Compositions capable of specifically binding particular human antigen presenting molecule/pathogen-derived antigen complexes and uses thereof

Abstract

A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen.  
     
     
         2 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         3 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody fragment.  
     
     
         4 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fab or a single chain Fv.  
     
     
         5 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         6 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody or antibody fragment, or a part of said antibody or antibody fragment is of human origin.  
     
     
         7 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 6 , wherein said part of said antibody or antibody fragment is a portion of a constant region of said antibody or antibody fragment, or a constant region of said antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         8 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to said antigen-presenting portion of said complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         9 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , further comprising a toxin or detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         10 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 9 , wherein said detectable moiety is selected from the group consisting of a recognition sequence of a biotin protein ligase, a biotin molecule, a streptavidin molecule, a fluorophore, an enzyme, and a polyhistidine tag.  
     
     
         11 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 10 , wherein said biotin protein ligase is BirA.  
     
     
         12 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 10 , wherein said fluorophore is phycoerythrin.  
     
     
         13 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 10 , wherein said enzyme is horseradish peroxidase.  
     
     
         14 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 9 , wherein said toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin A or a portion thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 14 , wherein said portion of Pseudomonas exotoxin A is a translocation domain and/or an ADP ribosylation domain.  
     
     
         16 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         17 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 16 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         18 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 17 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         19 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a single chain antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         20 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         21 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 20 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         22 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 21 , wherein said retrovirus is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         23 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by said antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         24 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 1 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         25 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 24 , wherein said polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of a segment of a viral oncoprotein, a segment of a Tax protein, and a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         26 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient the composition-of-matter of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         27 . A composition-of-matter comprising a multimeric form of an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen.  
     
     
         28 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         29 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody fragment.  
     
     
         30 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fab or a single chain Fv.  
     
     
         31 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14to 97.  
     
     
         32 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody or antibody fragment, or a part of said antibody or antibody fragment is of human origin.  
     
     
         33 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 32 , wherein said part of said antibody or antibody fragment is a portion of a constant region of said antibody or antibody fragment, or a constant region of said antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         34 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to said antigen-presenting portion of said complex is characterized by a binding affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         35 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , further comprising a toxin or detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         36 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 35 , wherein said detectable moiety is selected from the group consisting of a recognition sequence of a biotin protein ligase, a biotin molecule, a streptavidin molecule, a fluorophore, an enzyme, and a polyhistidine tag.  
     
     
         37 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 36 , wherein said biotin protein ligase is BirA.  
     
     
         38 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 36 , wherein said fluorophore is phycoerythrin.  
     
     
         39 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 36 , wherein said enzyme is horseradish peroxidase.  
     
     
         40 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 35 , wherein said toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin A or a portion thereof.  
     
     
         41 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 40 , wherein said portion of Pseudomonas exotoxin A is a translocation domain and/or an ADP ribosylation domain.  
     
     
         42 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         43 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 42 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         44 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 43 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         45 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a single chain antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         46 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         47 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 46 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retroviral pathogen.  
     
     
         48 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 47 , wherein said retroviral pathogen is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         49 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by said antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         50 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 27 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         51 . The composition-of-matter of  claim 50 , wherein said polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of a segment of a viral oncoprotein, a segment of a Tax protein, and a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         52 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient the composition-of-matter of  claim 27  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         53 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody fragment, said antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen.  
     
     
         54 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , further comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a coat protein of a virus, a detectable moiety, and a toxin.  
     
     
         55 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 54 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide is translationally fused with said nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody fragment.  
     
     
         56 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fab or a single chain Fv.  
     
     
         57 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 54 , wherein said virus is a filamentous phage and whereas said coat protein of said virus is pIII.  
     
     
         58 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 54 , wherein said detectable moiety is a polyhistidine tag or a recognition sequence of a biotin protein ligase.  
     
     
         59 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 58 , wherein said biotin protein ligase is BirA.  
     
     
         60 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 54 , wherein said toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin A or a portion thereof.  
     
     
         61 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 60 , wherein said portion of Pseudomonas exotoxin A is a translocation domain and/or an ADP ribosylation domain.  
     
     
         62 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         63 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said antibody fragment, or a part of said antibody fragment is of human origin.  
     
     
         64 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 63 , wherein said part of said antibody fragment is a portion of a constant region of said antibody fragment, or a constant region of said antibody fragment.  
     
     
         65 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said binding of said antibody fragment to said antigen-presenting portion of said complex is characterized by a binding affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 16  molar.  
     
     
         66 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         67 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 66 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         68 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 67 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         69 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a single chain antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         70 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         71 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 70 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retroviral pathogen.  
     
     
         72 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 71 , wherein said retroviral pathogen is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         73 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by said antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         74 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         75 . The isolated polynucleotide of  claim 74 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         76 . A nucleic acid construct comprising the isolated polynucleotide of  claim 53  and a promoter sequence for directing transcription of the isolated polynucleotide in a host cell.  
     
     
         77 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 76 , wherein said promoter sequence is a T7 promoter sequence.  
     
     
         78 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 76 , wherein said promoter sequence is capable of driving expression of said nucleic acid sequence in a prokaryote.  
     
     
         79 . The nucleic acid construct of  claim 76 , wherein said promoter sequence is capable of driving inducible expression of said nucleic acid sequence.  
     
     
         80 . A host cell comprising the nucleic acid construct of  claim 76 .  
     
     
         81 . The host cell of  claim 80 , wherein the host cell is a prokaryotic cell.  
     
     
         82 . The host cell of  claim 81 , wherein said prokaryotic cell is an  E. coli  cell.  
     
     
         83 . A host virus comprising the nucleic acid construct of  claim 76 .  
     
     
         84 . The host virus of  claim 83 , wherein the host virus is a filamentous phage.  
     
     
         85 . A virus comprising a coat protein fused to an antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen.  
     
     
         86 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein the virus is a filamentous phage and whereas said coat protein is pIII.  
     
     
         87 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fd fragment or an Fab.  
     
     
         88 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         89 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said binding of said antibody fragment to said antigen-presenting portion of said complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         90 . The virus of  claim 85 , further comprising a detectable moiety attached to said antibody fragment.  
     
     
         91 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         92 . The virus of  claim 91 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         93 . The virus of  claim 92 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         94 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a single chain antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         95 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         96 . The virus of  claim 95 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retroviral pathogen.  
     
     
         97 . The virus of  claim 96 , wherein said retroviral pathogen is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         98 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by said antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         99 . The virus of  claim 85 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         100 . The virus of  claim 99 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         101 . A method of detecting an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen, the method comprising: 
 (a) exposing the antigen-presenting portion of the complex to a composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding the antigen-presenting portion of the complex, to thereby obtain a -conjugate of the antigen-presenting portion of the complex and said antibody or antibody fragment; and    (b) detecting said antibody or antibody fragment of said conjugate, thereby detecting an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen.    
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the complex is displayed or expressed by a target cell, and whereas step (a) is effected by exposing said target cell to said composition-of-matter.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102 , further comprising: 
 (c) obtaining said target cell from an individual.    
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein said exposing said target cell to said composition-of-matter is effected by administering said composition-of-matter to an individual.  
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein said target cell is a T lymphocyte or an antigen presenting cell.  
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein said antigen presenting cell is a B cell or a dendritic cell.  
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said composition-of-matter further comprises a detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment, and whereas step (b) is effected by detecting said detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment of said conjugate.  
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein said detectable moiety is selected from the group consisting of a recognition sequence of a biotin protein ligase, a biotin molecule, a streptavidin molecule, a fluorophore, and an enzyme.  
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fab.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to the antigen-presenting portion of the complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the human antigen-presenting molecule is a single chain antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117 , wherein said retrovirus is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         122 . A method of diagnosing an infection by a pathogen in an individual, the method comprising: 
 (a) exposing a target cell of the individual to a composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from the pathogen, to thereby obtain a conjugate of said antigen-presenting portion of said complex and said antibody or antibody fragment; and    (b) detecting said antibody or antibody fragment of said conjugate, thereby diagnosing an infection by a pathogen in an individual.    
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 122 , further comprising: 
 (c) obtaining said target cell from the individual.    
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein step (a) is effected by administering said composition-of-matter to the individual.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said target cell is a T lymphocyte or an antigen presenting cell.  
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said antigen presenting cell is a B cell or a dendritic cell.  
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said composition-of-matter further comprises a detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment, and whereas step (b) is effected by detecting said detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment of said conjugate.  
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said detectable moiety is selected from the group consisting of a recognition sequence of a biotin protein ligase, a biotin molecule, a streptavidin molecule, a fluorophore, and an enzyme.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fab.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to the antigen-presenting portion of the complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein the human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 132 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 133 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 136 , wherein said retrovirus is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein the antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 122 , wherein the antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         141 . A method of killing or damaging a target cell expressing or displaying an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen, the method comprising exposing the target cell to a composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding the antigen-presenting portion of the complex, thereby killing or damaging a target cell expressing or displaying an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen.  
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said composition-of-matter further comprises a toxin attached to said antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein said toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin A or a portion thereof.  
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 141 , further comprising the step of obtaining the target cell from an individual.  
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said exposing the cell to said composition-of-matter is effected by administering said composition-of-matter to an individual.  
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the target cell is infected with the pathogen.  
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein the target cell is a T lymphocyte or an antigen presenting cell.  
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said antigen presenting cell is a B cell or a dendritic cell.  
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said antibody fragment is a single chain Fv.  
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to said antigen-presenting portion of said complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 152 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 153 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 155 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 156 , wherein said retrovirus is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 141 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         160 . The method of  claim 159 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         161 . A method of treating a disease associated with a pathogen in an individual, the method comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient, a composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from the pathogen, thereby treating a disease associated with a pathogen in an individual.  
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 161 ,wherein said composition-of-matter further comprises a toxin attached to said antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 162 , wherein said toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin A or a portion thereof.  
     
     
         164 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said antibody fragment is an Fab or a single chain Fv.  
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to said antigen-presenting portion of said complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −16  molar.  
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said human antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         168 . The method of  claim 167 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         169 . The method of  claim 168 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         170 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         171 . The method of  claim 170 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         172 . The method of  claim 171 , wherein said retrovirus is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         173 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         174 . The method of  claim 161 , wherein said antigen derived from a pathogen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         175 . The method of  claim 174 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         176 . A method of detecting in a biological sample an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of an antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen, the method comprising: 
 (a) attaching the biological sample to a surface;    (b) exposing the biological sample to a composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding the antigen-presenting portion of the complex, to thereby obtain a conjugate of the antigen-presenting portion of the complex and said antibody or antibody fragment; and    (c) detecting said antibody or antibody fragment of said conjugate, thereby detecting in a biological sample an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of an antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen.    
     
     
         177 . The method of  claim 176 , further comprising: 
 (d) obtaining the biological sample from an individual.    
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein step (b) is effected by administering said composition-of-matter to an individual.  
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein said composition-of-matter further comprises a detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment, and whereas step (c) is effected by detecting said detectable moiety attached to said antibody or antibody fragment of said conjugate.  
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 179 , wherein said detectable moiety is selected from the group consisting of a recognition sequence of a biotin protein ligase, a biotin molecule, a streptavidin molecule, a fluorophore, and an enzyme.  
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein the antigen is derived from a pathogen.  
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 181 , wherein the biological sample is infected with said pathogen.  
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 182 , wherein said pathogen is a viral pathogen.  
     
     
         184 . The method of  claim 183 , wherein said viral pathogen is a retrovirus.  
     
     
         185 . The method of  claim 184 , wherein said retrovirus is human T lymphotropic virus-1.  
     
     
         186 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein the biological sample is a cell sample or a tissue sample.  
     
     
         187 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein said antibody fragment is selected from the group consisting of a light chain, an Fd fragment, and an Fab.  
     
     
         188 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein said antigen-binding region includes an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 14 to 97.  
     
     
         189 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein said binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to the antigen-presenting portion of the complex is characterized by an affinity having a dissociation constant selected from the range consisting of 1×10 −2  molar to 5×10 −6  molar.  
     
     
         190 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein the antigen-presenting molecule is a major histocompatibility complex molecule.  
     
     
         191 . The method of  claim 190 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex molecule is a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule.  
     
     
         192 . The method of  claim 191 , wherein said major histocompatibility complex class I molecule is an HLA-A2 molecule.  
     
     
         193 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein the antigen is restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule.  
     
     
         194 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein the antigen is a polypeptide.  
     
     
         195 . The method of  claim 194 , wherein said polypeptide is a segment of a Tax protein, or a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.