Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase a2 antibody compositions and methods of use

Abstract

The invention provides isolated anti-Lp-PLA2 antibodies that bind to Lp-PLA2. The invention also encompasses compositions comprising an anti-Lp-PLA2 antibody. These compositions can be provided in an article of manufacture or a kit. Another aspect of the invention is an isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-Lp-PLA2 antibody, as well as an expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid. Also provided are cells that produce the anti-Lp-PLA2 antibodies. The invention encompasses a method of producing the anti-Lp-PLA2 antibodies. Other aspects of the invention are a method of detecting an Lp-PLA2 in a subject.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An isolated antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody competes for binding to Lp-PLA2 with a reference antibody comprising:
 (a) a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 12, and 22; and   (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 17, and 27.   
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the reference antibody comprises:
 (a) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2; and   (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 7.   
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the reference antibody comprises:
 (a) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 12; and   (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 17.   
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the reference antibody comprises:
 (a) a light chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 22; and   (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 27.   
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a human antibody, a humanized antibody or a chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         6 . An isolated monoclonal antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, comprising: a light chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences; and a heavy chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, CDR3 sequences, wherein:
 (a) the light chain variable region CDR1 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, 13, and 23, and conservative modifications thereof;   (b) the heavy chain variable region CDR1 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 8, 18, and 28, and conservative modifications thereof; and   (c) the antibody binds to Lp-PLA2.   
     
     
         7 . The antibody of  claim 6 , wherein the light chain variable region CDR2 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, 14, and 24, and conservative modifications thereof; and the heavy chain variable region CDR2 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 9, 19, and 29, and conservative modifications thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The antibody of  claim 6 , wherein the light chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 5, 15, and 25, and conservative modifications thereof; and the heavy chain variable region CDR3 sequence comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 10, 20, and 30, and conservative modifications thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The antibody of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody is a human antibody, a humanized antibody or a chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         10 . An article of manufacture comprising a container and a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 11 , which comprises:
 (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a light chain variable region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 11, and 21; and   (b) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, 16, and 26.   
     
     
         13 . An expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         14 . A host cell comprising the expression vector of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         15 . A transgenic mouse comprising human immunoglobulin light and heavy chain transgenes, wherein the mouse expresses the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A hybridoma prepared from the mouse of  claim 15 , wherein the hybridoma produces said antibody. 
     
     
         17 . A cell that produces the antibody of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for detecting Lp-PLA2 in a subject comprising contacting a sample from the subject with an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, of  claim 1  under conditions suitable for binding; determining the level of Lp-PLA2 in the sample. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the sample is selected from the group comprising blood, serum, plasma, ascites, urine, peritoneal wash and tissue.