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

摘要

A new gene in the G-coupled protein receptor family is discribed that is induced by IL-9, thereby providing a therapeutic target in IL-9 mediated development of atopic allergy, asthma-related disorders and certain lymphomas or leukemias. A method for recombinantly producing the polypeptide encoded by the gene is disclosed. A method for identification and use of agonist and antagonists of GCR9 to treat atopic allergy, asthma-related disorders and certain lymphomas or leukemias is also included. A method for diagnosing susceptibility to, and assessing treatment of atopic allergy, asthma-related disorders and certain lymphomas or leukemias by measuring the level of GCR9 in biological samples using antibody specific for the GCR9 polypeptide or nucleic acid probes specific for GCR9 nucleic acids is also disclosed.