Monoclonal antibodies to TGF-BETA

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) are prepared from hybrid cell lines by immunizing with TGF-B2. The antibodies may be of any isotype and may be of any mammalian origin such as murine or human origin. Therapeutic applications utilizing the TGF-B monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

1 . A monoclonal antibody reactive with transforming growth factor-beta.  
     
     
         2 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 1  which binds an epitope on TGF-B wherein the binding affinity of said monoclonal antibody to said epitope at least about 10 7  M −1 .  
     
     
         3 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 1  which is a murine antibody.  
     
     
         4 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 1  which binds an epitope on TGF-B and neutralizes the inhibitory effects of TGF-B.  
     
     
         5 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 4  which is obtained from hybridoma 1D11.16.  
     
     
         6 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 1  binding an epitope on TGF-B wherein the binding of the antibody to said epitope blocks the binding of said TGF-B to TGF-B cellular receptors.  
     
     
         7 . The monoclonal antibody of  claim 1  wherein said antibody is reactive with native bovine TGF-B1 or TGF-B2.  
     
     
         8 . A stable, permanent cell line which produces the antibody of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         9 . The cell line of  claim 8  which has the characteristics of the hybridoma cell line HB 9849.  
     
     
         10 . The monoclonal antibody 1D11.16.  
     
     
         11 . A method for preventing acute or chronic fibrosis, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody reactive with TGF-B.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the monoclonal antibody reactive with TGF-B binds an epitope on TGF-B, thereby blocking the binding of TGF-B to TGF-B cellular receptors.  
     
     
         13 . A method for neutralizing the inhibitory effects of TGF-B, which method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody reactive with TGF-B.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the monoclonal antibody is obtained from hybridoma 1D11.16.  
     
     
         15 . A method for inducing tumor regression in a mammal having tumor cells which produce TGF-B, which method comprises: 
 administering an amount of a monoclonal antibody reactive with TGF-B sufficient to reduce the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-B produced by said tumor cells.