Canine IL-13 nucleic acid molecules and uses thereof

An isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of:

• (a) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 92 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 19, and SEQ ID NO:
• 21;
• (b) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 75 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 27, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 29, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 32, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, SEQ ID NO:
• 35, SEQ ID NO:
• 36, and SEQ ID NO:
• 37;
• (c) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 75 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 45, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 47, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, and SEQ ID NO:
• 50;
• (d) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 54, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, SEQ ID NO:
• 56, SEQ ID NO:
• 57, and SEQ ID NO:
• 59;
• (e) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 60 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (f) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 69, and SEQ ID NO:
• 71;
• (g) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 91 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 74, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, SEQ ID NO:
• 76, SEQ ID NO:
• 77, and SEQ ID NO:
• 79;
• (h) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 90 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 82, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, SEQ ID NO:
• 84, SEQ ID NO:
• 85, and SEQ ID NO:
• 87;
• (i) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is at least about 65 percent identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 93, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 95, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 98, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 101, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, SEQ ID NO:
• 103, SEQ ID NO:
• 104, and SEQ ID NO:
• 106;
• (j) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 109, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 112, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 115, SEQ ID NO:
• 116, SEQ ID NO:
• 118, SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 157, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 160, SEQ ID NO:
• 161, SEQ ID NO:
• 163, SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 166, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, SEQ ID NO:
• 169, SEQ ID NO:
• 170, and SEQ ID NO:
• 172;
• and
• (k) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence that is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 121, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, SEQ ID NO:
• 123, SEQ ID NO:
• 124, and SEQ ID NO:
• 126.

An isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of:

• (a) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an IL-4 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20 and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 20 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20;
• (b) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Flt-3 ligand protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, and SEQ ID NO:
• 34, and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 25 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, and SEQ ID NO:
• 34;
• (c) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Flt-3 ligand protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 44 and SEQ ID NO:
• 49 and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 25 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 44 and SEQ ID NO:
• 49;
• (d) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD40 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53 and SEQ ID NO:
• 58 and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 30 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53 and SEQ ID NO:
• 58;
• (e) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD40 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 60 percent identical to an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 61 and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 20 amino acids of an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 61;
• (f) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD154 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 80 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65 and SEQ ID NO:
• 70, and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 35 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65 and SEQ ID NO:
• 70;
• (g) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD154 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 73 and SEQ ID NO:
• 78, and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 50 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 73 and SEQ ID NO:
• 78;
• (h) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an IL-5 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86 and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 20 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86;
• (i) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an IL-13 protein selected from the group consisting of (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105 and (ii) a protein comprising a fragment of at least 15 amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105;
• (j) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding an interferon alpha protein having an amino acid sequence that is selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:
• 108, SEQ ID NO:
• 111, SEQ ID NO:
• 114, SEQ ID NO:
• 117, SEQ ID NO:
• 156, SEQ ID NO:
• 159, SEQ ID NO:
• 162, SEQ ID NO:
• 165, SEQ ID NO:
• 168, and SEQ ID NO:
• 171;
• (k) a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding a GMCSF protein having an amino acid sequence that is selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:
• 120, and SEQ ID NO:
• 125;
• and
• (l) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a complement of any of said nucleic acid molecules as set forth in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), or (k),
• wherein said IL-4 protein elicits an immune response against an IL-4 protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20 or is a protein with interleukin-4 activity, said Flt-3 ligand protein elicits an immune response against a Flt-3 ligand protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, SEQ ID NO:
• 34, SEQ ID NO:
• 44, and SEQ ID NO:
• 49 or is a protein with Flt-3 ligand activity, said CD40 protein elicits an immune response against a CD40 protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53, SEQ ID NO:
• 58, and SEQ ID NO:
• 61 or is a protein with CD40 activity, said CD154 protein elicits an immune response against a CD154 protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65, SEQ ID NO:
• 70, SEQ ID NO:
• 73, and SEQ ID NO:
• 78 or is a protein with CD154 activity, said IL-5 protein elicits an immune response against a IL-5 protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86 or is a protein with IL-5 activity, said IL-13 protein elicits an immune response against an IL-13 protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105 or is a protein with IL-13 activity, said interferon alpha protein elicits an immune response against an interferon alpha protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 108, SEQ ID NO:
• 111, SEQ ID NO:
• 114, SEQ ID NO:
• 117, SEQ ID NO:
• 156, SEQ ID NO:
• 159, SEQ ID NO:
• 162, SEQ ID NO:
• 165, SEQ ID NO:
• 168, and SEQ ID NO:
• 171 or is a protein with interferon alpha activity, and said GMCSF protein elicits an immune response against a GMCSF protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 120 and SEQ ID NO:
• 125 or is a protein with GM-CSF activity.

An isolated protein selected from the group consisting of:

• (a)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, and SEQ ID NO:
• 19;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-4 protein or has EL-4 activity;
• (b)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ED NO:
• 33, and SEQ ID NO:
• 36;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, and SEQ ID NO:
• 34,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine Flt-3 ligand protein or has Flt-3 activity;
• (c)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and SEQ ID NO:
• 48;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 44 and SEQ ID NO:
• 49,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline Flt-3 ligand protein or has Flt-3 activity;
• (d)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 30 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 90 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 90 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, and SEQ ID NO:
• 57;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 30 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 30 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53, and SEQ ID NO:
• 58,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine CD40 protein or has CD40 activity;
• (e)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 60;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 61,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline CD40 protein or has CD40 activity;
• (t)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 35 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 105 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 105 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, and SEQ ID NO:
• 69;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 35 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 35 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 35 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65 and SEQ ID NO:
• 70,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine CD154 protein or has CD154 activity;
• (g)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 50 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 150 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 150 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, and SEQ ID NO:
• 77;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 50 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 50 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 50 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 73 and SEQ ID NO:
• 78,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline CD154 protein or has CD154 activity;
• (h)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, and SEQ ID NO;85;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-5 protein or has IL-5 activity;
• (i)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 15 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, and SEQ ID NO:
• 104;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 15 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 15 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 15 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-13 protein or has IL-13 activity;
• (j)
• (i) an isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 116,SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 161,SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, and SEQ ID NO:
• 170, and
• (ii) an isolated protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 108, SEQ ID NO:
• 111, SEQ ID NO:
• 114, SEQ ID NO:
• 117, SEQ ID NO:
• 156, SEQ ID NO:
• 159, SEQ ID NO:
• 162, SEQ ID NO:
• 165, SEQ ID NO:
• 168, and SEQ ID NO:
• 171,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline interferon alpha protein or has interferon alpha activity;
• (k)
• (i) an isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, and SEQ ID NO:
• 124, and
• (ii) an isolated protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 120 and SEQ ID NO:
• 125,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline GM-CSF or has GM-CSF activity.

An isolated protein selected from the group consisting of:

• (a) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20;
• (b) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, and SEQ ID NO:
• 34;
• (c) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 44 and SEQ ID NO:
• 49;
• (d) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53 and SEQ ID NO:
• 58;
• (e) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 60 percent identical to an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 61;
• (f) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 80 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65 and SEQ ID NO:
• 70;
• (g) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:
• 73 and SEQ ID NO:
• 78;
• (h) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 85 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86;
• (i) a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70 percent identical to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105;
• (j) a protein having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 108, SEQ ID NO:
• 111, SEQ ID NO:
• 114, SEQ ID NO:
• 117, SEQ ID NO:
• 156, SEQ ID NO:
• 159, SEQ ID NO:
• 162, SEQ ID NO:
• 165, SEQ ID NO:
• 168, and SEQ ID NO:
• 171;
• and
• (k) a protein having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 120, and SEQ ID NO:
• 125.

A therapeutic composition that, when administered to an animal, regulates an immune response in said animal, said therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutic compound selected from the group consisting of:

• a. an isolated protein comprising an immunoregulatory protein, wherein said protein is selected from the group consisting of
• (a)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 19;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-4 protein or has IL-4 activity;
• (b)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, and SEQ ID NO:
• 36;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, and SEQ ID NO:
• 34,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine Flt-3 ligand protein or has Flt-3 activity;
• (c)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and SEQ ID NO:
• 48;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 44 and SEQ ID NO:
• 49,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline Flt-3 ligand protein or has Flt-3 activity;
• (d)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 30 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 90 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 90 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, and SEQ ID NO:
• 57;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 30 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 30 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53, SEQ ID NO:
• 58,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine CD40 protein or has CD40 activity;
• (e)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 60;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:
• 61,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline CD40 protein or has CD40 activity;
• (f)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 35 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 105 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 105 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, and SEQ ID NO:
• 69;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 35 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 35 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 35 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65 and SEQ ID NO:
• 70,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine CD154 protein or has CD154 activity;
• (g)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 50 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 150 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 150 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, and SEQ ID NO:
• 77;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 50 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 50 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 50 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 73 and SEQ ID NO:
• 78,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline CD154 protein or has CD154 activity;
• (h)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, and SEQ ID NO:
• 85;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-5 protein or has IL-5 activity;
• (i)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 15 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, and SEQ ID NO:
• 104;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 15 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 15 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 15 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-13 protein or has IL-13 activity;
• (j)
• (i) an isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 116, SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 161, SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, and SEQ ID NO:
• 170, and
• (ii) an isolated protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 108, SEQ ID NO:
• 111, SEQ ID NO:
• 114, SEQ ID NO:
• 117, SEQ ID NO:
• 156, SEQ ID NO:
• 159, SEQ ID NO:
• 162, SEQ ID NO:
• 165, SEQ ID NO:
• 168, and SEQ ID NO:
• 171,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline interferon alpha protein or has interferon alpha activity;
• and
• (k)
• (i) an isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, and SEQ ID NO:
• 124, and
• (ii) an isolated protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 120 and SEQ ID NO:
• 125,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline GM-CSF or has GM-CSF activity;
• b. a mimetope of any of said immunoregulatory proteins;
• c. a multimeric form of any of said immunoregulatory proteins;
• d. an isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of
• (a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 21 or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 50 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 50 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 21;
• (b) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 27, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 29, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 32, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, SEQ ID NO:
• 35, SEQ ID NO:
• 36, and SEQ ID NO:
• 37, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 40 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 40 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 27, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 29, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 32, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, SEQ ID NO:
• 35, SEQ ID NO:
• 36, and SEQ ID NO:
• 37;
• (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 45, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 47, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, and SEQ ID NO:
• 50, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 30 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 45, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 47, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, and SEQ ID NO:
• 50;
• (d) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 54, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, SEQ ID NO:
• 56, SEQ ID NO:
• 57, and SEQ ID NO:
• 59, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 40 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 40 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 54, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, SEQ ID NO:
• 56, SEQ ID NO:
• 57, and SEQ ID NO:
• 59;
• (e) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 60 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 30 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 60 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (f) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 69 and SEQ ID NO:
• 71, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 69 and SEQ ID NO:
• 71;
• (g) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 74, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, SEQ ID NO:
• 76, SEQ ID NO:
• 77, and SEQ ID NO:
• 79, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 35 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 35 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 74, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, SEQ ID NO:
• 76, SEQ ID NO:
• 77, and SEQ ID NO:
• 79;
• (h) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 82, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, SEQ ID NO:
• 84, SEQ ID NO:
• 85, and SEQ ID NO:
• 87, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 82, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, SEQ ID NO:
• 84, SEQ ID NO:
• 85, and SEQ ID NO:
• 87;
• (i) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 93, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 95, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 98, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 101, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, SEQ ID NO:
• 103, SEQ ID NO:
• 104, and SEQ ID NO:
• 106, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 15 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 15 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 93, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 95, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 98, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 101, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, SEQ ID NO:
• 103, SEQ ID NO:
• 104, and SEQ ID NO:
• 106;
• (j) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 109, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 112, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 115, SEQ ID NO:
• 116, SEQ ID NO:
• 118, SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 157, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 160, SEQ ID NO:
• 161, SEQ ID NO:
• 163, SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 166, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, SEQ ID NO:
• 169, SEQ ID NO:
• 170, and SEQ ID NO:
• 172;
• and
• (k) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 121, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, SEQ ID NO:
• 123, SEQ ID NO:
• 124, and SEQ ID NO:
• 126;
• e. an antibody that selectively binds to any of said immunoregulatory proteins;
• and
• f. an inhibitor of a immunoregulatory protein activity identified by its ability to inhibit the activity of any of said immunoregulatory proteins.

A method to regulate an immune response in an animal comprising administering to the animal a therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutic compound selected from the group consisting of:

• (a)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 19;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 20,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-4 protein or has IL-4 activity;
• (b)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, and SEQ ID NO:
• 36;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 23, SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 31, and SEQ ID NO:
• 34,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine Flt-3 ligand protein or has Flt-3 activity;
• (c)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and SEQ ID NO:
• 48;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 44 and SEQ ID NO:
• 49,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline Flt-3 ligand protein or has Flt-3 activity;
• (d)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 30 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 90 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 90 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, and SEQ ID NO:
• 57;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 30 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 30 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 53, SEQ ID NO:
• 58,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine CD40 protein or has CD40 activity;
• (e)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 60;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:
• 61,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline CD40 protein or has CD40 activity;
• (f)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 35 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 105 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 105 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, and SEQ ID NO:
• 69;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 35 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 35 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 35 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 65 and SEQ ID NO:
• 70,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine CD154 protein or has CD154 activity;
• (g)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 50 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 150 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 150 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, and SEQ ID NO:
• 77;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 50 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 50 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 50 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 73 and SEQ ID NO:
• 78,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline CD154 protein or has CD154 activity;
• (h)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 60 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 60 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, and SEQ ID NO:
• 85;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 20 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 20 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 20 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 81 and SEQ ID NO:
• 86,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-5 protein or has IL-5 activity;
• (i)
• (i) an isolated protein of at least about 15 amino acids in length, wherein said protein is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in,sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, and SEQ ID NO:
• 104;
• and
• (ii) an isolated protein of at least about 15 amino acids in length, wherein said protein has an at least 15 contiguous amino acid region identical in sequence to a 15 contiguous amino acid region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 92, SEQ ID NO:
• 97, SEQ ID NO:
• 100, and SEQ ID NO:
• 105,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a canine IL-13 protein or has IL-13 activity;
• (j)
• (i) an isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 116, SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 161, SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, and SEQ ID NO:
• 170, and
• (ii) an isolated protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 108, SEQ ID NO:
• 111, SEQ ID NO:
• 114, SEQ ID NO:
• 117, SEQ ID NO:
• 156, SEQ ID NO:
• 159, SEQ ID NO:
• 162, SEQ ID NO:
• 165, SEQ ID NO:
• 168, and SEQ ID NO:
• 171,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline interferon alpha protein or has interferon alpha activity;
• and
• (k)
• (i) an isolated protein encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, and SEQ ID NO:
• 124, and
• (ii) an isolated protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 120 and SEQ ID NO:
• 125,
• wherein said isolated protein elicits an immune response against a feline GM-CSF or has GM-CSF activity;
• b. a mimetope of any of said immunoregulatory proteins;
• c. a multimeric form of any of said immunoregulatory proteins;
• d. an isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of
• (a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 21 or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 50 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 50 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 3, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 21;
• (b) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 27, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 29, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 32, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, SEQ ID NO:
• 35, SEQ ID NO:
• 36, and SEQ ID NO:
• 37, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 40 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 40 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 10, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 27, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 29, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 32, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, SEQ ID NO:
• 35, SEQ ID NO:
• 36, and SEQ ID NO:
• 37;
• (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 45, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 47, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, and SEQ ID NO:
• 50, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 30 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 45, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 47, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, and SEQ ID NO:
• 50;
• (d) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 54, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, SEQ ID NO:
• 56, SEQ ID NO:
• 57, and SEQ ID NO:
• 59, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 40 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 40 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 54, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, SEQ ID NO:
• 56, SEQ ID NO:
• 57, and SEQ ID NO:
• 59;
• (e) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 60 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 30 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 60 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (f) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 69 and SEQ ID NO:
• 71, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 69 and SEQ ID NO:
• 71;
• (g) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 74, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, SEQ ID NO:
• 76, SEQ ID NO:
• 77, and SEQ ID NO:
• 79, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 35 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 35 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 74, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, SEQ ID NO:
• 76, SEQ ID NO:
• 77, and SEQ ID NO:
• 79;
• (h) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 82, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, SEQ ID NO:
• 84, SEQ ID NO:
• 85, and SEQ ID NO:
• 87, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 82, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, SEQ ID NO:
• 84, SEQ ID NO:
• 85, and SEQ ID NO:
• 87;
• (i) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 93, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 95, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 98, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 101, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, SEQ ID NO:
• 103, SEQ ID NO:
• 104, and SEQ ID NO:
• 106, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 15 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 15 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 93, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 95, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 98, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 101, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, SEQ ID NO:
• 103, SEQ ID NO:
• 104, and SEQ ID NO:
• 106;
• (j) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 109, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 112, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 115, SEQ ID NO:
• 116, SEQ ID NO:
• 118, SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 157, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 160, SEQ ID NO:
• 161, SEQ ID NO:
• 163, SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 166, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, SEQ ID NO:
• 169, SEQ ID NO:
• 170 and SEQ ID NO:
• 172;
• and
• (k) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 121, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, SEQ ID NO:
• 123, SEQ ID NO:
• 124, and SEQ ID NO:
• 126;
• e. an antibody that selectively binds to any of said immunoregulatory proteins;
• and
• f. an inhibitor of a immunoregulatory protein activity identified by its ability to inhibit the activity of any of said immunoregulatory proteins.

A method to produce an immunoregulatory protein, said method comprising culturing a cell capable of expressing said protein, said protein being encoded by a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of

• (a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, and SEQ ID NO:
• 19, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 50 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 50 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, SEQ ID NO:
• 4, and SEQ ID NO:
• 19;
• (b) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, and SEQ ID NO:
• 36 or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 40 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a contiguous nucleotide region of a 40 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, SEQ ID NO:
• 22, SEQ ID NO:
• 25, SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 30, SEQ ID NO:
• 33, and SEQ ID NO:
• 36;
• (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and SEQ ID NO:
• 48, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 30 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a contiguous nucleotide region of a 30 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 41, SEQ ID NO:
• 42, SEQ ID NO:
• 43, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and SEQ ID NO:
• 48;
• (d) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, and SEQ ID NO:
• 57, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 40 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 40 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 51, SEQ ID NO:
• 52, SEQ ID NO:
• 55, and SEQ ID NO:
• 57;
• (e) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 60, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 30 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 30 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:
• 60;
• (f) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, and SEQ ID NO:
• 69 or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 63, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 67, and SEQ ID NO:
• 69;
• (g) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, and SEQ ID NO:
• 77 or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 35 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 35 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 72, SEQ ID NO:
• 75, and SEQ ID NO:
• 77;
• (h) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, and SEQ ID NO:
• 85, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 45 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 45 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 80, SEQ ID NO:
• 83, and SEQ ID NO:
• 85;
• (i) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, and SEQ ID NO:
• 104, or a homolog thereof, wherein said homolog has an at least 15 contiguous nucleotide region identical in sequence to a 15 contiguous nucleotide region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 88, SEQ ID NO:
• 89, SEQ ID NO:
• 90, SEQ ID NO:
• 91, SEQ ID NO:
• 94, SEQ ID NO:
• 96, SEQ ID NO:
• 99, SEQ ID NO:
• 102, and SEQ ID NO:
• 104;
• (j) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 107, SEQ ID NO:
• 110, SEQ ID NO:
• 113, SEQ ID NO:
• 116, SEQ ID NO:
• 155, SEQ ID NO:
• 158, SEQ ID NO:
• 161, SEQ ID NO:
• 164, SEQ ID NO:
• 167, and SEQ ID NO:
• 170;
• and
• (k) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 119, SEQ ID NO:
• 122, and SEQ ID NO:
• 124.

A method to identify a compound capable of regulating an immune response in an animal, said method comprising:

• (a) contacting an isolated canine IL-4 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has T cell proliferation stimulating activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (b) contacting an isolated canine Flt-3 ligand protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has dendritic precursor cell proliferation stimulating activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (c) contacting an isolated feline Flt-3 ligand protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has dendritic precursor cell proliferation stimulating activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (d) contacting an isolated canine CD40 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has CD40 ligand binding activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (e) contacting an isolated feline CD40 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has CD40 ligand binding activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (f) contacting an isolated canine CD154 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has B cell proliferation activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (g) contacting an isolated feline CD154 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has B cell proliferation activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (h) contacting an isolated canine IL-5 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has TF-1 cell proliferation activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (i) contacting an isolated canine IL-13 protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has TF-1 cell proliferation activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• (j) contacting an isolated feline IFNα protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has inhibition of proliferation of GM-CSF stimulated TF-1 cell activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity;
• or
• (k) contacting an isolated feline GMCSF protein with a putative inhibitory compound under conditions in which, in the absence of said compound, said protein has TF-1 cell proliferation activity;
• and determining if said putative inhibitory compound inhibits said activity.