INTERLEUKIN-17F ANTIBODIES AND OTHER IL-17F SIGNALING ANTAGONISTS AND USES THEREFOR

摘要

The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides and polypeptides related to the IL-17F signaling pathway. The invention also provides antibodies to IL-17F homodimers and IL-17A/IL-17F heterodimers, and methods of isolating and purifying members of the IL-17 family, including IL - 17A/IL-17F heterodimers, from a natural source. The present invention also i s directed to novel methods for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring the progres s of, and treating and/or preventing disorders related to IL-17F signaling, i.e., IL-17F-associated disorders, including, but not limited to, inflammato ry disorders, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., arthritis (including rheumatoi d arthritis), psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis) , respiratory diseases (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, allergy), transplant rejection (including solid organ transplant rejection), and inflammatory bowel diseases or disorders (IBDs, e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease). The present invention is further directed to novel therapeutics and therapeutic targets, and to methods of screening and assessing test compounds for the intervention (treatment) and prevention of disorders related to IL-17F signaling.