be used to affinity purity or sort out cells expressing a ' surface fusion protein.

The peptide segments can also be used to predict appropriate oligonucleotides to screen a library. The genetic code can be used to select appropriate oligonucleotides useful as probes for screening. See, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1 or 5. In combination with polymerase chain wo ~sns4zs . rcT~s~rr~29~s reaction (PCR) techniques, synthetic oligonucleotides will be useful in selecting correct clones from a library.
Complementary sequences will also be used as probes, primers, or antisense strands. Various fragments should be particularly useful, e.g., coupled with anchored vector or poly-A complementary PCR techniques or with complementary DNA of other peptides.
This invention contemplates use of isolated DNA or fragments to encode a biologically active corresponding IL-BKW polypeptide, particularly lacking the portion coding the untranslated 5' portion of the described sequence. In addition, this invention covers isolated or recombinant DNA
which encodes a biologically active protein or polypeptide and which is capable of hybridizing under appropriate conditions with the DNA sequences described herein. Said biologically active protein or polypeptide can be an intact antigen, or fragment, and have an amino acid sequence disclosed in, e.g., SEQ ID N0: 2 or 6, particularly a mature peptide of SEQ ID NO: 6, or secreted mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2. Further, this invention covers the use of isolated or recombinant DNA, or fragments thereof, which encode proteins which exhibit high identity to a secreted IL-BKw. The isolated DNA can have the respective regulatory sequences in the 5' and 3' flanks, e.g., promoters, enhancers, poly-A addition signals, and others.
An "isolated" nucleic acid is a nucleic acid, e.g., an RNA, DNA, or a mixed polymer, which is substantially separated from other components which naturally accompany a native sequence, e.g., ribosomes, polymerases, and/or flanking genomic sequences from the originating species.
The term embraces a nucleic acid sequence which has been removed from its naturally occurring environment, and includes recombinant or cloned DNA isolates and chemically synthesized analogs or analogs biologically synthesized by heterologous systems. A substantially pure molecule includes isolated forms of the molecule. Generally, the WO 98n8425 PCT/US9'l/2Z9'f5 nucleic acid will be in a vector or fragment less than about 50 kb, usually less than about 30 kb, typically less than about 10 kb) and preferably less than about 6 kb.
An isolated nucleic acid will generally be a 5 homogeneous composition of molecules, but will, in some embodiments, contain minor heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is typically found at the polymer ends or portions not critical to a desired biological function or activity.
10 A "recombinant" nucleic acid is defined either by its method of production or its structure. In reference to its method of production, e.g., a product made by a process, the process is use of recombinant nucleic acid techniques, e.g., involving human intervention in the nucleotide sequence, 15 typically selection or production. Alternatively, it can be a nucleic acid made by generating a sequence comprising fusion of two fragments which are not naturally contiguous to each other, but is meant to exclude products of nature, e.g., naturally occurring mutants. Thus, e.g., products 20 made by transforming cells with any unnaturally occurring vector is encompassed, as are nucleic acids comprising sequence derived using any synthetic oligonucleotide process. Such is often done to replace a codon with a redundant codon encoding the same or a conservative amino 25 acid, while typically introducing or removing a sequence recognition site.
Alternatively, it is performed to join together nucleic acid segments of desired functions to generate a single genetic entity comprising a desired combination of functions not found in the commonly available natural forms.
Restriction enzyme recognition sites are often the target of such artificial manipulations, but other site specific - targets, e.g., promoters, DNA replication sites, regulation sequences, control sequences, or other useful features may be incorporated by design. A similar concept is intended for a recombinant, e.g., fusion, polypeptide. Specifically WO 98n84Z5 - PCT/US97/22975 included are synthetic nucleic acids which, by genetic code redundancy, encode polypeptides similar to fragments of these antigens, and fusions of sequences from various different species or polymorphic variants.
A significant "fragment" in a nucleic acid context is a contiguous segment of at least about 17 nucleotides, generally at least about 22 nucleotides, ordinarily at least about 29 nucleotides, more often at least about 35 nucleotides, typically at least about 41 nucleotides, usually at least about 47 nucleotides, preferably at least about 55 nucleotides, and in particularly preferred embodiments will be at least about 60 or more nucleotides, e.g., 67, 73, 81, 89, 95, etc.
A DNA which codes for an IL-BKW protein will be particularly useful to identify genes, mRNA, and cDNA
species which code for related or similar proteins, as well as DNAs which code for homologous proteins from different species. There are likely homologs in other species, including primates, rodents, canines, felines, and birds.
Various IL-BKW proteins should be homologous and are encompassed herein. However, even proteins that have a more distant evolutionary relationship to the antigen can readily be isolated under appropriate conditions using these sequences if they are sufficiently homologous. Primate IL-BKW proteins are of particular interest.
Recombinant clones derived from the genomic sequences, e.g., containing introns, will be useful for transgenic studies, including, e.g., transgenic cells and organisms, and for gene therapy. See, e.g., Goodnow (1992) "Transgenic Animals" in Roitt (ed.) Encyclopedia of Immunoloav, Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 1502-1504; Travis (1992) Science 256:1392-1394; Kuhn, et al. (1991) Science 254:707-710;
Capecchi (1989) science 244:1288; Robertson (1987)(ed.) Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford; and Rosenberg (1992) Clinical Oncoloav 10:180-199.

wo ss rc~rrtrs9~aZ~s Substantial homology, e.g., identity, in the nucleic acid sequence comparison context means either that the segments, or their complementary strands, when compared, are identical when optimally aligned, with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions, in at least about 50~ of the nucleotides, generally at least about 58~, ordinarily at least about 65~, often at least about 72~, typically at least about 77~, usually at least about 85~, preferably at least about 95 to 98~ or more, and in particular embodiments, as high as about 99~ or more of the nucleotides. Alternatively, substantial homology exists when the segments will hybridize under selective hybridization conditions, to a strand, or its complement, typically using a sequence of IL-BKW, e.g., in SEQ ID NO: 1, or 5. Typically, selective hybridization will occur when there is at least about 55~ identity over a stretch of at least about 30 nucleotides, preferably at least about 75~
over a stretch of about 25 nucleotides, and most preferably at least about 90~ over about 20 nucleotides. See, Kanehisa (1984) Nuc. Acids Res. 12:203-213. The length of identity comparison, as described, may be over longer stretches, and in certain embodiments will be over a stretch of at least about 17 nucleotides, usually at least about 28 nucleotides, typically at least about 40 nucleotides, and preferably at least about 75 to 100 or more nucleotides.
Stringent conditions, in referring to homology in the hybridization context, will be stringent combined conditions of salt, temperature, organic solvents, and other parameters, typically those controlled in hybridization reactions. Stringent temperature conditions will usually ' include temperatures in excess of about 30° C, usually in excess of about 37° C, typically in excess of about 55° C, preferably in excess of about 70° C. Stringent salt conditions will ordinarily be less than about 1000 mM, usually less than about 400 mM, typically less than about 250 mM, preferably less than about 150 mM, including about WO 98128425 . PGTIU89?/229?5 100, 50, or even 20 mM. However, the combination of parameters is much more important than the measure of any single parameter. See, e.g., Wetmur and Davidson (1968) Mol. Biol. 31:349-370.
IL-BKW from other mammalian species can be cloned and isolated by cross-species hybridization of closely related species. Homology may be relatively low between distantly related species, and thus hybridization of relatively closely related species is advisable. Alternatively, preparation of an antibody preparation which exhibits less species specificity may be useful in expression cloning approaches.
VII. Making IL-BKW; Mimetics DNA which encodes the IL-BKW or fragments thereof can be obtained by chemical synthesis, screening cDNA libraries, or screening genomic libraries prepared from a wide variety of cell lines or tissue samples. See, e.g., Okayama and Berg (1982) Mol. Cell. Biol. 2:161-170; Gubler and Hoffman (1983) ene 25:263-269; and Glover (ed.) (1984) DNA Cloning:
A Practical Anbroach, IRL Press, Oxford. Alternatively, the sequences provided herein provide useful PCR primers or allow synthetic or other preparation of suitable genes encoding an IL-BKW; including naturally occurring embodiments.
This DNA can be expressed in a wide variety of host cells for the synthesis of a full-length IL-BKW or fragments which can in turn, e.g., be used to generate polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies; for binding studies; for construction and expression of modified molecules; and for structure/function studies.
Vectors, as used herein, comprise plasmids, viruses, bacteriophage, integratable DNA fragments, and other vehicles which enable the integration of DNA fragments into the genome of the host. See, e.g., Pouwels, et al. (1985 and Supplements) ~'lonina Vectors A Laboratory Manual, Elsevier, N.Y.; and Rodriguez, et al. (1988)(eds.) Vectors:

WO ~ PCTIU897/?~'75 zg A Survev of Mo~ecu~ar Cloniria Vectors and Their Us~PS, Buttersworth, Boston, MA.
For purposes of this invention, DNA sequences are operably linked when they are functionally related to each other. For example, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably linked to a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein or participates in directing the polypeptide to the cell membrane or in secretion of the polypeptide. A promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if it controls the transcription of the polypeptide; a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned to permit translation.
Usually, operably linked means contiguous and in reading frame, however, certain genetic elements such as repressor genes are not contiguously linked but still bind to operator sequences that in turn control expression. See, e.g., Rodriguez, et al., Chapter 10, pp: 205-236; Balbas and Bolivar (1990) Methods in Enzymol~av 185:14-37; and Ausubel, et al. (1993) Current PrQ~ocols in Molecular Bioloav, Greene and Wiley, NY.
Representative examples of suitable expression vectors include pCDNAI; pCD, see Okayama, et al. (1985) Col. Cell Biol. 5:1136-1142; pMClneo Poly-A, see Thomas, et al. (1987) Cell 51:503-512; and a baculovirus vector such as pAC 373 or pAC 610. See, e.g., Miller (1988) Ann. Rev. Microbiol.
42:177-199.
It will often be desired to express an IL-BKW
polypeptide in a system which provides a specific or defined glycosylation pattern. See, e.g.) Luckow and Summers (1988) Bio/Technoloav 6:47-55; and Kaufman (1990) Meth. Enzvmol.
' 185:487-511.
The IL-BKW, or a fragment thereof, may be engineered to be phosphatidyl inositol (PI) linked to a cell membrane, but can be removed from membranes by treatment with a phosphatidyl inositol cleaving enzyme, e.g., phosphatidyl inositol phospholipase-C. This releases the antigen in a WO 98128425 , PCT/US97/22975 biologically active form, and allows purification by standard procedures of protein chemistry. See, e.g., Low (1989) R~~chim. Biophvs. Acta 988:427-454; Tse, et al.
(1985) Science 230:1003-1008; and Brunner) et al. (1991) 5 Cell Biol. 114:1275-1283.
Now that the IL-BKW has been characterized, fragments or derivatives thereof can be prepared by conventional processes for synthesizing peptides. These include processes such as are described in Stewart and Young (1984) 10 Slid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, IL; Bodanszky and Bodanszky (1984) The Practice of Pgptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, New York; Bodanszky (1984) The Principles of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, New York; and Villafranca (ed.) (1991) Technicdues in Protein 15 Chemistry II, Academic Press, San Diego, Ca.
VIII. Uses The present invention provides reagents which will find use in diagnostic applications as described elsewhere herein, e.g., in IL-BKW mediated conditions, or below in the 20 description of kits for diagnosis.
This invention also provides reagents with significant therapeutic potential. The IL-BKW (naturally occurring or recombinant), fragments thereof, and antibodies thereto, along with compounds identified as having binding affinity 25 to IL-BKW, should be useful in the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal physiology or development, including inflammatory conditions. In particular, modulation of physiology of lymphoid cells will be achieved by appropriate therapeutic treatment using the compositions 30 provided herein. For example, a disease or disorder associated with abnormal expression or abnormal signaling by an IL-BKW should be a likely target for an agonist or antagonist. The new cytokine should play a role in regulation or development of hematopoietic cells, e.g., lymphoid cells, which affect immunological responses, e.g., inflammation and/or autoimmune disorders.

wo zs rcTiusrrns~rs In particular, the cytokine should mediate, in various contexts, cytokine synthesis by the cells, proliferation, etc. Antagonists of IL-BKW, such as mutein variants of a naturally occurring form of IL-BKW or blocking antibodies, may provide a selective and powerful way to block immune responses, e.g., in situations as inflammatory or autoimmune responses, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis, as well as acute and chronic inflammatory responses, e.g., inflammatory bowel disease. See also Samter, et al. (eds.) unoloctical Diseases vols. 1 and 2, Little, Brown and Co.
Modulated cytokine release by the naturally occurring secreted form of IL-BKW, which can be produced in large quantities by recombinant methods, or by blocking antibodies, should be regulatable by reagents made available herein, e.g., in a transplantation rejection situation.
In addition, certain combination compositions would be useful, e.g., with other modulators of inflammation. Such other molecules may include steroids, other versions of IL-10, including cellular species variants, or viral IL-10s, e.g., EBV or EHV, and all of their respective antagonists.
Various abnormal conditions are known in each of the cell types shown to produce IL-BKW mRNA by Northern blot analysis. See Berkow (ed.) The Me~~ck Manual of Diagnosis and Theranv, Merck & Co., Rahway, N.J.; Thorn) et al.
Harr~son's Principles of Internal Medi inP, McGraw-Hill, N.Y.; and Weatherall, et al. (eds.) Oxford Textbook of Medicine, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Many other medical conditions and diseases involve activation by macrophages or monocytes, and many of these will be responsive to treatment by an agonist or antagonist provided herein. See, e.g., Stites and Terr (eds. 1991) Basic and Clinical Immunolocrv Appleton and Lange, Norwalk, Connecticut; and Samter, et al. (eds.) Tmmu_n_Oloaica~
Diseases Little, Brown and Co. These problems should be WO 98n8425 . PCT/US97IZ2975 susceptible to prevention or treatment using compositions provided herein.
IL-BKW, antagonists, antibodies, etc., can be purified and then administered to a patient, veterinary or human.
These reagents can be combined for therapeutic use with additional active or inert ingredients, e.g., in conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, e.g., immunogenic adjuvants, along with physiologically innocuous stabilizers, excipients, or preservatives. These combinations can be sterile filtered and placed into dosage forms as by lyophilization in dosage vials or storage in stabilized aqueous preparations. This invention also contemplates use of antibodies or binding fragments thereof, including forms which are not complement binding.
Drug screening using IL-BKW or fragments thereof can be performed to identify compounds having binding affinity to or other relevant biological effects on IL-BKW functions, including isolation of associated components. Subsequent biological assays can then be utilized to determine if the compound has intrinsic stimulating activity and is therefore a blocker or antagonist in that it blocks the activity of the cytokine. Likewise, a compound having intrinsic stimulating activity can activate the signal pathway and is thus an agonist in that it simulates the activity of IL-BKW.
This invention further contemplates the therapeutic use of blocking antibodies to IL-BKW as antagonists and of stimulatory antibodies as agonists. This approach should be particularly useful with other IL-BKW species variants.
In addition, IL-BKW may play a role in leukemogenesis or in viral infections by, e.g., HTLV or herpesviruses. It is induced by infection with herpesvirus saimiri. The herpesvirus also encodes a homolog of the cytokine IL-17 (CTLA-8). Thus, the cytokine, or antagonists, may be useful in anti-tumor therapy. The viral correlation may suggest that the cytokine may be important in viral infection or WO 98/8425 PCT/US9'!l22975 proliferation processes, or~oncology processes, e.g.) oncogenic transformation and proliferative conditions, as cancers or leukemias. See, e.g., Thorn, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, N.Y.
In addition, the cytokine appears to be expressed in kidney cell, and may play a significant role in that organ's function, e.g., ion exchange or blood pressure regulation.
The cytokine may also have important water balance functions. The cytokine appears to have some expression in kidney.
The quantities of reagents necessary for effective therapy will depend upon many different factors, including means of administration, target site, physiological state of the patient, and other medicants administered. Thus, treatment dosages should be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy. Typically, dosages used in vitro. may provide useful guidance in the amounts useful for ,~ situ administration of these reagents. Animal testing of effective doses for treatment of particular disorders will provide further predictive indication of human dosage.
Various considerations are described, e.g., in Gilman, et al. (eds.) (1990) ~odman and Gilman's~ The Pharmacoloaical Hases of Therapeutics, 8th Ed., Pergamon Press; and Remington's Pha~aceut~ca~ Sciences, 17th ed. (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Penn. Methods for administration are discussed therein and below, e.g., for oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular administration, transdermal diffusion, and others.
Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers will include water, saline, buffers, and other compounds described, e.g., in the Merck Index, Merck & Co., Rahway, New Jersey. Dosage ranges would ordinarily be expected to be in amounts lower than 1 mM concentrations, typically less than about 10 E.iM
concentrations, usually less than about 100 nM, preferably less than about 10 pM (picomolar), and most preferably less than about 1 fM (femtomolar), with an appropriate carrier.

wo 98n842s , PCT/US97/2297s Slow release formulations, or a slow release apparatus will often be utilized for continuous or long term administration. See, e.g., Langer (1990) Science 249:1527-1533.
IL-BKU1, fragments thereof, and antibodies to it or its fragments, antagonists, and agonists, may be administered directly to the host to be treated or, depending on the size of the compounds, it may be desirable to conjugate them to carrier proteins such as ovalbumin or serum albumin prior to their administration. Therapeutic formulations may be administered in many conventional dosage formulations.
While it is possible for the active ingredient to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation. Formulations typically comprise at least one active ingredient, as defined above, together with one or more acceptable carriers thereof. Each carrier should be both pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients and not injurious to the patient. Formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical, or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. See, e.g., Gilman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Goodman and Gilman's~ The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, 8th Ed., Pergamon Press; and Reminaton's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed. (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Penn.; Avis, et al. (eds.) (1993) P2~a~ma.ceutical Dosage Forms Parenteral Medications, Dekker) New York; Lieberman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms Tablets, Dekker, New York; and Lieberman, et al . ( eds . ) ( 1990 ) pha~a~pmr ~ cal Dosacxe Forms ~ Disperse Svstems, Dekker, New York. The therapy of this invention may be combined with or used in association with other WO 98128425 PCT/U~17/22975 agents, e.g., other types of IL-lOs, or their respective antagonists.
Both the naturally occurring and the recombinant form of the IL-BKWs of this invention are particularly useful in 5 kits and assay methods which are capable of screening compounds for binding activity to the proteins. Several methods of automating assays have been developed in recent years so as to permit screening of tens of thousands of compounds in a short period. See, e.g., Fodor, et al.
10 (1991) Science 251:767-773, which describes means for testing of binding affinity by a plurality of defined polymers synthesized on a solid substrate. The development of suitable assays can be greatly facilitated by the availability of large amounts of purified, soluble IL-BKW as 15 provided by this invention.
Other methods can be used to determine the critical residues in the IL-BKW-IL-BKW receptor interactions.
Mutational analysis can be performed, e.g., see Somoza, et al. (1993) J-Ex»tl. Med. 178:549-558) to determine specific 20 residues critical in the interaction and/or signaling.
However, residues in the A and D helices are likely to be most important in receptor interaction.
For example, antagonists can normally be found once the antigen has been structurally defined, e.g., by tertiary 25 structure data. Testing of potential interacting analogs is now possible upon the development of highly automated assay methods using a purified IL-BKW. In particular, new agonists and antagonists will be discovered by using screening techniques described herein. Of particular 30 importance are compounds found to have a combined binding ' affinity for a spectrum of IL-BKW molecules, e.g., compounds which can serve as antagonists for species variants of IL-BKW.
One method of drug screening utilizes eukaryotic or 35 prokaryotic host cells which are stably transformed with recombinant DNA molecules expressing an IL-BKW. Cells may wo ~s~sazs rc~rrtrs9~na.~s be isolated which express ari IL-BKW in isolation from other molecules. Such cells, either in viable or fixed form, can be used for standard binding partner binding assays. See also, Parce, et al. (1989) Science 246:243-247; and Owicki, et al. (1990) Proc. Nat'1 Acad. Sci. USA 87:4007-4011, which describe sensitive methods to detect cellular responses.
Another technique for drug screening involves an approach which provides high throughput screening for compounds having suitable binding affinity to an IL-BKW and is described in detail in Geysen, European Patent Application 84/03564, published on September 13, 1984.
First, large numbers of different small peptide test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate, e.g., plastic pins or some other appropriate surface, see Fodor, et al. (1991). Then all the pins are reacted with solubilized, unpurified or solubilized, purified IL-BKW, and washed. The next step involves detecting bound IL-BKW.
Rational drug design may also be based upon structural studies of the molecular shapes of the IL-BKW and other effectors or analogs. Effectors may be other proteins which mediate other functions in response to binding, or other proteins which normally interact with IL-BKW, e.g., a receptor. One means for determining which sites interact with specific other proteins is a physical structure determination, e.g., x-ray crystallography or 2 dimensional NMR techniques. These will provide guidance as to which amino acid residues form molecular contact regions, as modeled, e.g., against cellular IL-10. For a detailed description of protein structural determination, see, e.g., Blundell and Johnson (1976) Protein Crystallog~atahv, Academic Press, New York.
IX. Kits This invention also contemplates use of IL-BKW
proteins, fragments thereof, peptides, and their fusion products in a variety of diagnostic kits and methods for detecting the presence of another IL-BKW or binding partner.

wo zs rcr~rss~rnz~rs Typically the kit will have~a compartment containing either a defined IL-BKW peptide or gene segment or a reagent which recognizes one or the other, e.g., IL-BKW fragments or antibodies.
A kit for determining the binding affinity of a test compound to an TL-BKW would typically comprise a test compound; a labeled compound, for example a binding partner or antibody having known binding affinity for IL-BKW; a source of IL-BKW (naturally occurring or recombinant); and a means for separating bound from free labeled compound, such as a solid phase for immobilizing the molecule. Once compounds are screened, those having suitable binding affinity to the antigen can be evaluated in suitable biological assays, as are well known in the art, to determine whether they act as agonists or antagonists to the IL-BKW signaling pathway. The availability of recombinant IL-BKW polypeptides also provide well defined standards for calibrating such assays.
A preferred kit for determining the concentration of, e.g., an IL-BKW in a sample would typically comprise a labeled compound, e.g., binding partner or antibody, having ,known binding affinity for the antigen, a source of cytokine (naturally occurring or recombinant) and a means for separating the bound from free labeled compound, e.g., a solid phase for immobilizing the IL-BKW. Compartments containing reagents, and instructions, will normally be provided.
Antibodies, including antigen binding fragments, specific for the IL-BKW or fragments are useful in diagnostic applications to detect the presence of elevated ' levels of IL-BKW and/or its fragments. Such diagnostic assays can employ lysates, live cells, fixed cells, immunofluorescence, cell cultures, body fluids, and further can involve the detection of antigens related to the antigen in serum, or the like. Diagnostic assays may be homogeneous (without a separation step between free reagent and antigen-wo 9sns4ZS _ rc~r~s9~nZq7s binding partner complex) or-heterogeneous (with a separation step). Various commercial assays exist, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), substrate-labeled fluorescent immunoassay (SLFIA), and the like. See, e.g., Van Vunakis, et al. (1980) Meth Enzvmol. 70:1-525; Harlow and Lane (1980) Antibodies- A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press, NY; and Coligan, et al. (eds.) (1993) Current Protocols in ,~mmunoloav, Greene and Wiley, NY.
Anti-idiotypic antibodies may have similar use to diagnose presence of antibodies against an IL-BKW, as such may be diagnostic of various abnormal states. For example, overproduction of IL-BKW may result in production of various immunological reactions which may be diagnostic of abnormal physiological states, particularly in proliferative cell conditions such as cancer or abnormal activation or differentiation.
Frequently, the reagents for diagnostic assays are supplied in kits, so as to optimize the sensitivity of the assay. For the subject invention, depending upon the nature of the assay, the protocol, and the label, either labeled or unlabeled antibody or binding partner, or labeled IL-BKW is provided. This is usually in conjunction with other additives, such as buffers, stabilizers, materials necessary for signal production such as substrates for enzymes, and the like. Preferably, the kit will also contain instructions for proper use and disposal of the contents after use. Typically the kit has compartments for each useful reagent. Desirably, the reagents are provided as a dry lyophilized powder, where the reagents may be reconstituted in an aqueous medium providing appropriate concentrations of reagents for performing the assay.
Many of the aforementioned constituents of the drug screening and the diagnostic assays may be used without modification or may be modified in a variety of ways. For WO 9~I28425 PCT/US97/?.2~?5 example, labeling may be achieved by covalently or non-covalently joining a moiety which directly or indirectly provides a detectable signal. In any of these assays, the binding partner, test compound, IL-BKW, or antibodies thereto can be labeled either directly or indirectly.
Possibilities for direct labeling include label groups:
radiolabels such as 1251, enzymes (U. S. Pat. No. 3,645,090) such as peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase, and fluorescent labels (U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,475) capable of monitoring the change in fluorescence intensity, wavelength shift, or fluorescence polarization. Possibilities for indirect labeling include biotinylation of one constituent followed by binding to avidin coupled to one of the above label groups.
There are also numerous methods of separating the bound from the free IL-BKW, or alternatively the bound from the free test compound. The IL-BKW can be immobilized on various matrixes followed by washing. Suitable matrixes include plastic such as an ELISA plate, filters, and beads.
See, e.g., Coligan, et al. (eds.) (2993) Current Protocols in Immunoloav, Vol. 1, Chapter 2, Greene and Wiley, NY.
Other suitable separation techniques include, without limitation, the fluorescein antibody magnetizable particle method described in Rattle, et a7_. (1984) Clin. Chem.
30:1457-1461, and the double antibody magnetic particle separation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,678.
Methods for linking proteins or their fragments to the various labels have been extensively reported in the literature and do not require detailed discussion here.
Many of the techniques involve the use of activated carboxyl groups either through the use of carbodiimide or active esters to form peptide bonds, the formation of thioethers by reaction of a mercapto group with an activated halogen such as chloroacetyl, or an activated olefin such as maleimide, for linkage, or the like. Fusion proteins will also find use in these applications.

WO 9818425 . PCT/US97122975 Another diagnostic aspect of this invention involves use of oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequences taken from the sequence of an IL-BKW. These sequences can be used as probes for detecting levels of the IL-BKW message in 5 samples from patients suspected of having an abnormal condition, e.g., inflammatory or autoimmune. Since the cytokine may be a marker or mediator for activation, it may be useful to determine the numbers of activated cells to determine, e.g., when additional therapy may be called for, 10 e.g., in a preventative fashion before the effects become and progress to significance. The preparation of both RNA
and DNA nucleotide sequences, the labeling of the sequences, and the preferred size of the sequences has received ample description and discussion in the literature. See, e.g., 15 Langer-Safer, et al. (1982) ~rnr_ Nar_~1_ Acad. Sci. 79:4381-4385; Caskey (1987) Science 236:962-967; and Wilchek et al.
(1988) Anal. Biochem. 171:1-32.
Diagnostic kits which also test for the qualitative or quantitative expression of other molecules are also 20 contemplated. Diagnosis or prognosis may depend on the combination of multiple indications used as markers. Thus, kits may test for combinations of markers. See, e.g., Viallet, et al. (1989) P~o_crress in Growth Factor Res 1:89-97. Other kits may be used to evaluate other cell subsets.
25 X. Isolating the IL-BKW Receptor Having isolated a ligand of a specific ligand-receptor interaction, methods exist for isolating the receptor. See, Gearing, et al. (1989) ED'~O J. 8:3667-3676. For example, means to label the IL-BKW cytokine without interfering with 30 the binding to its receptor can be determined. For example, an affinity label can be fused to either the amino- or carboxyl-terminus of the ligand, though based on IL-10, the amino-terminus is more likely to succeed. Such label may be a FLAG epitope tag, or, e.g., an Ig or Fc domain. An 35 expression library can be screened for specific binding of the cytokine, e.g., by cell sorting, or other screening to wo zs rc°rn:~smnn~s detect subpopulations which' express such a binding component. See, e.g., Ho, et al. (1993) hoc. Nat'1 Acad.
Sci. USA 90:11267-11271; and Liu, et al. (1994) J. Immunol.
152:1821-29. Alternatively, a panning method may be used.
See, e.g., Seed and Aruffo (1987) Nat'1 Acad Sci USA
84:3365-3369.
Protein cross-linking techniques with label can be applied to isolate binding partners of the IL-BKfn1 cytokine.
This would allow identification of proteins which specifically interact with the cytokine, e.g., in a ligand-receptor like manner.
Early experiments will be performed to determine whether the known IL-10R is involved in responses) to IL-BKW. It is also quite possible that the functional IL-10 receptor complex may share many or all components with an IL-BKW receptor complex, either a specific receptor subunit or an accessory receptor subunit.
Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
EXAMPLES
General Methods Some of the standard methods are described or referenced, e.g., in Maniatis, et al. (1982) Molecular Clonincl, A Laborato~r~.nual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Press; Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular Clonina: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.), vols. 1-3) CSH Press, NY; Ausubel, et al., Bioloav, Greene Publishing Associates, Brooklyn, NY; or Ausubel, et al. (1987 and Supplements) current Protocols in Molecular Bioloav, Greene and Wiley, New York; Innis, et al. (eds.)(1990) pc'R Protocois~ A Guide WO 98128425 . PCT/I1S97/22975 t~ Methods and Applications, Academic Press, N.Y. Methods for protein purification include such methods as ammonium sulfate precipitation, column chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation, crystallization, and others. See, e.g., Ausubel, et al. (1987 and periodic supplements); Deutscher (1990) "Guide to Protein Purification" in Methods in Enz o oav vol. 182, and other volumes in this series; and manufacturer's literature on use of protein purification products, e.g., Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J., or Bio-Rad, Richmond, CA. Combination with recombinant techniques allow fusion to appropriate segments, e.g., to a FLAG sequence or an equivalent which can be fused via a protease-removable sequence. See, e.g., Hochuli (1989) c'hemische Industr~e 12:69-70; Hochuli (1990) "Purification of Recombinant Proteins with Metal Chelate Absorbent" in Setlow (ed.) CPnetic Enaineerina Principle and Methods 12:87-98, Plenum Press, N.Y.; and Crowe, et al.
(1992) OIAexpress~ The Hiah Level Expression & Protein Purification System QUIAGEN, Inc., Chatsworth, CA. Cell culture techniques are described in Doyle, et al. (eds.) (1994) Cell and Tissue Culture Laboratory Procedures) John Wiley and Sons, NY.
Standard immunological techniques are described, e.g., in Hertzenberg, et al. (eds. 1996) Weir's Handbook of Experimental Immunoloav vols. 1-4, Blackwell Science;
Coligan (1991) Qurrent Protocols in Immunoloav Wiley/Greene, NY; and Methods in Enzvmoloav volumes. 70, 73, 74, 84, 92, 93, 108, 116, 121, 132, 150, 162) and 163.
FRCS analyses are described in Melamed, et al. (1990) Flow Cvtometry and Sortina Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, NY;
Shapiro (1988) Practical Flow Cytometry Liss, New York, NY; -and Robinson, et al. (1993) Handbook of Flow CYtometrv Methods Wiley-Liss, New York, NY. Fluorescent labeling of appropriate reagents was performed by standard methods.
EXAMPLE 1: Cloning of human and mouse IL-BKW

PBMC are prepared from~a healthy human blood donor by conventional Ficoll gradients, as described, e.g., in Coligan, et al . ~'mrrPnt Protocols in Imm mn7 ogy Greene/Wiley. Cells, preferably monocytes, from this preparation are stimulated, e.g., with PHA. RNA from these activated monocytes is used to isolate a cDNA based upon the sequence information about the mda7.
PCR products are cloned using a TA cloning kit (Invitrogen). The resulting cDNA plasmids are sequenced from both termini on an automated sequencer (Applied Biosystems).
The clone for mIL-BKW was isolated from an NK1.1+, CD4+
activated mouse thymocyte cDNA library (A. Zlotnik, DNAX
Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA). Sequencing of this clone reveal high amino acid sequence identity to hIL-BKW as well as mIL-10 and hIL-10. In particular, a high degree of identity between the four cytokines was found in the D-helix domain, implicated in receptor binding.
EXAMPLE 2: Cellular Expression of Mammalian IL-BKW
Because of the sequence similarity to human IL-10, distribution will be investigated for similar type cell types. A probe specific for cDNA encoding primate IL-BKW is labeled, e.g., by random priming.
IL-BKW/ak155 is strongly transcribed in various T-cell tissues and clones.
Southern Analysis: DNA (5 ~,g) from the primary amplified cDNA library was digested with appropriate restriction enzymes to release the inserts, run on a 1~
agarose gel and transferred to a nylon membrane (Schleicher ' and Schuell, Keene, NH).
Multiple tissue Northern blots were used to determine - the size and tissue distribution of hIL-BKW mRNA. A number of mRNA transcipts, varying in size from 1.0 kb to 4.4 kb, were detected in most of the tissues. Based on the stringency of the hybridization and wash conditions of the wo 9sr~sazs . rcr~s9~i~r~s blots, these transcripts most likely represent alternatively spliced mRNA's and not different family members. A similar Northern blot using cancer cell lines (Clontech) revealed a strongly hybridizing 2.2 kb mRNA transcript in colorectal carcinoma SW480, but that was not present in any of the other cancer lines.
The expression profile of hIL-BKW in monocytes/macrophages, dendritic, T, B, and NK cells was analysed by cDNA library Southern blot hybridization. The hIL-BKW probe was hybridized to 5 wg of each cDNA library following digestion with NotI and SalI to release the cDNA
inserts from the pSport vector (Gibco-BRL). Among T, B, and NK cells, expession of hIL-BKW was restricted to a.n activated Th0 clone (Mot72) and an activated Th1 clone (HY06). By far the highest level of hIL-BKW expression was seen in elutriated monocytes activated with LPS, IFN-y and anti-IL-10 antibodies. In contrast, when we probed a library made from these same rnonocytes treated with IL-10 instead of anti-IL10, a sharp decrease in the level of IL-BKW expression was observed, suggesting that expression of IL-BKW is strongly regulated by IL-10.
Samples for mRNA isolation for analysis of mIL-BKW
include: resting mouse fibroblastic L cell line (C200);
Braf:ER (Braf fusion to estrogen receptor) transfected cells, control (C201); T cells, TH1 polarized (Me114 bright, CD4+ cells from spleen, polarized for 7 days with IFN-y and anti IL-4; T200); T cells, TH2 polarized (Me114 bright, CD4+
cells from spleen, polarized for 7 days with IL-4 and anti-IFN-y; T201); T cells, highly TH1 polarized (see Openshaw, et al. (1995) ~'. Exp. Med. 182:1357-1367; activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 16 h pooled; T202); T cells, highly TH2 polarized (see Openshaw, et al. (1995) J-E~. Med.
182:1357-1367; activated with anti-CD3 for 2) 6, 16 h pooled; T203); CD44- CD25+ pre T cells, sorted from thymus (T204); TH1 T cell clone D1.1, resting for 3 weeks after last stimulation with antigen (T205); TH1 T cell clone D1.1, wo ~.s rcrms~nims 10 Elg/ml ConA stimulated 15~h (T206); TH2 T cell clone . CDC35, resting for 3 weeks after last stimulation with antigen (T207); TH2 T cell clone CDC35, 10 ~,g/ml ConA
stimulated 15 h (T208); Me114+ naive T cells from spleen, 5 resting (T209); Me114+ T cells, polarized to Th1 with IFN-Y/IL-12/anti-IL-4 for 6, 12, 24 h pooled (T210); Me114+ T
cells, polarized to Th2 with IL-4/anti-IFN-'y for 6, 13, 24 h pooled (T211); unstimulated mature B cell leukemia cell line A20 (B200}; unstimulated B cell line CH12 (B201);
10 unstimulated large B cells from spleen (B202); B cells from total spleen, LPS activated (B203); metrizamide enriched dendritic cells from spleen, resting (D200); dendritic cells from bone marrow, resting (D201); monocyte cell line R.AW
264.7 activated with LPS 4 h (M200); bone-marrow macrophages 15 derived with GM and M-CSF (M201); macrophage cell line J774, resting (M202); macrophage cell line J774 + LPS + anti-IL-10 at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 h pooled (M203}; macrophage cell line J774 + LPS + IL-10 at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 12 h pooled (M204);
aerosol challenged mouse lung tissue, Th2 primed, aerosol 20 OVA challenge 7, 14, 23 h pooled (see Garlisi, et al. (1995) ~.linical Immunoloav and Immunopatholocxv 75 : 75-83 ; X206 ) ;
Nippostrongulus-infected lung tissue (see Coffman, et al.
(1989) Science 245:308-310; X200); total adult lung, normal (0200}; total lung, rag-1 (see Schwarz, et al. (1993) 25 Immunodeficiency 4:249-252; 0205); IL-10 K.O. spleen (see Kuhn, et al. (1991) Cell 75:263-274; X201); total adult spleen, normal (0201); total spleen, rag-1 (0207); IL-10 K.O. Peyer's patches (0202); total Peyer's patches, normal (0210); IL-10 K.O. mesenteric lymph nodes (X203); total 30 mesenteric lymph nodes, normal (0211); IL-10 K.O. colon (X203); total colon, normal (0212}; NOD mouse pancreas (see Makino, et al. (1980) Jikken Dobutsu 29:1-13; X205); total ' thymus, rag-1 (0208); total kidney, rag-1 (0209); total heart, rag-1 (0202); total brain, rag-1 (0203); total 35 testes, rag-1 (0204); total liver, rag-1 (0206); rat normal joint tissue (0300); and rat arthritic joint tissue (X300).

wo zs , rc~rrt~s~rr~9~s Expression by cDNA Southern analysis was very high in T
cells, TH2 polarized (Me114 bright, CD4+ cells from spleen, polarized for 7 days with IL-4 and anti-IFN-y; T201); high in T cells, highly TH2 polarized (see Openshaw, et al.
(1995) ~. Med. 182:1357-1367; activated with anti-CD3 for 2, 6, 16 h pooled; T203); and significant in: T cells, TH1 polarized (Me114 bright, CD4+ cells from spleen, polarized for 7 days with IFN-'y and anti IL-4; T200); and Me114+ T cells, polarized to Th2 with IL-4/anti-IFN-y for 6, 13, 24 h pooled (T211).
EXAMPLE 3: Chromosome mapping of mouse and human IL-BKW
The mIL-BKW gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 1 using procedures well known in the art. See, e.g., Copeland, et al., (1993) ,science 262:57-66. mIL-10 maps directly adjacent to mIL-BKW on chromosome 1.
To map the human counterpart, an isolated human IL-BKW
cDNA encoding the IL-BKW is used. Chromosome mapping is a standard technique as described above. See, e.g., BIOS
Laboratories (New Haven, CT) and methods for using a mouse somatic cell hybrid panel with PCR. The human gene has been mapped to human Chromosome 1, and is likely, from mouse syntenic information, to the 1q32 region.
EXAMPLE 4: Purification of IL-BKW Protein Multiple transfected cell lines are screened for one which expresses the cytokine at a high level compared with other cells. Various cell lines are screened and selected for their favorable properties in handling. Natural IL-BKW
can be isolated from natural sources, or by expression from a transformed cell using an appropriate expression vector.
Purification of the expressed protein is achieved by standard procedures, or may be combined with engineered means for effective purification at high efficiency from cell lysates or supernatants. FLAG or His6 segments can be used for such purification features. Alternatively, wo 9snsazs Pcrnrs~rnz~rs affinity chromatography maybe used with specific antibodies, see below.
Protein is produced in calf) insect cell, or mammalian expression systems. Production of mouse fusion protein as an IgG fusion, with an IGase cleavage site, in COPS cells resulted in secreted product which was N-terminal blocked.
Microsequencing analysis indicated that the actual N-terminus was QEF.... Production of similar material with human sequence provides an N-terminus of AQG....
Recombinant human IL-BKW produced from a standard construct in mammalian cells seems to be found only in small amounts as a soluble form in the medium. Evidence exists that the protein binds tightly to cell surface proteoglycans, and is difficult to solubilize. Heparin treatment causes some release of that protein. Surface proteoglycan deficient cells may be used to produce the protein.
EXAMPLE 5: Isolation of Homologous IL-BKW Genes The IL-BKW cDNA can be used as a hybridization probe to screen a library from a desired source, e.g., a primate cell cDNA library. Many different species can be screened both for stringency necessary for easy hybridization, and for presence using a probe. Appropriate hybridization conditions will be used to select for clones exhibiting specificity of cross hybridization.
Screening by hybridization using degenerate probes based upon the peptide sequences will also allow isolation of appropriate clones. Alternatively, use of appropriate primers for PCR screening will yield enrichment of ' appropriate nucleic acid clones.
Similar methods are applicable to isolate either species, polymorphic, or allelic variants. Species variants are isolated using cross-species hybridization techniques based upon isolation of a full length isolate or fragment from one species as a probe.

WO 98/28425 . PGT/US97/22975 Alternatively, antibodies raised against human IL-BKW
will be used to screen for cells which express cross-reactive proteins from an appropriate, e.g., cDNA library.
The purified protein or defined peptides are useful for generating antibodies by standard methods, as described above. Synthetic peptides or purified protein are presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) current Protocols in ~mmunoloav Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies- A Laboratorv Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press.
The resulting antibodies are used for screening, purification, or diagnosis, as described.
EXAMPLE 6: Preparation of antibodies specific for IL-BKW
Synthetic peptides or purified protein are presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunoloav Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies A Laboratorv Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press.
Polyclonal serum, or hybridomas may be prepared. In appropriate situations, the binding reagent is either labeled as described above, e.g., fluorescence or otherwise, or immobilized to a substrate for panning methods.
A number of monoclonal antibodies were obtained. Of those which were purified; half were IgG and the other half were IgM. Most of these were good Western blot reagents. Several of the others stain recombinant hIL-BKW expressed on the cell surface, and others were adequate for immunohistochemistry. "Positive" cells seen via the latter in tonsil sections appear to be -macrophage-like.
EXAMPLE 7: IL-10 regulated expression of IL-BKW
To investigate the regulatory effect of IL-10 directly by Northern blot analysis, mRNA was prepared from _ wo ZS rc'rmsrmZrrs elutriated, LPS and IFN-'y activated monocytes, treated with either IL-10 or an anti-IL-10 antibody. Just as assessed by Southerns blots of the cDNA libraries, strong induction of IL-BKW mRNA was observed in activated monocytes treated with anti-IL-10, whereas treatment of these cells under identical conditions in the presence of IL-10 almost completely shut down synthesis of IL-BKW message.
EXAMPLE 8: Evaluation of Breadth of Biological Functions Biological activities of IL-BKW were tested based on the sequence and structural homology between IL-BKW and IL-10. Initially, assays that had shown biological activities of IL-10 were examined. These include assays on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, human monocytes, and human T cell clones.
A. Effects on the expression of cell surface molecules on human monocytes.
Monocytes were purified by negative selection from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of normal healthy donors.
Briefly, 3 x 108 ficoll banded mononuclear cells were incubated on ice with a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies '(Becton-Dickenson; Mountain View, CA) consisting of 200 ~,1 of aCD2 (Leu-5A) , 200 ~,1 of aCD3 (Leu-4) ( 100 ~Ll of ocCD8 (Leu 2a) , 100 ~,1 of aCDl9 (Leu-12 ) , 100 ~.1 of ocCD20 (Leu-16 ) , 100 ~,1 of o~CD56 (Leu-19 ) , 100 ~.l of aCD67 ( IOM 67 ) (Immunotech,Westbrook, ME), and anti-glycophorin antibody (10F7MN, ATCC, Rockville, MD). Antibody bound cells were washed and then incubated with sheep anti-mouse IgG coupled magnetic beads (Dynal, Oslo, Norway) at a bead to cell ratio of 20:1. Antibody bound cells were separated from monocytes by application of a magnetic field. Subsequently, human monocytes were cultured in Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, CA) containing 1~ human AB serum in the absence or presence of IL-BKW (1/100 dilution baculovirus expressed material or 1 ~.g/ml mammalian cop 5 wo 9ans42s rcr~rsrrnxrrs expressed material) or IL-10 (200 U/ml) in polypropylene 96 well plates (Costar) for 40 hrs. In addition, identical cultures were established in the presence of IFN-'y (100 U/ml).
5 Analyses of the expression of cell surface molecules was performed by direct immunofluorescence. Briefly, 2 x 105 purified human monocytes were incubated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 1~ human serum on ice for 20 minutes. Cells were pelleted at 200 x g. Cells were 10 resuspended in 20 ml PE or FITC labeled mAb. Following an additional 20 minute incubation on ice, cells were washed in PBS containing 1~ human serum followed by two washes in PBS
alone. Cells were fixed in PBS containing 1~
paraformaldehyde and analyzed on~FACScan flow cytometer 15 (Becton Dickenson; Mountain View, CA) and results are expressed as mean fluorescence intensity in Table 3. The following mAbs were used: CDllb (anti-mac h , CDllc (a gp150/95), CD14 (Leu-M3), CD54 (Leu 54), CD80 (anti-BB1/B7), HLA-DR (L243) from Becton-Dickinson and CD86 (FUN 1) 20 (Pharmingen), CD64 (32.2) (Medarex), CD40 (mAb89) (Schering-Plough France).

25 Effects of IL-BKW on the cell surface phenotype of human monocytes Exp 1 CD11B CD14 CD54 CD80 CD86 HLA-DR CD40 med- 261 976 159 16/33 395 1522 251 IFN + IL-BKW 222 275 342 97/268 375 4157 1299 Exp 2 t=0 668 1414 37 1 58 805 50 med- 293 1455 239 41/32 202 3130 152 IFN+ IL-BKW 485 529 633 98/181 338 7318 702 wo zs rc~r~s~nz~rs IL-BKW enhanced the expression of CD54 (ICAM-1), CD80, and CD86, whereas it decreased the expression of HLA-DR (see Table 3). IL-BKW further enhanced the upregulation of CD40, CD54, CD80, and CD86 by IFN-'y. In the presence of IFN-y, IL-BKW enhanced the expression of HLA-DR. A variable effect of IL-BKW alone was observed on the expression of CDllb, CDllc, and CD14, whereas in combination with IFN-Y it reduced cell surface expression as compared to IFN-y alone.
Since IL-10 downregulates CD54, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR, both in the presence or absence of IFN-y, these results indicate that IL-20 has different effects on the expression of cell surface molecules on monocytes as compared to IL-10.
B. Effects of IL-BKW on cytokine production by human monocytes.
Human monocytes were isolated as described and cultured in Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, CA) containing 1~ human AB serum in the absence or presence of IL-BKW (1/100 dilution baculovirus expressed material). In addition, monocytes were stimulated with the indicated amounts of LPS (E. coli 0127:B8 Difco) in the absence or presence of IL-BKW for 24 hrs and the concentration of cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, TNFa.) GM-CSF, and IL-10) in the cell culture supernatant was determined by ELISA. For intracytoplasmic staining for cytokines, monocytes were cultured (1 million/ml) in Yssel's medium in the absence or presence of IL-BKTnl (1/100 dilution baculovirus expressed material or 1 mg/ml mammalian cop 5 expressed material) and/or 5 mg/ml LPS (E. coli 0127: B8 Difco) and 10 mg/ml Brefeldin A (Epicentre technologies Madison wI) for 12 hrs.
Cells were washed in PBS and incubated in 2~
formaldehyde/PBS solution for 20 minutes at RT.
Subsequently cells were washed, resuspended in permeabilization buffer (0.5~ saponin (Sigma) in PBS/BSA
(0.5~) /Azide (1 mM)) and incubated for 20 minutes at RT.
Cells (2 x 105) were centrifuged and resuspended in 20 ml directly conjugated anti-cytokine mAbs diluted 1:10 in wo ~,s _ rcr~rsgrrr.~~s permeabilization buffer for-20 minutes at RT. The following antibodies were used: IL-1a PE (364-3B3-14); IL-6-PE (MQ2-13A5); TNFOC-PE (MAbl1); GM-CSF-PE (BVD2-21C11); and IL-12-PE
(C11.5.14) (Pharmingen San Diego, CA). Subsequently) cells were washed twice in permeabilization buffer and once in PBS/BSA/Azide and analyzed on FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickenson; Mountain View, CA). Results are expressed as positive cells and mean fluorescence intensity of the positive population in Table 4.

Effects of IL-BKW on cytokine production by human monocytes (~ intracellular staining/mean fluorescence intensity) Medium 5 5 4 IL-BKW (1/100) 79/300 67/182 44/627 LPS ~.g/ml) 67/456 78/404 78/1524 (5 +

medium 9/58 39/65 7/159 IL-BKW ~.g/ml) 57/93 93/575 70/547 (1 LPS ~.g/ml) 77/174 94/716 79/498 (5 +

IL-BKW induced the expression of IL-6, TNFOC, IL-10, IL-1b, and GM-CSF by human monocytes (Table 5). LPS also induced the expression of these cytokines in a dose dependent manner. Addition of IL-BKW in combination with LPS resulted in an enhanced production of IL-6, TNFa, IL-10, IL-1b, and GM-CSF as compared to either LPS or IL-BKW alone.

wo zs rcT~s~rnz~rs Effects of IL-BKW cytokine on production by human monocytes IL-lb IL-6 GM-CSF

medium 0 2.229 0 0.007 0 LPS(ng/ml) 0.321 29 4.735 0.867 0.828 100 0 36.78 4.683 1.417 0.371 10 0 37.06 2.156 1.216 0.080 1 0 36.22 0.806 0.918 0 IL-BKW 1.460 27.9 1.808 0.391 0.673 (1/100) + LPS 4.637 93.02 12.09 2.332 2.048 100 3.921 82.56 9.843 3.994 1.309 10 4.024 142.2 5.708 3.096 1.466 1 2.744 85.66 4.006 2.58 0.852 (results expressed in ng/ml) Similar results were obtained when cytokine production was assessed by intracytoplasmic staining. IL-BKW induced expression of IL-1, IL-6, and TNFOC by human monocytes as indicated by an increase in the percentage of positive cells as well as the fluorescence intensity, which reflects the quantity of cytokine produced per cell. LPS induced the expression of IL-1, IL-6, and TNFa; and addition of IL-BKW
to these cultures further increased this production. This enhanced production was observed for both baculovirus and mammalian expressed material. See Table 4.
C. Effects of IL-BKW on cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
Total PBMC were isolated from buffy coats of normal healthy donors by centrifugation through ficoll-hypaque as ' described (Boyum, et al.) and cultured in Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, CA) containing 1~ human AB
serum in the absence or presence of IL-BKW (1/100 dilution baculovirus expressed material). Cells were incubated at 2 x 106 cells/ml in medium or activated by PHA (100 ng/ml) or IL-2 (100 U/ml) (R&D Systems). In addition, PBMC were wo 98/28425 , PCTlUS97/22975 cultured with IL-10 alone (100 U/ml) or IL-10 in combination with IL-BKW (1/100 dilution baculovirus expressed material).
Cytokine secretion was determined in supernatants harvested at 72 hours by cytokine specific ELISA.
IL-BKW induced the expression of IL-6, TNFOG, IL-10, and IFN-'y by PBMC (see Table 6). Furthermore, IL-BKW enhanced the production of IL-6, TNFa, IL-10, and IFN-Y when PBMC
were activated by PHA or IL-2. IL-10 inhibited the production of IL-6, TNFoc, and IFN-y following activation of PBMC by IL-BKW, PHA, IL-2, or combinations of IL-BKW with either PHA or IL-2.

Effects of IL-BKW on the cytokine production by PBMC
PBMC IL-6 TNFa IL-10 IFN-'y medium 0.243 0 0.007 0 IL-10 (100 U/ml)0.196 0 NT 0 IL-BKW (1/100) 24.23 0.029 1.295 0.004 IL-10 + IL-BKW 0.339 0 NT 0 PHA (100 ng/ml)5.491 0.652 0.637 1.05 IL-10 0.279 0 NT 0.004 IL-BKW 67.06 3.31 4.556 5.742 IL-10 + IL-BKW 1.129 0 NT 0.1 IL-2 (100 U/ml)41.4 0.216 3.224 0.895 IL-10 0.89 0 NT 0.01 IL-BKW ' 62.34 0.621 10.04 1.507 IL-10 + IL-BKW 3.456 0 NT 0.081 results expressed in ng/ml; NT: not tested.
D. Effects of IL-BKW on proliferation of human peripheral , blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
Total PBMC were isolated from buffy coats of normal healthy donors by centrifugation through ficoll-hypaque as described (Boyum, et al.). PBMC were cultured in 200 ml Yssel's medium (Gemini Bioproducts, Calabasas, CA) containing 1$ human AB serum in 96 well plates (Falcon, wo 9sns42s rc~r~rs9~rr,~~s Becton-Dickinson, NJ) in the absence or presence of indicated amounts of IL-BKW (mammalian cop 5 expressed material). Cells were cultured in medium alone or in combination with 100 U/ml IL-2 (R&D Systems) for 120 hours.
5 3H-Thymidine (0.1 mCi) was added during the last six hours of culture and 3H-Thymidine incorporation was determined by liquid scintillation counting. Results are expressed as mean cpm of triplicate cultures.
IL-BKW induces a low level of proliferation of PBMC in 10 a dose dependent manner. See Table 7. In addition, IL-BKW
enhances also in a dose dependent manner the proliferative response of PBMC to IL-2.

15 Effect of IL-BKW on proliferation by PBMC
IL-BKW MEAN S.D. + IL-2 MEAN S.D.

(ng/ml) (100 U/ml) 1.3 175 49 22528 2979 results expressed as cpm +/- standard deviation The native, recombinant, and fusion proteins would be tested for agonist and antagonist activity in many other 20 biological assay systems, e.g., on T-cells, B-cells, NK, macrophages, dendritic cells, hematopoietic progenitors, etc. Because of the IL-10 structural relationship, assays related to IL-10 activity would analyzed IL-BKW is evaluated for agonist or antagonist activity 25 on transfected cells expressing IL-10 receptor and controls.
See, e.g., Ho, et al. (1993) Procs Nat'1 Acad. Sci. USA 90, 11267-11271; Ho, et al. (1995) Mol= Cell. Biol. 15:5043-5053;and Liu, et al. (1994). J. Immunol. 152:1821-1829.

wo 9sns4zs . rcT~rs~rnzms Based, in part, upon the structural homology to IL-10, the IL-BKW is evaluated for effect in macrophage/dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation assays, T cell cytokine production and proliferation in response to antigen or allogeneic stimulus. See, e.g., de Waal Malefyt et al.
(1991) .T_ ~. Med. 174:1209-1220; de Waal Malefyt et al.
(1991) ~J. Exo. Med. 174:925-924; Fiorentino, et al. (1991) ~T. Immunol. 147, 3815-3822; Fiorentino, et al. (1991) ,J~.
Immunol. 14&:3444-3451; and Groux, et al. (1996) J. Exo.
Med. 184:19-29.
IL-BKW will also be evaluated for effects on NK cell stimulation. Assays may be based, e.g., on Hsu, et al.
(1992) Tnternat Immunol 4:563-569; and Schwarz, et al.
(1994) ~7 Immunother. 16:95-104.
B cell growth and differentiation effects will be analyzed, e.g., by the methodology described, e.g., in Defrance, et al. (1992). .J. Exp. Med. 175:671-682; Rousset, et al (1992) Proc Nat'1 Acad. Sci. USA 89:1890-1893;
including IgG2 and IgA2 switch factor assays. Note that, unlike COS7 supernatants, NIH3T3 and COP supernatants apparently do not interfere with human B cell assays.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example -only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

wo ~rzsezs rcT~s~r~9~s SEQUENCE LISTING
(1) GENERAL
INFORMATION:

(i) APPLICANT: Schering Corporation (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: Mammalian Cytokine; Related Reagents (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 7 (iv) CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS:

(A) ADDRESSEE: Schering-Plough Corporation (B) STREET: 2000 Galloping Hill Road (C) CITY: Kenilworth (D) STATE: NJ

(E) COUNTRY: USA

(F) ZIP: 07033 2 O (v) COMPUTER READABLE FORM:

(A) MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk (B) COMPUTER: Apple Macintosh (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: Macintosh 7.1 (D} SOFTWARE: Microsoft Word 7.5.3 (vi) CURRENT APPLICATION DATA:
(A) APPLICATION NUMBER: PCT
(B) FILING DATE: 22-DEC-1997 (C) CLASSIFICATION:
(vii) PRIOR APPLICATION DATA:
(A) APPLICATION NUMBER: US 60/034,151 (B) FILING DATE: 23-DEC-1996 (vii) PRIOR APPLICATION DATA:
(A) APPLICATION NUMBER: US 08/842,659 (B) FILING DATE: 15-APR-1997 (viii) ATTORNEY/AGENT INFORMATION:
(A) NAME: FOULKE, CYNTHIA L.
(B) REGISTRATION NUMBER: 32,364 (C) REFERENCE/DOCKET NUMBER: DX0683K
(ix) TELECOMMUNICATION INFORMATION:
(A) TELEPHONE: (908) 298-2987 (B) TELEFAX: (908) 298-5388 ( (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID N0:1:
(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:
(A) LENGTH: 1700 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single wo ~s , rcr~srmZ9~s (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA

(ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 275..892 {ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: mat~eptide (B) LOCATION: 419..892 {xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION:
SEQ ID N0:1:

AACCTTTACT
TCTGAAATGA

CCTCTGATTG
GTGAATGGTG

O CTCCAGGCAG
CCAGCCCTCA

ATGAGGAGCT
GCTTTCGCCA

CCAGGAGGAA ATG
CACGAGACTG AAT
TTT
CAA
CAG
AGG

2 Met 5 Asn Phe Gln Gln Arg CAA GCC TTC

Leu Ser Leu Trp Thr Leu Arg Pro Cys Pro Pro Leu Leu Gln Ala Phe ACA ATG CTC

Ala Ala Ser Gln Met Gln Val Val Pro Cys Leu Gly Phe Thr Met Leu CTG GTA GCC

Thr Leu Leu Trp Ser Gln Ser Gly Gln Gly Gln Glu Phe Leu Val Ala TTT AAG GTT

His Gly Pro Cys Gln Val Gly Val Pro Gln Lys Leu Trp Phe Lys Val GCC GAC CAA

45 Glu Phe Trp Ala Val Lys Thr Met Ala Gln Asp Asn Ile Ala Asp Gln AGT CAG CTG

Thr Ala Arg Leu Leu Gln Glu Val Gln Asn Val Ser Asp Ser Gln Leu GAG CAC CTG
GAG
TTC
TAC
TTG
AAA

Ala Ser Cys Tyr Leu Val Thr Leu Glu His Leu Glu Phe Tyr Leu Lys wo s rcr~rs9~nZ9~s ACA GTT

Thr Val Phe Lys Asn Tyr His Asn Arg Glu Val Arg Thr Leu Thr Val TTT GTT

Lys Ser Phe Ser Thr Leu Ala Asn Asn Leu Ile Val Ser Gln Phe Val TTT TCC

Leu Gln Pro Ser Gln Glu Asn Glu Met Ile Arg Asp Ser Ala Phe Ser GCA TTC

His Arg Arg Phe Leu Leu Phe Arg Arg Lys Gln Leu Asp Val Ala Phe GAA GTG

Glu Ala Ala Leu Thr Lys Ala Leu Gly Asp Ile Leu Leu Thr Glu Val GACCAGGACC TCCCTCCCCC

Trp Met Gln Lys Phe Tyr Lys Leu ' TCGCCAGCTC ACCCCATCAT CCCTTTCCCT TGGTGCCCTCCTTTTTTTTT TATCCTAGTC1582 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID N0:2:

wo ~ris4zs rcr~smri29~s (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:
(A) LENGTH: 206 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID N0:2:
10 Met Asn Phe Gln Gln Arg Leu Gln Ser Leu Trp Thr Leu Ala Arg Pro Phe Cys Pro Pro Leu Leu Ala Thr Ala Ser Gln Met Gln Met Val Val Leu Pro Cys Leu Gly Phe Thr Leu Leu Leu Trp Ser Gln Val Ser Gly Ala Gln Gly Gln Glu Phe His Phe Gly Pro Cys Gln Val Lys Gly Val Val Pro Gln Lys Leu Trp Glu Ala Phe Trp Ala Val Lys Asp Thr Met 2 5 Gln Ala Gln Asp Asn Ile Thr Ser Ala Arg Leu Leu Gln Gln Glu Val Leu Gln Asn Val Ser Asp Ala Glu Ser Cys Tyr Leu Val His Thr Leu Leu Glu Phe Tyr Leu Lys Thr Val Phe Lys Asn Tyr His Asn Arg Thr Val Glu Val Arg Thr Leu Lys Ser Phe Ser Thr Leu Ala Asn Asn Phe Val Leu Ile Val Ser Gln Leu Gln Pro Ser Gln Glu Asn Glu Met Phe 4 0 Ser Ile Arg Asp Ser Ala His Arg Arg Phe Leu Leu Phe Arg Arg Ala Phe Lys Gln Leu Asp Val Glu Ala Ala Leu Thr Lys Ala Leu Gly Glu Val Asp Ile Leu Leu Thr Trp Met Gln Lys Phe Tyr Lys Leu (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID N0:3:
(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:
(A) LENGTH: 178 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: not relevant wo ~sazs rc~rivsrrr~rrs (D) linear TOPOLOGY: w (ii) MOLECULE
TYPE:
peptide (xi) SEQUENCE PTION: :3:
DESCRI SEQ
ID

Met HisSer SerAlaLeu LeuCysCys LeuValLeu LeuThrGly Val Arg AlaSer ProGlyGln GlyThrGln SerGluAsn SerCysThr His Phe ProGly AsnLeuPro AsnMetLeu ArgAspLeu ArgAspAla Phe Ser ArgVal LysThrPhe PheGlnMet LysAspGln LeuAspAsn Leu Leu LeuLys GluSerLeu LeuGluAsp PheLysGly TyrLeuGly Cys Gln AlaLeu SerGluMet IleGlnPhe TyrLeuGlu GluValMet Pro Gln AlaGlu AsnGlnAsp ProAspIle LysAlaHis ValAsnSer Leu Gly GluAsn LeuLysThr LeuArgLeu ArgLeuArg ArgCysHis Arg Phe LeuPro CysGluAsn LysSerLys AlaValGlu GlnValLys Asn Ala PheAsn LysLeuGln GluLysGly IleTyrLys AlaMetSer Glu Phe AspIle PheIleAsn TyrIleGlu AlaTyrMet ThrMetLys Ile Arg Asn (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID N0:4:
(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:
(A) LENGTH: 171 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: not relevant ~ (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID N0:4:

wo 9sns4zs rc~r~s9~nz~s Met Leu Val Asn Ile Leu CysGlyLeu LeuLeuVal ThrLeu Phe Arg Ser Leu Ala Ile Lys His GlnSerSer PheThrLys SerCys Ala Lys 2p 25 30 Tyr Pro Arg Gly Leu Ser AlaValAsp AlaLeuTyr IleLys Thr Gln Ala Ala Trp Leu Ala Thr ProGlu,Asp ArgIleLys AsnIle Lys Ile Arg Leu Leu Lys Lys Thr LysGlnPhe MetLysAsn CysGln Lys Lys Phe Gln Glu Gln Leu Ser PheAsnGlu AspValPhe GlyGln Leu Phe g5 90 95 Leu Gln Leu Gln Cys Lys IleArgPhe ValGluAsp PheHis Gly Lys Thr Leu Arg Gln Leu Ser CysIleSer CysAlaSer SerAla Lys His Arg Glu Met Lys Ile Thr MetLysArg IlePheTyr ArgIle Ser Arg Gly Asn Lys Gly Tyr Lys IleSerGlu LeuAspIle LeuLeu Ile Ala Ser Trp Ile Lys Leu Leu SerSerGln Lys Glu (2) INFORMATION ID N0:5:
FOR
SEQ

(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:

(A) LENGTH: 97 base s 11 pair (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS:
single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE:cDNA

(ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: CDS

(B) LOCATION: 256..798 (ix) FEATURE:

(A) NAME/KEY: mat~peptide (B) LOCATION: 325..798 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID N0:5:

wo gas rcTivs9~nz~'rs GACGTTTGTT
TGGTCCTATG
GTAGTCTCAA
AGCAGAGTGC

GTGGCAGGAA GGCACGGACA TCACAAAGTA CCCACTCCAA

AAGCTGAGCT
GAAGTGGTTT

TGCATACATT CATGGGTTTG GTAACAGATC TGCGTGTAAG

TTTAAGAGGG
CAGAGATCTG

TCAGGGTAAA AGCACTGGCC
GCCTTCCTTT

ATG
AGT
TGG
GGA
CTA
CAG
ATT
CTC
CCC
TGC
CTG
AGC

Met Ser Trp Gly Leu Gln Ile Leu Pro Cys Leu Ser ' -23 -20 -15 AAC GTG

Leu IleLeuLeu LeuTrp Gln ProGlyLeu GluGlyGlnGlu Asn Val CAA ACA

Phe ArgSerGly SerCys Val GlyValVal LeuProGluLeu Gln Thr GTG AAC

Trp GluAlaPhe TrpThr Lys ThrValGln ThrGlnAspAsp Val Asn ATC ACAAGCATC CGGCTG AAG CA.GGTTCTG CGGAATGTCTCG 483 TTG CCG

Ile ThrSerIle ArgLeu Lys GlnValLeu ArgAsnValSer Leu Pro CTT CAC

3 0 Gly AlaGluSer CysTyr Ala SerLeuLeu LysPheTyrLeu Leu His TAC AGC

Asn ThrValPhe LysAsn His LysIleAla LysPheLysVal Tyr Ser 70 75 8o g5 CTG AAC

Leu ArgSerPhe SerThr Aha AsnPheIle ValIleMetSer Leu Asn GAC TCC

Gln LeuGlnPro SerLys Asn MetLeuPro IleSerGluSer Asp Ser CTG CGC

Ala HisGlnArg PheLeu Phe ArgAlaPhe LysGlnLeuAsp Leu Arg AAA TTT

Thr GluValAla LeuVal Ala GlyGluVal AspIleLeuLeu Lys Phe wo zs rcr~s9~nzrrs CAT~CTC TGACTGCTGA
TTGGATAACT

Thr Trp Met Gln Lys Phe Tyr His Leu TGGAAA~~AAA AAAAAAAAA 1197 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID N0:6:
(i) CHARACTERISTICS:
SEQUENCE

(A)LENGTH: amino 181 acids (B)TYPE: aminoacid 2 (D)TOPOLOGY: inear 5 l (ii) ULETYPE: otein MOLEC pr (xi) DESCRIPTION: ID N0:6:
SEQUENCE SEQ

Met Ser GlyLeuGln Leu CysLeuSer LeuIleLeu Leu Trp Ile Pro . Trp GlnValPro Leu GlyGlnGlu PheArgSer Gly Leu Asn Gly Glu Ser Cys ValThrGly Val ProGluLeu TrpGluAla Phe Gln Val Leu Trp Thr LysAsnThr Gln GlnAspAsp IleThrSer Ile Val Val Thr Arg Leu LysProGln Leu AsnValSer GlyAlaGlu Ser Leu Val Arg Cys Tyr AlaHisSer Leu PheTyrLeu AsnThrVal Phe Leu Leu Lys Lys Asn HisSerLys Ala PheLysVal LeuArgSer Phe Tyr Ile Lys Ser Thr AlaAsnAsn Ile IleMetSer GlnLeuGln Pro Leu Phe Val Ser Lys Asp Asn MetLeu Ser GluSerAla HisGlnArg Ser ProwIle Phe Leu Leu Phe ArgAla LysGln LeuAspThr GluValAla Arg Phe Leu Val Lys Ala GlyGlu AspIle LeuLeuThr TrpMetGln Phe Val 10 Lys Phe Tyr His Leu (2) INFORMATION SEQID N0:7:
FOR

15 (i) SEQUENCE S:
CHARACTERISTIC

(A) LENGTH: 8 aminoacids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: le sing (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii)MOLECULE PE:peptide TY

(xi)SEQUENCE SCRIPTION: EQ D :7:

25 Met Pro Gly AlaLeu CysCys LeuLeuLeu LeuThrGly Met Ser Leu Arg Ile Ser GlyGln SerArg GluAspAsn AsnCysThr His Arg Tyr Phe Pro Val GlnSer MetLeu LeuGluLeu ArgThrAla Phe Gly His Ser Gln Val ThrPhe GlnThr LysAspGln LeuAspAsn Ile Lys Phe Leu Leu Thr SerLeu GlnAsp PheLysGly TyrLeuGly Cys Asp Met 40 Gln Ala Leu GluMet GlnPhe TyrLeuVal GluValMet Pro Ser Ile Gln Ala Glu HisGly GluIle LysGluHis LeuAsnSer Leu Lys Pro Gly Glu Lys LysThr ArgMet ArgLeuArg ArgCysHis Arg Leu Leu Phe Leu Pro GluAsn SerLys AlaValGlu GlnValLys Ser Cys Lys Asp Phe Asn LeuGln GlnGly ValTyrLys AlaMetAsn Glu Lys Asp wo ~ns4zs rcrms9~nzms Phe Asp Ile Phe Ile Asn Cys~ Ile Glu Ala Tyr Met Met Ile Lys Met Lys Ser

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A substantially pure or recombinant soluble IL-BKW
protein.

2. An antigenic protein or peptide fragment of the IL-BKW of claim 1.

3. The IL-BKW of claim 2, which is a full length natural soluble protein from a mammal, including a primate or mouse.

4. The IL-BKW of claim 2, which:
a) is a soluble IL-BKW lacking the sequence MNFQQRLQSL
WTLARPFCPP LLATASQMQM VVLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSG of SEQ
ID NO: 2;
b) is a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6; or c) is encoded by a nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 5.

5. The IL-BKW of claim 2, which is a full length secreted protein which exhibits a post-translational modification pattern distinct from natural IL-BKW.

6. The IL-BKW of claim 2, which exhibits an antagonist immunological activity of IL-10.

7. A fusion protein comprising sequence of a protein or peptide of claim 2, wherein said protein or peptide:
a} lacks a sequence of MNFQQRLQSL WTLARPFCPP
LLATASQMQM VVLPCLGFTL LLWSQVSG of SEQ ID NO: 2;
b) is a mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6; or c) is encoded by a nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 5.

8. A sterile composition comprising a protein or peptide of claim 2.

9. A method of purifying an IL-BKW protein or peptide of claim 6 from other materials in a mixture comprising contacting said mixture to an antibody to said protein, and separating bound IL-BKW from other materials.

10. An isolated or recombinant expression vector encoding a soluble IL-BKW of claim 1.

11. The vector of claim 10, wherein said nucleic acid encodes a secreted sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 6

12. The vector of claim 10, which comprises a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 5.

13. A kit for detection comprising a positive control which is a substantially pure soluble IL-BKW or fragment of claim 1.

14. A method for detecting in a sample for the presence of an IL-BKW nucleic acid, protein, or antibody, comprising testing said sample with a kit of claim 11.

15. A method of modulating the physiology of a cell comprising contacting said cell with a substantially pure soluble IL-BKW of claim 1.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said cell is a T
cell and said modulating of physiology is inactivation of said T cell.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said cell is in a tissue.

18. A method of making a soluble IL-BKW comprising expressing a vector of claim 10.

19. A cell, tissue, or organ comprising a vector of claim 10.

20. A method of treating a mammal having an abnormal immune response by administering to said mammal an effective dose of a substantially pure soluble IL-BKW.