Interleukin-21 variants with altered binding to the IL-21 receptor
The invention is concerned with IL-21 polypeptide variants having an altered binding to the common gamma chain (c) of the IL-21 receptor and the use thereof in therapy.
1. An isolated IL-21 peptide comprising a mutation selected from the group consisting of the amino acid residues corresponding to Met-7, Arg-11, Ile-14, Asp-18, Glu-36, Asp-37, Thr-40, Glu-100, Glu-109, Ser-113, and Lys-117 in SEQ ID NO:2.
2. The peptide of claim 1 wherein the mutation consists of amino acid residue Met-7, Arg-11, Ile-14 or Asp-18 of SEQ ID. NO:2.
3. The peptide of claim 1 wherein the mutation consists of amino acid residue Glu-36, Asp-37 or Thr-40 of SEQ ID NO:2.
4. The peptide of claim 1 wherein the mutation consists of amino acid residue Glu-100 of SEQ ID. NO:2.
5. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the mutation consists of amino acid residue Glu-109, Ser-113 or Lys-117 of SEQ ID. NO:2.
6. The peptide of claim 1 , further consisting of a deletion in one or more of amino acid residues 124 to 133 of SEQ ID. NO:2.