Patent ID: 6838290
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: A61K,C07K

Abstract:
1. A method for determining whether a test compound affects at least one biological activity of an IL-1 epsilon polypeptide, the method comprising: a) contacting the test compound and the IL-1 epsilon polypeptide with cells that exhibit the biological activity when contacted with IL-1 epsilon; and, b) analyzing the cells for the occurrence of the biological activity, wherein if the biological activity observed in the presence of the test compound differs from the biological activity that is observed when the test compound is absent, the test compound affects the biological activity of the IL-1 epsilon, wherein the biological activity is selected from the group consisting of: i. expression of one or more cytokines selected from the group consisting of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IFN-gamma, IL-12 p40, IL-6, ii. expression of one or more cell-surface molecules selected from the group consisting of ICAM-1, TLR4, TLR5, TLR9, DC-B7; and iii. activation of one or more signaling molecules selected from the group consising of NFkappaB, p38 MAP kinase, Stress-Activated Protein kinase (SAPK/JNK), and further wherein the IL-1 epsilon polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: i′. a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8; ii′. a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13; iii′. a polypeptide that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:8, wherein the polypeptide activates IKBα or p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation or the polypeptide activates cell surface expression of ICAM-1; and iv′. a polypeptide that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:13, wherein the polypeptide activates IKBα or p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation or the polypeptide activates cell surface expression of ICAM-1.