Cytokine production-inducing antibody

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of measuring the activation of an effector cell belonging to the immune system, which may or may not be transformed, using a monoclonal (AcMo) or polyclonal antibody. The invention is characterised in that it consists in: bringing into contact (i) CD16 receptor-expressing cells in a reaction medium in the presence of the antibody and (ii) the antigen of said antibody, and measuring the quantity of at least one cytokine produced by the CD16 receptor-expressing cell. The invention also relates to the selection of an antibody capable of inducing the expression of cytokines and interleukins, such as IFN? or IL2 which are intended for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancers and infections by pathogens.

1 .- 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the cytokine is selected from IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, TNFα, TGFβ, IL10 and IFNγ. 
     
     
         4 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the amount of interleukin IL2 secreted reflects the quality of the antibody bound by the CD 16 receptor as regards its antigen-binding integrity (Fc function) and effectiveness (antigenic site). 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the amount of TNFα and IFNγ secreted is correlated with an ADCC-type activity. 
     
     
         8 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the reaction mixture comprises human immunoglobulins (IVIgs). 
     
     
         14 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The use of the method as claimed in  claim 25 , for evaluating the production of MoAbs by transgenic plants or transgenic mammals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the selected antibodies are effective for a therapeutic treatment, in particular the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancers and infections with pathogenic agents. 
     
     
         18 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for selecting a monoclonal antibody for increased ADCC activity, wherein said method comprises:
 a) bringing into contact in a reaction medium a Jurkat cell transformed with CD 16, the monoclonal antibody and the antigen for said antibody,   b) measuring the amount of a cytokine released by the CD 16 receptor-expressing cell, and   c) selecting an antibody for which the level of said cytokine release is increased by more than 100% compared with a negative control, wherein the measurement of the amount of cytokine is linearly correlated to the CD 16-specific ADCC activity, and wherein the negative control is an antibody of the same specificity produced by CHO cells or the absence of the antibody.