Antibodies and their uses for diagnosis and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection and associated diseases

Abstract

Anti CMV antibodies are provided. Thus an antibody of the present invention comprises an antigen recognition domain capable of binding an MHC molecule being complexed with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 or pp64 peptide, wherein the antibody does not bind said MHC molecule in an absence of said complexed peptide, and wherein the antibody does not bind said peptide in an absence of said MHC molecule. Also provided are methods of using the antibodies.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating an immuno-compromised organ transplant recipient subject having a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of binding a class I MHC molecule being complexed with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 or pp64 peptide as set forth by SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the antibody does not bind said MHC molecule in an absence of said complexed peptide, and wherein the antibody does not bind said peptide in an absence of said MHC molecule, thereby treating the immuno-compromised organ transplant recipient subject with CMV infection. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said class I MHC molecule is an HLA-A2. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is conjugated to a therapeutic moiety. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is an IgG subtype.