Interferon-alpha induced gene
AssigneePharma Pacific Pty Ltd.
InventorsJean-Francois Meritet, Michel Dron, Michael Gerard Tovey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to identification of a gene upregulated by interferon-administration corresponding to the cDNA sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. Determination of expression products of this gene is proposed as having utility in predicting responsiveness to treatment with interferon-α and other interferons which act at the Type 1 interferon receptor. Therapeutic use of the protein encoded by the same gene is also envisaged.
Claims25
An isolated polypeptide comprising
- (a) the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
- 2;
- (b) a variant thereof having substantially similar function selected from immunomodulatory activity and/or anti-viral activity and/or anti-tumour activity;
- or
- (c) a fragment of (a) or (b) which retains substantially similar function selected from immunomodulatory activity and/or anti-viral activity and/or anti-tumour activity.
A variant or fragment of the polypeptide defined by the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
- 2 suitable for raising specific antibodies for said polypeptide and/or a naturally-occurring variant thereof.
A method of identifying a compound having immunomodulatory activity and/or anti-viral activity and/or anti-tumour activity comprising providing a cell capable of expressing the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:
- 2 or a naturally-occurring variant thereof, incubating said cell with a compound under test and monitoring for upregulation of the gene encoding said polypeptide or variant.
A polynucleotide capable of expressing in vivo an antisense sequence to a coding sequence for the amino acid sequence defined by SEQ ID NO:
- 2 or a naturally-occurring variant of said coding sequence for use in therapeutic treatment of a human or non-human animal.
A method of predicting responsiveness of a patient to treatment with a Type 1 interferon, which comprises determining the level of the protein defined by the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
- 2 or a naturally-occurring variant thereof, or the corresponding mRNA, in a cell sample from said patient, wherein said sample is obtained from said patient following administration of a Type 1 interferon or is treated prior to said determining with a Type 1 interferon in vitro.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.