Human TNF receptor fusion protein

A protein comprising

• (a) a human tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-binding soluble fragment of an insoluble human TNF receptor, wherein the insoluble human TNF receptor (i) specifically binds human TNF, (ii) has an apparent molecular weight of about 75 kilodaltons on a non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel, and (iii) comprises the amino acid sequences LPAQVAFXPYAPEPGSTC (SEQ ID NO:
• 10), LCAP (SEQ ID NO:
• 12), VFCT (SEQ ID NO:
• 8), NQPQAPGVEASGAGEA (SEQ ID NO:
• 9) and VPHLPAD (SEQ ID NO:
• 13),
• wherein the soluble fragment comprises the peptides LCAP (SEQ ID NO:
• 12) and VFCT (SEQ ID NO:
• 8);
• and
• (b) all of the domains of the constant region of a human IgG1 heavy chain other than the first domain of the constant region;
• wherein said protein specifically binds human TNF.

A protein encoded by a polynucleotide which comprises two nucleic acid subsequences,

• (a) one of said subsequences encoding a human TNF-binding soluble fragment of an insoluble human TNF receptor protein having an apparent molecular weight of about 75 kilodaltons on a non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel, said soluble fragment comprising the amino acid sequence LPAQVAFXPYAPEPGSTC (SEQ ID NO:
• 10), and
• (b) the other of said subsequences encoding all of the domains of the constant region of the heavy chain of a human IgG immunoglobulin other than the first domain of said constant region,
• wherein said protein specifically binds human TNF.

A protein consisting of

• (a) a human tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-binding soluble fragment of an insoluble human TNF receptor, wherein the insoluble human TNF receptor (i) specifically binds human TNF, and (ii) has an apparent molecular weight of about 75 kilodaltons on a non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel and (iii) comprises the amino acid sequence LPAQVAFXPYAPEPGSTC (SEQ ID NO:
• 10),
• wherein the soluble fragment comprises the peptides LCAP (SEQ ID NO:12) and VFCT (SEQ ID NO:8), and
• (b) all of the domains of the constant region of a human IgG1 heavy chain other than the first domain of the constant region,
• wherein the protein specifically binds human TNF, and
• wherein the protein is produced by CHO cells.