A method of treatment and prophylaxis

摘要

The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of disease conditions associated with reduced levels of a soluble haemopoietic receptor. The disease conditions include conditions associated with dysfunctional haemopoietic regulation as well as an inability or reduced ability for infant mammals to suckle. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for facilitating haemopoietic progenitor cell production by the administration of a soluble or solubilized form of a haemopoietin receptor or receptor-like molecule or an agonist thereof or by inducing, up-regulating or otherwise facilitating expression of a gene encoding said soluble haemopoietin receptor. The present invention further comprises compositions useful in facilitating haemopoietic progenitor cell production comprising a soluble or solubilized form of a haemopoietin receptor or receptor-like molecule and/or agonists thereof or inducing up-regulating or otherwise facilitating expression of a gene encoding said soluble haemopoietin receptor. The composition of the present invention is also useful for inducing or otherwise facilitating postnatal survival in mammals and in particular humans such as by stimulating the ability for an infant to suckle.