Avian Derived Antibodies

Abstract

The invention is drawn to a composition comprising an isolated mixture of cytotoxic anti-CD20 antibody molecules produces in a transgenic avian. The antibody molecules have a heavy chain and a light chain and exhibit an increased level of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) as compared to that of anti-CD20 antibody molecules produced by CHO cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising an isolated mixture of cytotoxic anti-CD20 antibody molecules produced in a transgenic avian, wherein the antibody molecules comprise a heavy chain and a light chain whose amino acid sequences set forth from position 23 to position 235 of SEQ ID NO:1 and from position 20 to position 470 of SEQ ID NO: 2, respectively, wherein the isolated mixture of cytotoxic anti-CD20 antibody molecules exhibit an increased level of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) as compared to that of anti-CD20 antibody molecules produced in CHO cells and having the same amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the isolated mixture of the anti-CD20 antibody molecules are produced in tubular gland cells of the transgenic avian. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the transgenic avian is selected from the group consisting of a chicken, a quail and a turkey. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the transgenic avian is a chicken. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the cytotoxic anti-CD20 antibody molecules are isolated from egg white of the transgenic chicken. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein about 95% or more of the N-linked oligosaccharide structures present on the antibody molecules do not contain fucose.