Therapeutic uses of IL-1 receptor antagonist

A method of treating a human suffering from an interleukin-12 (IL-12) related disorder comprising administering to said human an amount of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polypeptide, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1, effective to reduce IL-12 activity.

A method of treating inflammation comprising the steps of

• (a) administering therapeutically effective amount of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, to a human suffering from an IL-18 related disorder, and
• (b) before, concurrently or after step (a), measuring IL-18 levels or activity in said human.

A method of treating inflammation comprising the steps of

• (a) administering therapeutically effective amount of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, to a human suffering from an IL-12 related disorder, and
• (b) before, concurrently or after step (a), measuring IL-12 levels or activity in said human.

A method of treating inflammation comprising the steps of

• (a) administering therapeutically effective amount of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1, to a human suffering from an IFN-γ related disorder, and
• (b) before, concurrently or after step (a), measuring IFN-γ levels or activity in said human.

A composition comprising a dosage of IL-1Ra, or an analog thereof, that is at least 10-fold less than the dosage of IL-1Ra required to completely inhibit IL-1β induced PGE2 production.

Use of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 in an amount effective to reduce interleukin-18 (IL-18) activity in preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of IL-18 related disorders.

Use of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 in an amount effective to reduce interleukin-12 (IL-12) activity in preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of IL-12 related disorders.

A method of inhibiting B cell proliferation comprising administering an inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) activity to a human with elevated B cell levels or B cell activity, in an amount effective to inhibit B cell proliferation induced by IL-1Ra of SEQ ID NO:

• 1.

Use of an inhibitor of IL-1 receptor antagonist activity in preparation of a medicament for use in reducing B cell proliferation or activation.

A method of stimulating B cell proliferation comprising administering an effective amount of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1, to a human in need of higher B cell levels or activity.

The method of claim 36 wherein said human is suffering from a B cell deficiency.

The method of claim 36 wherein said human is suffering from an infection.

Use of IL-1 receptor antagonist polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 in an amount effective to stimulate proliferation of B cells in preparation of a medicament for use in stimulating B cell proliferation or activation.

A method of treating an IgA related autoimmune disease comprising the steps of administering a therapeutically effective amount of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1, to a human suffering from an disorder related to elevated IgA levels.

Use of an IL-1 receptor antagonist polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1 in an amount effective to reduce IgA production in preparation of a medicament for use in reducing IgA production.