A human TNF receptor and DNA (RNA) encoding such receptor and a procedure
for producing such receptor by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also
disclosed are methods for utilizing such receptor for screening for
antagonists and agonists to the receptor and for ligands for the
receptor. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such agonists to
inhibit the growth of tumors, to stimulate cellular differentiation, to
mediate the immune response and anti-viral response, to regulate growth
and provide resistance to certain infections. The use of the antagonists
as a therapeutic to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammation, septic
shock, to inhibit graft-host reactions, and to prevent apoptosis is also
disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting mutations
in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the receptor and for detecting
altered levels of the soluble receptor in a sample derived from a host.