Il-31 monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of treating pruritic diseases, including but not limited to Contact dermatitis, Atopic Dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia wereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination thereof by administering IL-31 monoclonal antibodies. The invention provides the hybridomas that generate the monoclonal antibodies and the amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antibodies comprising the amino acid sequences of the light and heavy chain variable regions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27-164 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the monoclonal antibody is a humanized monoclonal antibody derived from the antibody produced by the hybridoma deposited with the American Type Culture Collection having ATCC Patent Deposit Designation PTA-6815, wherein the third complementarity determining region (CDR) of the heavy chain variable domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53, and the third CDR of the light chain variable domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56. 
     
     
         2 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the monoclonal antibody comprises a human IgG heavy chain immunoglobulin constant domain. 
     
     
         3 . The antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen-binding fragment further comprises a human IgG heavy chain immunoglobulin constant domain. 
     
     
         4 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment further comprise a radionuclide, enzyme, substrate, cofactor, fluorescent marker, chemiluminescent marker, peptide tag, magnetic particle, or toxin. 
     
     
         5 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment is conjugated to a polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         6 . The antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen-binding fragment is a Fab, F(ab′) 2  or single-chain Fv. 
     
     
         7 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the first CDR of the heavy chain variable domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51, and the first CDR of the light chain variable domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54. 
     
     
         8 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the second CDR of the heavy chain variable domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52, and the second CDR of the light chain variable domain consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55. 
     
     
         9 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second CDRs of the heavy chain variable domain consist of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs:51 and 52, respectively, and the first and second CDRs of the light chain variable domain consist of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs:54 and 55, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.