Isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode T cell inducible factors, or interleukin-21, the proteins encoded, and uses thereof

摘要

The invention involves isolation of nucleic acid molecules, the expression of which are upregulated by interleukin-9. The amino acid sequences of the proteins which correspond to the nucleic acid molecules show some structural features of cytokines. In addition to the nucleic acid molecules and the proteins, various uses of the molecules are disclosed. The molecules are referred to as T cell inducible factors. The molecules are implicated in activation of STAT molecules, acute phase proteins, and inflammation.