Therapeutic application of mature FLINT (mFLINT) polypeptide or OPG3 that is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily

摘要

Mature FLINT protein (mFLINT) binds FasL and LIGHT, and prevents FasL-Fas interaction. mFLINT inhibits FasL-Fas-mediated apoptotic and proinflammatory activity, and is useful in treating disorders associated with abnormal apoptosis and inflammation. The invention provides the amino acid and nucleotide sequences of FLINT and mature FLINT. The preparation and characterization of transgenic animals that express FLINT is disclosed. Therapeutic compositions and methods of treatment utilizing mFLINT also are provided.