METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF FIBROTIC CONDITIONS & IMPAIRED LUNG FUNCTION & TO ENHANCE LYMPHOCYTE PRODUCTION
The present invention provides methods and compositions to treat fibrotic conditions, to increase lymphocyte production in vivo, and to improve and/or normalize lung function, pulmonary compliance, blood oxygenation, and blood pH to inhibit inflammatory processes to stimulate or inhibit pro-inflammatory and immune cells, and to inhibit migration of vascular endothelial cells. The invention contemplates the administration of human uteroglobin, native or recombinant, as a means of achieving these ends. Specifically, it has been found that uteroglobin inhibits cell adhesion to fibronectin, increases lymphocyte production in vivo, and improves and/or normalizes lung function, pulmonary compliance, blood oxygenation, and blood pH, and inhibits inflammatory process. In addition it has been found that uteroglobin can stimulate or inhibit pro-inflammatory and immune cells and inhibitor migration of vascular endothelial cells.
1 - 184 . (canceled)
185 . A method of increasing the number of lymphoid white cells in the circulation of a mammal comprising administering rhUG.
186 . The method of claim 185 in which the lymphoid white cells are T cells.
187 . The method of claim 185 in which the lymphoid white cells are B cells.
188 . The method of claim 185 in which the lymphoid white cells are dendritic cells.
189 . The method of claim 185 in which the lymphocytes are NK cells.
190 . A method of decreasing the number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) white cells in the circulation of a mammal comprising administering rhUG.
191 . The method of claim 190 in which the PMN white cells are leukocytes.
192 . The method of claim 191 in which the PMN white cells are neutrophils.
193 . The method of claim 191 in which the PMN white cells are eosinophils.
194 . The method of claim 191 in which the PMN white cells are monocytes.
195 . The method of claim 191 in which the PMN white cells are macrophages.
196 . A method of diverting hematopoietic stem cell differentiation in a mammal away from the myeloid lineage and towards the lymphoid lineage comprising administering uteroglobin.
197 . A method of enhancing ATPase activity in a CD11b-positive cell in a mammal comprising administering rhUG.
198 . The method of claim 197 in which the CD11b-positive cell is a white cell of myeloid lineage.
199 . The method of claim 197 in which the CD11b-positive cell is a neutrophil.
200 . The method of claim 197 in which the CD11b-positive cell is an eosinophil.
201 . The method of claim 197 in which the CD11b-positive cell is a monocyte.
202 . The method of claim 197 in which the CD11b-positive cell is a macrophage.
203 . A method of inhibiting ATPase activity in a non-cancerous CD71-positive cell in a mammal comprising administering rhUG.