Recombinant bivalent monospecific immunoglobulin having at least two variable fragments of heavy chains of an immunoglobulin devoid of light chains

Abstract

The present invention relates to fragments, especially variable fragments of immunoglobulins which are by nature devoid of light chains, these fragments being nevertheless capable of exhibiting a recognition and binding activity toward specific antigens. The present invention further relates to the use of such immunoglobulin fragments formed of at least one heavy chain variable fragment or derived therefrom, for therapeutic or veterinary purposes and especially for passive immunotherapy or serotherapy.

1 . A method for treating a subject comprising the step of passive immunization or immunotherapy with a variable fragment of a heavy polypeptide chain (V HH ) of an immunoglobulin devoid of light chains.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the passive immunization is a treatment for infection or intoxication due to a bacterial toxin.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the intoxication is acute intoxication or intoxication due to drug resistant bacteria.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the infection or intoxication is due to infection by bacterial agents or viral agents.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the bacterial agent is  Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Pasteurella, Yersinia, Bacillus anthracis, Neisseria, Vibrio, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae  or a pathogen ingested with food.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the  Clostridium  is  Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum  or  Clostridium perfringens.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the  Vibrio  is  Vibrio cholera.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the  E. coli  is enterotoxic  E. coli.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the intoxication is due to bites or contact with a toxic invertebrate or toxic vertebrate.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the toxic invertebrate is a sea anemone, a coral, a jellyfish, a spider, a bee, a wasp or a scorpion.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the vertebrate is a venomous snake.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the venomous snake is a snake of the Viperidae family, Crotolidae family or Lapidae family.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment is for tetanus, botulism, gangrene, necrotic enteritis, enterotoxemia, food poisoning, ocular  Psuedomonas  infection, diphtheria, or anthrax.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the passive immunization or immunotherapy is performed in combination with medical or surgical use of a neurotoxin.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the neurotoxin is botulinum toxin.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.