Methods for treating and preventing fibrosis

US7910105B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Wyeth, LLC · US
• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US
• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• Deborah Young · Melrose, US
• Thomas Andrew Wynn · Lexington, US
• Mary Collins · Natick, US
• Michael J. Grusby · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 13, 2006
• Grant date: Mar 22, 2011
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A50/30
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of screening for compositions useful for treating, ameliorating, or preventing fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring changes in the level(s) of IL-21 and/or IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) (e.g., the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R protein and/or mRNA, the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R). The invention further provides antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21R for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions. Further provided herein are methods of diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring the progress (e.g., the course of treatment) of fibrosis and/or fibrosis-associated conditions by measuring the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (i.e., the level of activity of IL-21 and/or IL-21R, the level of expression of IL-21 and/or IL-21R (e.g., the level of IL-21 and/or IL-21R gene products), and/or the level of interaction of IL-21 with IL-21R).