Novel Antibody Recognizing a Small Subset of Human Hematopoietic Cells

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1 + human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a leukemia, wherein said leukemia expresses an MG1 antigen, said method comprising administering to a patient having said leukemia an effective amount of an antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under ATCC Accession No. HB 12232, or an antigen binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is conjugated with a cytotoxic agent capable of killing or inhibiting the replication of leukemic cells. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said cytotoxic agent is ricin, exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said cytotoxic agent is a radionuclide. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said radionuclide is Iodine 131  or Yttrium 90 . 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said cytotoxic agent is a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is methotrexate or cisplatin. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating a leukemia, wherein said leukemia expresses an MG1 antigen, said method comprising administering to a patient having said leukemia an effective amount of an antibody, wherein said antibody is a recombinant antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, comprising the variable regions of the antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under ATCC Accession No. HB 12232 and human constant regions, and wherein said antibody specifically binds to said MG1 antigen. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said antibody is conjugated with a cytotoxic agent capable of killing or inhibiting the replication of leukemic cells. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said cytotoxic agent is ricin, exotoxin, or diphtheria toxin. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said cytotoxic agent is a radionuclide. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said radionuclide is Iodine 131  or Yttrium 90 . 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said cytotoxic agent is a chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is methotrexate cisplatin.