Monoclonal Antibodies Against The Interferon Receptor, With Neutralizing Activity Against Type I Interferon

Abstract

The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon class I receptor (IFN-R) characterized by the following properties: it recognizes the extracellular domain of the human IFN-R, and it has a neutralizing capacity against the biological properties of the human type I-IFN. It further concerns their use for the diagnosis.

1 . A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of an acute viral disease, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective therapeutic or prophylactic amount of a monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon type I receptor (IFN-R) that binds to an isolated polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27 to 427 of SEQ ID NO: 2, of the human INF-R. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the acute viral disease is an upper respiratory tract infection. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody has neutralizing capacity against the antiproliferative or antiviral activity of human type I-IFN. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a human antibody. 
     
     
         5 . A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a chronic virus infection, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective therapeutic or prophylactic amount of a monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon type I receptor (IFN-R) that binds to an isolated polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27 to 427 of SEQ ID NO: 2, of the human INF-R. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the chronic viral disease is measles. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody has neutralizing capacity against the antiproliferative or antiviral activity of human type I-IFN. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is a human antibody. 
     
     
         9 . A method for neutralizing the biological properties of human type I interferon (IFN), comprising contacting a cell that expresses a human type I interferon receptor (IFN-R) with a monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon type I receptor (IFN-R) that binds to an isolated polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27 to 427 of SEQ ID NO: 2, of the human INF-R. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody neutralizes the antiproliferative activity of human type I IFN. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody neutralizes the antiviral activity of human type I IFN. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is a human antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody inhibits the binding of a human type I IFN to human type I INF-R. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody recognizes an epitope on a soluble form of human cellular type I IFN-R or human recombinant type I IFN-R.