Variable region sequences of il-31 monoclonal antibodies and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of treating pruritic diseases, including but not limited to Contact dermatitis, Atopic Dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia wereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination thereof by administering IL-31 monoclonal antibodies. The invention provides the hybridomas that generate the monoclonal antibodies and the amino acid sequences of the variable regions of the monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antibodies comprising the amino acid sequences of the light and heavy chain variable regions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing pruritis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which is capable of specifically binding to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27 to 164 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a light chain variable region comprising CDRs LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 and a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, wherein
 LCDR1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54;   LCDR2 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55;   LCDR3 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56;   HCDR1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51;   HCDR2 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52; and   HCDR3 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53;   
       wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment inhibits signaling by the polypeptide through its cognate receptor, and wherein after administration of the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment the pruritus is reduced. 
     
     
         2 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment is humanized. 
     
     
         3 . The antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen-binding fragment is a Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2  or a single chain Fv. 
     
     
         4 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the light chain variable region comprises the amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         5 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 1 , wherein the heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:9. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing inflammation in a mammal with a skin or epidermal condition having increased infiltration of cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA+) T cells comprising comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which is capable of specifically binding to a polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 27 to 164 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a light chain variable region comprising CDRs LCDR1, LCDR2, and LCDR3 and a heavy chain variable region comprising CDRs HCDR1, HCDR2, and HCDR3, wherein
 LCDR1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54;   LCDR2 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:55;   LCDR3 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:56;   HCDR1 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:51;   HCDR2 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52; and   HCDR3 has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53;   
       wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment inhibits signaling by the polypeptide through its cognate receptor, and wherein after administration of the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment the inflammation is reduced. 
     
     
         7 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 6 , wherein the monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment is humanized. 
     
     
         8 . The antigen-binding fragment of  claim 6 , wherein the antigen-binding fragment is a Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2  or a single chain Fv. 
     
     
         9 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 6 , wherein the light chain variable region comprises the amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         10 . The monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment of  claim 6 , wherein the heavy chain variable region comprises the amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:9.