Antibodies which activate an erythropoietin receptor

Abstract

Antibodies and fragments thereof which activate an erythropoietin receptor and stimulate erythropoiesis are described. Also described are hybridoma cell lines which produce the antibodies and methods and compositions for the treatment of anemia.

1 . An antibody or fragment thereof which activates an erythropoietin receptor.  
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1  wherein the erythropoietin receptor is a mammalian erythropoietin receptor.  
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 1  wherein the erythropoietin receptor is a human erythropoietin receptor.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 1  which is a human antibody.  
     
     
         7 . The antibody of  claim 1  having a detectable label.  
     
     
         8 . A hybridoma cell line capable of producing the monoclonal antibody of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         9 . An antibody of fragment thereof which recognizes an epitope on an erythropoietin receptor which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line ATCC [[No. ______]] No. HB 11689 or ATCC [[No. ______]] No. HB 11690.  
     
     
         10 . The antibody of  claim 9  which activates an erythropoietin receptor.  
     
     
         11 . The antibody of  claim 9  wherein the erythropoietin receptor is a human erythropoietin receptor.  
     
     
         12 . The antibody of  claim 9  which is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The antibody of  claim 9  which is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The antibody of  claim 9  having a detectable label.  
     
     
         15 . A hybridoma cell line capable of producing the monoclonal antibody of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A method of detecting in a biological sample an erythropoietin receptor which is capable of being activated, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the sample with the antibody of claims  1  or  9 ;    (b) detecting the activation of the receptor by the antibody, thereby determining the presence of an erythropoietin receptor which is capable of being activated.    
     
     
         19 . A kit for detecting in a biological sample an erythropoietin receptor which is capable of being activated comprising the antibody of claims  1  or  9 .  
     
     
         20 . A method of modulating the endogenous activity of an erythropoietin receptor in a mammal comprising administering an amount of the antibody of claims  1  or  9  effective to modulate the activity of the receptor.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the modulation of the erythropoietin receptor activity regulates proliferation or differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells.  
     
     
         22 . A method of treating anemia in a patient comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody of claims  1  or  9 .  
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody of claims  1  or  9  in a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24  wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 24  wherein the antibody is a human antibody.