LIGAND (ACT-4-L) TO A RECEPTOR ON THE SURFACE OF ACTIVATED CD4<+> T-CELLS

摘要

The invention relates to certain specific binding partners, in particular ligands and fragments, variants, mutants or derivatives for a receptor on the surface of activated T-cells e.g. activated CD4<+> T-cells. Exemplary ligands are based on a ligand designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include extracellular domains of ligands. In addition the invention provides certain binding moieties with specificity for the above-mentioned specific binding partners. Suitable binding moieties include humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides nucleic acid segments which code for such a specific binding partner or binding moiety as well as expression vectors and cell lines which include these. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the specific binding partners or the binding moieties together with methods of using the specific binding partners and binding moieties in the treatment of various diseases and conditions of the immune system. Also provided by the invention are methods of monitoring activated T-cells e.g. activated CD4<+> T-cells using the specific binding partners or fragments thereof, together with kits for use in these methods.