Antibodies to il-6 and their uses

Abstract

Antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to human IL-6 are provided. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding such antibodies and antigen binding portions, methods of making such antibodies and antigen binding portions, compositions comprising such antibodies or antigen binding portions, and uses of such antibodies or antigen binding portions.

1 . An isolated human monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprising a heavy chain variable (V H ) domain amino acid sequence comprising a CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 region selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a V H  CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, a V H  CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, and a V H  CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7;   b) a V H  CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35, a V H  CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, and a V H  CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:7;   c) a V H  CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, a V H  CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, and a V H  CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:41;   d) a V H  CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, a V H  CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, and a V H  CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:44;   e) a V H  CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5, a V H  CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:6, and a V H  CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:45;   
       wherein said antibody binds specifically to human IL-6. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . An isolated human antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprising a light chain variable (V L ) domain amino acid sequence comprising a V L  CDR1 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:16, a V L  CDR2 as set forth in SEQ ID NO:17, and a V L CDR3 as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18; wherein said antibody binds specifically to human IL-6. 
     
     
         4 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An isolated human monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof comprising V L  and V H  domains at least 90% identical in amino acid sequence to the V L  and V H  domains, respectively, of antibody 9C8, 9C8 N68T T83S, 9C8 E31G N68T T83S, 9C8 I24V N68T T83S, and 22B5; wherein said antibody binds specifically to human IL-6. 
     
     
         11 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antibody according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 19 , wherein the vector optionally comprises an expression control sequence operably linked to the nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         21 . A host cell comprising the vector according to  claim 20 . 
     
     
         22 . A host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule according to  claim 19 . 
     
     
         23 . A method for treating, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of a IL-6 mediated disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject an antibody or antigen-binding portion according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 - 28 . (canceled)