Anti-h7cr antibodies

Abstract

Antibodies and humanized variants thereof and their antigen-binding fragments and other molecules that are capable of immunospecifically binding to the B7-H7 counter-receptor, and their uses in enhancing immune responses and the treatment and diagnosis of cancer and other diseases are provided.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method of diagnosing a disease associated with cellular or tissue expression of H7CR in a subject, the method comprising:
 contacting cells or tissue obtained from a biological sample of the subject to detect their ability to bind to an antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to human H7CR; wherein the antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises:   (A) three light chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 29, 32, 45 and three heavy chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 49, 52, and 56;   (B) three light chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 30, 32, 46 and three heavy chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 50, 53, and 57;   (C) three light chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 29, 32, 47 and three heavy chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 50, 54, and 58;   (D) a light chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 17-22; and a heavy chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 23-28; or   (E) a light chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 33-38; and a heavy chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 39-44;   detecting the binding levels of the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof to human H7CR expressed by the cells or tissue of the subject's sample relative to binding of the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof to H7CR expressed by a control; and   diagnosing an H7CR-associated disease in the subject when the binding level of the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof to human H7CR expressed by the subject's cells or tissue is increased or decreased relative to the level of antibody binding to H7CR of the control.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the H7CR that is specifically bound by the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof is arrayed on the surface of a cell. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof is detectably labeled or is directly or indirectly coupled to a detectable substance. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof is directly or directly coupled to a detectable substance selected from one or more of an enzyme, prosthetic group, fluorescent material, luminescent material, bioluminescent material, radioactive material, positron emitting metal, or a nonradioactive paramagnetic metal ion. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof is attached to or immobilized on a solid support. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the binding of the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof to the subject's sample is detected by an immunoassay. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the disease associated with cellular or tissue expression of H7CR is selected from cancer, an infectious disease, a chronic viral disease, or a disease affecting T cell number and growth. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising treating the disease associated with cellular or tissue expression of H7CR in the diagnosed subject with an anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof in an amount effective to treat the disease. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof for treating the diagnosed subject comprises:
 (A) three light chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 29, 32, 45 and three heavy chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 49, 52, and 56;   (B) three light chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 30, 32, 46 and three heavy chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 50, 53, and 57;   (C) three light chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 29, 32, 47 and three heavy chain CDRs having SEQ ID NOS: 50, 54, and 58;   (D) a light chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 17-22; and a heavy chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 23-28; or   (E) a light chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 33-38; and a heavy chain variable region having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 39-44.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof is a humanized or chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the anti-H7CR antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof is a humanized or chimeric antibody.