Osteoarthritis treatment

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of osteoarthritis (OA). In accordance with the present invention, an antagonist of GM-CSF can be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. An antagonist of GM-CSF includes, but is not limited to, an antibody that is specific for GM-CSF or the GM-CSF receptor. The present invention further provides transgenic animals, such as a GM-CSF knock-out mouse, useful for testing antagonists in certain disease models.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method for the treatment of osteoarthritis in a human subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of an antibody specific for the GM-CSF receptor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the H-CDR3 sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 28-46. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence at least 95% homologous to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the H-CDR3 sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 28-46. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the H-CDR3 sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 28-46. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody comprises an H-CDR3 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric, humanised or human antibody. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody is a humanised antibody. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the antibody further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents.