Antigen/antibody specificity exchanger

Abstract

An antigen/antibody specificity exchanger is disclosed. It comprises: A) an amino-acid sequence corresponding to an amino-acid sequence of an antibody which specifically binds to a certain antigen, including hapten, B) linked by a link to C) an amino-acid sequence to which a certain antibody binds. Also, a diagnostic reagent comprising an antigen/antibody specificity exchanger according to the invention is disclosed. Said reagent may be e.g. used instead of antisera or monoclonal antibodies in in vitro testing systems, such as immunological tests. Further, a method of treating a disease or disorder caused by a known antigen in an individual in need of an increased number of antigen-specific antibodies is disclosed. In the method a tailor-made antigen/antibody specificity exchanger of the invention is issued. Said method may be e.g. used to redirect a patient's antibodies against poliovirus to fight HIV infection in said patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of redirecting the specificity of an antibody comprising: 
 contacting said antibody with an antigen/antibody specificity exchanger that comprises a first specific binding sequence that specifically binds to an antigen, wherein said antigen is not specifically recognized by said antibody, linked to a second sequence, which binds said antibody, wherein said second sequence is at least 5 and less than 35 amino acids in length; and    whereby said antibody is redirected to said antigen.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first specific binding sequence corresponds to an amino acid sequence of a complementarity determining region (CDR).  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage is selected from the group consisting of a direct peptide bond and a spacer molecule.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage is biotin-avidin-biotin.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first specific binding sequence is specific for a hepatitis viral antigen.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said hepatitis viral antigen is a hepatitis core antigen or a hepatitis e antigen.  
     
     
         7 . The antigen/antibody exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said second sequence corresponds to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of a herpes simplex virus protein, a hepatitis B virus protein, a TT virus protein, and a poliovirus protein.  
     
     
         8 . A method of redirecting the specificity of an antibody comprising: 
 contacting said antibody with an antigen/antibody specificity exchanger that comprises a first specific binding sequence that specifically binds to an antigen, wherein said antigen is not specifically recognized by said antibody, linked to a second sequence, which binds said antibody, wherein said first sequence is at least 5 and less than 35 amino acids in length; and    whereby said antibody is redirected to said antigen.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first specific binding sequence corresponds to an amino acid sequence of a complementarity determining region (CDR).  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage is selected from the group consisting of a direct peptide bond and a spacer molecule.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage is biotin-avidin-biotin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first specific binding sequence is specific for a hepatitis viral antigen.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said hepatitis viral antigen is a hepatitis core antigen or a hepatitis e antigen.  
     
     
         14 . The antigen/antibody exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said second sequence corresponds to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of a herpes simplex virus protein, a hepatitis B virus protein, a TT virus protein, and a poliovirus protein.  
     
     
         15 . A method of redirecting the specificity of an antibody comprising: 
 contacting said antibody with an antigen/antibody specificity exchanger that comprises a first specific binding sequence that specifically binds to an antigen, wherein said antigen is not specifically recognized by said antibody, linked to a second sequence, which binds said antibody, wherein said first and second sequence are at least 5 and less than 35 amino acids in length; and    whereby said antibody is redirected to said antigen.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first specific binding sequence corresponds to an amino acid sequence of a complementarity determining region (CDR).  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage is selected from the group consisting of a direct peptide bond and a spacer molecule.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said linkage is biotin-avidin-biotin.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first specific binding sequence is specific for a hepatitis viral antigen.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said hepatitis viral antigen is a hepatitis core antigen or a hepatitis e antigen.  
     
     
         21 . The antigen/antibody exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said second sequence corresponds to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of a herpes simplex virus protein, a hepatitis B virus protein, a TT virus protein, and a poliovirus protein.