Immunoglobulins devoid of light chains

Abstract

There is provided an isolated immunoglobulin comprising two heavy polypeptide chains sufficient for the formation of a complete antigen binding site or several antigen binding sites, wherein the immunoglobulin is further devoid of light polypeptide chains.

1 - 17 . (cancelled)  
     
     
         18 . An immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, that specifically binds an antigen of interest, wherein said immunoglobulin or said fragment thereof comprises a variable region of a heavy polypeptide chain said variable region being devoid of normal light chain interaction sites.  
     
     
         19 . An immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof, that specifically binds an antigen of interest, wherein said immunoglobulin or said fragment thereof comprises at least part of the variable region of a heavy polypeptide chain said variable region being devoid of normal light chain interaction sites and wherein the immunoglobulin is a heavy-chain immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         20 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 18 , which is the variable region of the heavy chain of said immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         21 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 19 , which is the variable region of the heavy chain of said immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         22 . An immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 19 , which has a constant region which is devoid of CH1 domain.  
     
     
         23 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  which is combined with a fragment of a four-chain immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         24 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 19 , which is combined with a fragment of a four-chain immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         25 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 18 , which is expressed in a prokaryotic or in a eukaryotic host cell.  
     
     
         26 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 19 , which is expressed in a prokaryotic or in a eukaryotic host cell.  
     
     
         27 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 21 , which is expressed in a prokaryotic or in a eukaryotic host cell.  
     
     
         28 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 19 , which comprises at least 10 amino acid residues of the variable region of a heavy polypeptide chain and comprises the residue corresponding to position 45 in the immunoglobulin said residue at position 45 being a charged amino acid residue or a cysteine residue.  
     
     
         29 . A fragment of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 28 , which is combined with a fragment of a four-chain immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         30 . A modified 4-chain immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof comprising a variable VH region which is modified such that the VH region has been partially replaced by specific sequences or amino acid residues of an immunoglobulin according to  claim 19 .  
     
     
         31 . The immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment is suitable for use in in vitro diagnosis.  
     
     
         32 . The immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment is suitable for use in in vivo diagnosis.  
     
     
         33 . The immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 18  or  19 , which is labelled with a detectable label.  
     
     
         34 . The immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 33 , wherein the detectable label is an imaging agent.  
     
     
         35 . The immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 33 , wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radio isotope, a chemical marker, an enzymatic marker, or a chemiluminescent marker.  
     
     
         36 . An immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 18  or  19 , which is directed against an immunoglobulin idiotype.  
     
     
         37 . A method for detecting the presence of a bacterium, virus, or parasite in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the biological sample with the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds said bacterium, virus, or parasite; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the virus is HIV or hepatitis B virus.  
     
     
         39 . A method for detecting the presence of a tumor in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the biological sample with the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds a protein present on said tumor; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         40 . A method for detecting the presence of myeloma in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the biological sample with the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds a myeloma immunoglobulin epitope; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         41 . A method for detecting a biological molecule in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contacting the biological sample with the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds said biological molecule; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein said biological molecule is a protein, viral envelope glycoprotein, hapten, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, cellulare receptor, or a membrane protein.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the biological molecule is galactosyl α-1,3-galactose, a myeloma immunoglobulin epitope, or a hepatitis B surface antigen.  
     
     
         44 . A method for detecting the presence of a bacterium, virus, or parasite in a subject, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) administering to the subject the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds said bacterium, virus, or parasite; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the virus is HIV or hepatitis B virus.  
     
     
         46 . A method for detecting the presence of a tumor in subject, comprising the steps of (a) administering to the subject the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds a protein present on said tumor, and (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.  
     
     
         47 . A method for detecting the presence of myeloma in a subject, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) administering to the subject the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds a myeloma immunoglobulin epitope; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         48 . A method for detecting a biological molecule in a subject, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) administering to the subject the immunoglobulin according to  claim 18  or  19  that specifically binds said biological molecule; and    (b) detecting binding of the immunoglobulin or fragment.    
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein said biological molecule is a protein, viral envelope glycoprotein, hapten, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, cellulare receptor, or a membrane protein.  
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 42 , wherein the biological molecule is galactosyl α-1,3-galactose, a myeloma immunoglobulin epitope, or a hepatitis B surface antigen.  
     
     
         51 . A composition comprising an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen of interest, wherein said immunoglobulin comprises a variable region of a heavy polypeptide chain, said variable region being devoid of normal light chain interaction sites.  
     
     
         52 . A composition comprising an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to an antigen of interest, wherein said immunoglobulin comprises at least part of the variable region of a heavy polypeptide chain, said variable region being devoid of normal light chain interaction sites and wherein the immunoglobulin is a heavy-chain immunoglobulin.  
     
     
         53 . The composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment specifically binds a protein, hapten, carbohydrate or nucleic acid.  
     
     
         54 . The composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment specifically binds a protein present on tumor cells.  
     
     
         55 . The composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof is combined with a toxin, enzyme, drug, hormone, or cytokine.  
     
     
         56 . The composition according to  claim 54 , wherein the toxin is mistletoe lectin toxin.  
     
     
         57 . The composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof is bifunctional or multifunctional.  
     
     
         58 . The composition according to claims  51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof is heterospecific.  
     
     
         59 . The composition according to  claim 58 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof is capable of targeting drugs, hormones or cytokines to cells.  
     
     
         60 . A method of treating cancer in a mammal, comprising the step of administering the composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof specifically binds to a tumor-specific protein.  
     
     
         61 . A method of inducing protection against a pathological agent in a mammal, comprising the step of administering the composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof specifically binds to the pathological agent.  
     
     
         62 . A method of regulating the expression or the activity of a protein in a mammal, comprising the step of administering the composition according to  claim 51  or  52 , wherein the immunoglobulin or fragment thereof binds to said protein.  
     
     
         63 . A method of modifying the metaboloism of a cell comprising the step of administering an immunoglobulin or a fragment thereof according to  claim 18  or  19 .