A NOVEL HAEMATOPOIETIC CYTOKINE AND USES THEREFOR

摘要

A novel heterodimeric haematopoietic cytokine formed from the Epstein Barr Virus-Induced protein 3(EBI3) and the p35 subunit of Interleukin-12(IL12) is disclosed. Substantially pure preparations of this EBI3/p35 cytokine, and antibodies thereto, are provided. In addition, isolated nucleic acids encoding the EBI3/p35 cytokine, and recombinant host cells transformed with these nucleic acids, are also provided. Methods of treating patients, using the EBI3/p35 cytokine or nucleic acids encoding the cytokine, are disclosed. The invention also provides for diagnostic assays for detecting pregnancy or threatened spontaneous abortion using antibodies to the cytokine.