It is an object of the invention to provide novel compositions and methodsutilizing immunomodulating agents that can either stimulate or indirectlyaugment the immune system or in other cases have an immunosuppressive effect.TNFR25 agonists disclosed herein have an anti-inflammatory and healing effect.They can be used, among other things, to treat disease caused by asthma andchronic inflammation such as for example inflammatory bowel diseases includingulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. TNFR25 antagonists disclosed hereinare capable of inhibiting CD8 T cell-mediated cellular immune responses andcan for example, mitigate organ or tissue rejection following a tissuetransplantation. TNFR25 agonists disclosed herein represent biologicalresponse modifiers that alter the interaction between the body's cellularimmune defenses and cancer cells to boost, direct, or restore the body'sability to fight the cancer when given with tumor vaccines. TNFR25 specificimmunotoxins disclosed herein are also capable of increasing the effectivenessof a chemotherapeutic regimen by depleting a cancer patient of naturallyoccurring immunosuppressive cells.
