Polynucleotides encoding 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 polynucleotide encoding a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27-164 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the monoclonal antibody comprises:
 a) a heavy chain variable region comprising a complementarity determining region (CDR) which comprises:
 i) a CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51; 
 ii) a CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52; and 
 iii) a CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53; and 
   b) a light chain variable region comprising a complementarity determining region (CDR) which comprises:
 i) a CDR1 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54; 
 ii) a CDR2 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55; and 
 iii) a CDR3 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56. 
   
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1 , wherein the monoclonal antibody is humanized. 
     
     
         3 . An isolated vector comprising the polynucleotide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . An isolated host cell comprising the vector of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         5 . A method of producing a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27-164 of SEQ ID NO:2 comprising:
 a) culturing the host cell of  claim 4  under conditions wherein the encoded monoclonal antibody is expressed; and   b) recovering the monoclonal antibody.