| abstract |
The present invention relates generally to Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) variants. More particularly, the present invention provides cytokine antagonists and agonists. Even more particularly, the present invention provides agonists and antagonists of cytokines which act via the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) receptor a-chain (LIFR) and gp130 signalling system. The agonists and antagonists are based on modified forms of LIF. The agonists and antagonists of the present invention are also useful as targets for developing or screening for chemical mimetics and in particular small chemical mimetics of the modified LIF molecules. The agonists and antagonists of the present invention are useful agents in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cytokine-mediated conditions including inflammation, cancer growth, fertility and pregnancy, or for the culturing of embryonic stem cells. The present invention further contemplates a method for modulating cytokine-mediated physiological or disease conditions such as inflammation, cancer, fertility or pregnancy as well as compositions comprising the antagonists. |