Epitopes of il-17a and il-17f and antibodies specific thereto

Abstract

The present invention relates neutralising epitopes of IL-17A and IL-17F and antibodies which bind those epitopes. The present invention also relates to the therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing them.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of human IL-17A within amino acids SER41-VAL131 of SEQ ID NO: 21 and wherein the antibody additionally binds human IL-17F. 
     
     
         22 . The antibody of  claim 21 , that is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         23 . The antibody of  claim 21 , that is a chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         24 . The antibody of  claim 21  that is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         25 . The antibody of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody binds to an epitope within amino acids TYR44-ASP84 of SEQ ID NO: 21. 
     
     
         26 . The antibody of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody binds to an epitope comprising one or more of the amino acids selected from the group consisting of SER41, ARG46, HIS54, ARG72, HIS73, HIS86, VAL128, HIS129 and VAL131 of SEQ ID NO: 21. 
     
     
         27 . The antibody of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody binds to an epitope that does not comprise one or more of the amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of ASP80, GLY81 and ASN82 of SEQ ID NO:21. 
     
     
         28 . A composition comprising the antibody of  claim 21  and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         29 . An antibody that specifically binds an epitope of human IL-17F within amino acids GLN71-GLN133 of SEQ ID NO:22 and wherein the antibody additionally binds IL-17A. 
     
     
         30 . The antibody of  claim 29 , wherein the antibody binds to an epitope within amino acids GLN71- VAL128 of SEQ ID NO:22. 
     
     
         31 . The antibody of  claim 29 , wherein the antibody binds to an epitope comprising two or more of the amino acids selected from the group consisting of GLN71, CYS72, ASN74, LEU75, ILE86, ASN89, SER90, PRO92, VAL128, HIS131 and GLN133 of SEQ ID NO:22. 
     
     
         32 . A method of treating a disorder that is mediated by IL-17A and/or IL-F or associated with an increased level of IL-17A and/or IL-17F expression in a subject comprising administering the antibody according to  claim 21 . 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the disorder that is mediated by IL-17A and/or IL-17F or associated with an increased level of IL-17A and/or IL-17F expression comprises inflammation. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the disorder mediated by IL-17A and/or IL-17F or associated with an increased level of IL-17A and/or IL-17F expression is selected from the group consisting of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, pelvic inflammatory disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, Peyronie's Disease, coeliac disease, gallbladder disease, Pilonidal disease, peritonitis, psoriasis, vasculitis, surgical adhesions, stroke, Type I Diabetes, lyme arthritis, meningoencephalitis, multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barr syndrome, other autoimmune disorders, pancreatitis, graft-versus-host disease, transplant rejection, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, intravascular coagulation, bone resorption, osteoporosis, periodontitis and hypochlorhydia. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a disorder that is mediated by IL-17A and/or IL-17F or associated with an increased level of IL-17A and/or IL-17F expression in a subject comprising administering the antibody according to  claim 29 . 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the disorder that is mediated by IL-17A and/or IL-17F or associated with an increased level of IL-17A and/or IL-17F expression comprises inflammation. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the disorder mediated by IL-17A and/or IL-17F or associated with an increased level of IL-17A and/or IL-17F expression is selected from the group consisting of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, pelvic inflammatory disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, Peyronie's Disease, coeliac disease, gallbladder disease, Pilonidal disease, peritonitis, psoriasis, vasculitis, surgical adhesions, stroke, Type I Diabetes, lyme arthritis, meningoencephalitis, multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barr syndrome, other autoimmune disorders, pancreatitis, graft-versus-host disease, transplant rejection, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, intravascular coagulation, bone resorption, osteoporosis, periodontitis and hypochlorhydia.