Immunovectors which can be used for the intracellular and intranuclear transport

Abstract

A product for coupling a biologically active principle with an immunovector, characterized in that the immunovector is capable of enabling the biologically active principle to be internalized into eukaryotic cells, and in that said immunovector has an affinity for the cell DNA to such an extent that it can transfer the biologically active principle into or to the immediate vicinity of the cell nuclei.

1 - 24 . (Cancelled).  
     
     
         25 . A product comprising an antibody which recognizes an epitope contained in a nucleic acid, or any fragment of this antibody which is involved in the recognition of said nucleic acid epitope, said antibody or fragment of antibody being coupled to a biologically active principle selected among the group consisting of a molecule, a macromolecule, or a group of molecules having biological activity.  
     
     
         26 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said antibody or fragment of antibody is a monoclonal IgG, a (Fab′)2 fragment, or a (Fab′) fragment.  
     
     
         27 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said antibody or fragment of antibody is obtained from individuals presenting auto-immune syndromes.  
     
     
         28 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said antibody or fragment of antibody is obtained from individuals presenting disseminated erythematous lupus syndromes.  
     
     
         29 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said biologically active principle is selected from the group consisting of a protein, a nucleic acid, a hapten having biological activity, a hormone, and a medicine.  
     
     
         30 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said biologically active principle is an antisense oligonucleotide.  
     
     
         31 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said biologically active principle is a recombinant plasmid.  
     
     
         32 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said biologically active principle is a medicine allowing the immortalization of selected type cells including one of macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells, T cells, and hematopoietic cells.  
     
     
         33 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said biologically active principle is an enzyme, an enzyme inhibitor, or an enzyme activator.  
     
     
         34 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein said biologically active principle is an antiviral agent.  
     
     
         35 . The product of  claim 25 , further comprising polylysine.  
     
     
         36 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein the coupling of the antibody or fragment of antibody to the biologically active principle is non-covalent.  
     
     
         37 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein the coupling of the antibody or fragment of antibody to the biologically active principle is covalent.  
     
     
         38 . The product of  claim 25 , wherein the coupling of the antibody or fragment of antibody to the biologically active principle is mediated by a chemical coupling agent.  
     
     
         39 . The product of  claim 38 , wherein said chemical coupling agent is selected from the group consisting of gluteraldehyde, imido esters, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl esters, maleimides, azidobenzoyl hydrazide, carbodiimide, and benzoquinone.  
     
     
         40 . The product of  claim 39 , wherein said carbodiimide is EDC (1-(3-dimethlyaminopropyl)-1′-ethylcarbodiimide).  
     
     
         41 . A method for selecting an antibody or a fragment of antibody recognizing an epitope contained in a nucleic acid, said method comprising the steps of 
 a. incubating an antibody or a fragment of said antibody in the presence of cells;    b. fixing and permeabilizing said cells,    c. incubating said fixed cells with a labeled antibody directed against said antibody or fragment antibody,    d. detecting the localization of the labeled antibody, wherein a localization into the nucleus of the cells is significant of the capacity of the antibody to recognize an epitope contained in a nucleic acid.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the antibody or fragment of antibody is obtained from individuals presenting auto-immune syndromes.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the antibody or fragment of antibody is obtained from individuals presenting disseminated erythematous lupus syndromes.  
     
     
         44 . A method of preparing the product of  claim 25 , comprising the coupling of an antibody or a fragment of an antibody, which recognizes an epitope contained in a nucleic acid with a biologically active principle.  
     
     
         45 . A method of transferring a biologically active principle of interest into a cell comprising: 
 a. coupling an antibody or a fragment of an antibody, which recognizes an epitope contained in a nucleic acid, with the biologically active principle, thereby forming a coupled biologically active principle; and    b. incubating the coupled biologically active principle with the cell, wherein said coupled principle is transferred through the cell membrane and into the cell.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said biologically active principle is selected from the group consisting of a hapten having biological activity, a hormone, and a medicine.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said biologically active principle is a medicine allowing the immortalization of selected type cells including one of macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells, T cells, and hematopoietic cells.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said biologically active principle is an antiviral agent.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the antibody or fragment of antibody is a monoclonal IgG, a (Fab′)2 fragment, or a (Fab″) fragment.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the antibody or fragment of antibody is obtained from individuals presenting auto-immune syndromes.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the antibody or fragment of antibody is obtained from individuals presenting disseminated erythematous lupus syndromes.  
     
     
         52 . A hybridoma deposited at the CNCM on Jun. 30, 1996 under the registration number I-1 605, I-1606 or I-1 607.