Cytokine-binding domain

摘要

An isolated cytokine-binding domain which binds to at least one cytokine and is capable of transducing a cytokine signal through a single cytokine receptor, said domain comprising a portion of the B'-C' loop of domain 4 of a bc chain or analogous structure of a cytokine receptor. Also detailed are methods of identifying a compound having cytokine agonist or antagonist activity by subjecting a potential cytokine agonist and/or antagonist compound to said cytokine binding domain; and determining the presence of an agonist or antagonist response of the compound on the activity of a cytokine; excluding in vivo testing in humans. An antibody or portion of said antibody that binds specifically to said isolated cytokine binding domain is also covered.