To obtain a new interleukin-1 inhibitor which suppresses interleukin-1, has a specific amino acid sequence and is useful as an immunosuppressive agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, or the like, for the therapy of osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, interstitial lung disease, glomerular nephritis, infectious diseases, and the like.
This new interleukin-1 inhibitor (IL-1i) is a polypeptide capable of suppressing interleukin-1 (IL-1), is substantially purified up to a purity enabling at least a part of the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide to be determined and is useful e.g. for the therapy of psoriasis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, sclerodermia, interstitial lung disease, gout, glomerular nephritis, infectious diseases and the like. The peptide has an about 70-95% identify to the amino acid sequence of the formula [wherein (U) is absent or M; ad (X) is R or P]. The IL-1i is obtained by searching a human genome DNA library with a probe composed of a partial sequence and by transducing the gene in an expression system, followed by expression of the gene.
EISENBURG STEPHEN P
THOMPSON ROBERT C
AREND WILLIAM P
JOSLIN FENNEKE G
SOMMER ANDREAS
UNIV OF COLORADO FOUNDATION