DR3 is a death domain-containing receptor that is upregulated during T cell activation and whose overexpression induces apoptosis and NF-kappaB activation in cell lines. Here we show that an endothelial cell-derived TNF-like factor, TL1A, is a ligand for DR3 and decoy receptor TR6/DcR3 and that its expression is inducible by TNF and IL-1alpha. TL1A induces NF-kappaB activation and apoptosis in DR3-expressing cell lines, while TR6-Fc protein antagonizes these signaling events. Interestingly, in T cells, TL1A acts as a costimulator that increases IL-2 responsiveness and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that interaction of TL1A with DR3 promotes T cell expansion during an immune response, whereas TR6 has an opposing effect.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a subset of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-␤ superfamily, regulate a diverse array of cellular functions during development and in the adult. BMP-9 (also known as growth and differentiation factor (GDF)-2) potently induces osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, has been implicated in the differentiation of cholinergic neurons, and may help regulate glucose metabolism. We have determined the structure of BMP-9 to 2.3 Å and examined the differences between our model and existing crystal structures of other BMPs, both in isolation and in complex with their receptors. TGF-␤ ligands are translated as precursors, with pro-regions that generally dissociate after cleavage from the ligand, but in some cases (including GDF-8 and TGF-␤1, -2, and -3), the pro-region remains associated after secretion from the cell and inhibits binding of the ligand to its receptor. Although the proregion of BMP-9 remains tightly associated after secretion, we find, in several cell-based assays, that the activities of BMP-9 and BMP-9⅐pro-region complex were equivalent. Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK-1), an orphan receptor in the TGF-␤ family, was also identified as a potential receptor for BMP-9 based on surface plasmon resonance studies (BIAcore) and the ability of soluble ALK-1 to block the activity of BMP-9⅐pro-region complex in cell-based assays.Transforming growth factor ␤ (TGF-␤) 1 signaling controls a wide variety of processes over the lifetime of an organism. A subset of this large and well conserved family is the group of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), which regulate a diverse array of cellular functions, including differentiation, proliferation, organogenesis, axon guidance, apoptosis, and the establishment of left-right asymmetry (1-3). BMPs and GDFs are highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom, with examples ranging from Drosophila to humans. They have frequently been implicated in the treatment of bone disorders and injury, in accordance with their robust ability to generate de novo bone formation.All TGF-␤ ligands are translated as precursor proteins, consisting of an amino-terminal pro-region and a carboxyl-terminal ligand. This precursor forms a disulfide-linked homodimer in the cytoplasm, and the pro-region is then cleaved from the ligand. In most cases, the pro-region disassociates, and the mature ligand is secreted from the cell, but the pro-regions of GDF-8 (also known as myostatin) and TGF-␤1, -2, and -3 remain noncovalently associated with the ligand after secretion and inhibit binding of their ligands to their respective receptors (4 -6). Transgenic mice overexpressing the pro-region of GDF-8 show dramatic increases in muscle mass, further indicating that the pro-region functionally inhibits GDF-8 (7). The proregion of BMP-9 also remains tightly associated after secretion from the cell.BMP signaling is induced when a dimeric ligand binds to the extracellular domains of two type I and two type II receptors (8). This assembl...

A coordinated functional genomics program was implemented to identify secreted polypeptides with therapeutic applications in the treatment of diabetes. Secreted factors were predicted from a diverse expressed-sequence tags (EST) database, representing >1,000 cDNA libraries, using a combination of bioinformatic algorithms. Subsequently, approximately 8,000 human proteins were screened in high-throughput cell-based assays designed to monitor key physiological transitions known to be centrally involved in the physiology of type 2 diabetes. Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) gave a positive response in two independent assays: reducing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression in hepatocytes and activating Akt kinase in differentiated myotubes. Purified recombinant BMP-9 potently inhibited hepatic glucose production and activated expression of key enzymes of lipid metabolism. In freely fed diabetic mice, a single subcutaneous injection of BMP-9 reduced glycemia to near-normal levels, with maximal reduction observed 30 hours after treatment. BMP-9 represents the first hepatic factor shown to regulate blood glucose concentration. Using a combination of bioinformatic and high-throughput functional analyses, we have identified a factor that may be exploited for the treatment of diabetes.

The population pharmacokinetics (PK) of belimumab were characterized in 1,603 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus receiving belimumab 1, 4, 10, or 20 mg/kg doses in Phase 1-3 trials. Belimumab PK were well described with a linear two-compartment model, with clearance from the central compartment (CL). Belimumab exposure was approximately dose-proportional. The estimated population terminal half-life was 19.4 days and steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was 5.29 L for the currently approved 10 mg/kg dose used in the Phase 3 trials, with an estimated CL of 215 mL/day. No effects of age, sex, race, disease activity, co-medications, or baseline characteristics on belimumab PK were found to alter exposure in a manner requiring dose adjustment. An association observed between increasing baseline proteinuria and increasing CL may be clinically relevant in nephropathy with very high proteinuria levels. No evidence of target-mediated clearance was observed. Clinically relevant effects of body size (increased CL and V1 with increased body weight, and reduced V1 with increased body mass index) have been accounted for in current weight-normalized belimumab dosing.

HGS004 is safe and well tolerated and demonstrates meaningful antiviral activity when administered to patients infected with CCR5-tropic HIV-1.