CD40CR-REZEPTOR UND LIGANDEN DAFÜR

摘要

The present invention relates to an antibody that binds an antigen that: (a) is present on activated but not resting helper T-cells; (b) has the same molecular weight as a protein precipitated by a CD40-immunoglobulin (CD40-Ig) fusion protein, the CD40-Ig comprising the extracellular domain of a CD40 protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 and an extracellular domain at the site of fusion having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and (c) is pre-cleared by precipitation with the CD40-Ig; €ƒ€ƒ€ƒwherein the antibody is capable of blocking binding of the CD40-Ig to activated helper T-cells and is capable of inhibiting helper T-cell induction of B-cell activation. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antibody and the use of said antibody for therapeutic purposes, e. g. for inhibiting immunoglobulin production, inhibiting activation of B-cells and for treating disorders associated with B-cell activation, allergy, e. g.-anaphylaxis, autoimmune conditions, e. g. drug-induced lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, adult rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or Sjogren's syndrome, or viral diseases that involve B-cells, e. g. Epstein-Barr infection or retroviral infections such as infections with the human immunodeficiency virus.