Purified polypeptides having IL-13 receptor activity

1 - 43 . (canceled)

44 . An antibody that specifically binds to a protein selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a protein consisting of amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:4;

(b) a protein consisting of a biologically active amino acid sequence derived from SEQ ID NO:4 or a biologically active amino acid sequence fragment of SEQ ID NO: 4 wherein said biologically active amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of (i) participating in the transduction of the signal specifically produced by IL-13 at the cell membrane and (ii) interacting with the receptor specific for IL-4 to form a complex capable of binding IL-4 and IL-13;

(c) a protein consisting of the extracellular domain of SEQ ID NO:4;

(d) a protein consisting of the soluble amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:4; and

(d) a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:4.

45 . The antibody of claim 44 which is polyclonal.

46 . The antibody of claim 44 which is monoclonal.

47 . The antibody of claim 44 which is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a chimeric antibody;

(b) a Fab fragment;

(c) a humanized antibody; and

(d) a F(ab′) 2 fragment.

48 . Process for diagnosis of pathologies correlated with an abnormal expression of IL-13 receptor in a biological sample, comprising of the steps of:

(a) contacting said biological sample with at least one antibody according to claim 44 under conditions allowing the formation of specific immunological complexes between the IL-13 receptor and said antibody and

(b) detecting said immunological complexes which are formed and comparing to a normal control sample.

49 . A kit for in vitro diagnosis for measuring the level of expression of the IL-13 receptor in a biological sample comprising:

(a) at least one antibody specific for the IL-13 receptor according to claim 44 , optionally attached onto a support,

(c) means for revealing the formation of specific IL-13 receptor/antibody complexes and quantifying these complexes.

50 . An antibody that specifically binds to a protein selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a protein consisting of amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:2;

(b) a protein consisting of a biologically active amino acid sequence derived from SEQ ID NO:2 or a biologically active amino acid sequence fragment of SEQ ID NO: 2 wherein said biologically active amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of (i) participating in the transduction of the signal specifically produced by IL-13 at the cell membrane and (ii) interacting with the receptor specific for IL-4 to form a complex capable of binding IL-4 and IL-13;

(c) a protein consisting of the extracellular domain of SEQ ID NO:2;

(d) a protein consisting of the soluble amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:2; and

(d) a protein comprising SEQ ID NO:2.

51 . The antibody of claim 50 which is polyclonal.

52 . The antibody of claim 50 which is monoclonal.

53 . The antibody of claim 50 which is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a chimeric antibody;

(b) a Fab fragment;

(c) a humanized antibody; and

(d) a F(ab′) 2 fragment.

54 . A process for diagnosis of pathologies correlated with an abnormal expression of IL-13 receptor in a biological sample, comprising the steps of:

(d) contacting said biological sample with at least one antibody according to claims 44 or 50 under conditions allowing the formation of specific immunological complexes between the IL-13 receptor and said antibody and

(e) detecting said immunological complexes which are formed and comparing to a normal control sample.

55 . A kit for in vitro diagnosis that measures the level of expression of the IL-13 receptor in a biological sample comprising:

(a) at least one antibody specific for IL-13 receptor according to claim 44 or 50 , optionally attached onto a support, and

(b) means for revealing the formation of specific IL-13 receptor/antibody complexes and quantifying said complexes.