ANTIBODY AGAINST THE HUMAN TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR-2 (TLR2) AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to an antibody capable of binding to human TLR2 and which (i) binds only to CD14<+> cells in a normal human mononuclear cell population, and not to CD14<-> cells; (ii) does not inhibit LPS-induced activation of normal human mononuclear cells, and to the uses thereof, for example in the treatment of bacterial infections which are mediated via the TLR2 receptor, especially bacterial sepsis. In a particular embodiment of this aspects, a utility in the treatment of Listeria infections is proposed. The antibodies also have a utility as a general research tool, for example in screening for TLR2 expression, and in the study of TLR2 function. A further aspect of the invention provides use of an agent capable of inhibiting TLR2 activation in the preparation of a composition for the treatment of Listeria infections.