MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY AGAINST HUMAN RECEPTOR PROTEIN 4-1BB AND METHODS OF ITS USE FOR TREATMENT OF DISEASES

摘要

Disclosed herein is a monoclonal antibody against H4-1BB that can be used to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with the anti H4-1BB monoclonal antibody. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65 % homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed. It comprises the extracellular portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB and a detection protein (alkaline phosphatase) bound to the portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB. B-cells that have expressed a ligand to receptor protein H4-1BB can be treated with cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB and B-cell proliferation may be induced. The use of H4-1BB to block H4-1BB ligand binding has practical application in the suppression of the immune system during organ transplantation or against autoimmune diseases.