Uses of antibodies to mammalian dc langerhans cell antigen

Abstract

The present invention relates to purified mammalian DC cell surface protein, designated Langerin, nucleic acids encoding Langerin, and antibodies which specifically bind Langerin.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An antibody conjugate comprising: an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 2 conjugated to an antigen. 
     
     
         17 . The antibody conjugate of  claim 16 , wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The antibody conjugate of  claim 17 , wherein said monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is the monoclonal antibody having ATCC Accession No. HB-12576 or an antigen binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A method of targeting antigen to dendritic cells comprising the use of an antibody conjugate, said antibody conjugate comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 2 conjugated to an antigen. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is the monoclonal antibody having ATCC Accession No. HB-12576 or an antigen binding fragment thereof.