ASTHMA ASSOCIATED FACTORS AS TARGETS FOR TREATING ATOPIC ALLERGIES INCLUDING ASTHMA AND RELATED DISORDERS

摘要

A novel TH2 associated gene that is induced by IL-9 has been identified and isolated, thereby providing a therapeutic target for IL-9 mediated diseases such as atopic allergy and asthma-related disorders. The invention also includes methods for the identification and use of small molecule inhibitors of this gene and its products to treat these disorders, methods for diagnosi ng susceptibility to, and assessing treatment of atopic allergy or asthma-relat ed disorders by measuring the level of gene expression in biologic samples usin g antibody specific for this protein. The use of this protein as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases is also indicated.