Methods of modulating a mammalian cytokine

1 . A method of modulating an immune disorder or condition, comprising administering an effective amount of an agonist or antagonist of IL-33 of IL-33 Receptor complex (IL-33R).

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disorder or condition comprises:

a) innate response;

b) asthma or allergy;

c) multiple sclerosis;

d) an inflammatory bowel disorder;

e) arthritis;

f) infection;

g) a cancer or tumor.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the infection comprises:

a) an intracellular pathogen;

b) a bacterium;

c) a parasite; or

d) a virus.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the intracellular pathogen is:

a) Leishmania sp.;

b) Mycobacterium sp.;

c) Listeria sp.;

d) Toxoplasma sp.;

e) Schistosoma; or

f) a respiratory virus;

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the immune disorder or conditions comprises:

a) TH1-type response; or

b) TH2-type response.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the TH2-type response comprises an early event in TH2-type response.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the arthritis comprises:

a) rheumatoid arthritis;

b) osteoarthritis; or

c) psoriatic arthritis.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the agonist comprises:

a) IL-33 or;

b) a nucleic acid.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the nucleic acid encodes IL-33.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antagonist comprises a binding composition from an antibody that specifically binds:

a) IL-33;

b) an IL-33R complex; or

c) a complex of IL-33 and IL-33R.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the binding composition from an antibody comprises:

a) a polyclonal antibody;

b) a monoclonal antibody;

c) a humanized antibody, or a fragment thereof;

d) an Fab, Fv, or F(ab′) 2 fragment;

e) a peptide mimetic of an antibody; or

f) a detectable label.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antagonist comprises:

a) a soluble L-33R;

b) a small molecule; or

c) a nucleic acid.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the nucleic acid specifically hybridizes with a polynucleotide encoding IL-33.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises:

a) anti-sense nucleic acid; or

b) small interference RNA (siRNA).

15 . A method of modulating blood cell counts comprising administering an effective amount of an agonist or antagonist of IL-33.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the IL-33 agonist increases the counts of:

a) total white blood cells;

b) neutrophils;

c) lymphocytes; or

d) eosinophils.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the IL-33 antagonist increases the count of platelets.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the IL-33 antagonist decreases the counts of:

a) total white blood cells;

b) neutrophils;

c) lymphocytes; or

d) eosinophils.

19 . A method of diagnosing the immune condition or disorder of claim 1 , comprising contacting a binding composition to a biological sample, wherein the binding composition specifically binds to IL-33, and measuring or determining the specific binding of the binding composition to the biological sample.

20 . A kit for the diagnosis of the immune condition or disorder of claim 1 , comprising a compartment and a binding composition that specifically binds to:

a) IL-33;

b) an IL-33R complex;

c) a complex of IL-33 and IL-33R; or

d) or a nucleic acid encoding IL-33.