HK40033325A - Soluble interferon receptors and uses thereof - Google Patents

Description

Soluble interferon receptors and uses thereof

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/548,737 filed on 22/8/2017. The entire contents of the above-mentioned provisional patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multi-system, autoimmune disease characterized by a diverse disease manifestation affecting multiple organs, including skin, CNS, joints, vasculature and kidneys there is evidence that Interferons (IFNs) are overproduced in subjects with SLE and cause systemic inflammation characteristic of SLE.in particular, type I interferons are important cytokines in SLE and are closely related to disease activity and nephritis type I interferons are a subset of interferon proteins including IFN- α, INF- β, IFN-epsilon, -kappa, -tau, -zeta, IFN-omega, IFN-nu, both of which bind to the IFN- α receptor (IFNAR) consisting of two different polypeptide chains IFNAR1 and IFNAR 2.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates, in part, to soluble interferon receptors that are capable of binding to interferons (e.g., IFN- α, IFN- β.) such soluble interferon receptors are useful for inhibiting interferon activity in some aspects, the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure are heterodimeric constructs.

The present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain. In some aspects, the heterodimers of the disclosure, wherein the first and second polypeptides are each directly (without a linker) linked to a mutant Fc domain, have increased binding to a type I interferon relative to a heterodimer wherein the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker domain.

In some aspects, the disclosureComprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker). In some aspects, a heterodimer of the disclosure comprises a first polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a polypeptide linker (e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5). In some aspects, the heterodimers of the disclosure comprise a second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide comprises a polypeptide linker (e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5). In some aspects, the polypeptide linker is about 1-50, about 5-40, about 10-30, or about 15-20 amino acids in length. In some aspects, the polypeptide linker is about 20 or fewer amino acids, about 15 or fewer amino acids, about 10 or fewer amino acids, or about 5 or fewer amino acids in length. In some aspects, the polypeptide linker is 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 amino acids in length.

In some aspects, the heterodimers of the present disclosure bind a type I interferon selected from interferon- α (INF α), interferon- α 1(INF α 3), or both INF α 0 and INF β in some aspects, the type I interferon is INF α 2 in some aspects, the type I interferon is INF β in some aspects, the type I interferon is both INF α and INF β in other aspects, the heterodimers of the present disclosure inhibit the activity of INF α in some aspects, the heterodimers of the present disclosure inhibit the activity of INF β in some aspects, the heterodimers of the present disclosure inhibit the activity of both INF α and INF β in some aspects, the heterodimers of the present disclosure inhibit induction of type I Interferon (IFN) gene expression.

In some aspects, a heterodimer of the disclosure comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker). In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a mutant human immunoglobulin Fc domain. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises one or more mutations in the CH2 domain. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises one or more mutations in the CH3 domain. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises one or more mutations in the CH2 domain and one or more mutations in the CH3 domain. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a mutant human IgG4 domain.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised within an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., a₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutation Y407T. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides for incorporationA heterodimer of a type 1 interferon comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutation T366Y. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised within an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., a₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain of a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutated human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised within an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised within a polypeptide with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G/₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutation T366W. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in a modified Fc domain with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutations T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised within an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., a₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain of a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised of an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutation T366Y. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in a modified Fc domain with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 23, 4 or 5.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in an IFNAR1 domain that is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide with or without a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) operably coupled to an IFNAR2 domain comprising a mutant Fc domain of mutations T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some aspects, the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker, wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the heterodimers of the disclosure comprise a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, wherein the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide are each operably coupled, with or without a linker, to a mutant Fc domain comprising one or more mutations (e.g., one or more CH2 mutations, one or more CH3 mutations, or one or more CH2 and CH3 mutations), wherein the one or more Fc mutations promote, increase or enhance formation of heterodimers relative to a heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, each of the first and second polypeptides comprising a wild-type Fc domain (e.g., an Fc domain of the same isotype (e.g., human IgG1 or human IgG4) without the one or more Fc mutations). In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain is a mutant human IgG1Fc domain. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain is a mutant human IgG4Fc domain.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the heterodimers of the disclosure comprise a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, wherein the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide are each operably coupled, with or without a linker, to a mutant Fc domain comprising one or more mutations (e.g., one or more CH2 mutations, one or more CH3 mutations, or one or more CH2 and CH3 mutations), wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide and/or the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more mutations that promote, increase, or enhance stability of the Fc domain and/or reduce binding to an Fc receptor. In some aspects, the mutation is selected from: C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S, and combinations thereof. In some aspects, the mutations include C220S, P238S, and P331S. In some aspects, mutations include C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S. In some aspects, the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide each comprise a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, and P331S. In some aspects, the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide each comprise a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the heterodimers of the disclosure comprise a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, wherein each of the first and second polypeptides is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 12.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 106. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 107.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 106. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 107.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 109.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T336W, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 109.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 9. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 10.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 9. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 10.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 122. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 123.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 122. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 123.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 125.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutation T336W, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 125.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 120. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 121.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, according to EU numbering. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 120. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 121.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 106. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 107.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 106. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO:107And (4) sequencing.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 109.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T336W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 109.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) may beAn IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 9. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 10.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, 394K 392L and T394W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 9. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 10.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an amino group comprising SEQ ID NO 11The IFNAR1 domain of the sequence and the second polypeptide comprise an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 122. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 123.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 122. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 123.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 125.

In some aspectsIn one aspect, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised within a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), operably coupled to an IFNAR1 domain of a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T336W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 125.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 120. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 121.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) is operably coupled to the linker comprising a mutationAn IFNAR1 domain of a mutant IgG4Fc domain of variant T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 120. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 121.

In other aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide selected from:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43;

(ii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42;

(iii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 53 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 55; and

(iv) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 57 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 59;

(v) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(vi) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(vii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(viii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(ix) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 53 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(x) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 55 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(xi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 57 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(xii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 59 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(xiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 45 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(xiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 47 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(xv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 49 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(xvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 51 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(xvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 61 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75, and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 63 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 65 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xx) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 67 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 69 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75 and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xxii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 71 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xxiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 73 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xxiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 75 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 77 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75, and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xxvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 79 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xxvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 81 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xxviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 82 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 84 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxx) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 85 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 87 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101;

(xxxii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 89 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99;

(xxxiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 91 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxxiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 93 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 95 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101;

(xxxvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 97 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99;

(xxxvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 99 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxxviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 101 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 103 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101; and

(xl) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 105 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type I interferon comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type I interferon comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type I interferon comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 53 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 55.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to type I interferon comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 57 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 59.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds a type 1 interferon, wherein the type I interferon is selected from interferon- α (INF α), interferon- α 1(INF α 3), or both INF α 0 and INF β in some aspects, the type I interferon is INF α 2 in some aspects, the type I interferon is INF β in some aspects, the type I interferon is both INF α and INF β in some aspects, the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF α in some aspects, the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF β in some aspects, the heterodimer inhibits the activity of both INF α and INF β in some aspects, the heterodimer inhibits induction of type I Interferon (IFN) gene expression.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type 1 interferon, comprising a first and a second polypeptide, wherein each of the first and second polypeptides is directly (without a linker) linked to a mutant Fc domain, and wherein the heterodimer has increased binding to a type I interferon relative to a heterodimer wherein each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a polypeptide linker domain.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type 1 interferon, comprising a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, wherein the first and second polypeptides are each operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain comprising one or more mutations (e.g., one or more CH2 mutations, one or more CH3 mutations, or one or more CH2 and CH3 mutations), and wherein the one or more Fc mutations promote, increase, or enhance formation of the heterodimer relative to a heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, each comprising a wild-type Fc domain.

In any of the foregoing or related aspects, the heterodimers of the disclosure comprise a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, wherein the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide are each operably coupled, with or without a linker, to a mutant Fc domain comprising one or more mutations (e.g., one or more CH2 mutations, one or more CH3 mutations, or one or more CH2 and CH3 mutations), wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide and/or the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more mutations that promote, increase, or enhance stability of the Fc domain and/or reduce binding to an Fc receptor. In some aspects, the mutation is selected from: C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S, and combinations thereof. In some aspects, the mutations include C220S, P238S, and P331S. In some aspects, mutations include C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S. In some aspects, the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide each comprise a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, and P331S. In some aspects, the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide each comprise a mutant Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S.

In other aspects, the disclosure provides compositions comprising the heterodimers of the disclosure and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In other aspects, the disclosure provides nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of a heterodimer, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker (e.g., a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (G))₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) operably coupled to the IFNAR1 domain of a mutant Fc domain (e.g., a mutant human IgG1Fc domain or a mutant human IgG4Fc domain).In some aspects, a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain comprises the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11.

In other aspects, the disclosure provides nucleic acids encoding nucleotide sequences of a second polypeptide of the heterodimer, wherein the second polypeptide is comprised of a first polypeptide with or without a linker (e.g., a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (G))₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) operably coupled to the IFNAR2 domain of a mutant Fc domain (e.g., a mutant human IgG1Fc domain or a mutant human IgG4Fc domain). In some aspects, the second polypeptide comprising an IFNAR2 domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ id No. 12.

Other aspects of the disclosure provide recombinant expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid of the disclosure. In some aspects, recombinant expression vectors and host cells comprise nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of a heterodimer, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker (e.g., a Gly/Ser linker) (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) operably coupled to the IFNAR1 domain of a mutant Fc domain (e.g., a mutant human IgG1Fc domain or a mutant human IgG4Fc domain). In some aspects, recombinant expression vectors and host cells comprise nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterodimeric second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide is comprised with or without a linker (e.g., a Gly/Ser linker) (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) operably coupled to the IFNAR2 domain of a mutant Fc domain (e.g., a mutant human IgG1Fc domain or a mutant human IgG4Fc domain). In some aspects, the recombinant expression vectors and host cells comprise both a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of a heterodimer and a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide of a heterodimer. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 11. In some aspects, the second polypeptide comprising an IFNAR2 domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 12.

Other aspects of the disclosure provide methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Other aspects of the present disclosure provide methods of reducing, or inhibiting type I interferon in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the present disclosure or a composition of the present disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Other aspects of the present disclosure provide methods of treating or inhibiting progression of a disease characterized by type I interferon and methods of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the present disclosure or a composition of the present disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid domain set forth in SEQ ID No. 539 7, some of the autoimmune diseases, sjogren syndrome, some of the autoimmune diseases, and some of the diseases related to the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID 6326.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 12, IFNAR 4612, in some aspects of the autoimmune disease, sjogren 104, sjogren 106, sjogren syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid domain as set forth in SEQ ID No. ifr 63108, in some aspects of the autoimmune disease, sjogren No. 7, sjogren No. 108.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an ifr 2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L539368 and Y407V according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an ifr 2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T336W in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an ifr 2 domain comprising mutations in some aspects of the ifr 6326, ifr 8513, and 10, and some of the autoimmune diseases are autoimmune diseases as set forth in SEQ ID No. 7.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating autoimmune diseases (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutated IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR 588 domain operably coupled to a mutated IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L Y, F405 638, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in some aspects as IFNAR 3527, ifr 3512, ifr 369, ifno. a polypeptide comprising amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID 3511.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating autoimmune diseases (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutated IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR 588 domain operably coupled to a mutated IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T596366 2, K392 8, and T W in some aspects the IFNAR 3512 ifr 3511 amino acid sequence is as set forth in the ifr 3512, ifr 11, ifr 369, ifr 12, ifno. a further aspect of the amino acid sequence comprising mutations in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID 3512.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid domain set forth in SEQ ID No. 539 7, some of the autoimmune diseases, sjogren syndrome, some of the autoimmune diseases, and some of the diseases.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 539 7, some of the autoimmune diseases, including the autoimmune diseases, sjogren syndrome, some aspects of the autoimmune diseases, and/or the autoimmune diseases.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutant T366W according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V in some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid domain as set forth in SEQ ID No. 7, ifr 63125, in some aspects of the autoimmune disease, sjogren No. 7, and some of the diseases.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF, or both INF and INF), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG Fc domain comprising mutations T366, L and Y407, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises a mutant Fc domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG Fc domain comprising mutation T336, and wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR domain comprising an amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:11 and the second polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc domain comprising amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:12, and wherein the first polypeptide comprises a mutant IFNAR domain comprising a mutation in SEQ ID No. 12, and the second polypeptide comprising a mutant IFN Fc domain comprising a mutation in SEQ ID No. 120, a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 120, a second polypeptide comprising a mutant IFN, a mutant Fc domain comprising a mutation in SEQ ID No. 12, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a mutant IFN, a polypeptide comprising an iff, a mutant IFN Fc domain, a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 120, a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc domain, a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc domain, a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 120, a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide, a mutant Fc amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 120, a polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc polypeptide, a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide, a mutant Fc amino acid sequence shown in which is disclosed in which is a polypeptide, a mutant Fc amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 120, a polypeptide.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting the expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating autoimmune diseases (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutated IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR 588 domain operably coupled to a mutated IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T596366 2, K392 8, and T W in some aspects the IFNAR 12 ifr containing amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID 3512, ifr 3512, ifno. 11, ifno. 7, ifno. 11, ifno. 7, ifno. 11, and Y407, ifno. 11.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrierWherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised within a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker according to EU numbering (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 106. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 107. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 106. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises SEQ id no107, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 109. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide according to EU numberingHaving a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T336W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 109. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 9. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 10.In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, 394K 392L and T394W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 9. In some aspects, the mutant IgG1Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID No. 10. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in having Gl according to EU numberingy/Ser linker (e.g., (G)₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 122. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 123. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 122. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 123. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, by itselfThe immune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 125. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nLinker, in which n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5)An IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutation T336W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 124. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 125. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker, wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 120. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 121. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is comprised in a polypeptide having a Gly/Ser linker (e.g., (g., (G) according to EU numbering₄S)_nA linker wherein n is 1-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T350V, T366L, 394K 392L and T394W. In some aspects, the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 11 and the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain comprising the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO. 12. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO 120. In some aspects, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 121. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the present disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the present disclosure or a composition of the present disclosure comprising the heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide selected from:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43;

(ii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42;

(iii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 53 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 55; and

(iv) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 57 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 59;

(v) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(vi) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(vii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(viii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(ix) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 53 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(x) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 55 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(xi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 57 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(xii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 59 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(xiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 45 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(xiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 47 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(xv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 49 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(xvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 51 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(xvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 61 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75, and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 63 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 65 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xx) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 67 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 69 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75 and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xxii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 71 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xxiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 73 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xxiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 75 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 77 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75, and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xxvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 79 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xxvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 81 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xxviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 82 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 84 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxx) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 85 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 87 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101;

(xxxii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 89 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99;

(xxxiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 91 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxxiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 93 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 95 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101;

(xxxvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 97 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99;

(xxxvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 99 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxxviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 101 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 103 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101; and

(xl) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 105 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is SLE. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:40 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:41 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting expression of an Interferon (IFN) gene, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferons (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., SLE, sjogren syndrome) in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a heterodimer of the disclosure or a composition of the disclosure comprising a heterodimer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the heterodimer comprises a first polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 57 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 59.

Other aspects of the disclosure provide for the use of a heterodimer of the disclosure and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in the preparation of a medicament for treating or delaying the progression of an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, wherein the treatment comprises administering the medicament to the subject in need thereof.

Other aspects of the disclosure provide a kit comprising a medicament comprising a heterodimer of the disclosure and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a package insert comprising instructions for administering the medicament to treat or delay progression of an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof.

In some aspects, the disclosure provides a kit comprising a container comprising a heterodimer of the disclosure and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a package insert comprising instructions for administering the heterodimer to treat or delay the progression of an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 depicts exemplary soluble interferon receptors RSLV 601-604, RSLV 602-603, RSLV 606-611 and RSLV 608-613.

FIG. 2 is a graphical depiction of the inhibition of IFN α -induced SEAP production in HEK-Blue α/β cells by the inhibitors RSLV 601-604, RSLV 602-603 and anti-human IFN α positive controls.

FIG. 3 is a graphical depiction of the inhibition of IFN β -induced SEAP production in HEK-Blue α/β cells by the inhibitors RSLV 601-604, RSLV 602-603 and anti-human IFN β positive controls.

FIG. 4 is a graphical depiction of the effect of linker length on the inhibition of IFN α -induced SEAP production in HEK-Blue α/β cells.

FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction of the effect of linker length on the inhibition of IFN β -induced SEAP production in HEK-Blue α/β cells.

FIG. 6 depicts the inhibition of SLE serum-induced interferon gene expression in PBMCs by the soluble interferon receptor RSLV 601-604.

FIG. 7 depicts the inhibition of SLE serum-induced interferon gene expression in PBMCs by the soluble interferon receptor RSLV 608-613.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure provides soluble heterodimers that bind type I interferon and methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting Interferon (IFN) gene expression, methods of reducing, decreasing, or inhibiting type I interferon and/or type I interferon activity (e.g., INF α, INF β, or both INF α and INF β), and methods of treating a disease characterized by type I interferon production in a subject in need thereof.

The present disclosure is based, at least in part, on the discovery that heterodimers comprising an IFNAR1 domain and an IFNAR2 domain each operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain effectively inhibit IFN α and IFN β activity and inhibit SLE serum-induced interferon gene expression.

It has also been found that heterodimers comprising an IFNAR1 domain and an IFNAR2 domain each operably coupled directly (i.e., without a polypeptide linker) to a mutant Fc domain have increased binding affinity and potency to type I interferons such as INF α relative to heterodimers in which IFNAR1 domain and IFNAR2 domain each are operably coupled with a polypeptide linker, without being bound by theory, it is believed that IFNAR1 and IRNAR2 require a degree of flexibility to form pockets for interaction with type I interferons, the extracellular domains of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 bind to type I interferons and form ternary complexes, which results in the intracellular domains being in close proximity to the receptor and modulating signaling through the receptor (Li et al, j.mol. biol. (2017) 2589), it has also been shown that the change in ligand set has been induced to a receptor and modulate signaling through the receptor (Li et al, j.63l. (2017) signaling through the receptor, 2571) and binding of the ligand domains to a variable length of IFNAR 5 domain, which is believed to be influenced by the binding of the heterologous linker domain of the heterologous Fc domain, which is not observed under the binding to the binding of the heterologous linker equivalent Fc domain of IFNAR 857 domain, IFNAR 5 domain, the binding to the heterologous Fc domain, IFNAR 5 domain, IFNAR 26 domain, the binding of IFNAR 5 domain, the ligand binding to the heterologous linker domain, IFNAR 5 domain, the heterologous linker domain, the ligand binding of the ligand binding to the heterologous linker domain, the IFNAR 26 domain, the protein linker domain, the ligand binding of IFNAR 898 domain, the IFNAR 26 domain, the ligand binding to the protein linker domain, the protein, the ligand binding to the protein, the protein linker domain, the protein, the ligand binding to the protein linker domain, the protein, the ligand binding of the linker domain, the protein, the linker domain.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain. As described herein, the heterodimers of the present disclosure can be used in methods of inhibiting type I interferon gene expression, methods of inhibiting type I interferon activity, and methods of treating autoimmune diseases.

Definition of

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms used in the claims and the specification are defined as follows.

An amino acid analog refers to a compound that has the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid, i.e., the α carbon bound to hydrogen, carboxyl, amino, and R groups, e.g., homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium.

Amino acids may be referred to herein by their commonly known three letter symbols or single letter symbols as recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical nomenclature Commission. Likewise, nucleotides may be referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes.

"amino acid substitution" means that at least one existing amino acid residue in a predetermined amino acid sequence (the amino acid sequence of the starting polypeptide) is replaced with a second, different "replacement" amino acid residue. "amino acid insertion" refers to the incorporation of at least one additional amino acid into a predetermined amino acid sequence. Although insertions typically consist of insertions of one or two amino acid residues, larger "peptide insertions" may be made, for example insertions of about three to about five or even up to about ten, fifteen or twenty amino acid residues. The inserted residues may be naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring, as disclosed above. "amino acid deletion" refers to the removal of at least one amino acid residue from a predetermined amino acid sequence.

"polypeptide," "peptide," and "protein" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. The terms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues is an artificial chemical mimetic of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acid polymers and non-naturally occurring amino acid polymers.

The term "nucleic acid" refers to deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides and polymers thereof in either single-or double-stranded form, and unless otherwise specifically limited, the term includes nucleic acids containing known analogs of natural nucleotides which have similar binding properties to the reference nucleic acid and are metabolized in a manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly includes conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions) and complementary sequences as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. In particular, degenerate codon substitutions may be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed bases and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al, nucleic acid Res 1991; 19: 5081; Ohtsuka et al, JBC 1985; 260: 2605-8; Rossolini et al, mu m l cell probes 1994; 8: 91-8). For arginine and leucine, the modification at the second base may also be conservative. The term nucleic acid is used interchangeably with gene, cDNA, and mRNA encoded by a gene.

The polynucleotide of the invention may consist of any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxyribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA. For example, a polynucleotide may be composed of single-and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single-and double-stranded regions, single-and double-stranded RNA, and RNA that is a mixture of single-and double-stranded regions, or a hybrid molecule comprising DNA and RNA that may be single-stranded or, more typically, double-stranded or a mixture of single-and double-stranded regions. In addition, a polynucleotide may be composed of a triple-stranded region comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. Polynucleotides may also comprise one or more modified bases or DNA or RNA backbones modified for stability or for other reasons. "modified" bases include, for example, tritylated bases and unusual bases such as inosine. Various modifications can be made to DNA and RNA; thus, "polynucleotide" includes chemically, enzymatically or metabolically modified forms.

As used herein, the terms "operably connected" or "operably coupled" refer to a juxtaposition wherein the components so described are in a relationship permitting them to function in their intended manner.

As used herein, the term "glycosylation" or "glycosylated" refers to the process or result of adding a sugar moiety to a molecule.

As used herein, the term "altered glycosylation" refers to an aglycosylated, deglycosylated or aglycosylated molecule.

As used herein, "glycosylation site" refers to a site that potentially can accept a carbohydrate moiety as well as a site within a protein to which a carbohydrate moiety has actually been attached, and includes any amino acid sequence that can serve as an acceptor for oligosaccharides and/or carbohydrates.

As used herein, the term "aglycosylated" or "aglycosylated" refers to a molecule that produces an unglycosylated form (e.g., by engineering a protein or polypeptide to lack amino acid residues that serve as glycosylation receptors). Alternatively, the protein or polypeptide may be expressed in, for example, E.coli to produce an aglycosylated protein or polypeptide.

As used herein, the term "deglycosylation" or "deglycosylated" refers to the process or result of enzymatic removal of a sugar moiety on a molecule.

As used herein, the term "aglycosylated" or "aglycosylated" refers to a molecule in which one or more carbohydrate structures normally present when produced in a mammalian cell have been omitted, removed, modified or masked.

As used herein, the terms "Fc region" and "Fc domain" are portions of a native immunoglobulin formed from the respective Fc domains (or Fc portions) of the two heavy chains of an immunoglobulin without the variable regions that bind antigen. In some embodiments, the Fc domain begins at the hinge region just upstream of the papain cleavage site and terminates at the C-terminus of the antibody. Thus, a complete Fc domain comprises at least a hinge domain, a CH2 domain, and a CH3 domain. In certain embodiments, the Fc domain comprises at least one of: a hinge (e.g., upper, middle, and/or lower hinge region) domain, a CH2 domain, a CH3 domain, a CH4 domain, or a variant, portion, or fragment thereof. In other embodiments, the Fc domain comprises a complete Fc domain (i.e., the hinge domain, CH2 domain, and CH3 domain). In one embodiment, the Fc domain comprises a hinge domain (or portion thereof) fused to a CH3 domain (or portion thereof). In another embodiment, the Fc domain comprises a CH2 domain (or portion thereof) fused to a CH3 domain (or portion thereof). In another embodiment, the Fc domain consists of a CH3 domain or portion thereof. In another embodiment, the Fc domain consists of a hinge domain (or portion thereof) and a CH3 domain (or portion thereof). In another embodiment, the Fc domain consists of a CH2 domain (or portion thereof) and a CH3 domain. In another embodiment, the Fc domain consists of a hinge domain (or portion thereof) and a CH2 domain (or portion thereof). In one embodiment, the Fc domain lacks at least a portion of a CH2 domain (e.g., all or part of a CH2 domain). In one embodiment, the Fc domain of the invention comprises at least the portion of an Fc molecule required for FcRn binding known in the art. In one embodiment, the Fc domain of the present invention comprises at least the portion of an Fc molecule required for protein a binding known in the art. In one embodiment, the Fc domain of the present invention comprises at least the portion of an Fc molecule required for protein G binding as known in the art. An Fc domain herein generally refers to a polypeptide comprising all or part of the Fc domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. This includes, but is not limited to, polypeptides comprising the entire CH1, hinge, CH2, and/or CH3 domains, as well as fragments of such peptides comprising only, for example, the hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains. The Fc domain may be derived from any species and/or any subtype of immunoglobulin, including but not limited to human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgD, IgA, IgE, or IgM antibodies. Fc domains encompass native Fc and Fc variant molecules. As with Fc variants and native Fc, the term Fc domain includes molecules in monomeric or multimeric form, whether digested from whole antibodies or otherwise produced.

As described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any Fc domain can be modified such that its amino acid sequence is changed from that of the native Fc domain of a naturally occurring immunoglobulin molecule.

The Fc domains of the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure may be derived from different immunoglobulin molecules. For example, the Fc domain of an interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise a CH2 and/or CH3 domain derived from an IgG1 molecule and a hinge region derived from an IgG3 molecule. In another example, the Fc domain may comprise a chimeric hinge region derived in part from an IgG1 molecule and in part from an IgG3 molecule. In another example, the Fc domain may comprise a chimeric hinge derived in part from an IgG1 molecule and in part from an IgG4 molecule. The wild-type human IgG1Fc domain has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26.

As used herein, the term "serum half-life" refers to the time required for the serum soluble interferon receptor concentration to decrease by 50% in vivo. The shorter the serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptor, the shorter the time it takes for it to exert a therapeutic effect.

As used herein, the term "soluble interferon receptor" or "heterodimer" refers to a molecule comprising a first IFNAR domain or a variant or fragment thereof, and a second IFNAR domain or a variant or fragment thereof in some embodiments, the IFNAR domain is the extracellular domain of an IFNAR in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises the extracellular domain of an IFNAR or a variant or fragment thereof, and the second polypeptide comprises the extracellular domain of an IFNAR or a variant or fragment thereof in some embodiments, the first and second polypeptides interact to form a dimer (e.g., a heterodimer) in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a first fragment comprising the IFR domain or a variant or fragment thereof, with or without a linker domain, operably linked to an immunoglobulin Fc domain or a variant or fragment thereof, in some embodiments, the second polypeptide comprises a soluble interferon receptor domain or a variant or fragment thereof, with or without a linker domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFN-Fc domain, or a second polypeptide, with or a leader-Fc domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFN-Fc-polypeptide, or a second IFN-Fc-chimeric polypeptide, and a second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide comprises a second IFN-Fc.

As used herein, the term "interferon receptor Fc construct" refers to a polypeptide comprising an IFNAR domain (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) or variant or fragment thereof operably linked to an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof, with or without a linker domain, as well as nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain is the extracellular domain of an IFNAR. The interferon receptor Fc construct may or may not comprise a leader sequence. The interferon receptor Fc construct may also be referred to as an "interferon receptor Fc protein".

As used herein, the term "type I interferon" or "type I IFN" refers to a proinflammatory cytokine that binds to the heterodimeric cell surface receptor IFN- α receptor (IFNAR) comprising IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 there are 16 types of type I interferons in humans, including IFN- α, INF- β, IFN- ε, - κ, - τ, - ζ, IFN- ω, IFN- ν. type I IFN is rapidly produced in a variety of different cell types and is known to have a wide variety of effects.

As used herein, the term "type I IFN activity" refers to the biological activity of a type I IFN upon interaction with a receptor (IFNAR), including but not limited to those described herein. Typical consequences of type I IFN production in vivo are the activation of antimicrobial cellular programs and the development of innate and adaptive immune responses. Type I interferons modulate innate immune cell activation (e.g., maturation of dendritic cells) to promote antigen presentation and natural killer cell function. Type I IFNs also promote high affinity antigen-specific T and B cell responses and the development of immunological memory (Ivashkiv and Donlin (2014) Nat Rev Immunol 14(1): 36-49).

Type I IFN has been shown to activate Dendritic Cells (DCs) and promote their T cell stimulatory capacity by autocrine signaling (Montoya et al, (2002) Blood 99: 3263-3271). Type I IFN exposure promotes maturation of DCs by increasing expression of chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules (e.g., promoting migration of DCs into draining lymph nodes), costimulatory molecules, and MHC class I and class II antigen presentation. DCs matured after type I IFN exposure were effective in eliciting protective T cell responses (Wijejundara et al, (2014) Front Immunol 29(412) and references therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of DC activation and/or maturation. In some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of DC migration to a draining lymph node.

Furthermore, type I IFN can promote T cell activation, proliferation, differentiation and survival (Crouse et al, (2015) Nat RevImmunol 15: 231-242). Early studies revealed that MHC-1 expression is upregulated in response to type I IFN in a variety of cell types (Lindahl et al, (1976), J infection Dis 133(Suppl): A66-A68; Lindahl et al, (1976) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA17:1284-1287), which is required for optimal T cell stimulation, differentiation, expansion and cytolytic activity. In addition, type I IFN may exert potent co-stimulatory effects on CD 8T cells, thereby enhancing CD 8T cell proliferation and differentiation (Curtsinger et al, (2005) J Immunol174: 4465-4469; Kolumam et al, (2005) J Exp Med 202: 637-650). Thus, in some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of T cell proliferation. In some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of CD8+ T cell proliferation. In some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of T cell differentiation. In some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of CD8+ T cell differentiation.

For B cells, type I IFN exposure has been shown to promote B cell activation, antibody production, and isotype switching following viral infection or following experimental immunization (Le Bon et al, (2006) J Immunol 176:4: 2074-2078; Swanson et al, (2010) J Exp Med207: 1485-1500). Thus, in some embodiments, the type I IFN activity is an increase or induction of antibody production.

In some embodiments, type I IFN activity is produced when IFN α binds to an IFNAR in some embodiments, type I IFN activity is produced when IFN β binds to an IFNAR in some embodiments, type I IFN activity is selected from (I) an increase or induction of T cell proliferation (e.g., CD8+ T cell proliferation), (ii) an increase or induction of DC maturation, (iii) an increase or induction of DC migration into draining lymph nodes, (iv) an increase or induction of T cell differentiation (e.g., CD8+ T cell differentiation), (v) an increase or induction of antibody production, and (vi) any combination of (I) - (v).

In some embodiments, the heterodimers described herein inhibit or reduce type I IFN activity. For example, in some embodiments, the heterodimers described herein: (i) inhibit or reduce T cell proliferation (e.g., CD8+ T cell proliferation); (ii) inhibits or reduces DC maturation; (iii) inhibiting or reducing DC migration into draining lymph nodes; (iv) inhibiting or reducing T cell differentiation (e.g., CD8+ T cell differentiation); (v) inhibiting or reducing IFN-mediated antibody production; or (vi) any combination of (i) - (v). In some embodiments, the inhibition or reduction of type I IFN activity by a heterodimer described herein is relative to the activity in the absence of the heterodimer. Methods for determining T cell proliferation, DC maturation, DC migration, T cell differentiation, and inhibition or reduction of IFN-mediated antibody production are known to those skilled in the art.

As used herein, the term "dimer" refers to a macromolecular complex formed by two macromolecules (e.g., polypeptides). "homodimer" refers to a dimer formed from two identical macromolecules (e.g., polypeptides). "heterodimer" refers to a dimer formed from two different macromolecules (e.g., polypeptides).

As used herein, the term "variant" refers to a polypeptide derived from a wild-type interferon receptor or Fc domain and which differs from the wild-type by one or more alterations, i.e., substitutions, insertions, and/or deletions, at one or more positions. A substitution refers to the replacement of an amino acid occupying one position with a different amino acid. Deletion refers to the removal of an amino acid occupying a position. An insertion refers to the addition of 1 or more, e.g., 1-3 amino acids, immediately adjacent to the amino acid occupying a position. Variant polypeptides necessarily have less than 100% sequence identity or similarity to the wild-type polypeptide. In some embodiments, the variant polypeptide has from about 75% to less than 100% amino acid sequence identity or similarity to the amino acid sequence of the wild-type polypeptide, or from about 80% to less than 100%, or from about 85% to less than 100%, or from about 90% to less than 100% (e.g., 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%), or from about 95% to less than 100% of the amino acid sequence, e.g., over the entire length of the variant polypeptide.

In certain aspects, the interferon receptor Fc construct employs one or more "linker domains," e.g., polypeptide linkers. As used herein, the term "linker domain" refers to one or more amino acids that link two or more peptide domains in a linear polypeptide sequence. As used herein, the term "polypeptide linker" refers to a peptide or polypeptide sequence (e.g., a synthetic peptide or polypeptide sequence) that links two or more polypeptide domains in a linear amino acid sequence of a protein. For example, polypeptide linkers can be used to operably link an interferon receptor to an Fc domain. In some embodiments, such polypeptide linkers provide flexibility to the polypeptide molecule. In some embodiments, a polypeptide linker is used to link (e.g., genetically fuse) e.g., an IFNAR1 domain to an Fc domain and/or an IFNAR2 domain to an Fc domain. The interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise more than one linker domain or peptide linker. Various peptide linkers are known in the art.

As used herein, the term "gly-ser polypeptide linker" refers to a peptide consisting of glycine and serine residues. An exemplary Gly/ser polypeptide linker comprises the amino acid sequence (Gly)₄Ser)_n. In some embodiments, n is 1 or greater, e.g., 2 or greater, 3 or greater, 4 or greater, 5 or greater, 6 or greater, 7 or greater, 8 or greater, 9 or greater, or 10 or greater (e.g., (Gly)₄Ser)₁₀). Another exemplaryThe Gly/Ser polypeptide linker comprises the amino acid sequence Ser (Gly)₄Ser)_n. In some embodiments, n is 1 or greater, e.g., 2 or greater, 3 or greater, 4 or greater, 5 or greater, 6 or greater, 7 or greater, 8 or greater, 9 or greater, or 10 or greater (e.g., Ser (Gly), etc.)₄Ser)₁₀)。

As used herein, the terms "coupled," "conjugated," "linked," "fused," or "fusion" are used interchangeably. These terms refer to the joining together of two or more elements or components or domains by any means including chemical conjugation or recombinant means. Methods of chemical conjugation (e.g., using heterobifunctional crosslinkers) are known in the art.

A polypeptide or amino acid sequence "derived from" a given polypeptide or protein refers to the source of the polypeptide. Preferably, the polypeptide or amino acid sequence derived from a particular sequence has an amino acid sequence substantially identical to that of the sequence or a portion thereof, wherein the portion consists of at least 10-20 amino acids, preferably at least 20-30 amino acids, more preferably at least 30-50 amino acids, or can be otherwise determined by one of ordinary skill in the art to have the origin of its sequence. A polypeptide derived from another polypeptide may have one or more mutations relative to the starting polypeptide, for example, substitution by another amino acid residue or having one or more amino acid residues inserted or deleted.

In one embodiment, there is one amino acid difference between the starting polypeptide sequence and the sequence derived therefrom. Identity or similarity with respect to the sequence is defined herein as the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that are identical to the starting amino acid residue (i.e., identical residues) after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity.

In one embodiment, the polypeptides of the present disclosure consist of, consist essentially of, or comprise the amino acid sequences and functionally active variants thereof listed in the sequence listing or sequence listing disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, e.g., at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence set forth in the sequence listing or a table of the sequence listing disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, e.g., at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to a contiguous amino acid sequence set forth in the sequence listing or a table of the sequence listing disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 10, e.g., at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, at least 55, at least 60, at least 65, at least 70, at least 75, at least 80, at least 85, at least 90, at least 95, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, or at least 500 (or any integer within these numbers) consecutive amino acids of an amino acid sequence set forth in the sequence listing or table of the sequence listing disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure are encoded by a nucleotide sequence. The nucleotide sequences of the present disclosure are useful in a number of applications, including: cloning, gene therapy, protein expression and purification, mutation introduction, DNA vaccination of the desired host, antibody production for e.g. passive immunization, PCR, primer and probe generation, siRNA design and generation (see e.g. Dharmacon siDesign website), etc. In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequences of the present disclosure comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of an interferon receptor Fc construct selected from the sequence table or sequence listing. In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 80%, e.g., at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of a sequence listing or sequence table disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequence comprises a contiguous nucleotide sequence that is at least 80%, e.g., at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to a contiguous nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence listed in the sequence listing or a table of the sequence listing disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence having at least 10, such as at least 15, such as at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, at least 55, at least 60, at least 65, at least 70, at least 75, at least 80, at least 85, at least 90, at least 95, at least 100, at least 200, at least 300, at least 400, or at least 500 (or any integer within these numbers) consecutive nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence encoding an amino acid sequence set forth in the sequence listing or a table of the sequence listing disclosed herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the interferon receptor Fc constructs can be altered such that they differ in sequence from the naturally occurring or original sequence from which their components (e.g., interferon receptor domain, linker domain, and Fc domain) are derived, while retaining the desired activity of the original sequence. For example, nucleotide or amino acid substitutions may be made that result in conservative substitutions or changes at "non-essential" amino acid residues. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a non-natural variant may be generated by introducing one or more nucleotide substitutions, additions or deletions into the nucleotide sequence of an interferon receptor Fc construct such that one or more amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions are introduced into the encoded protein. Mutations can be introduced by standard techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis.

The family of amino acid residues with similar side chains has been defined in the art to include basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), β branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine).

The term "ameliorating" refers to any therapeutically beneficial outcome in the treatment of a disease state, e.g., an autoimmune disease state (e.g., SLE, sjogren's syndrome), including preventing, lessening the severity or progression thereof, regression, or cure.

The term "in situ" refers to a process that occurs in living cells that grow separately from a living organism, such as in tissue culture.

The term "in vivo" refers to a process that occurs in a living organism.

The term "mammal" or "subject" or "patient" as used herein includes humans and non-humans, and includes, but is not limited to, humans, non-human primates, canines, felines, murines, bovines, equines, and porcines.

The term percent "identity," in the context of two or more nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences, refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that have a specified percentage of identical nucleotide or amino acid residues when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using one of the sequence comparison algorithms described below (e.g., BLASTP and BLASTN or other algorithms available to those skilled in the art) or by visual inspection. Depending on the application, the percentage "identity" can be present over a region of the sequences being compared, e.g., over a functional domain, or over the entire length of the two sequences being compared.

For sequence comparison, typically one sequence is used as a reference sequence to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are entered into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identity of the test sequence relative to the reference sequence based on the specified program parameters.

For example, the color may be determined by Smith & Waterman, Adv Appl Math 1981; 482, by Needleman & Wunsch, J Mol Biol 1970; 443 by Pearson & Lipman, PNAS 1988; 2444, by computer implementation of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA and TFASTA, Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics computer group,575Science Dr., Madison, Wis.) or by visual inspection (see generally Ausubel et al, infra).

One example of an algorithm suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity is the BLAST algorithm, described in Altschul et al, J Mol Biol 1990; 215: 403-10. Software for performing BLAST analysis is publicly available through the national center for Biotechnology Information website.

The term "sufficient amount" refers to an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect.

The term "therapeutically effective amount" is an amount effective to ameliorate the symptoms of a disease. A therapeutically effective amount may be a "prophylactically effective amount" since prophylaxis may be considered treatment.

The term "about" is understood by one of ordinary skill and will vary to some extent depending on the context in which it is used. If there is a use of a term that is unclear to a person of ordinary skill in the context of the given use thereof, then "about" means ± 10% of the particular value.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Soluble interferon receptors

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor of the present disclosure includes a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein each polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor Fc construct with or without a leader sequence. The interferon receptor Fc construct includes an interferon receptor domain (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) (with or without a leader sequence) or a variant or fragment thereof operably coupled to an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof with or without a linker domain. In some embodiments, the first and second polypeptides dimerize to form a dimer; for example, heterodimers.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure include a soluble interferon receptor.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain is operably coupled to the Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof without a linker domain.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain is operably coupled to the Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof via a linker domain. In some embodiments, the linker domain is a linker peptide. In some embodiments, the linker domain is a linker nucleotide.

In some embodiments, the linker domain comprises a (gly4ser)2, 3, 4, or 5 variant that alters the length of the linker in 5 amino acid increments. In another embodiment, the linker domain is about 18 amino acids in length and includes an N-linked glycosylation site, which can be sensitive to protease cleavage in vivo. In some embodiments, the N-linked glycosylation site can protect the soluble interferon receptor from cleavage in the linker domain. In some embodiments, N-linked glycosylation sites can help separate the folds of the independent domains separated by the linker domain.

In some embodiments, the linker domain is an NLG linker (VDGASSPVNVSSPSVQDI) (SEQ ID NO: 18).

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a leader molecule, e.g., a leader peptide. In some embodiments, the leader molecule is a leader peptide located N-terminally to the interferon receptor domain. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present invention comprise a leader peptide at the N-terminus of the molecule, wherein the leader peptide is subsequently cleaved from the interferon receptor Fc construct. Methods for producing nucleic acid sequences encoding leader peptides fused to recombinant proteins are well known in the art. In some embodiments, any of the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present invention may be expressed or synthesized with or without a leader sequence fused to its N-terminus. The protein sequence of the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure after cleavage of the fused leader peptide can be predicted and/or deduced by one of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the leader peptide comprises the amino acid sequence: MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA (SEQ ID NO: 13). In some embodiments, the leader sequence is a VK3 leader peptide (VK3LP) comprising the amino acid sequence: METPAQLLFLLLLWLPDTTG (SEQ ID NO: 14). In some embodiments, the leader peptide is fused to the N-terminus of the interferon receptor Fc construct. Such leader sequences may increase the level of synthesis and secretion of interferon receptor Fc constructs in mammalian cells. In some embodiments, the leader sequence is cleaved, thereby producing an interferon receptor Fc construct. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present invention are expressed without a leader peptide fused to its N-terminus, and the resulting interferon receptor Fc construct has an N-terminal methionine.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor of the present disclosure includes first and second polypeptides, wherein each polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor domain (e.g., IFNAR1, IFNAR2) (with or without a leader sequence) or variant or fragment thereof operably coupled, with or without a linker domain, to the N-or C-terminus of an immunoglobulin Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domains of each of the two polypeptides are different, e.g., IFNAR1 and IFNAR 2. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a dimeric molecule. In some embodiments, the first and second polypeptides dimerize to form a heterodimer.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises substantially all of an interferon receptor or at least an active fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor is IFNAR1, e.g., the extracellular domain of human IFNAR1(SEQ ID NO:11), or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor is IFNAR2, e.g., the extracellular domain of human IFNAR2(SEQ ID NO:12), or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, an IFNAR-linker-Fc containing a 20 or 25aa linker domain is prepared. In some embodiments, an IFNAR-linker-Fc containing a 10aa linker domain is prepared. In some embodiments, an IFNAR-linker-Fc containing a 5aa linker domain is prepared. In some embodiments, IFNAR-Fc without a linker domain is prepared. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor may or may not include a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR-linker-Fc, wherein the IFNAR domain is located on the COOH side of the Fc. In other embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR-linker-Fc, wherein the IFNAR domain is located NH2 side of the Fc. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises: IFNAR1-Fc and IFNAR 2-Fc; IFNAR 1-linker-Fc and IFNAR 2-linker-Fc; Fc-IFNAR1 and Fc-IFNAR 2; Fc-linker-IFNAR 1 and Fc-linker-IFNAR 2. The interferon receptor Fc construct may or may not include a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the fusion junction between the interferon receptor domain and the other domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is optimized.

Figure 1 shows exemplary configurations of soluble interferon receptors, and the sequence table provides sequences of exemplary interferon receptor Fc constructs in various configurations.

In one embodiment, the interferon receptor domain is operably coupled (e.g., chemically conjugated or genetically fused (e.g., directly or via a linker, such as a polypeptide linker)) to the N-terminus of the Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the interferon receptor domain is operably coupled (e.g., chemically conjugated or genetically fused (e.g., directly or via a linker, such as a polypeptide linker)) to the C-terminus of the Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof. In other embodiments, the interferon receptor domains are operably coupled (e.g., chemically conjugated or genetically fused (e.g., directly or via a linker, such as a polypeptide linker)) through an amino acid side chain of an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises at least two identical or different interferon receptor domains (e.g., IFNAR1 and IFNAR2), or variants or fragments thereof, and at least two identical or different Fc domains, or variants or fragments thereof, with an optional linker domain between the interferon receptor domain and the Fc domain.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct forms a heterodimer.

In some embodiments, as described herein, a soluble interferon receptor of the present disclosure comprises an Fc domain, or a variant or fragment thereof, thereby increasing the serum half-life and bioavailability of the soluble interferon receptor.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations of the interferon receptor domain and Fc domain are possible, including an optional linker between the interferon receptor domain and Fc domain. It is also understood that the domain orientation may be altered so long as the interferon receptor domain is active in the particular configuration tested.

In another embodiment, binding of a soluble interferon receptor of the present disclosure to a target molecule, such as a type I interferon (e.g., IFN- α, INF- β, IFN-epsilon, -kappa, -tau, -zeta, IFN-omega, IFN-v), results in reduction or elimination of the target molecule, e.g., from a cell, tissue, or circulation.

In other embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure may be assembled together or with other interferon receptor Fc constructs or polypeptides to form a binding protein ("multimer") having two or more polypeptides, wherein at least one polypeptide of the multimer is an interferon receptor Fc construct of the present disclosure. Exemplary multimeric forms include dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric and hexameric altered binding proteins and the like. In one embodiment, the polypeptides of the multimer are identical (i.e., a homopolymeric binding protein, e.g., a homodimer, a homotetramer). In another embodiment, the polypeptides of the multimer are different (e.g., a heteromeric binding protein, e.g., a heterodimer).

In some embodiments, the serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptor is increased at least about 1.5 fold, e.g., at least 3 fold, at least 5 fold, at least 10 fold, at least about 20 fold, at least about 50 fold, at least about 100 fold, at least about 200 fold, at least about 300 fold, at least about 400 fold, at least about 500 fold, at least about 600 fold, at least about 700 fold, at least about 800 fold, at least about 900 fold, at least about 1000 fold, or 1000 fold or more, relative to a corresponding interferon receptor molecule that is not fused to an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof. In other embodiments, the serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptor is reduced at least about 1.5 fold, e.g., at least 3 fold, at least 5 fold, at least 10 fold, at least about 20 fold, at least about 50 fold, at least about 100 fold, at least about 200 fold, at least about 300 fold, at least about 400 fold, at least about 500 fold, or 500 fold or less relative to a corresponding interferon receptor molecule not fused to an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof. The serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure can be determined using art-recognized routine methods.

In some embodiments, the activity of an interferon receptor (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) in the soluble interferon receptor is no less than about 10-fold less, e.g., 9-fold less, 8-fold less, 7-fold less, 6-fold less, 5-fold less, 4-fold less, 3-fold less, or 2-fold less, than the activity of a naturally occurring wild-type interferon receptor molecule. In some embodiments, the activity of an interferon receptor in the soluble interferon receptor is about equal to the activity of a naturally occurring wild-type interferon receptor molecule.

In some embodiments, soluble interferon receptors can bind to interferon and reduce the effects of interferon.

In some embodiments, the activity of the soluble interferon receptor is detectable in vitro and/or in vivo. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor construct binds to and interferes with the biological activity of a cell, a diseased cell, a malignant cell, or a cancer cell.

In another aspect, multifunctional soluble interferon receptors are provided that are linked to enzymes or antibodies with binding specificity, such as scFv targeting type I interferons, for example, type I interferons include IFN- α, INF- β, IFN-epsilon, -kappa, -tau, -zeta, IFN-omega, IFN-nu.

For example, IFN- α, INF- β, IFN-epsilon, -kappa, -tau, -zeta, IFN-omega, IFN-nu.

In some embodiments, these soluble interferon receptors improve the treatment of SLE because they bind Interferons (IFNs), e.g., IFN α or IFN β, and eliminate or reduce the inflammatory effects of cytokines.

Interferon receptor domains

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure comprise one or more interferon receptor domains (IFNAR) or variants or fragments thereof operably coupled to an immunoglobulin Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof, with or without a linker domain. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain is a variant or fragment of an interferon receptor domain. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain comprises an extracellular domain of an interferon receptor. For example, the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 or the extracellular domain of IFNAR 2. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain comprises a leader sequence. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain does not include a leader sequence.

Suitable IFNAR domains are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, IFNAR1 and IFNAR 2. For example, IFNAR domains are discussed in deWeerd et al, Type I interference Receptors: Biochemistry and biological Functions, J.of biol.chem., Vol.282, No.28, 20053-.

The type I interferon- α/β receptor (IFNAR) is a heterogeneous cell surface receptor composed of multiple components, termed IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, the INFAR complex is unique among cytokine receptors in that it binds to and/or mediates signaling through more than 15 different but related type I Interferon (IFN) ligands, including, for example, IFN- α and IFN- β, several IFN α subtypes, IFN- ω, IFN- ε, IFN- κ, and others.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure bind interferon (e.g., IFN- α, INF- β, IFN-epsilon, -kappa, -tau, -zeta, IFN-omega, IFN- ν) when complexed with another interferon receptor Fc construct in the form of a heterodimer, for example, a heterodimer of the present disclosure capable of binding interferon comprises a first interferon receptor Fc construct (wherein IFNAR is IFNAR1) and a second interferon receptor Fc construct (wherein IFNAR is IFNAR 2).

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is a naturally occurring wild-type IFNAR1 protein having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, respectively. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain is a variant or fragment of the IFNAR1 protein. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises SEQ ID NO:5, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-350, 350-400, 400-450, 450-500 or 450-557 amino acids. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the amino acid sequence is 500 amino acids in 350-360, 360-370, 370-380, 380-390, 390-400, 400-410, 410-420, 420-430, 430-440, 440-450, 450-470, 460-470, 470-480, 480-490 or 490-490. In some embodiments, the IFNAR1 domain comprises SEQ ID NO:5, amino acids 28-436 of the amino acid sequence shown in figure 5.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:5, e.g., an amino acid sequence that is 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises SEQ ID NO:11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:11, e.g., an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain is a naturally occurring human wild-type IFNAR2 protein having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: and 6. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain is a variant or fragment of the IFNAR2 protein. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-350, 350-400, 400-450, 450-500 or 450-515 amino acids of the amino acid sequence shown in 6. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 150-, 160-, 170-, 180-, 190-, 200-, 210-, 220-, 230-, 240-, 250-, 260-, 270-, 280-, 290-300 amino acids of the amino acid sequence shown in 6. In some embodiments, the IFNAR2 domain comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, amino acids 27-243 of the amino acid sequence shown in figure 6.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:6, e.g., an amino acid sequence that is 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 12. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:12, e.g., an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain comprises an extracellular domain of an interferon receptor. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain comprises the extracellular domain of IFNAR 1. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor domain comprises the extracellular domain of IFNAR 2. In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of an interferon receptor (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) is substantially free of transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of an interferon receptor (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) is by no means a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain.

In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:11, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 comprises SEQ ID NO:5, amino acids 28-436 of the amino acid sequence shown in figure 5. In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 comprises SEQ ID NO:5, amino acids 1-436 of the amino acid sequence shown in figure 5.

In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of IFNAR2 comprises the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO: 12. In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of IFNAR2 comprises SEQ ID NO:6, amino acids 27-243 of the amino acid sequence shown in figure 6. In some embodiments, the extracellular domain of the IFNAR2 domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ id no:6, amino acids 1-243 of the amino acid sequence shown in the specification.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain is altered or modified, for example, by a mutation that results in an amino acid addition, deletion, or substitution. As used herein, the term "IFNAR domain variant" refers to an IFNAR domain having at least one amino acid modification (e.g., amino acid substitution) as compared to the wild-type IFNAR or fragment thereof from which the IFNAR domain is derived. For example, in the case of an IFNAR domain derived from a human wild-type IFNAR, the variant comprises at least one amino acid mutation (e.g., substitution) as compared to the wild-type amino acid at the corresponding position of the human wild-type IFNAR. For example, in the case that the IFNAR domain is derived from the extracellular domain of a human IFNAR, the variant comprises at least one amino acid mutation (e.g., substitution) as compared to the amino acid at the corresponding position of the extracellular IFNAR.

In some embodiments, the IFNAR variant comprises one or more amino acid substitutions at amino acid positions located in the extracellular domain of the IFNAR.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the soluble interferon receptor comprises one or more IFNAR domains. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises two IFNAR domains. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domains of the soluble interferon receptor are different (e.g., IFNAR1 and IFNAR 2).

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide. In some embodiments, both the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide comprise an interferon receptor Fc construct. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is IFNAR1 or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is IFNAR2 or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the first polypeptide of the soluble interferon receptor comprises IFNAR1 or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the second polypeptide of the soluble interferon receptor comprises IFNAR2 or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is human IFNAR1 or human IFNAR 2. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is a fragment or variant of IFNAR1 or a fragment or variant of IFNAR 2. In some embodiments, the IFNAR domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct is the extracellular domain of human IFNAR1 or the extracellular domain of human IFNAR 2.

Joint domain

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a linker domain. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a plurality of linker domains. In some embodiments, the linker domain is a polypeptide linker. In certain aspects, it is desirable to fuse an Fc or variant or fragment thereof to one or more interferon receptor domains using a polypeptide linker to form an interferon receptor Fc construct. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct does not include a linker domain.

In one embodiment, the polypeptide linker is synthetic. As used herein, the term "synthetic" with respect to a polypeptide linker includes a peptide (or polypeptide) comprising an amino acid sequence (which may or may not naturally occur) linked in nature to a sequence (which may or may not naturally occur) to which it is not naturally linked (e.g., an Fc sequence) in a linear amino acid sequence. For example, a polypeptide linker may comprise a non-naturally occurring polypeptide, which is a modified form of a naturally occurring polypeptide (e.g., comprising a mutation such as an addition, substitution, or deletion), or which comprises a first amino acid sequence (which may or may not be naturally occurring). Polypeptide linkers of the invention may be used, for example, to ensure juxtaposition of Fc or variants or fragments thereof to ensure proper folding and formation of functional Fc or variants or fragments thereof. Preferably, polypeptide linkers compatible with the present invention are relatively non-immunogenic and do not inhibit any non-covalent binding between the monomeric subunits of the binding protein.

In certain embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct employs a peptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:18, NLG linker shown in figure 18.

In certain embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure employ polypeptide linkers to join any two or more domains in frame in a single polypeptide chain. In one embodiment, the two or more domains may be independently selected from any of the Fc domains or variants or fragments thereof or interferon receptor domains discussed herein. For example, in certain embodiments, a polypeptide linker may be used to fuse an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof to an IFNAR. In some embodiments, the polypeptide linker of the invention can be used to genetically fuse the C-terminus of an IFNAR with the N-terminus of an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof to form an interferon receptor Fc construct. In other embodiments, the polypeptide linker of the invention may be used to genetically fuse the C-terminus of the Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof to the N-terminus of the IFNAR to form an interferon receptor Fc construct. In other embodiments, the polypeptide linker of the invention can be used to genetically fuse the C-terminus of an IFNAR with the C-terminus of an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof to form an interferon receptor Fc construct. In other embodiments, the polypeptide linker of the invention can be used to genetically fuse the N-terminus of an IFNAR with the N-terminus of an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof to form an interferon receptor Fc construct.

In one embodiment, the polypeptide linker comprises a portion of an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the polypeptide linker may comprise an Fc fragment (e.g., a C or N domain), or a different portion of an Fc domain or variant thereof.

In another embodiment, the polypeptide linker comprises or consists of a gly-ser linker. As used herein, the term "gly-ser linker" refers to a peptide consisting of glycine and serine residues. Exemplary Gly/ser linkers comprise the formula (Gly)₄Ser) n, wherein n is a positive integer (e.g., 1-10, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). It is preferable thatThe Gly/ser linker is (Gly)₄Ser)₁. Another preferred Gly/ser linker is (Gly)₄Ser)₂. Another preferred Gly/ser linker is (Gly)₄Ser)₃. Another preferred Gly/ser linker is (Gly)₄Ser)₄. Another preferred Gly/ser linker is (Gly)₄Ser)₅. In certain embodiments, the gly-ser linker can be inserted between two other polypeptide linker sequences (e.g., any of the polypeptide linker sequences described herein). In other embodiments, the gly-ser linker is attached at one or both ends of another sequence of the polypeptide linker (e.g., any of the polypeptide linker sequences described herein). In still other embodiments, two or more gly-ser linkers are incorporated in tandem into the polypeptide linker.

In other embodiments, the polypeptide linker of the invention comprises a biologically relevant peptide sequence or a sequence portion thereof. For example, biologically relevant peptide sequences may include, but are not limited to, sequences derived from anti-rejection or anti-inflammatory peptides. The anti-rejection or anti-inflammatory peptide may be selected from the group consisting of cytokine inhibitory peptides, cell adhesion inhibitory peptides, thrombin inhibitory peptides and platelet inhibitory peptides. In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide linker comprises a peptide sequence selected from the group consisting of an IL-1 inhibitory or antagonistic peptide sequence, an Erythropoietin (EPO) mimetic peptide sequence, a Thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic peptide sequence, a G-CSF mimetic peptide sequence, a TNF antagonist peptide sequence, an integrin binding peptide sequence, a selectin antagonistic peptide sequence, an anti-pathogenic peptide sequence, a Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) mimetic peptide sequence, a calmodulin antagonistic peptide sequence, a mast cell antagonist, an SH3 antagonistic peptide sequence, a urokinase receptor (UKR) antagonistic peptide sequence, a somatostatin or cortistatin mimetic peptide sequence, and a macrophage and/or T cell inhibitory peptide sequence. Exemplary peptide sequences (any of which can be used as polypeptide linkers) are disclosed in U.S. patent No. 6,660,843, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Other linkers suitable for use in interferon receptor Fc constructs are known in the art, for example, serine-rich linkers disclosed in US 5,525,491, Arai et al, Protein Eng 2001; helix-forming peptide linkers disclosed in 14:529-32 (e.g., a (eaaak) nA (n-2-5)) andstable linkers disclosed in Chen et al, Mol Pharm 2011; 8:457-65, namely dipeptide linker LE, thrombin sensitive dithiocyclic peptide linker and α -helix forming linker LEA (EAAAK)₄ALEA(EAAAK)₄ALE(SEQ ID NO:19)。

Other exemplary linkers include a GS linker (i.e., (GS) n), a GGSG (SEQ ID NO:27) linker (i.e., (GGSG) n), a GSAT linker (SEQ ID NO:28), an SEG linker, and a GGS linker (i.e., (GGSGGS) n), where n is a positive integer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). Other suitable linkers for use in the interferon receptor Fc construct can be found using published databases, such as Linker Database (ibi. vu. nl/programs/linkerdbwww). Linker databases are databases of interdomain linkers in multifunctional enzymes that serve as potential linkers in novel fusion proteins (see, e.g., George et al, Protein Engineering 2002; 15: 871-9).

It is to be understood that variant forms of these exemplary polypeptide linkers may be produced by introducing one or more nucleotide substitutions, additions or deletions into the nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide linker such that one or more amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions are introduced into the polypeptide linker. Mutations can be introduced by standard techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis.

The polypeptide linkers of the present disclosure are at least one amino acid in length, and can be of varying lengths. In one embodiment, the polypeptide linker of the invention is about 1 to about 50 amino acids in length. As used in this context, the term "about" means +/-two amino acid residues. Since the linker length must be a positive integer, a length of about 1 to 50 amino acids means a length of 1 to 48-52 amino acids. In another embodiment, a polypeptide linker of the present disclosure is about 5-10 amino acids in length. In another embodiment, a polypeptide linker of the present disclosure is about 10-20 amino acids in length. In another embodiment, a polypeptide linker of the present disclosure is about 15-30 amino acids in length. In another embodiment, a polypeptide linker of the present disclosure is about 15 to about 50 amino acids in length.

In another embodiment, a polypeptide linker of the present disclosure is about 20 to about 45 amino acids in length. In another embodiment, a polypeptide linker of the present disclosure is about 15 to about 25 amino acids in length. In another embodiment, the polypeptide linker of the disclosure is 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, or 61 or more amino acids in length.

Polypeptide linkers can be introduced into the polypeptide sequence using techniques known in the art. Modifications can be confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Plasmid DNA may be used to transform a host cell for stable production of the produced polypeptide.

Fc domains

In some embodiments, a polypeptide comprising one or more interferon receptor domains or variants or fragments thereof is operably coupled, with or without a linker domain, to an Fc domain that serves as a scaffold and means to increase the serum half-life of the polypeptide. In some embodiments, one or more interferon receptor domains and/or Fc domains are non-glycosylated, deglycosylated, or low glycosylated. In some embodiments, the Fc domain is a mutant or variant Fc domain or a fragment of an Fc domain.

Suitable Fc domains are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, Fc and Fc variants, such as those disclosed in WO2011/053982, WO 02/060955, WO 02/096948, WO05/047327, WO05/018572, and US 2007/0111281 (the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference). It is within the ability of the skilled person to introduce (e.g., clone, conjugate) an Fc domain into the interferon receptor Fc constructs disclosed herein (with or without altered glycosylation) using conventional methods.

In some embodiments, the Fc domain is a wild-type human IgG1Fc as set forth in SEQ ID NO: shown in 26. In some embodiments, the Fc domain is a wild-type human IgG4Fc as shown in SEQ ID NO: 112.

In some embodiments, the Fc domain is altered or modified by, for example, mutation resulting in addition, deletion, or substitution of amino acids. As used herein, the term "Fc domain variant" refers to an Fc domain having at least one amino acid modification (e.g., amino acid substitution) as compared to the wild-type Fc from which the Fc domain is derived. For example, where the Fc domain is derived from a human IgG1 antibody, the variant comprises at least one amino acid mutation (e.g., substitution) as compared to a wild-type amino acid at a corresponding position in the Fc region of human IgG 1. Amino acid substitutions of an Fc variant may be at positions within the Fc domain referred to as corresponding to the position numbering given for that residue in the Fc region of the antibody (numbering according to the EU index).

In one embodiment, the Fc variant comprises one or more amino acid substitutions at amino acid positions in the hinge region or portion thereof. In another embodiment, the Fc variant comprises one or more amino acid substitutions at amino acid positions in the CH2 domain or portion thereof. In another embodiment, the Fc variant comprises one or more amino acid substitutions at amino acid positions in the CH3 domain or portion thereof. In another embodiment, the Fc variant comprises one or more amino acid substitutions at amino acid positions in the CH4 domain or portion thereof.

In some embodiments, the Fc variant comprises one or more of the following amino acid substitutions: T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V. In some embodiments, the Fc variant comprises one or more of the following amino acid substitutions: T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W. In some embodiments, the Fc region has a mutation at N83 (i.e., N297 by Kabat numbering) thereby producing an aglycosylated Fc region (e.g., Fc N83S).

In some embodiments, the Fc domain comprises mutations in one or more of the three hinge region cysteines (residues 220, 226, and 229, numbered according to the EU index). In some embodiments, one or more of the three hinge cysteines of the Fc domain can be mutated to SCC (SEQ ID NO:20) or SSS (SEQ ID NO:21), wherein "S" represents an amino acid substitution of cysteine to serine (wherein CCC refers to the three cysteines present in the wild-type hinge domain). Thus, "SCC" indicates the first cysteine to serine amino acid substitution of only three hinge region cysteines (residues 220, 226, and 229, numbered according to the EU index), while "SSS" indicates the replacement of all three cysteines in the hinge region by serines (residues 220, 226, and 229, numbered according to the EU index).

In some aspects, the Fc domain is a mutant human IgG1Fc domain.

In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises one or more mutations in the hinge, CH2, and/or CH3 domain.

In some aspects, the Fc domain is a mutant human IgG4Fc domain. In some embodiments, the mutations in the IgG4Fc domain comprise one or more mutations selected from the group of mutations consisting of: F296Y, E356K, R409K and H345R. In some embodiments, the mutations in the IgG4Fc domain comprise one or more mutations selected from the group of mutations consisting of: F296Y, R409K and K439E. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein comprises a first polypeptide comprising a mutant IgG4Fc domain, wherein the Fc domain comprises mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H345R, and a second polypeptide comprises a mutant IgG4Fc domain, wherein the CH3 domain comprises mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E. In some embodiments, the mutant IgG4Fc domain comprises one or more mutations in the hinge, CH2, and/or CH3 domains.

A.Substitution of CH2

In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises the P238S mutation. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises the P331S mutation. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises the P238S mutation and the P331S mutation. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises P238S and/or P331S, and may include mutations of one or more of the three hinge cysteines (residues 220, 226, and 229), numbered according to the EU index. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises P238S and/or P331S and/or one or more mutations in the three hinge cysteines (residues 220, 226, and 229), numbered according to the EU index. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises mutations in P238S and/or P331S and/or the hinge cysteine to SCC or the three hinge cysteines to SSS. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises mutations of P238S and P331S and at least one of the three hinge cysteines. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises P238S and P331S, and SCC. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises P238S and P331S and SSS. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises P238S and SCC or SSS. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain comprises P331S and SCC or SSS (all numbering according to the EU index).

In some aspects, a mutant Fc domain includes a mutation at an N-linked glycosylation site, such as N297, e.g., asparagine for another amino acid, such as serine, e.g., N297S. In some aspects, a mutant Fc domain includes a mutation at an N-linked glycosylation site, such as N297, e.g., a substitution of asparagine for another amino acid, such as serine, e.g., N297S, and a mutation of one or more of the three hinge cysteines. In some aspects, a mutant Fc domain includes a mutation at an N-linked glycosylation site, such as N297, e.g., asparagine for another amino acid, such as serine, e.g., N297S, and a mutation of one of the three hinge cysteines to SCC or all three cysteines to SSS. In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain includes a mutation at an N-linked glycosylation site, such as N297, e.g., asparagine substitution to another amino acid, such as serine, e.g., N297, and one or more mutations in the CH2 domain that reduce fcyr binding and/or complement activation, e.g., mutations of P238 or P331 or both, e.g., P238S or P331S or both P238S and P331S. In some aspects, such mutant Fc domains may further comprise a mutation in the hinge region, e.g., SCC or SSS (all numbering according to EU index). In some aspects, the mutant Fc domain is as shown in the sequence table or sequence listing herein.

B.Substitution of CH3

In some embodiments, the heterodimer is formed by mutation in the CH3 domain of the Fc domain on an interferon receptor Fc construct disclosed herein. The heavy chain was first engineered for heterodimerization using a "pestle-hole" strategy (Rigway B et al, Protein Eng.,9(1996) pp.617-621, incorporated herein by reference). The term "knob-hole" refers to a technique directed to pairing two polypeptides together in vitro or in vivo by introducing a bulge (knob) into one polypeptide and a cavity (hole) into the other polypeptide at the interface where the two polypeptides interact. See, e.g., WO 96/027011, WO 98/050431, US 5,731,168, US2007/0178552, WO2009089004, US 20090182127. In particular, combinations of mutations in the CH3 domain can be used to form heterodimers, e.g., S354C, T366W in the "knob" heavy chain and Y349C, T366S, L368A, Y407V in the "hole" heavy chain. In another example, T366Y in the "pestle" heavy chain and Y407T in the "hole" heavy chain. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein comprises a first CH3 domain having a knob mutation T366W and a second CH3 domain having hole mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V (numbering according to the EU index). In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein comprises a first CH3 domain having a knob mutation T366Y and a second CH3 domain having a hole mutation Y407T.

In some embodiments, the CH3 mutation is in US 2012/0149876a1, US 2017/0158779, US9574010, and US 9562109 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety); and Von Kreudenstein, t.s. et al mABs,5(2013), pp.646-654 (incorporated herein by reference), and including the following mutations: T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V (first CH3 domain); and T350V, T366L, K392L, T394W (second CH3 domain). In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein comprises a first CH3 domain having T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V mutations and a second CH3 domain (numbered according to the EU index) having T350V, T366L, K392L, T394W mutations.

In some embodiments, the heterodimer is formed by mutation in the CH3 domain of the Fc domain on an interferon receptor Fc construct disclosed herein. In particular, combinations of mutations in the CH3 domain can be used to form heterodimers with high heterodimer stability and purity; see, for example, Von Kreudenstein et al, mAbs 5:5,646-654, 2013, months 9-10, and US 2012/0149876a1, US 2017/0158779, US9574010, and US 9562109, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the mutations in the Fc domain comprise one or more mutations selected from the following group of mutations: T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V. In some embodiments, the mutations in the Fc domain comprise one or more mutations selected from the following group of mutations: T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs disclosed herein include a CH3 domain with mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs disclosed herein include a CH3 domain with mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein comprises a first polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc domain (wherein the CH3 domain comprises the mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V); and a second polypeptide comprising a mutant Fc domain (wherein the CH3 domain comprises the mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W).

Other mutations in the CH3 domain of the Fc domain are expected to preferentially form heterodimers. See, for example, VonKreudenstein et al, mAbs 5:5, 646-654; months 9-10, 2013, incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the mutation in the Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises one or more mutations selected from the group of mutations consisting of: T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V, and the mutation in the Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises one or more mutations selected from the following group of mutations: T350V, T366L, K392M and T394W. In some embodiments, the mutation in the Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises one or more mutations selected from the group of mutations consisting of: L351Y, F405A and Y407V, the mutations in the Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprising one or more mutations selected from the following group of mutations: T366L, K392M and T394W.

In some embodiments, the CH3 mutations are those described in Moore, g.l. et al (mABs,3(2011), pp.546-557), and include the following mutations: S364H and F405A (first CH3 domain); and Y349T and T394F (second CH3 domain). In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs disclosed herein include a first CH3 domain having the S364H and F405A mutations and a second CH3 domain having the Y349T and T394F mutations (numbering according to the EU index).

In some embodiments, the CH3 mutations are those described by Gunasekaran, k, et al (j.biol.chem.,285(2010), pp.19637-19646), and include the following mutations: K409D and K392D (first CH3 domain); and D399K and E365K (second CH3 domain). In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs disclosed herein include a first CH3 domain having mutations of K409D and K392D and a second CH3 domain having mutations of D399K and E365K (numbered according to the EU index).

The interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure may use art-recognized Fc variants known to confer alterations in effector function and/or FcR binding. For example, International PCT publications WO/07089A, WO/14339A, WO/05787A, WO/51642A, WO/32767A, WO/42072A, WO/44215A, WO/060919A, WO/029207A, WO/A/, WO/A, and WO/A; US patent publication nos. US2007/0231329, US2007/0231329, US2007/0237765, US2007/0237766, US2007/0237767, US2007/0243188, US20070248603, US20070286859, US 20080057056; or U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,648,260; 5,739,277; 5,834,250; 5,869,046; 6,096,871, respectively; 6,121,022; 6,194,551; 6,242,195, respectively; 6,277,375; 6,528,624, respectively; 6,538,124, respectively; 6,737,056; 6,821,505, respectively; 6,998,253, respectively; 7,083,784, respectively; and 7,317,091 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference) at one or more amino acid positions. In one embodiment, specific changes may be made at one or more of the amino acid positions disclosed (e.g., specific substitutions of one or more amino acid positions disclosed in the art). In another embodiment, different alterations (e.g., different substitutions of one or more amino acid positions as disclosed in the art) can be made at one or more of the disclosed amino acid positions.

Other amino acid mutations in the Fc domain are expected to reduce binding to Fc γ receptors and Fc γ receptor subtypes. Assignment of amino acid residue numbering to Fc domains is according to the definition of Kabat. See, e.g., Sequences of Proteins of immunological Interest (Table of Contents, Introduction and Constant region Sequences sections),5th edition, Bethesda, MD: NIH vol.1:647-723 (1991); kabat et al, "Introduction" Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, US Dept of health and Human Services, NIH,5th edition, Bethesda, MD vol.1: xiii-xcvi (1991); chothia & Lesk, J.mol.biol.196:901-917 (1987); chothia et al, Nature 342:878-883(1989), each of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

For example, mutations at positions 238, 239, 248, 249, 252, 254, 255, 256, 258, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 279, 280, 283, 285, 298, 289, 290, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 298, 301, 303, 305, 307, 312, 315, 322, 324, 327, 329, 330, 331, 333, 334, 335, 337, 338, 340, 356, 360, 373, 376, 378, 379, 382, 388, 389, 398, 414, 416, 419, 430, 434, 435, 437, 438, or 439 of the Fc region may alter binding, as described in U.S. patent 6,737,056 issued 5, 18, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patent reports that changing Pro331 to Ser in IgG3 results in a six-fold lower affinity compared to unmutated IgG3, suggesting that Pro331 is involved in Fc γ RI binding. In addition, amino acid modifications at positions 234, 235, 236 and 237, 297, 318, 320 and 322 (numbering according to the EU index) potentially alter receptor binding affinity are disclosed in U.S. patent 5,624,821, granted 4/29 in 1997 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Other mutations contemplated for use include, for example, those described in U.S. patent application publication No.2006/0235208, published 2006, 10, 19, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This disclosure describes Fc variants exhibiting reduced binding to Fc γ receptor, reduced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, or reduced complement-dependent cytotoxicity comprising at least one amino acid modification in the Fc region, including 232G, 234H, 235D, 235G, 235H, 236I, 236N, 236P, 236R, 237K, 237L, 237N, 237P, 238K, 239R, 265G, 267R, 269R, 270H, 297S, 299A, 299I, 299V, 325A, 325L, 327R, 328R, 329K, 330I, 330L, 330N, 330P, 330R, and 331L (numbering according to the EU index), and double mutants 236R/237K, 236R/325L, 236R/328R, 237K/325L, 237K/328R, 325L/328R, 235G/236R, 267R/269R, 234G/235G, 236R/237K/325L, 236R/325L/328R, 235G/236R/237K, and 237K/325L/328R. Other mutations contemplated for use as described in this disclosure include 227G, 234D, 234E, 234G, 234I, 234Y, 235D, 235I, 235S, 236S, 239D, 246H, 255Y, 258H, 260H, 264I, 267D, 267E, 268D, 268E, 272H, 272I, 272R, 281D, 282G, 283H, 284E, 293R, 295E, 304T, 324G, 324I, 327D, 327A, 328D, 328E, 328F, 328I, 328M, 328N, 328Q, 328T, 328V, 328Y, 330I, 330L, 330Y, 332D, 332E, 335D, inserting G between positions 235 and 236, inserting a between positions 235 and 236, inserting S between positions 235 and 236, inserting T between positions 235 and 236, inserting N between positions 235 and 236, inserting D between positions 235 and 236, inserting V and 236L, inserting V between positions 235 and 236, inserting G between positions 235 and 236, a between positions 235 and 236, S between positions 235 and 236, T between positions 235 and 236, N between positions 235 and 236, D between positions 235 and 236, V between positions 235 and 236, L between positions 235 and 236, G between positions 297 and 298, a between positions 297 and 298, S between positions 297 and 298, D between positions 297 and 298, G between positions 326 and 327, a between positions 326 and 327, T between positions 326 and 327, D between positions 326 and 327, and E between positions 326 and 327 (numbering according to the EU index). In addition, the mutations described in U.S. patent application publication No.2006/0235208 include 227G/332E, 234D/332E, 234E/332E, 234Y/332E, 234I/332E, 234G/332E, 235I/332E, 235S/332E, 235D/332E, 235E/332E, 236S/332E, 236A/332E, 236S/332D, 236A/332D, 239D/268E, 246H/332E, 255Y/332E, 258H/332E, 260H/332E, 264I/332E, 267E/332E, 267D/332E, 268D/332D, 268E/332E, 268D/332E, 268E/330Y, 268D/330Y, 272R/332E, 272H/332E, 268D/332E, 234E/332E, 234E, 283H/332E, 284E/332E, 293R/332E, 295E/332E, 304T/332E, 324I/332E, 324G/332E, 324I/332D, 324G/332D, 327D/332E, 328A/332E, 328T/332E, 328V/332E, 328I/332E, 328F/332E, 328Y/332E, 328M/332E, 328D/332E, 328E/332E, 328N/332E, 328Q/332E, 328A/332D, 328T/332D, 328V/332D, 328I/332D, 328F/332D, 328Y/332D, 328M/332D, 328D/332D, 328E/332D, 328N/332D, Q/332D, 330L/332E, 328E/332D, 330Y/332E, 330I/332E, 332D/330Y, 335D/332E, 239D/332E/330Y, 239D/332E/330L, 239D/332E/330I, 239D/332E/268E, 239D/332E/268D, 239D/332E/327D, 239D/332E/284E, 239D/268E/330Y, 239D/332E/327D/332E/268E/A, 239D/332E/330Y/327A, 332E/330Y/268E/327A, 239D/332E/268E/330E/327A, inserts G > 297-298/332E/327, Insert A >297-298/332E, insert S >297-298/332E, insert D >297-298/332E, insert G >326-327/332E, insert A >326-327/332E, insert T >326-327/332E, insert D >326-327/332E, insert E >326-327/332E, insert G >235-236/332E, insert A >235-236/332E, insert S >235-236/332E, insert T >235-236/332E, insert N >235-236/332E, insert D >235-236/332E, insert V >235-236/332E, insert L >235-236/332E, insert G >235-236/332D, insert A >235-236/332D, Insertions S >235-236/332D, insertions T >235-236/332D, insertions N >235-236/332D, insertions D >235-236/332D, insertions V >235-236/332D and insertions L >235-236/332D (numbering according to the EU index), which are contemplated for use. Mutant L234A/L235A is described, for example, in U.S. patent application publication No.2003/0108548, published on 12/6/2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In embodiments, the modifications described are included (by EU index numbering), either individually or in combination.

C.Replacement support

The modular structure of immunoglobulins can be used to create alternative scaffolds. For example, the surrogate scaffold may be a surrogate Fc format. In some embodiments, alternative scaffolds may be used to generate heterodimeric constructs.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a surrogate Fc domain. In some embodiments, the surrogate Fc domain is any suitable surrogate Fc format known in the art. For example, the Fc domain can be contained in Spiess et al Molecular Immunology,2015, Oct; 67(2Pt A)95-106, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the alternative Fc format may be selected from any one of the following formats: (i) bispecific IgG (bsigg), (ii) attached IgG, (iii) bispecific fragments, (iv) bispecific fusion proteins, (v) bispecific conjugates, (vi) and IgG4 Fab arm exchange and (vii) surrogate scaffolds.

In some embodiments, heterodimers of the present disclosure can be formed by utilizing alternative Fc forms. In some embodiments, the Fc domain may be engineered to promote heterodimerization. In some embodiments, the heterodimer is formed by a mutation in the CH3 domain of the Fc domain of the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein.

(i) Bispecific IgG (BsIgG)

Bispecific IgG is an alternative Fc format that can be used to promote heterodimerization of two Fc domains and overcome homodimerization. In some embodiments, the CH3 domain of Fc can be mutated to promote heterodimerization.

In some embodiments, a "knob-hole" may be used to promote heterodimerization of the Fc domains. Combinations of mutations in the CH3 domain can be used to form heterodimers. In some embodiments, a "knob" is created by replacing a small amino acid side chain at the interface between CH3 domains with a larger amino acid side chain, and a "hole" is created by replacing a larger amino acid side chain at the interface between CH3 domains with a smaller amino acid side chain. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure include a first interferon receptor Fc construct comprising a first CH3 domain with knob mutation T366W and a second interferon receptor Fc construct comprising a second CH3 domain with hole mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V (Ridgeway et al, (1996) prot. eng.9,617-621, and Atwell et al, (1997) j.mol.biol.270,26-35, both incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure include a first interferon receptor Fc construct comprising a first CH3 domain with a knob mutation T366Y and a second interferon receptor Fc construct comprising a second CH3 domain with a hole mutation Y407V (Ridgeway et al, (1996) prot.eng.9, 617-621). The "hole" mutation provides efficient pairing with the "knob" mutation to promote heterodimerization of the Fc domains.

In certain embodiments, "bispecific antibodies" (duobody) may also be used to promote heterodimerization of Fc domains (Labrijn et al, (2013) proc.natl.acad.sci.u.s.a.110,5145-5150, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). For example, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct may include the F405L mutation, while the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may include the K409R mutation.

In other embodiments, "azymetric mutations" may be introduced into the interferon receptor Fc construct to promote heterodimer formation (Von Kreudenstein et al, (2013) mAbs 5,646-654, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference; and US 2012/0149876A1, US 2017/0158779, US9574010, and US 9562109, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). In some embodiments, the azymetric mutations include T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V in the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W in the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct.

In some embodiments, "charge pair" mutations, determined by rational design of electrostatic steering mutations (electrostatic steering mutations), may also be introduced into interferon receptor Fc constructs to promote heterodimerization (Gunasekaran et al, (2010) j.biol.chem.285,19637-19646, and Strop et al, (2012) j.mol.biol.420,204-219, both incorporated herein by reference). The "charge pair" mutations produce an altered charge polarity at the Fc dimer interface such that co-expression of electrostatically matched Fc chains supports favorable attractive interactions, thereby promoting formation of Fc heterodimers. The formation of homodimers is inhibited by adverse repulsive charge interactions (Gunasekaran et al, (2010)). For example, in some embodiments, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct may include K409D and K392D, while the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may include D399K and E356K. In other embodiments, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct may include D221E, P228E, L368E, and the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may include D221R, P228R, and K409R.

Heterodimerization of the Fc domains of at least two interferon receptor Fc constructs can also be facilitated by the introduction of "HA-TF" mutations (Moore et al, (2011) mAbs 3,546-557, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). For example, in some embodiments, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct comprises S364H and F405A, and the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct comprises Y349T and T394F.

The formation of heterodimeric soluble interferon receptors can also be facilitated by exploiting structural similarities and sequence divergence between different classes of immunoglobulins. For example, the SEED platform exploits the sequence divergence but structural similarity of the CH3 domains of IgG and IgA (Davis et al, (2010) Protein eng.des.sel.23,195-202, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IgG/a chimera, and the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IgA/G chimera.

In other embodiments, the inability of IgG3 to bind to protein a may be used for differential labeling of Fc domains to enable efficient purification of heterodimers (Davis et al, 2013, U.S. patent No. 8,586,713, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). For example, in some embodiments, the Fc domain of the interferon receptor Fc construct includes the H354R mutation.

In some embodiments, CH3 domain mutations may be introduced into the IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 constant regions to promote heterodimerization. In some embodiments, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise a 407A substitution, while the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise a 366V or a 366M substitution and a 409V substitution. In some embodiments, the Fc domain of the first interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise the 407A substitution and one or more substitutions selected from the group of substitutions: 356G, 357D, 360D, 364Q, 364R, and 399M. In some embodiments, the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise a 366V or 366M substitution and a 409V substitution and one or more substitutions selected from the group of substitutions: 345R, 347R, 349S, 366V, 370Y and 399M. In some embodiments, the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise 366V and 409V substitutions and one or more substitutions selected from the following group of substitutions: 345R, 347R, 349S, 366V, 370Y and 399M. In some embodiments, the Fc domain of the second interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise 366M and 409V substitutions and one or more substitutions selected from the following group of substitutions: 345R, 347R, 349S, 366V, 370Y and 399M (see US2018/0009908 and Lewis et al, nature Biotechnology (2014)32(2),191-198, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

(ii) Attached IgG

In some embodiments, an Fc domain may be engineered to include two different binding domains by attaching one or more binding domains at the amino and/or carboxy terminus of the Fc domain. In some embodiments, the one or more binding domains may be attached to the Fc domain by a peptide linker.

In some embodiments, the binding domain is an IFNAR (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the binding domain is the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 or IFNAR 2.

(iii) Bispecific fragments

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor may lack part or all of the Fc domain. In some embodiments, the binding domain of a soluble interferon receptor lacking part or all of the Fc domain and part of the Fc domain may be connected by a peptide linker. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor may be produced using a polypeptide linker to link each domain (e.g., binding domain, Fc domain) of the soluble interferon receptor and thereby generate a single polypeptide chain.

In some embodiments, the binding domain is an IFNAR (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the binding domain is the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 or IFNAR 2.

(iv) Bispecific fusion proteins

In some embodiments, the binding domain of the soluble interferon receptor is linked to other proteins to add additional functionality or specificity. In some embodiments, the binding domain is an IFNAR (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the binding domain is the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 or IFNAR 2.

(v) Bispecific conjugates

In some embodiments, the binding domains of the soluble interferon receptors are chemically conjugated to each other and/or to an Fc domain. In some embodiments, the binding domain is an IFNAR (e.g., IFNAR1 or IFNAR2) or a variant or fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the binding domain is the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 or IFNAR 2.

(vi) IgG4 Fab arm exchange

In some embodiments, Fab arm exchange can be used to promote heterodimerization of the Fc domains. Fab arm exchange is a post-translational modification of the IgG4 antibody, which includes a third constant domain of IgG4 in addition to the hinge region of IgG4 and requires a reducing environment to be activated (van der Neut Kolfschoeten et al (2007) Science 317,1554-1557, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). IgG4 antibodies exchange Fab arms by exchanging the heavy chain and the linked light chain with the heavy chain pair of another molecule, which results in bispecific antibodies (van der Neut kolfschoeten et al (2007)). In some embodiments, heterodimerization of the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure may be promoted by replacing the CH3 domain in IgG1Fc with the CH3 domain in IgG4Fc and replacing the IgG1 core hinge sequence with the IgG4 sequence (i.e., by replacing Pro228(P228S) with Ser).

(vii) Alternative stents

In some embodiments, engineered protein scaffolds (e.g., Affibody, darpins, Adnectins) can be used to generate molecules having at least two IFNAR binding domains. In some embodiments, the binding domain is the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 or IFNAR 2.

PK moiety

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is operably coupled to a PK moiety that serves as a scaffold and means to increase the serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptor.

Suitable PK moieties are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, albumin, transferrin, Fc and variants thereof, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and derivatives thereof. Suitable PK moieties include, but are not limited to, HSA or variants or fragments thereof, such as those disclosed in US 5,876,969, WO 2011/124718 and WO 2011/0514789; fc and Fc variants, such as those disclosed in WO2011/053982, WO 02/060955, WO 02/096948, WO05/047327, WO05/018572, and US 2007/0111281; transferrin or a variant or fragment thereof, as disclosed in US 7,176,278 and US 8,158,579; and PEG or derivatives such as those disclosed in Zalipsky et al ("Use of Functionalized Poly (ethylene glycols) for Modification of Polypeptides" in Polyethylene Glycol Chemistry: Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications, J.M. Harris, plus Press, New York (1992)), Zalipsky et al (Advanced Drug Reviews 1995:16:157-182), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835, 4,496,689, 4,301,144, 4,670,417, 4,791,192, 4,179,337, and 5,932,462 (the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference). It is within the ability of the skilled artisan to incorporate (e.g., clone, conjugate) PK moieties into the soluble interferon receptors of the invention using conventional methods.

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is HSA, which is naturally non-glycosylated.

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is wild-type Fc (SEQ ID NO: 26).

In certain embodiments, the Fc domain is altered or modified, for example, by amino acid mutation (e.g., addition, deletion, or substitution). As used herein, the term "Fc domain variant" refers to an Fc domain having at least one amino acid modification, such as an amino acid substitution, as compared to the wild-type Fc from which the Fc domain is derived. For example, in the case where the Fc domain is derived from a human IgG1 antibody, the variant comprises at least one amino acid mutation (e.g., substitution) as compared to the wild-type amino acid at the corresponding position in the Fc region of human IgG 1.

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is any Fc variant described herein.

In some embodiments, the PK moiety is wild type HST. In other embodiments, the PK moiety is a mutated HST with N413 and/or N611 and/or S12 (S12 is a potential O-linked glycosylation site), thereby generating HSTs with altered glycosylation (i.e., HST N413S, HST N611S, HST N413S/N611S, and HST S12A/N413S/N611S).

Exemplary soluble interferon receptors

The soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure can be configured to incorporate various interferon receptor Fc constructs. Likewise, the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present invention may be configured to incorporate various domains.

For example, in one embodiment, an interferon receptor Fc construct can include the IFNAR1 domain as shown in (SEQ ID NO: 11). In another embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise the IFNAR2 domain as set forth in (SEQ ID NO: 12). In another embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct may include a linker domain. In another embodiment, the IFNAR1 domain is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker). In some embodiments, the IFNAR2 domain is operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with a linker domain (e.g., a polypeptide linker). In some embodiments, the linker domain is a polypeptide linker (e.g., a Gly/ser linker, e.g., (G)₄S)_nWherein n is 1-10, 2-5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5). In some embodiments, the polypeptide linker is about 1-50, about 5-40, about 10-30, or about 15-20 amino acids in length. In some aspects, the polypeptide linker is about 20 or fewer amino acids, about 15 or fewer amino acids, about 10 or fewer amino acids, or about 5 or fewer amino acids in length. In some aspects, the polypeptide linker is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 amino acids in length. In another embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise SEQ ID NO: 15 (Gly)₄Ser)₄A joint domain. In another embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38 of (Gly)₄Ser)₂A joint domain. In another embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct does not include a linker domain.

In another embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct may comprise SEQ ID NO:13, or a leader sequence as shown in figure 13.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct may include an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W as set forth in (SEQ ID NO: 10). In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct may include an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V as set forth in (SEQ ID NO: 9). In some embodiments, the interferon Fc receptor construct may comprise a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, and optionally one or more mutated IgG1Fc domains selected from the group consisting of C220S, P238S and P331S. In some embodiments, the interferon Fc receptor construct can include a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in seq id NO: 107, and optionally one or more mutated IgG1Fc domains selected from the group consisting of C220S, P238S and P331S. In some embodiments, the interferon Fc receptor construct may comprise a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 108, and optionally one or more mutated IgG1Fc domains selected from the group consisting of C220S, P238S and P331S. In some embodiments, the interferon Fc construct may comprise a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 109, and optionally one or more mutated IgG1Fc domains selected from C220S, P238S and P331S, and L366S, L368A and Y407V.

In some embodiments, the interferon Fc receptor construct comprises a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations S228P, F296Y, E356K, R409K, H435R, and L445P according to EU numbering. In some embodiments, the heterodimer comprises a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V according to EU numbering. In some embodiments, the interferon Fc construct comprises an IgG4Fc domain comprising an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 113, mutations S228P, F234A, L235A, L445P (EU) and K478del (Kabat). In some embodiments, the interferon Fc construct comprises a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in seq id NO: 116, IgG4Fc domain of mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R (EU). In some embodiments, the interferon Fc construct comprises a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 117 IgG4Fc domain of mutations F296Y, R409K and K439E (EU). In some embodiments, the interferon Fc construct comprises a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 118, IgG4Fc domain of mutations S228P, F296Y, E356K, R409K, H435R, L445P, G446del (EU) and K478del (Kabat). In some embodiments, the interferon Fc construct comprises a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 119, IgG4Fc domain of mutations S228P, F296Y, R409K, K439E, L445P, G446del (EU) and K478del (Kabat).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these individual domains may be operably coupled to each other in any order to form an enzymatically active interferon receptor Fc construct. For example, as detailed in the specific examples below, IFNAR1 extracellular domain can be via (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to the Fc domain. In another example, the extracellular domain of IFNAR2 can be expressed via (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to the Fc domain. In another example, the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 can be expressed via (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to the Fc domain. In another example, the extracellular domain of IFNAR2 can be expressed via (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to the Fc domain. In another example, the IFNAR1 extracellular domain can be operably coupled to an Fc domain. In another example, the IFNAR2 extracellular domain can be operably coupled to an Fc domain. Various other configurations are possible, with the non-limiting exemplary configurations disclosed herein in fig. 1 and the sequence table.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to a linker comprising the mutations C220S, P238S, P331S and T350V, T366L, K392L and T394WIgG1Fc domain, with or without leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, said IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, with or without a leader sequence.

In some implementationsIn this embodiment, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled, without a linker domain, to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (a), (b), (c), (d), (Gly₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 cellsOuter domain, which is via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain linked by a linker domain such as (Gly) 1 extracellular domain₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to a linker comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and optionally one or more selected from C220S, P238S, and P331SA mutated IgG1Fc domain, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain linked by a linker domain such as (Gly) 1 extracellular domain₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, and optionally one or more mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR2 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR2 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR2 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂Joint knotThe domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K and K439E, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR1 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR2 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR2 via a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises IFNAR2 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain without a linker domain, the IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E, with or without a leader sequence.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:1, and the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1, or a nucleic acid having the amino acid sequence set forth in seq id no.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:2, and the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2, or a nucleotide sequence of the amino acid sequence shown in figure 2.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:3, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:3, or a nucleic acid having the amino acid sequence shown in figure 3.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:4, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:4, or a nucleic acid having the amino acid sequence shown in figure 4.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:52, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptide shown as SEQ ID NO:52, or a nucleic acid having the amino acid sequence set forth in seq id no.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:54, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:54, or a nucleic acid having the amino acid sequence set forth in seq id no.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:56, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptide shown as SEQ ID NO: 56.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises SEQ id no:58, and the amino acid sequence encoding the polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO: 58.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs dimerize to form a soluble interferon receptor, e.g., a heterodimeric soluble interferon receptor. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Interferon receptor Fc constructs (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S and T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W, and comprising a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Linker domains and the variants C220S, P238S, P331Interferon receptor Fc constructs (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to IgG1Fc domains of S and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) through a linker domain₄Ser)₄The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂Interferon receptor Fc constructs (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S and T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W, and comprising a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂Interferon receptor Fc constructs (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S and T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W, and comprising a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S and T350V, T366L, K392L and T394W without a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S and T350V, L351Y, F405A and Y407V without a linker domain. For example, in some embodiments, a soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W without a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations C220S, P238S, P331S, and T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V without a linker domain.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Linker Domain an Interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366Y, and an Fc construct comprising a linker Domain through which a linker domain such as (Gly₄Ser)₄The linker domain and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising the IFNAR2 extracellular domain of IgG1Fc domain of mutation Y407T. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Linker Domain an interferon receptor Fc construct of the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 (with or without leader sequence) operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T, and comprising a linker Domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366Y.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptorThe body comprises heterodimers comprising a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂Interferon receptor Fc constructs (with or without leader sequence) comprising IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366Y, and comprising a linker domain such as (Gly₄Ser)₂The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂Linker Domain an interferon receptor Fc construct of the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 (with or without leader sequence) operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T, and comprising a linker Domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366Y.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366Y without a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T without a linker domain. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an Fc domain comprising mutation Y407T without a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366Y without a linker domain.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Linker Domain an Interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366W, and an Fc construct comprising a linker Domain through which a linker domain such as (Gly₄Ser)₄The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Interferon receptor Fc constructs (with or without leader sequence) comprising IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A and Y407V, and comprising a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366W.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂Linker Domain an Interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366W, and an Fc construct comprising a linker Domain through which a linker domain such as (Gly₄Ser)₂The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of the IFNAR1 extracellular domain comprising the IgG1Fc domain of mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, toAnd a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366W.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366W without a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V without a linker domain. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR1 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V in the absence of a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising an IFNAR2 extracellular domain operably coupled to an IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T366W in the absence of a linker domain.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄Interferon receptor Fc constructs of IFNAR1 (with or without leader sequence) operably coupled to IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K and H435R, and Fc constructs comprising a linker domain such as (Gly₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 comprising an IgG4Fc domain of mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439EThe interferon receptor Fc construct of IFNAR1 (with or without leader sequence), and a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₄The linker domain is operably coupled to an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 comprising an IgG4Fc domain of mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂Interferon receptor Fc constructs of IFNAR1 (with or without leader sequence) operably coupled to IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K and H435R, and Fc constructs comprising a linker domain such as (Gly₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 comprising an IgG4Fc domain of mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a heterodimer comprising a linker domain such as (Gly) comprising₄Ser)₂Interferon receptor Fc constructs of IFNAR1 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K and K439E (with or without leader sequence), and Fc constructs comprising a linker domain such as (Gly)₄Ser)₂The linker domain is operably coupled to an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without leader sequence) of IFNAR2 comprising an IgG4Fc domain of mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising IFNAR1 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R in the absence of a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising IFNAR2 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E in the absence of a linker domain. For example, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a heterodimer comprising an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising IFNAR1 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, R409K, and K439E without a linker domain, and an interferon receptor Fc construct (with or without a leader sequence) comprising IFNAR2 operably coupled to an IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations F296Y, E356K, R409K, and H435R without a linker domain.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:1 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:2 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:52 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:54, or a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in seq id no.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:56 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 58.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:40 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 43.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:41 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 42.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:53 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 55.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is a heterodimer comprising a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO:57 and a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:59, or a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in 59.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:1, such as 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:2, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:3, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:4, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:52, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence that is identical to seq id NO:54, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:56, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:58, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:40, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:43, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:41, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:42, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:53, e.g., an amino acid sequence that is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:55, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:57, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct comprises a sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:59, e.g., 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or at least 99.5% identical. In some embodiments, the polypeptide comprises a sequence selected from seq id NO: 1-4, 52, 54, 56, 58, 40, 43, 41, 42, 43, 55, 57, or 59.

In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc constructs described above have a leader sequence. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct described above does not have a leader sequence.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that leader and linker sequences are optional and are not limited to those described in the embodiments above. For example, an IFNAR domain (e.g., IFNAR1, IFNAR2) can be fused directly to the N-and/or C-terminus of an Fc domain or variant or fragment thereof; the leader domain may be any of those known in the art to be useful for its intended purpose, e.g., to increase protein expression and/or secretion (e.g., MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA; SEQ ID NO: 13); the linker may be any linker known in the art, e.g., (Gly)₄Ser) n, NLG (VDGASSPVNVSSPSVQDI; 18) of SEQ ID NO, LE, Thrombin-sensitive dithiocyclic peptide linker, LEA (EAAAK)₄ALEA(EAAAK)₄(SEQ ID NO:19) or an in vivo cleavable disulfide linker as described herein. It is also understood that it is within the ability of the skilled person to make corresponding changes to the amino acid sequence of the interferon receptor Fc construct using conventional cloning and recombinant methods.

Method for preparing soluble interferon receptor

The interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure can be prepared in large quantities in transformed or transfected host cells using recombinant DNA techniques. To this end, recombinant DNA molecules encoding the peptides were prepared. Methods for preparing such DNA molecules are well known in the art. For example, sequences encoding interferon receptor Fc constructs can be cleaved from DNA using suitable restriction enzymes. Alternatively, the DNA molecule may be synthesized using chemical synthesis techniques, such as the phosphoramidate approach. Also, a combination of these techniques may be used.

The invention also includes vectors capable of expressing the interferon receptor Fc constructs in a suitable host. The vector comprises a DNA molecule encoding an interferon receptor Fc construct operably coupled to suitable expression control sequences. Methods for achieving such efficient ligation, either before or after insertion of the DNA molecule into the vector, are well known. Expression control sequences include promoters, activators, enhancers, operators, ribosomal nuclease domains, initiation signals, termination signals, cap signals, polyadenylation signals, and other signals involved in the control of transcription or translation.

The resulting vector with the DNA molecule thereon is used to transform or transfect a suitable host. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure may be prepared by co-transfecting or co-transforming two or more expression vectors comprising DNA encoding an interferon receptor Fc construct into a suitable host. Such transformation or transfection may be carried out using methods well known in the art.

Any of a wide variety of available and well known host cells may be used in the practice of the present invention. The choice of a particular host depends on many factors recognized in the art. These include, for example, compatibility with the chosen expression vector, toxicity of the interferon receptor Fc construct encoded by the DNA molecule, rate of transformation or transfection, ease of recovery of the interferon receptor Fc construct, expression characteristics, biosafety, and cost. A balance must be struck between these factors, with the understanding that not all hosts may be equally effective for the expression of a particular DNA sequence. Within these general guidelines, useful microbial hosts include bacterial (e.g., E.coli), yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and other fungal, insect, plant, mammalian (including human) cells in culture, or other hosts known in the art. In some embodiments, the interferon receptor Fc construct is produced in CHO cells.

Next, the transformed or transfected host is cultured and purified. The host cell may be cultured under conventional fermentation or culture conditions such that the desired compound is expressed. Such fermentation and culture conditions are well known in the art. Finally, the interferon receptor Fc construct is purified from the culture by methods well known in the art.

The compounds may also be prepared by synthetic methods. For example, solid phase synthesis techniques may be used. Suitable techniques are well known in the art and include those described in Merrifield (1973), chem.polypeptides, pp.335-61(Katsoyannis and Panayotis eds.); merrifield (1963), J.Am.chem.Soc.85: 2149; davis et al, Biochem Intl 1985; 10: 394-414; stewart and Young (1969), Solid Phase peptide Synthesis; U.S. patent nos. 3,941,763; finn et al (1976), The Proteins (3rd ed.)2: 105-253; and those described in Erickson et al (1976), The Proteins (3rd ed.)2: 257-. In some embodiments, compounds containing derivatized peptides or containing non-peptide groups may be synthesized by well-known organic chemistry techniques.

Other methods of molecular expression/synthesis are generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Soluble interferon receptors with altered glycosylation

Glycosylation (e.g., O-linked or N-linked glycosylation) can affect the serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure, for example, by minimizing their removal from circulation through mannose and asialoglycoprotein receptors as well as other lectin-like receptors. Thus, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure are prepared in an aglycosylated, deglycosylated, or aglycosylated form. Preferably, the N-linked glycosylation is altered and the soluble interferon receptor is non-glycosylated.

In some embodiments, all asparagine residues in the soluble interferon receptor that correspond to the consensus sequence Asn-X-Ser/Thr (X can be any other naturally occurring amino acid other than Pro) are mutated to residues that do not serve as receptors for N-linked glycosylation (e.g., serine, glutamine), thereby eliminating glycosylation of the soluble interferon receptor when synthesized in a cell that glycosylates proteins.

In some embodiments, soluble interferon receptors lacking N-linked glycosylation sites are produced in mammalian cells. In one embodiment, the mammalian cell is a CHO cell. Thus, in a specific embodiment, the soluble interferon receptor is produced in CHO cells without glycosylation.

In other embodiments, the reduction or absence of N-glycosylation is achieved by, for example, producing a soluble interferon receptor in a host (e.g., a bacterium such as e.coli), a mammalian cell engineered to lack one or more enzymes important for glycosylation, or a mammalian cell treated with an agent that prevents glycosylation, such as tunicamycin (an inhibitor of Dol-PP-GlcNAc formation).

In some embodiments, soluble interferon receptors are produced in lower eukaryotes engineered to produce glycoproteins with complex N-glycans, rather than high mannose type sugars (see, e.g., US 2007/0105127).

In some embodiments, glycosylated soluble interferon receptors (e.g., those produced in mammalian cells such as CHO cells) are chemically or enzymatically treated to remove one or more sugar residues (e.g., one or more mannose, fucose and/or N-acetylglucosamine residues) or to modify or mask one or more sugar residues such that binding of the soluble interferon receptor to the mannose receptor, and/or asialoglycoprotein receptor, and/or other lectin-like receptors is reduced chemical deglycosylation may be achieved by, for example, treatment of the soluble interferon receptor with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS) as disclosed in, for example, Sojar et al, JBC 1989, 264:2552-9 and Sojar et al, Methods Enzymol 1987; 138:341-50, or by treatment with hydrogen fluoride as disclosed in Sojar et al (1987, supra), or by enzymatic removal of the soluble interferon receptor with hydrogen fluoride as disclosed in Thhaura et al (Methozotol Enzymol: 350-9) or by, for example, enzymatic removal of the soluble endoglycosidase from N-glycosylase, N-glycosyltransferase as disclosed in U.S. 3, Togaja, Tokyphoskoku et al, (1987, Tokyphoskokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokokoko.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is partially deglycosylated. Partial deglycosylation can be achieved by treating the soluble interferon receptor with an endoglycosidase (e.g., endoglycosidase H) that cleaves N-linked high mannose carbohydrates, but does not cleave complex types of carbohydrates, leaving a single GlcNAc residue attached to asparagine. Soluble interferon receptors treated with endoglycosidase H will lack high mannose carbohydrates, resulting in reduced interaction with hepatic mannose receptors. Although this receptor recognizes terminal GlcNAc, the probability of productive interaction with a single GlcNAc on the protein surface is not as high as for an intact high mannose structure.

In other embodiments, glycosylation of soluble interferon receptors is modified, e.g., by oxidation, reduction, dehydration, substitution, esterification, alkylation, sialylation, cleavage of carbon-carbon bonds, etc., to reduce clearance of soluble interferon from blood in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptors are treated with periodate and sodium borohydride to modify carbohydrate structures. periodate treatment oxidizes vicinal diols to cleave carbon-carbon bonds and substitute aldehyde groups for hydroxyl groups, borohydride reduces aldehydes to hydroxyl groups, many sugar residues include vicinal diols, and are thus cleaved by this treatment. extension of serum half-life with periodate and sodium borohydride is exemplified by sequential treatment of lysosomal enzymes β -glucuronidase with these reagents (see, e.g., Houba et al (1996) bioconjugate Chem 1996:7: 606-11; Stahl et al PNAS 1976; 73: 4045-9; Achord et al Pediat.Res 7; 11: 816-22; Achor et al 1978: 19778-11; Stahl et al PNAS 19755; published in Eurocarb. Biochem et al, publication methods for increasing serum half-life with periodate and borohydride, and methods in Eurycober et al, 1985, publication for the half-life of proteins treated with cyanoborohydride.

In one embodiment, the carbohydrate structure of the soluble interferon receptor may be masked by the addition of one or more additional moieties (e.g., carbohydrate groups, phosphate groups, alkyl groups, etc.) that interfere with the recognition of the structure by the mannose or asialoglycoprotein receptor or other lectin-like receptors.

In some embodiments, one or more potential glycosylation sites are removed by mutation of the nucleic acid encoding the soluble interferon receptor, thereby reducing glycosylation (under-glycosylation) of the soluble interferon receptor when synthesized in a cell, e.g., a mammalian cell such as a CHO cell, that glycosylates the protein. In some embodiments, if, for example, an aglycosylated soluble interferon receptor exhibits increased activity or results in increased serum half-life, it may be desirable to selectively aglycosylate the soluble interferon receptor by mutating a potential N-linked glycosylation site therein. In other embodiments, if, for example, the low glycosylation improves the serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptor, it may be desirable to make such modifications to portions of the soluble interferon receptor such that certain domains lack N-glycosylation. Alternatively, other amino acids in the vicinity of the glycosylation receptor can be modified to disrupt the recognition motif of the glycosylated enzyme without having to change the amino acids that are normally glycosylated.

In some embodiments, glycosylation of soluble interferon receptors can be altered by introducing glycosylation sites. For example, the amino acid sequence of the soluble interferon receptor can be modified to introduce a common site for N-linked glycosylation of Asn-X-Ser/Thr (X is any amino acid other than proline). Additional N-linked glycosylation sites can be added anywhere in the overall amino acid sequence of the soluble interferon receptor. Preferably, the glycosylation site is introduced at a position in the amino acid sequence that does not substantially reduce the activity of the soluble interferon receptor.

The addition of O-linked glycosylation sites is reported to alter the serum half-life of proteins such as growth hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, IGFBP-6, factor IX, as well as many other proteins (e.g., as disclosed in Okada et al, Endocr Rev 2011; 32: 2-342; Wenen et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89: 5204-12; Marinaro et al, European journal of Endocrinology 2000; 142: 512-6; US 2011/0154516). thus, in some embodiments, O-linked glycosylation of soluble interferon receptors (on serine/threonine residues) is altered. methods of altering O-linked glycosylation are conventional in the art and can be eliminated, for example, by β -2001 (see, e.g., Huang et al, Rapidomutilis in Mass 2002; 16: 1199; Contoputr et al, Morr 1, 15. Biotic kit; e.g.17. Biozoc, Biozoc et al, Biotic kit 17. 5. Biotic et al, Biotic kit, Biotic; et al, Biotic kit 17. 15. Biotic; Biotic et al, Biotic kit, 15. Biotic;. 15. Biotic et al, Inc.^TMBeta-inactivation Kit, Sigma), or by subjecting the soluble interferon receptor to a series of exoglycosidic treatments, such as, but not limited to, β -4 galactosidase and β -N-acetylglucosaminidase, until only Gal β 1-3GalNAc and/or GlcNAc β -3GalNAc remain, followed by treatment with, for example, endo- α -N-acetylgalactosamidase (i.e., O-glucosidase). such enzymes are commercially available from, for example, New England BiolabsAlternatively, the glycosylation site is introduced at a position in the amino acid sequence that does not substantially decrease the activity of the soluble interferon receptor. Alternatively, the protein may be produced by, for example, CRC Crit Rev Biochem 1981; 259-306, the O-linked sugar moiety is introduced by chemical modification of the amino acids in the soluble interferon receptor.

In some embodiments, both N-linked and O-linked glycosylation sites are introduced into the soluble interferon receptor, preferably in positions of the amino acid sequence that do not substantially reduce the activity of the soluble interferon receptor.

It is within the ability of the skilled artisan to introduce, reduce or eliminate glycosylation (e.g., N-linked or O-linked glycosylation) in a soluble interferon receptor and determine whether such alteration of the glycosylation state increases or decreases the activity or serum half-life of the soluble interferon receptor using methods routine in the art.

In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor may comprise an altered glycoform (e.g., a low fucosylated or afucosylated glycan).

In some embodiments, the serum half-life of a glycosylation-altered soluble interferon receptor is increased at least about 1.5-fold, such as at least 3-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about 300-fold, at least about 400-fold, at least about 500-fold, at least about 600-fold, at least about 700-fold, at least about 800-fold, at least about 900-fold, at least about 1000-fold, or 1000-fold or more, relative to a corresponding glycosylated soluble interferon receptor (e.g., a soluble interferon receptor in which the potential N-linked glycosylation site is not mutated). Conventional methods recognized in the art can be used to determine the serum half-life of soluble interferon receptors with altered glycosylation states.

In some embodiments, a soluble interferon receptor with altered glycosylation (e.g., an aglycosylated, deglycosylated, or aglycosylated soluble interferon receptor) retains at least 50%, e.g., at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.5%, or 100% of the activity of the corresponding glycosylated soluble interferon receptor (e.g., a soluble interferon receptor in which the potential N-linked glycosylation site is not mutated).

In some embodiments, altering the glycosylation state of a soluble interferon receptor can increase its activity by directly increasing its activity or increasing bioavailability (e.g., serum half-life). Thus, in some embodiments, the activity of a glycosylation-altered soluble interferon receptor is increased at least 1.3-fold, such as at least 1.5-fold, at least 2-fold, at least 2.5-fold, relative to a corresponding glycosylated soluble interferon receptor (e.g., a soluble interferon receptor in which the potential N-linked glycosylation site is not mutated). At least 3 times, at least 3.5 times, at least 4 times, at least 4.5 times, at least 5 times, at least 5.5 times, at least 6 times, at least 6.5 times, at least 7 times, at least 7.5 times, at least 8 times, at least 8.5 times, at least 9 times, at least 9.5 times, or 10 times or more.

The glycosylation state of the soluble interferon receptor can be readily determined by the skilled artisan using art-recognized methods. In a preferred embodiment, the glycosylation state is determined using mass spectrometry. In other embodiments, the interaction with concanavalin a (con a) may be assessed to determine whether the soluble interferon receptor is under glycosylated. The low glycosylated soluble interferon receptor is expected to show reduced binding to Con a-sepharose compared to the corresponding glycosylated soluble interferon receptor. SDS-PAGE analysis can also be used to compare the mobility of less glycosylated proteins and the corresponding glycosylated proteins. Low glycosylated proteins are expected to have greater mobility in SDS-PAGE compared to glycosylated proteins. For example, Roth et al, International Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry 2012; 1-10, other suitable art-recognized methods for analyzing the glycosylation state of proteins are disclosed.

Pharmacokinetics, such as serum half-life, of soluble interferon receptors with different glycosylation states can be determined using conventional methods, e.g., by introducing the soluble interferon receptor in a mouse (e.g., intravenously), obtaining blood samples at predetermined time points, and determining and comparing the level and/or activity of the soluble interferon receptor in the samples.

Pharmaceutical composition

In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is administered alone. In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is administered prior to the administration of the at least one additional therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is administered concurrently with the administration of the at least one other therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is administered after administration of the at least one additional therapeutic agent. In other embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is administered prior to the administration of the at least one additional therapeutic agent. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is combined with other agents/compounds. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor and the other agent are administered simultaneously. In some embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor and the other agent are not administered at the same time, but the soluble interferon receptor is administered before or after the agent is administered. In some embodiments, the subject receives both the soluble interferon receptor and the other agent within the same period of the prevention, disease occurrence, and/or treatment period.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure may be administered in a combination therapy, i.e., in combination with other agents. In certain embodiments, the combination therapy comprises a soluble interferon receptor in combination with at least one additional agent. Agents include, but are not limited to, chemical compositions, antibodies, antigen-binding regions, and combinations and conjugates thereof, prepared synthetically in vitro. In certain embodiments, the agent may act as an agonist, antagonist, allosteric modulator, or toxin.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a soluble interferon receptor in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, solubilizer, emulsifier, preservative, and/or adjuvant.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a soluble interferon receptor and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one other therapeutic agent, together with pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers, solubilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives and/or adjuvants.

In certain embodiments, acceptable formulation materials are preferably non-toxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed in certain embodiments, formulation materials are for s.c. and/or i.v. administration in certain embodiments, Pharmaceutical compositions may include formulation materials for altering, maintaining or maintaining, for example, the pH, osmolality, viscosity, clarity, color, isotonicity, odor, sterility, stability, dissolution rate or release rate, adsorption or permeation of the composition suitable formulation materials include, but are not limited to, amino acids (e.g., glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine), antimicrobial agents, antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite), buffers (e.g., borate, bicarbonate, Tris-HCl, citrate, phosphate or other organic acids), bulking agents (e.g., mannitol or glycine), chelating agents (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), complexing agents (e.g., caffeine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, β -hydroxypropyl dextrin or bulking agents- β -cyclodextrin), excipients (e.g., caffeine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, mannitol, and other excipients; e.g., mannitol, sorbitol, sodium, sorbitol, sodium, sorbitol, sodium sulfate, or sodium alginate, sorbitol.

In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor and/or the therapeutic molecule are linked to a half-life extending agent known in the art. Such vehicles include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol, glycogen (e.g., glycosylation of soluble interferon receptors), and dextran. Such vectors are described, for example, in U.S. application serial No. 09/428,082, now U.S. patent No.6,660,843, and published application WO 99/25044.

In certain embodiments, the optimal pharmaceutical composition is determined by one of skill in the art based on, for example, the intended route of administration, delivery form, and desired dosage. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, supra. In certain embodiments, such compositions may affect the physical state, stability, rate of in vivo release, and rate of in vivo clearance of the antibodies of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the primary vehicle or carrier in the pharmaceutical composition may be aqueous or non-aqueous in nature. For example, in certain embodiments, a suitable vehicle or carrier may be water for injection, a physiological saline solution, or artificial cerebrospinal fluid, which may be supplemented with other substances commonly found in compositions for parenteral administration. In some embodiments, the saline comprises isotonic phosphate buffered saline. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises a Tris buffer at about pH 7.0-8.5, or an acetate buffer at about H4.0-5.5, which may further include sorbitol or a suitable substitute thereof. In certain embodiments, compositions comprising soluble interferon receptors (with or without at least one other therapeutic agent) may be prepared for storage as a lyophilized cake or in aqueous solution by mixing the selected composition with the desired level of purity with an optional formulation agent (Remington's pharmaceutical Sciences, supra). Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a composition comprising a soluble interferon receptor (with or without at least one other therapeutic agent) may be formulated as a lyophilizate using a suitable excipient, such as sucrose.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may be selected for parenteral delivery. In certain embodiments, the composition may be selected for inhalation or for delivery through the digestive tract, e.g., oral. The preparation of such pharmaceutically acceptable compositions is within the ability of those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, the formulation components are present at concentrations acceptable to the site of administration. In certain embodiments, a buffer is used to maintain the composition at physiological pH or at a slightly lower pH, typically in the pH range of about 5 to about 8.

In certain embodiments, when parenteral administration is contemplated, the therapeutic composition may be in the form of a pyrogen-free, parenterally acceptable aqueous solution in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which comprises the desired soluble interferon receptor in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, with or without an additional therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the vehicle for parenteral injection is sterile distilled water, wherein the soluble interferon receptor (with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent) is formulated in a sterile isotonic solution for proper storage. In certain embodiments, preparation may include formulating the desired molecule with an agent, such as injectable microspheres, bioerodible particles, polymeric compounds (such as polylactic or polyglycolic acid), beads, or liposomes, which may be used for controlled or sustained release of the product which may then be delivered by depot injection. In certain embodiments, hyaluronic acid may also be used and may have the effect of promoting duration in circulation. In certain embodiments, the implantable drug delivery device can be used to introduce a desired molecule.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated for inhalation. In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor may be formulated as a dry powder for inhalation, with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, inhalation solutions comprising soluble interferon receptors with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent may be formulated with a propellant for aerosol delivery. In certain embodiments, the solution may be atomized. Pulmonary administration is further described in PCT application No. PCT/US94/001875, which describes pulmonary delivery of chemically modified proteins.

In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the formulation may be administered orally. In certain embodiments, a soluble interferon receptor administered in this manner, with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent, may be formulated with or without those carriers that are typically used in the formulation of solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. In certain embodiments, the capsule may be designed to release the active portion of the formulation at a point where bioavailability is maximized and pre-systemic degradation is minimized in the gastrointestinal tract. In certain embodiments, at least one additional agent may be included to facilitate absorption of the soluble interferon receptor and/or any other therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, diluents, flavoring agents, low melting waxes, vegetable oils, lubricants, suspending agents, tablet disintegrating agents, and binding agents may also be used.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may involve an effective amount of a soluble interferon receptor, with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent, in admixture with non-toxic excipients suitable for the manufacture of tablets. In certain embodiments, the solution may be prepared in unit dosage form by dissolving the tablet in sterile water or another suitable vehicle. In certain embodiments, suitable excipients include, but are not limited to, inert diluents such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, lactose, or calcium phosphate; or a binder such as starch, gelatin or acacia; or a lubricant such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc.

Additional pharmaceutical compositions will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including formulations that include the soluble interferon receptor in sustained or controlled delivery formulations, with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, techniques for formulating a variety of other sustained or controlled delivery means, such as liposome carriers, bioerodible microparticles or porous beads, and depot injections are also known to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., PCT application No. PCT/US93/00829, which describes controlled release of porous polymeric microparticles for delivery of pharmaceutical compositions. In certain embodiments, the sustained-release formulation may include a semipermeable polymeric matrix in the form of a shaped article (e.g., a film or microcapsule). Sustained release matrices may include polyesters, hydrogels, polylactides (U.S. Pat. No.3,773,919 and EP 058,481), copolymers of L-glutamic acid and gamma-ethyl-L-glutamic acid (Sidman et al, Biopolymers,22:547-556(1983)), poly (2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate) (Langer et al, J Biomed Mater Res,15:167-277(1981) and Langer, Chem Tech,12:98-105(1982)), ethylene vinyl acetate (Langer et al, supra) or poly-D (-) -3-hydroxybutyric acid (EP 133,988). In certain embodiments, the sustained release composition may further comprise liposomes, which may be prepared by any of several methods known in the art. See, e.g., Eppstein et al, PNAS,82: 3688-; EP 036,676; EP 088,046 and EP 143,949.

Pharmaceutical compositions for in vivo administration are typically sterile. In certain embodiments, this may be accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes. In certain embodiments, where the composition is lyophilized, sterilization can be performed using the method either before or after lyophilization and reconstitution. In certain embodiments, compositions for parenteral administration may be stored in lyophilized form or in solution form. In certain embodiments, the parenteral composition is typically placed in a container having a sterile access port, e.g., an intravenous solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle.

In certain embodiments, once the pharmaceutical composition is formulated, it may be stored in sterile vials as a solution, suspension, gel, emulsion, solid, or as a dehydrated or lyophilized powder. In certain embodiments, such formulations may be stored in a ready-to-use form or in a form that is reconstituted prior to administration (e.g., lyophilized form).

In certain embodiments, kits for producing a single dose administration unit are provided. In certain embodiments, the kit may comprise both a first container having a dried protein and a second container having an aqueous formulation. In certain embodiments, kits are included that contain single and multi-chamber pre-filled syringes (e.g., liquid syringes and lyophilizate syringes).

In certain embodiments, the effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a soluble interferon receptor, with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent, for therapeutic use depends, for example, on the therapeutic context and objectives. The skilled artisan will appreciate that, according to certain embodiments, the appropriate dosage level for treatment will thus vary depending, in part, on the molecule delivered, the indication for which the soluble interferon receptor is used, with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent, the route of administration, and the size (body weight, body surface area or organ size) and/or condition (age and general health) of the patient. In certain embodiments, the clinician may titrate the dosage and alter the route of administration to obtain the optimal therapeutic effect. In certain embodiments, typical dosages may range from about 0.1 μ g/kg up to about 100mg/kg or more, depending on the factors discussed above. In certain embodiments, the dose may range from 0.1 μ g/kg up to about 100 mg/kg; or 1 μ g/kg up to about 100 mg/kg; or 5 μ g/kg up to about 100 mg/kg.

In certain embodiments, the frequency of administration will take into account the pharmacokinetic parameters of the soluble interferon receptor and/or any additional therapeutic agent in the formulation used. In certain embodiments, the clinician administers the composition until a dose is reached that achieves the desired effect. Thus, in certain embodiments, the composition may be administered in a single dose, or in two or more doses (which may or may not contain the same amount of the desired molecule) over time, or by continuous infusion through an implanted device or cannula. Further optimization of appropriate dosages is routinely performed by those of ordinary skill in the art and is within the scope of the tasks they routinely perform. In certain embodiments, appropriate dosages may be determined by using appropriate dose response data.

In certain embodiments, the route of administration of the pharmaceutical composition is according to known methods, e.g., oral; injection by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracerebral (intraparenchymal), intracerebroventricular, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraocular, intraarterial, intraportal, or intralesional routes; by a sustained release system; or by an implant device. In certain embodiments, the composition may be administered by bolus injection or continuously by infusion or by an implanted device.

In certain embodiments, the composition may be administered topically by implantation of a membrane, sponge, or another suitable material onto which the desired molecule has been absorbed or encapsulated. In certain embodiments, where an implanted device is used, the device may be implanted into any suitable tissue or organ, and delivery of the desired molecule may be by diffusion, timed release bolus, or continuous administration.

In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to use a pharmaceutical composition comprising a soluble interferon receptor (with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent) ex vivo. In these cases, the cells, tissues and/or organs removed from the patient are exposed to a pharmaceutical composition containing a soluble interferon receptor with or without at least one additional therapeutic agent prior to implantation of the cells, tissues and/or organs back into the patient.

In certain embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor and/or any additional therapeutic agent may be delivered by implantation of certain cells that have been genetically engineered to express and secrete the polypeptide using methods such as those described herein. In certain embodiments, such cells may be animal or human cells, and may be autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic. In certain embodiments, the cells may be immortalized. In certain embodiments, to reduce the potential for immune responses, cells may be encapsulated to avoid infiltration of surrounding tissues. In certain embodiments, the encapsulating material is generally a biocompatible, semi-permeable polymeric shell or membrane that allows for the release of the protein product, but prevents the cells from being damaged by the patient's immune system or other harmful factors from the surrounding tissue.

In vitro assay

Various in vitro assays known in the art can be used to assess the efficacy of the soluble interferon receptors of the present invention.

For example, the ability of soluble interferon receptors to inhibit IFN- α and/or IFN- β -induced production of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) in HEK-Blue α/β cells HEK-Blue IFN- α/β cells (Invivogen, cat # hkb-ifnab) produce and secrete SEAP in response to stimulation by IFN- α or IFN- β.

To assess the ability of soluble interferon receptors to inhibit IFN- α and/or IFN- β activity, IFN- α and/or IFN- β can be added to inhibitors in tissue culture plates (e.g., soluble interferon receptors (e.g., RSLV-601-604, RSLV-602-603) and control molecules (e.g., anti-IFN- α, anti-IFN- β, and human IgG.) then HEK-Blue IFN- α/β cells can be added to the plates and incubated at 37 ℃ for a predetermined time.

The level of IFN- α and/or IFN- β after treatment with an effective soluble interferon receptor is generally comparable to the level measured after treatment with an anti-IFN- α or anti-IFN- β control.

Method of treatment

The soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure are particularly effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders or abnormal immune responses. In this regard, it is understood that the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure may be used to control, inhibit, modulate, treat or eliminate immune response disorders caused by overproduction of interferon.

In another aspect, the soluble interferon receptor is adapted for the prevention (prophylactic) or treatment (therapeutic) of a disease or disorder, such as an autoimmune disease, in a mammal by administering the soluble interferon receptor to the mammal in need thereof in a therapeutically effective amount or sufficient amount, wherein the disease is prevented or treated. Any route of administration (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous) suitable for achieving the desired effect is contemplated by the present invention. Treatment of a disease condition may result in a reduction of symptoms associated with the condition, which may be of long-term or short-term, even transient, beneficial effect.

A number of disease conditions are amenable to treatment using the soluble interferon receptors of the present disclosure. For example, in some aspects, the disease or disorder is an autoimmune disease or cancer. In some such aspects, the autoimmune disease is insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, experimental autoimmune arthritis, myasthenia gravis, thyroiditis, experimental forms of uveoretinitis, hashimoto's thyroiditis, primary mucosal edema, thyrotoxicosis, pernicious anemia, autoimmune atrophic gastritis, addison's disease, premature menopause, male infertility, juvenile diabetes, goodpasture's syndrome, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus, sympathetic ophthalmia, lens uveitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic leukopenia, primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis Hbs-ve, cryptogenic cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis, sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, wegener's granulomatosis, and other diseases, Polymyositis, dermatomyositis, discoid LE, SLE, or connective tissue disease.

In particular embodiments, the soluble interferon receptor is used to prevent or treat SLE or sjogren's syndrome. The effectiveness of soluble interferon receptors disclosed herein is demonstrated by comparing the expression levels of certain known IFN modulating genes in mammals treated with the soluble interferon receptors disclosed herein to mammals treated with control formulations. In some embodiments, the expression level of one, two, three, four, five or more IFN-modulating genes is measured. For example, in some embodiments, the expression levels of three or more IFN modulating genes (e.g., HERC5, EPSTI, CMPK2) are measured. In some embodiments, IFN-regulated genes include those described by Bennett et al, J.Exp.Med., Vol.197, No.6, 711-; 2: e00080.Doi:10.1136/lupus-2014-000080, both incorporated herein by reference.

For example, a human subject in need of treatment is selected or identified (e.g., a patient meeting the Criteria of American College of Rheumatology for SLE, or a patient meeting American-European Consensus Sjogren's Classification criterion). The subject may be in need of, for example, reducing the cause or symptoms of SLE or sjogren's syndrome. Identification of a subject may be performed in a clinical setting or in other circumstances, for example, in the home of the subject by the subject himself using a self-test kit.

At time zero, the subject is administered an appropriate first dose of soluble interferon receptor. Soluble interferon receptors are formulated as described herein. After a period of time after the first dose, e.g., 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days, the condition of the subject is assessed, e.g., by measuring the expression of an IFN regulatory gene. For example, the expression of one or more of HERC5, EPSTI, and CMPK2 as interferon stimulatory genes can be assessed. Other relevant criteria may also be measured. The number and intensity of the doses can be adjusted according to the needs of the subject. The progress of the treatment can be monitored by measuring changes in the expression of IFN regulatory genes. After treatment, a decrease and/or improvement in the expression of the IFN modulatory gene in the subject can be observed relative to the expression of the IFN modulatory gene prior to treatment or relative to the level measured in a similarly diseased but untreated/control subject. For example, the expression of HERC5, EPSTI, and/or CMPK2 as interferon stimulatory genes is reduced relative to the expression of these three genes prior to treatment or relative to the levels of these genes in similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects.

In some embodiments, expression of the IFN modulatory gene is measured by drawing whole blood from the subject, extracting RNA and analyzing the expression of the interferon modulatory gene (e.g., HERC5, EPSTI, and/or CMPK2) using techniques well known in the art, such as PCR. Methods for determining IFN-modulating gene expression are described in Kennedy et al, Lupus Science and Medicine, 2015; 2: e00080.Doi: 10.1136/lupus-2014-.

In another example, a rodent subject in need of treatment is selected or identified. The subject may be identified in a laboratory setting or elsewhere. At time zero, the subject is administered an appropriate first dose of soluble interferon receptor. Soluble interferon receptors are formulated as described herein. The condition of the subject is assessed, for example, by measuring the expression of an IFN regulatory gene, at a time period after the first dose, for example, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. Other relevant criteria may also be measured. The number and intensity of doses are adjusted to the needs of the subject. The progress of the treatment can be monitored by measuring changes in the expression of IFN-modulating genes.

After treatment, the expression of the IFN modulatory gene in the subject is reduced and/or improved relative to the expression of the IFN modulatory gene prior to treatment or relative to the level measured in a similarly diseased but untreated/control subject.

In some embodiments, IFN modulating genes that may be up-regulated in autoimmune diseases (e.g., SLE) include IFP35 IFN-inducible, IRF7B, MX1, MX2, XIAP ass factor, GS3686, P692 '5' oligoA synthetase, hep-Cass. microtubule agg.prot., RIGE/TSA1 sim in mouse Ly6, agrin prec, IFI-56 IFN-inducible, EST sim. IFN ind 17kD protein, cig 5, ISG 15, TRIP 142 '5' oligoA synthetase-like, cig49, MCP-1 monocyte chemotactic agent, Tudor rpt ass with PCTAIRE, MMTRA 1B phospholipid reptilian, FACL 1 fatty acid coenzyme-A ligase, TRAIL, GF 2'5' oligomerase E18 subtype, GBP-1 guanylic acid binding protein, INC 1C 9-9H-C9 cDNA inhibitor, IgG 4642C 685 CT 2C 685 2C 3819C 685 3C 685C 3C 685C 3C 5C-C2C 3C 5C, TSC403DC LAMP, MAC2-BP scavenger receptor, 1-8U, TAP1, IFI 6-16, novel phorbolin-like gene, G6PD guanosine monoP reductase, HERC5, EPSTI and CMPK 2.

In some embodiments, IFN-modulating genes that may be down-regulated in autoimmune diseases (e.g., SLE) include TCR γ T cell receptor δ, LEU 1 leukemia ass. gene 1, COX11P cyt C oxidase ass. prot, JKTBP nuc ribonuclein D-like, TPRD tetra tricopeptide rpt, DAP3 death ass. protein, mRNA U90916, PRIP prion, ANT 3adp. atp translocase, E1F-4B transl. initiation fac, PABP4polyA binding protein, RAB 4AGTP binding protein, and CD3 γ.

In some embodiments, the effectiveness of a soluble interferon receptor is demonstrated by assessing the capacity of the soluble interferon receptor in a mammal treated with a soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein as compared to a mammal treated with a control formulation, a British islets Lupus assay Group (bilg) Index, a Systemic Lupus Erythrodyssis (SLE) response Index (SRI-4), and/or a functional Assessment of viral lness Therapy (FACIT) fatigue scale. In some embodiments, a mammal treated with soluble interferon receptor exhibits an improvement in the CLASI severity index, BILAG index, SRI-4 index, and/or FACIT fatigue scale when compared to the CLASI severity index, BILAG index, SRI-4 index, and/or FACIT fatigue scale of the mammal prior to treatment or when compared to a mammal treated with a control formulation.

In some embodiments, the effectiveness of the soluble interferon receptor is demonstrated by assessing the reduction in steroid use in a mammal treated with the soluble interferon receptor disclosed herein as compared to a mammal treated with a control formulation. In some embodiments, the mammal treated with the soluble interferon receptor exhibits reduced steroid use when compared to steroid use in the mammal prior to treatment or when compared to a mammal treated with a control formulation.

For example, a human subject in need of treatment is selected or identified (e.g., a patient meeting the SLE Criteria of American College of rhematology, or a patient meeting American-European Consensus Sjogren's classification criterion). The subject may be in need of, for example, reducing the cause or symptoms of SLE or sjogren's syndrome. Identification of a subject may be performed in a clinical setting or otherwise, e.g., in the home of the subject, by the subject himself using a self-test kit.

At time zero, the subject is administered an appropriate first dose of soluble interferon receptor. Soluble interferon receptors are formulated as described herein. The condition of the subject is assessed by, e.g., a reduction in CLASI severity index, bilg index, SRI-4 index, FACIT fatigue schedule, and/or steroid use, for a period of time, e.g., 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days, after the first dose. Other relevant criteria may also be measured. The number and intensity of doses are adjusted to the needs of the subject. After treatment, improvements in one or more of the following outcomes may be noted: (1) improvement in CLASI severity index relative to CLASI severity index prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects; (2) improvement in bilg index relative to bilg index prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects; (3) an improvement in SRI-4 index relative to the SRI-4 index prior to treatment or relative to a similarly diseased but untreated/control subject; (4) an improvement in the FACIT fatigue scale may be noted relative to the FACIT fatigue scale prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects; (5) reduction in steroid use relative to steroid use prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects.

In another example, a rodent subject in need of treatment is selected or identified. Identification of the subject may be performed in a laboratory setting or elsewhere. At time zero, the subject is administered an appropriate first dose of soluble interferon receptor. Soluble interferon receptors are formulated as described herein. The condition of the subject is assessed by, e.g., a reduction in CLASI severity index, bilg index, SRI-4 index, FACIT fatigue schedule, and/or steroid use, for a period of time, e.g., 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days, after the first dose. Other relevant criteria may also be measured. The number and intensity of doses are adjusted to the needs of the subject.

After treatment, improvements in one or more of the following outcomes may be noted: (1) improvement in CLASI severity index relative to CLASI severity index prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects; (2) improvement in bilg index relative to bilg index prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects; (3) an improvement in SRI-4 index relative to the SRI-4 index prior to treatment or relative to a similarly diseased but untreated/control subject; (4) an improvement in the FACIT fatigue scale may be noted relative to the FACIT fatigue scale prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects; (5) reduction in steroid use relative to steroid use prior to treatment or relative to similarly diseased but untreated/control subjects.

Another aspect of the invention is the use of gene therapy methods for treating or preventing disorders, diseases and conditions using one or more soluble interferon receptors. Gene therapy methods involve introducing interferon receptor Fc construct nucleic acid (DNA, RNA and antisense DNA or RNA) sequences into an animal in need thereof to achieve expression of one or more polypeptides of the disclosure. The method may comprise introducing one or more polynucleotides encoding the interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present disclosure, operably coupled to a promoter and any other genetic elements necessary for expression of the polypeptide in a target tissue.

In gene therapy applications, interferon receptor Fc construct genes are introduced into cells to achieve in vivo synthesis of therapeutically effective gene products. "Gene therapy" includes both conventional gene therapy (in which a sustained effect is achieved by a single treatment) and the administration of gene therapy agents (which involves the single or repeated administration of therapeutically effective DNA or mRNA). Oligonucleotides can be modified to enhance their uptake, for example, by substituting their negatively charged phosphodiester groups with uncharged groups.

Other embodiments

The present disclosure also relates to the following embodiments, which are characterized by the heterodimers of the present disclosure and uses thereof. Throughout this section, the term "embodiment" is abbreviated as "E", followed by ordinal numbers. For example, E1 is equivalent to embodiment 1.

E1. A heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain operably coupled to a variant Fc domain with or without a linker domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) domain operably coupled to a variant Fc domain with or without a linker domain.

E2. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first or second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions that increase heterodimer formation compared to wild-type.

E3. The heterodimer of E2, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first or second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V.

E4. The heterodimer of E2, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first or second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

E5. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first or second polypeptide comprises a human immunoglobulin Fc domain, such as a human IgG1Fc domain.

E6. The heterodimer of E5, wherein the Fc domain of the first or second polypeptide comprises a hinge domain, a CH2 domain, and a CH3 domain.

E7. The heterodimer of E5, wherein the Fc domain comprises an amino acid sequence having one or more of the amino acid substitutions P238S, P331S, SCC, SSS (residues 220, 226, and 229), G236R, L328R, L234A, and L235A.

E8. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first or second polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S.

E9. The heterodimer of any one of E1-E4, wherein the variant Fc domain further comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S.

E10. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain of the first polypeptide is operably coupled to the variant Fc domain by a linker domain.

E11. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) domain of the second polypeptide is operably coupled to the variant Fc domain by a linker domain.

E12. The heterodimer of E10 or E11, wherein the linker domain is a polypeptide linker.

E13. The heterodimer of E12, wherein the linker domain is a Gly-Ser linker.

E14. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide is different from the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide.

E15. The heterodimer of E14, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

E16. The heterodimer of E14, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V.

E17. The heterodimer of any one of E15 or E16, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S.

E18. A heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide,

wherein the first polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) domain operably coupled, with or without a linker domain, to a variant Fc domain comprising one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and

wherein the second polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain operably coupled, with or without a linker domain, to a variant Fc domain comprising one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

E19. A heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide,

wherein the first polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain operably coupled, with or without a linker domain, to a variant Fc domain comprising one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and

wherein the second polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) domain operably coupled, with or without a linker domain, to a variant Fc domain comprising one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

E20. The heterodimer of any one of E18-E19, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S.

E21. A heterodimer comprising

A first polypeptide and a second polypeptide,

wherein the first polypeptide comprises interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) operably coupled to a variant Fc domain by a Gly-to-Ser linker domain, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid mutations selected from C220S, P238S, and P331S; and

wherein the second polypeptide comprises interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) operably coupled to a variant Fc domain by a Gly-to-Ser linker domain, wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid mutations selected from the group consisting of C220S, P238S, and P331S.

E22. A heterodimer comprising

A first polypeptide and a second polypeptide,

wherein the first polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain operably coupled to a variant Fc domain by a Gly-to-Ser linker domain, wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the first polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid mutations selected from the group consisting of C220S, P238S, and P331S; and

wherein the second polypeptide comprises interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) operably coupled to a variant Fc domain by a Gly-to-Ser linker domain, wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises one or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the variant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more amino acid mutations selected from the group consisting of C220S, P238S, and P331S.

E23. A composition comprising the heterodimer of any of the preceding claims and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

E24. A nucleic acid encoding a first polypeptide according to the heterodimer of E1.

E25. A nucleic acid encoding a second polypeptide according to the heterodimer of E1.

E26. A recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid according to said E24.

E27. A recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid according to said E25.

E28. A host cell transformed with the recombinant expression vector of E26 and the recombinant expression vector of E27.

E29. A method of making the heterodimer of E1 comprising: providing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a first polypeptide and a nucleic acid encoding a second polypeptide; and maintaining the host cell under conditions in which the first and second polypeptides are expressed.

E30. The heterodimer of E1 for use in treating or preventing a disorder associated with an aberrant immune response.

E31. The heterodimer of E30, wherein the disorder is an autoimmune disease.

E32. The heterodimer of E31, wherein the autoimmune disease is SLE.

E33. The heterodimer of E1 for use in the preparation of a medicament for treating or preventing a disorder associated with an aberrant immune response.

E34. The heterodimer of E33, wherein the disorder is an autoimmune disease.

E35. The heterodimer of E34, wherein the autoimmune disease is SLE.

E36. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the heterodimer binds to a type I interferon.

E37. The heterodimer of E36, wherein the type I interferon is interferon α.

E38. The heterodimer of E36, wherein the type I interferon is interferon β.

E39. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the heterodimer binds interferon α to a similar extent as a control anti-IFN α antibody.

E40. The heterodimer of E1, wherein the heterodimer binds interferon β to a similar extent as a control anti-IFN β antibody.

Examples

The following are examples of specific embodiments for practicing the invention. The examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.), but some experimental error and deviation should, of course, be allowed for.

The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional methods of protein chemistry, biochemistry, recombinant DNA technology and pharmacology within the skill of the art. These techniques are explained fully in the literature. See, e.g., T.E.Creighton, Proteins: Structures and Molecular Properties (W.H.Freeman and company, 1993); l. leininger, Biochemistry (Worth Publishers, inc., currentaddition); sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2nd Edition, 1989); methods In Enzymology (s.colwick and n.kaplan eds., Academic Press, Inc.); remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,18th Edition (Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack publishing Company, 1990); carey and Sundberg Advanced Organic Chemistry 3^rdEd.(Plenum Press)Vols A and B(l 992)。

Example 1

Production of soluble interferon receptors

Various embodiments of soluble interferon receptors are shown in figure 1,the respective amino acid sequences are listed in table 1. The following interferon receptor extracellular domain (ECD) -immunoglobulin Fc fusion proteins were constructed: RSLV-601, RSLV-602, RSLV-603, RSLV-604, RSLV-606, RSLV-608, RSLV-611 and RSLV-613 (FIG. 1). Constructs were generated by direct synthesis using commercially available services. The amino acid sequence was supplied to GeneArt; and codon usage was optimized and the gene was synthesized and inserted into the expression vector pcDNA3.1⁺In mammalian cells of (a).

RSLV-601(SEQ ID NO:1) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR1 ECD- (Gly)₄Ser)₄An Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W, in which IFNAR1 ECD passes through (Gly)₄Ser)₄The sequence is operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) having the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W.

RSLV-602(SEQ ID NO:2) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR2 ECD- (Gly)₄Ser)₄An Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W, in which IFNAR2 ECD passes (Gly)₄Ser)₄The sequence is operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) having the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W.

RSLV-603(SEQ ID NO:3) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR1 ECD- (Gly)₄Ser)₄An Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V, in which IFNAR1 ECD passes through (Gly)₄Ser)₄The sequence was operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V.

RSLV-604(SEQ ID NO:4) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR2 ECD- (Gly)₄Ser)₄An Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V, in which IFNAR2 ECD passes through (Gly)₄Ser)₄The sequence was operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V.

RSLV-606(SEQ ID NO:52) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR1 ECD- (Gly)₄Ser)₂An Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W, in which IFNAR1 ECD passes through (Gly)₄Ser)₂The sequence is operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) having the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W.

RSLV-608(SEQ ID NO:56) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR1 ECD-Fc domain (216-447), having the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W, wherein IFNAR1 ECD is operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) having the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/T366L/K392L/T394W.

RSLV-611(SEQ ID NO:54) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR2 ECD- (Gly)₄Ser)₂An Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V, in which IFNAR2 ECD passes through (Gly)₄Ser)₂The sequence was operably coupled to an Fc domain (216-447) with the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V.

RSLV-613(SEQ ID NO:58) has the following configuration: leader sequence (MDWTWRILFLVAAATGTHA) -IFNAR2 ECD-Fc domain (216-447), having the mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V, in which IFNAR2 ECD passes (Gly₄Ser) sequence is operably coupled to an Fc domain with mutations C220S/P238S/P331S/T350V/L351Y/F405A/Y407V (216-447).

The interferon receptor Fc constructs of the present invention may also be produced using conventional cloning techniques well known in the art, for example, by preparing a module (e.g., INFAR ECD, linker domain, Fc) for each component of the interferon receptor Fc construct with compatible restriction sites to allow for shuttling and domain swapping. Polynucleotides encoding components of the interferon receptor Fc construct (e.g., INFAR ECD, linker domain, immunoglobulin Fc) can be readily obtained by amplifying the components of interest from an appropriate cDNA library using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). For example, the full-length nucleotide sequences of human INFAR ECD, linker domain, and immunoglobulin Fc can be amplified from randomly primed and oligo dT-primed cDNA derived from commercially available human pancreatic total RNA using sequence-specific 5 'and 3' primers based on the published sequences of the amplified components.

Linker (e.g., (Gly)₄Ser)₄Adaptors) can be generated by overlap PCR using conventional methods, or by direct synthesis using commercially available services, and designed with overhangs or blunt ends to facilitate subsequent cloning to allow fusion with other target domains.

Example 2

Transient expression of soluble interferon receptors

For transient expression, the expression vector pair containing the interferon receptor ECD-Fc construct from example 1 was co-transfected into CHO-S cells. For example, RSLV-601 and RSLV-604; RSLV-602 and RSLV-603; RSLV-606 and RSLV-611; and RSLV-608 and RSLV-613 were co-transfected into CHO-S cells.

The plasmid obtained from GeneArt was transformed into DH10B competent E.coli and the culture was amplified under ampicillin selection. Plasmid DNA was subsequently isolated from the culture using the QIAGEN plasmid plus maxi kit.

Transfection was performed using the FreeStyle MAX CHO expression system from Life Technologies. One day prior to transfection, CHO-S cells were plated at 5X10⁵Cells/ml density inoculated in 100ml FreStyleCHO expression medium supplemented with 8mM L-glutamine; the flask was then placed on an orbital shaker rotating at 120-₂Incubate overnight at 37 ℃ in an incubator. On the day of transfection, CHO-S cells were harvested and then cultured at 1X10⁶Cell/ml density was re-inoculated in 100ml FreeStyle CHO expression medium supplemented with 8mM L-glutamine. 1:1 cotransfection was performed. 62.5. mu.g of RSLV-601 and 62.5. mu.g of RSLV-604; and 62.5. mu.g of RSLV-602 and 62.5. mu.g of RSLV-603 were added to a final volume of 2ml of OptiPRO SFM and mixed by repeated inversion. 125 microliters of FreeStyleMAX transfection reagent was mixed with 1875 microliters of OptiPRO SFM in separate tubes and mixed by repeated inversion. Then diluted FreeStyle MAX transfection reagent was immediately added to the diluted plasmid DNA solution (total volume 4ml)Performing the following steps; the resulting solution was gently mixed by inversion and the complex was allowed to form at room temperature for 10 minutes. The transfection mixture was then slowly added to 100ml of culture of CHO-S cells while gently shaking the flask. Similarly, 37.5 μ g RSLV-606 and 37.5 μ g gRSSLV-611; and 37.5. mu.g of RSLV-608 and 37.5. mu.g of RSLV-613 were co-transfected into 60ml of CHO-S culture.

Cultures were incubated at 8% CO₂Incubations were performed in an incubator at 37 ℃ on an orbital shaker platform (120-135 rpm). After 7 days of growth, cells were harvested by centrifugation (1000rpm, 10 minutes) and conditioned media recovered and filtered through a 0.22um membrane.

Each of the clarified media (co-transfected RSLV-601/604, RSLV-602/603, RSLV-606/611 and RSLV-608/613) was purified by passing through a Protein A column (Bio-Rad BioScale Mini Protein A, cat. No. 7324600) and washed with 10 column volumes of PBS buffer pH 7.2. Bound material was eluted with 5 column volumes of citrate buffer pH 3.6 and each fraction was neutralized with TRIS pH 11. The protein-containing fractions were pooled and equilibrated into PBS by dialysis using a 10k mwco dialysis unit.

Western blot analysis: expression of soluble interferon receptors was determined by standard western blot analysis. According to the estimated protein concentration, 4. mu.g protein was loaded into each lane and the samples were run on a Novex 4-20% Tris Glycine gradient gel under denaturing conditions +/-reducing agents (R, NR). Purified rhu IFNAR1 and rhu IFNAR2 samples (Sino Biological, catalog numbers 13222-H08H and 10359-H08H) were used as controls. Duplicate gels were prepared and each gel contained a single lane of molecular weight standards. After electrophoresis, the proteins were blotted onto nitrocellulose, and the blots were subsequently blocked by incubation in Odyssey blocking buffer for 1 hour. Blot 1 was then sequentially exposed to: polyclonal goat anti-human IFNAR1 antibody (R & D Systems, Cat. No. AF245) at 0.1. mu.g/ml and Dylight 800-conjugated donkey anti-goat IgG (Rockland, Cat. No. 605-745-002) at 1:10,000 dilution. Blot 2 was sequentially exposed to 1. mu.g/ml polyclonal sheep anti-human IFNAR2(R & D Systems, Cat. No. AF4015) and Alexa Fluor 680 conjugated AffiniPure donkey anti-sheep IgG (Jackson, Cat. No. 713-625-147) diluted 1:50,000. Blots were imaged using Licor Odyssey.

Expression of the soluble interferon receptors RSLV601-604 and RSLV602-603 was observed to be slightly higher than predicted molecular weight, probably due to glycosylation of the protein (data not shown).

SDS-PAGE, Coomassie blue: soluble interferon receptors were purified, electrophoresed, and visualized using coomassie blue. The fractions generated during protein A purification were visualized by SDS-PAGE with Coomassie blue staining from conditioned medium harvested by co-transfection of RSLV601-604, RSLV602-603 and RSLV608-613 in CHO-S cells. 15ul of each sample was diluted with 5ul 4X protein loading buffer and heat denatured. Samples were applied to Novex 4-20% Tris Glycine gradient gels and stained with Simply Blue Safe dye after electrophoresis and imaged using Licor Odyssey. Each gel has a single lane of MW standards for reference.

Identified positive fractions were pooled and equilibrated into PBS by dialysis using a 10k MWCO dialysis cassette. By OD₂₈₀Values determine protein concentration estimates. 500ng of each soluble interferon receptor (RSLV 601-604, RSLV602-603 and RSLV 608-613) +/-reducing agent was applied to a Novex 4-20% Tris glycine gradient gel and stained with Simply Blue Safe dye after electrophoresis and imaged using Licor Odyssey.

The major band was detected in the starting material and in fractions 2-5 of purified RSLV602-603 soluble interferon receptor (data not shown). The theoretical mass of RSLV-602-603 soluble interferon receptor is 130,754 daltons, and may be higher than predicted on SDS-PAGE due to glycosylation. Also, major bands were detected in the starting material and in fractions 2-4 of purified RSLV601-604 soluble interferon receptor (data not shown). The theoretical mass of the RSLV-601-604 soluble interferon receptor is 130,754 daltons, and may be higher than predicted on SDS-PAGE due to glycosylation. Similar results were obtained for RSLV-608-613 as well as RSLV-606 and RSLV-611 (data not shown). The reduced and non-reduced fractions of protein A purified RSLV608-613 were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis and the identity and molecular weight of RSLV608-613 expressed in CHO supernatant was verified by Western blotting using anti-IFNAR antibody (data not shown).

Example 3

Inhibition of IFN α activity

The ability of soluble interferon receptors to inhibit IFN α -induced production of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) in HEK-Blue α/β cells was evaluated.

HEK-Blue IFN- α/β cells (Invivogen, cat # hkb-ifnab) produce and secrete SEAP in response to IFN- α or IFN- β in order to assess inhibition of IFN- α activity repeat titrations of the inhibitors (RSLV 601-604, RSLV602-603 and anti-human IFN α control) prepared in 96-well plates A fixed concentration of IFN α (0.2ng/ml final concentration) was added to the wells, then HEK-Blue IFN- α/β cells were added to the plates at 50,000 cells/well and the plates were 5% CO at 37 deg.C₂And incubating for 20-24 hours. Then 20. mu.l of cell supernatant was added to 180. mu.l of QUANTI-Blue reagent in 96-well tissue culture plates and incubated at 37 ℃ for 1-3 hours. SEAP activity was then detected by measuring the absorbance at 620 nm.

Inhibition assays of IFN α activity were performed in triplicate As shown in FIG. 2, both RSLV601-604 and RSLV602-603 were able to inhibit IFN α -induced SEAP production to a similar extent as the anti-IFN α control molecule, IC of RSLV601-604₅₀IC with value of 0.534nM, RSLV602-603₅₀Value of 0.461nM and IC against IFN α control₅₀The value was 0.138 nM.

Example 4

Inhibition of IFN β activity

The ability of soluble interferon receptors to inhibit IFN β -induced production of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) in HEK-Blue α/β cells was evaluated.

HEK-Blue IFN- α/β cells (Invivogen, catalog number hkb-ifnab) produce and secrete SEAP in response to IFN- α or IFN- β in order to assess inhibition of IFN- β activity, duplicate titrations of inhibitors (RSLV 601-604, RSLV602-603, and anti-human IFN β control) were prepared in 96-well plates, fixed concentrations of IFN β (5 final concentration/ml) were added to the wells, HEK-Blue IFN- α/β cells were then added to the plates at 50,000 cells/well, and the plates were 5% CO at 37 ℃ and secreted₂And incubating for 20-24 hours. Mu.l of cell supernatant was then added to 180. mu.l of QUANTI-Blue reagent in 96-well tissue culture plates and incubated at 37 ℃ for 1-3 hours. SEAP activity was then detected by measuring the absorbance at 620 nm.

Four replicates of the IFN β activity inhibition assay were performed, As shown in FIG. 3, both RSLV601-604 and RSLV 602-604 were able to inhibit IFN β -induced SEAP production to a greater extent than the anti-IFN β control molecule IC of RSLV601-604₅₀IC with value of 0.020nM, RSLV602-603₅₀Value of 0.015nM, and IC of anti-IFN β control₅₀The value was 0.059 nM.

Example 5

Effect of linker Length on the inhibition of IFN- α Activity

The effect of linker length on the ability of soluble interferon receptors to inhibit IFN- α was determined according to the method described in example 3. the inhibitors used in this assay were RSLV601-604, RSLV 606-611, RSLV608-613 and anti-human IFN α controls RSLV601-604 with (Gly)₄Ser)₄A joint; RSLV 606-611 has (Gly)₄Ser)₂A joint; and RSLV608-613 do not include a linker domain.

Two inhibition assays of IFN α activity were performed, as shown in FIG. 4, all constructs were able to inhibit IFN α -induced SEAP production, although constructs without a linker or a shortened linker appeared to be more effective₅₀IC with value of 1.051nM, RSLV 606-611₅₀IC values of 0.835nM, and RSLV608-613₅₀Value of 0.375. IC against human IFN α control₅₀A value of 0.640 nM. when comparing constructs with different linkers to each other, an increase in binding affinity and potency of IFN- α was observed as the linker length was shortened.

Example 6

Effect of linker Length on the inhibition of IFN- β Activity

The effect of linker length on the ability of soluble interferon receptors to inhibit IFN- β was determined according to the method described in example 4. the inhibitors used in this assay were RSLV601-604, RSLV 606-611, RSLV608-613 and anti-human IFN α controls RSLV601-604 with (Gly)₄Ser)₄A joint; RSLV 606-611 has (Gly)₄Ser)₂A joint; and RSLV608-613 do not include a linker domain.

Two inhibition assays of IFN β activity were performed As shown in FIG. 5, all constructs were able to inhibit IFN β -induced SEAP production to a greater extent than anti-IFN β control molecules, the IC of RSLV601-604₅₀IC with value of 0.011nM, RSLV 606-₅₀IC values of 0.015nM, and RSLV608-613₅₀Value of 0.010 IC against human IFN β control₅₀Value 0.043 nM. no effect of linker length on IFN- β binding affinity and potency was observed when comparing constructs with each other with different linkers.

Example 7

Effect of soluble Interferon receptor constructs on SLE serum-induced suppression of Interferon Gene expression in PBMCs

To assess whether soluble interferon receptor constructs could inhibit expression of the Interferon (IFN) gene, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) serum from patients previously identified as positive for IFN gene imprinting was used to induce interferon regulatory genes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) obtained from healthy volunteers. For example, the three-gene (HERC5, EPSTI, and CMPK2) surrogate (interferon imprinting metric (ISM)) for interferon Imprinting (IS) can be used as a biomarker to distinguish SLE patients with serological characteristics (Kennedy et al Lupus Science and Medicine, 2015; 2: e000080.Doi10.1136/Lupus-2014-000080, which IS incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

Thawing of PBMC

PBMCs from individual healthy volunteers were thawed according to the following protocol: RPMI complete medium was prepared by adding 10% heat-inactivated FBS and 1% pen/strep. For each frozen vial to be thawed, 9ml of complete RPMI was aliquoted into 15ml conical tubes. Each frozen vial was partially submerged in a 37 ℃ water bath and moved back and forth to partially thaw the vial. The vial was then removed from the water bath and sprayed on the outside with 70% ethanol. The frozen vial was then uncapped and 1ml of RPMI complete medium was added dropwise to the vial. The thawed PMBC was then transferred to 9ml aliquots of RPMIIn the whole culture medium. PBMC cells in RPMI complete medium were then centrifuged at 300x g for 7-10 minutes at room temperature. The supernatant was removed from the cells and the cells were suspended in RPMI complete medium to 2X10⁶Cells/ml. The cells were then transferred to a 25ml tissue culture flask and incubated at 37 ℃ in 5% CO₂And left to stand overnight.

Stimulation of PBMCs with serum +/-RSLV inhibitors in SLE patients

PBMCs were stimulated with SLE patient serum (with or without RSLV608-613 inhibitor, or with or without RSLV601-604 inhibitor) from 6 patients according to the following protocol: SLE patient sera were preincubated with RSLV inhibitors by adding 15. mu.g of RSLV608-613 (27. mu.l of 555. mu.g/ml of RSLV-608-613) or 15. mu.g of RSLV601-604 (50. mu.l of 306. mu.g/ml of RSLV 601-604) to 200. mu.l of SLE patient sera in duplicate wells of a 24-well plate. For SLE patient serum without inhibitors, 27 μ l RPMI complete medium was added to 200 μ l SLE patient serum in duplicate wells of 24-well plates. The samples were gently mixed and incubated at 37 ℃ for 30 minutes. During the 30 minute incubation period, PBMCs were harvested from 25ml tissue culture flasks, which were centrifuged to pellet. PBMC were counted and resuspended to 2X10 in RPMI complete medium⁷Cells/ml. Resuspended PBMC were added to wells containing SLE serum and 5% CO at 37 ℃₂And (4) incubating for 6 hours.

RNA preparation from stimulated PBMC using RNeasy Plus Mini kit

PBMC after incubation with or without RSLV construct, using protocol from the manufacturerIs/are as followsThe Plus Mini kit prepares RNA from stimulated PBMCs. PBMCs were collected from each well of a 24-well plate into a 1.5ml Eppendorf tube and centrifuged at 1000Xg for 2 minutes to pellet the cells. The supernatant was aspirated from the tube and the pelleted cells were retained. Any remaining PBMCs in the wells of the 24-well plate were lysed with 350ml buffer RLT plus. The cell lysate is then added to the appropriate cell sedimentNeutralized and vortexed for 30 seconds. The homogenized lysates were transferred to gDNA Eliminator spin columns and placed in 2ml collection tubes. The tubes were centrifuged at 8000Xg (. gtoreq.10,000 rpm) for 30 seconds. The flow-through was saved and the column was discarded. 350 μ l of 70% ethanol was added to the flow-through and mixed well by pipette. Immediately 700 μ l of sample (including any pellet) was transferred to an RNeasy spin column and placed in a 2ml collection tube. The tube was centrifuged at ≧ 8,000Xg for 15 seconds, and the flow-through was discarded. Add 700. mu.l of buffer RW1 to RNeasy Mini spin columns (in 2ml collection tubes), close the lid, and centrifuge the tubes at ≧ 8,000Xg for 15 seconds. The flow-through is discarded. Add 500. mu.l of buffer RPE to RNeasy Mini spin column (in 2ml collection tube), close the lid, and centrifuge the tube at ≧ 8,000Xg for 15 seconds. The flow-through is discarded. Mu.l of buffer RPE was added to RNeasy Mini spin columns (in 2ml collection tubes), the caps were closed, and the tubes were centrifuged at ≧ 8,000Xg for 2 minutes. The flow-through is discarded. The RNeasy spin column was then placed in a new 2ml collection tube and spun at full speed for 1 minute to further dry the membrane. The RNeasy spin column was then placed in a new 1.5ml collection tube and 30ul of RNase free water was added directly onto the spin column membrane. The cap was closed and the tube was then centrifuged at ≧ 8,000Xg for 1 minute to elute the RNA.

cDNA Synthesis

RNA from PBMCs with or without treatment with the RSLV construct was converted to cDNA as follows: first strand cDNA was generated from isolated RNA (as described above) using the SuperScript VILO cDNA synthesis kit (Life Technologies). cDNA was synthesized from 10ng of RNA in a 20. mu.l reaction. A control without reverse transcriptase was also performed for each sample. Use of 1 based on absorbance at 260nm on a Nanodrop 2000 spectrophotometer (ThermoFisher)_A260RNA was quantified at 40 μ g/ml conversion factor. 10ng of RNA was used as input for cDNA synthesis.

A cDNA reaction mixture was prepared for all reactions to be run. The mixture used for the single reaction consisted of: mu.l of 5 XVILO reaction mix, 2. mu.l of 10 XSuperScript enzyme mix and 10. mu.l molecular water. For each sample (patient sample with or without RSLV inhibitor, IFN positive RNA control and IFN negative RNA control) enough reaction mixture lacking 10X enzyme mixture was prepared for one RNA sample. The cDNA reaction plates were placed on ice and for each reaction 16 μ Ι of the appropriate reaction mixture was added to the desired wells of a 96-well QPCR plate. Mu.l of RNA was added to each reaction well and mixed by pipetting up and down several times. The wells were capped and the plates were transferred to a thermocycler and incubated at 25 ℃ for 10 minutes, then 42 ℃ for 1 hour, then 80 ℃ for 5 minutes. Mu.l RNase-free water was added to each cDNA reaction and mixed by pipetting up and down several times.

Interferon imprinted QPCR measurements

QPCR (Taqman) was used to measure the levels of three interferon inducible genes (HERC5, EPSTI1 and CMPK2) and three reference genes (HPRT1, GUSB and TFRC) present in the cDNA prepared above. Mu.l of 1mM ROX reference dye (supplied by Brilliant Multiplex Masters Mix) was added to 500. mu.l water to produce a 2. mu.M stock. QPCR reaction mixtures were prepared for all reactions.

The QPCR reaction mixture was divided into seven aliquots with enough reaction mixture for each of the six primer/probe sets (sequences shown below), plus additional aliquots of mixture for one set without RT control. A single primer/probe set was added to each aliquot. The primer probe set had a stock concentration of 40X. Thus, 0.625. mu.l of primer/probe was used per 25. mu.l reaction. Primer and probe sets were prepared for each of the six genes, and a single primer/probe set was prepared for the no RT control well. 20 μ l of each reaction mixture was transferred to the wells of a QPCR 96 well plate. Mu.l of each cDNA sample was loaded into QPCR wells containing each primer/probe mixture and mixed thoroughly by pipetting up and down. All wells were capped with QPCR strip caps and the plates were briefly centrifuged at 1000 rpm. The plates were loaded into the Mx3005p QPCR instrument and run according to the following cycling conditions: 10 minutes at 95 ℃ followed by 40 cycles: 15 seconds at 95 ℃ and 1 minute at 60 ℃. The following detection settings were used: data were collected using FAM and the ROX filters (filter gain settings: ROX x1, FAM x 8) were set at the end of each 60 ℃ step.

Data analysis

The QPCR data was then analyzed. The value of the cycle threshold (Ct) for each QPCR reaction was obtained using MxPro version 4.10 software. The threshold fluorescence value is automatically set by the software using a moving average option based on the threshold for amplification, adaptive baseline, and examination. For each sample, log of IFN regulatory genes₂The scale relative expression was calculated as the average Ct of 3 IFN regulatory genes (CMPK2, HERC5 and EPSTI1) minus the average Ct of 3 reference genes (GUSB, HPRT1 and TFRC). This quantity is multiplied by-1 to get the correct directionality for the value.

Summary of the invention

As shown in FIG. 6, RSLV-601-604 inhibited SLE serum-induced interferon gene expression in PBMCs from each of 6 SLE patients. Similarly, RSLV608-613 also inhibited serum-induced interferon gene stimulation in SLE patients (FIG. 7). These data indicate that soluble interferon receptor constructs effectively inhibit cytokines in SLE serum responsible for inducing interferon gene expression.

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While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment and various alternative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

All references, issued patents and patent applications cited within the body of this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TABLE 1 sequence listing

Reference to the literature

Von Kreudenstein et al, mAbs 5:5, 646-654; September-October 2013.

Bennett et al, J.Exp.Med., Vol.197, No.6,711-723, March 2003.

Kennedy et al Lupus Science and Medicine, 2015; 2: e00080.

Doi:10.1136/lupus-2014-000080.

Molecular Immunology,2015, Oct, Spiess et al; 67(2Pt A)95-106.

Ridgeway et al, (1996) prot. Eng.9,617-621.

Atwell et al, (1997) J.mol.biol.270,26-35.

Labrijn et al, (2013) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.110,5145-5150.

Gunasekaran et al, (2010) J.biol.chem.285,19637-19646.

Strop et al, (2012) J.mol.biol.420,204-219.

Moore et al, (2011) mAbs 3,546-557.

Davis et al, (2010) Protein Eng.Des.Sel.23,195-202

Davis et al, (2013), U.S. Pat. No.8,586,713

Doedens et al, J.Immunol., August 17,2016, doi: 10.4049/jimmonl.1601142.

Khamashta et al, Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 0:1-8.Doi: 10.1136/anrheumdis-2015-208562.

deWeerd et al, J.biol.chem., (2007) Vol.282, No.28,20053-20057 Furie et al, Arthritis & Rheumatology, Vo.69, No.2, Feb 2017, 376-.

Identity of

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims (90)

1. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 1(IFNAR1) domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an interferon receptor 2(IFNAR2) domain operably coupled to a mutant Fc domain with or without a linker domain.

2. The heterodimer of claim 1, wherein the heterodimer binds to a type I interferon selected from interferon- α (INF α), interferon- β (INF β), or both INF α and INF β.

3. The heterodimer of claim 2, wherein the type I interferon is INF α.

4. The heterodimer of claim 2, wherein the type I interferon is INF β.

5. The heterodimer of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF α.

6. The heterodimer of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF β.

7. The heterodimer of any of claims 1-2, wherein the heterodimer inhibits induction of type I Interferon (IFN) gene expression.

8. The heterodimer of any of claims 1-7, wherein the IFNAR1 domain of the first polypeptide is operably coupled to the mutant Fc domain without a linker domain.

9. The heterodimer of any of claims 1-8, wherein the IFNAR2 domain of the second polypeptide is operably coupled to the mutant Fc domain without a linker domain.

10. The heterodimer of any of claims 1-9, wherein the heterodimer has increased binding to a type I interferon relative to a heterodimer wherein the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker domain.

11. The heterodimer of claim 10, having increased binding to IFN α relative to a heterodimer wherein the first and second polypeptides each comprise a polypeptide linker domain.

12. The heterodimer of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a polypeptide linker, and wherein the polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker.

13. A heterodimer according to any of claims 1-7 or claim 12 wherein said second polypeptide comprises a polypeptide linker and wherein said polypeptide linker is a Gly/Ser linker.

14. The heterodimer of any one of claims 10-13, wherein the polypeptide linker is about 1-50, about 5-40, about 10-30, or about 15-20 amino acids in length.

15. The heterodimer of any of claims 10-13, wherein the polypeptide linker is about 20 or fewer amino acids, about 15 or fewer amino acids, about 10 or fewer amino acids, or about 5 or fewer amino acids in length.

16. The heterodimer of any of claims 10-13, wherein the polypeptide linker is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 amino acids in length.

17. The heterodimer of any one of claims 10-16, wherein the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a mutant human immunoglobulin Fc domain.

18. The heterodimer of claim 17, wherein the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises one or more mutations in the CH2 domain.

19. The heterodimer of claim 17, wherein the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises one or more mutations in the CH3 domain.

20. The heterodimer of claim 17, wherein the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises one or more mutations in the CH2 domain and one or more mutations in the CH3 domain.

21. The heterodimer of any of claims 18-20, wherein the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a mutant human IgG1Fc domain.

22. The heterodimer of any of claims 18-20, wherein the mutant Fc domain of each of the first and second polypeptides comprises a mutant human IgG4 domain.

23. The heterodimer of any one of claims 21 or 22, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutation T366Y, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutation Y407T, according to EU numbering.

24. The heterodimer of claim 21 or 22, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutation Y407T, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutation T336Y, according to EU numbering.

25. The heterodimer of claim 21, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises the mutation T366W, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering.

26. The heterodimer of claim 21, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutation T366W.

27. The heterodimer of claim 21, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering.

28. The heterodimer of claim 21, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, according to EU numbering.

29. The heterodimer of claim 22, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises the mutation T366Y, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering.

30. The heterodimer of claim 22, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutation T366Y.

31. The heterodimer of claim 22, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering.

32. The heterodimer of claim 22, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, and wherein the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide comprises mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

33. The heterodimer of any of claims 18-32, wherein the one or more Fc mutations promote, increase, or enhance formation of a heterodimer relative to a heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, each of which comprises a wild-type Fc domain.

34. The heterodimer of any of claims 21 or 23-28, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide and/or the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprises one or more mutations that promote, increase, or enhance stability of the Fc domain and/or reduce binding to an Fc receptor.

35. The heterodimer of claim 34, wherein the mutation is selected from the group consisting of: C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S, and combinations thereof.

36. The heterodimer of claim 35, wherein the mutations comprise C220S, P238S, and P331S.

37. The heterodimer of claim 35, wherein the mutations comprise C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S.

38. The heterodimer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain comprises the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No. 11.

39. The heterodimer of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second polypeptide comprising an IFNAR2 domain comprises the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO 12.

40. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, according to EU numbering.

41. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y, according to EU numbering.

42. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering.

43. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutation T336W.

44. A heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V.

45. A heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG1Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

46. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366Y, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, according to EU numbering.

47. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation Y407T, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T336Y, according to EU numbering.

48. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutation T366W, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising the mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering.

49. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T366S, L368A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutation T336W.

50. A heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W, according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V.

51. A heterodimer that binds a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises an IFNAR1 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, L351Y, F405A, and Y407V, according to EU numbering, and wherein the second polypeptide comprises an IFNAR2 domain operably coupled to a mutant IgG4Fc domain comprising mutations T350V, T366L, K392L, and T394W.

52. The heterodimer of any one of claims 40-51, wherein the heterodimer binds a type I interferon selected from interferon- α (INF α), interferon- β (INF β), or both INF α and INF β.

53. The heterodimer of claim 52, wherein the type I interferon is INF α.

54. The heterodimer of claim 52, wherein the type I interferon is INF β.

55. The heterodimer of any of claims 51-52, wherein the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF α.

56. The heterodimer of any of claims 51-52, wherein the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF β.

57. The heterodimer of any of claims 51-52, wherein the heterodimer inhibits induction of type I Interferon (IFN) gene expression.

58. The heterodimer of any one of claims 40-57, wherein the one or more Fc mutations promote, increase, or enhance formation of a heterodimer relative to a heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain and a second polypeptide comprising an IFNAF2 domain, each of which comprises a wild-type Fc domain.

59. The heterodimer of any one of claims 40-45, wherein the mutant Fc domain of the first polypeptide and/or the mutant Fc domain of the second polypeptide further comprise one or more mutations selected from: C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S, and combinations thereof.

60. The heterodimer of claim 59, wherein the mutations comprise C220S, P238S, and P331S.

61. The heterodimer of claim 59, wherein the mutations comprise C220S, C226S, C229S, P238S, and P331S.

62. The heterodimer of any one of claims 40-61, wherein the first polypeptide comprising an IFNAR1 domain comprises the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO 11.

63. The heterodimer of any one of claims 40-62, wherein the second polypeptide comprising an IFNAR2 domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 12.

64. A type I interferon-binding heterodimer comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide selected from:

(i) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43;

(ii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42;

(iii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 53 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 55; and

(iv) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 57 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 59;

(v) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(vi) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(vii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(viii) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(ix) a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 53 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(x) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 55 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(xi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 57 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 43, SEQ ID NO 55 and SEQ ID NO 59;

(xii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 59 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 40, SEQ ID NO 53 and SEQ ID NO 57;

(xiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 45 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(xiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 47 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 42, SEQ ID NO 49 and SEQ ID NO 51;

(xv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 49 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(xvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 51 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 41, SEQ ID NO 45 and SEQ ID NO 47;

(xvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 61 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75 and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 63 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 65 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xx) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 67 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 69 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75 and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xxii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 71 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO 65, SEQ ID NO 73 and SEQ ID NO 81;

(xxiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 73 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xxiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 75 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 77 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 67, SEQ ID NO 75, and SEQ ID NO 82;

(xxvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 79 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 73 and SEQ ID NO. 81;

(xxvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 81 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 63, SEQ ID NO 71 and SEQ ID NO 79;

(xxviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 82 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 61, SEQ ID NO 69 and SEQ ID NO 77;

(xxix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 84 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxx) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 85 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 87 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101;

(xxxii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 89 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99;

(xxxiii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 91 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxxiv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 93 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxv) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 95 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101;

(xxxvi) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 97 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99;

(xxxvii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 99 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 89, SEQ ID NO 97 and SEQ ID NO 105;

(xxxviii) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 101 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 87, SEQ ID NO 95 and SEQ ID NO 103;

(xxxix) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 103 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 93 and SEQ ID NO 101; and

(xl) A first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 105 and a second polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 84, SEQ ID NO 91 and SEQ ID NO 99.

65. A heterodimer that binds to type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 40 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 43.

66. A heterodimer that binds to type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 41 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 42.

67. A heterodimer that binds to a type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55.

68. A heterodimer that binds to type I interferon, comprising a first polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 57 and a second polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 59.

69. The heterodimer of any one of claims 64-68, wherein the heterodimer binds a type I interferon selected from interferon- α (INF α), interferon- β (INF β), or both INF α and INF β.

70. The heterodimer of claim 69, wherein the type I interferon is INF α.

71. The heterodimer of claim 69, wherein the type I interferon is INF β.

72. The heterodimer of any one of claims 64-68, wherein the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF α.

73. The heterodimer of any one of claims 64-68, wherein the heterodimer inhibits the activity of INF β.

74. The heterodimer of any of claims 64-68, wherein the heterodimer inhibits induction of type I Interferon (IFN) gene expression.

75. A composition comprising the heterodimer of any of the preceding claims and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

76. A nucleic acid encoding the first polypeptide of the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74.

77. A nucleic acid encoding the second polypeptide of the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74.

78. A recombinant expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 76.

79. A recombinant expression vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 77.

80. A host cell transformed with the recombinant expression vector of claim 78 and the recombinant expression vector of claim 79.

81. A method of reducing Interferon (IFN) gene expression in a subject, comprising administering to the subject the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74 or the composition of claim 75.

82. A method of inhibiting the activity of a type I interferon in a subject, comprising administering to the subject the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74 or the composition of claim 75.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the type I interferon is INF α.

84. The method of any one of claims 82 and 83, wherein the type I interferon is INF β.

85. A method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject comprising administering to the subject the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74 or the composition of claim 75.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the autoimmune disease is SLE.

87. The method of claim 85, wherein the autoimmune disease is sjogren's syndrome.

88. Use of the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74 and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in the preparation of a medicament for treating or delaying the progression of an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, wherein the treatment comprises administering the medicament to the subject in need thereof.

89. A kit comprising a medicament comprising the heterodimer of any one of claims 1-74 and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a package insert comprising instructions for administering the medicament to treat or delay progression of an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof.

90. A kit comprising a container comprising the heterodimer of any of claims 1-74 and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a package insert comprising instructions for administering the heterodimer to treat or delay progression of an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof.