Methods and compositions for treating autoimmune diseases or conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders.

1 . A method of treating a human patient with Crohn's Disease, the method comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or binding fragment thereof having the complementary determining regions of monoclonal antibody clone 1D11. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof is humanized, chimeric, or human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof interferes with the binding of an NKG2D ligand to the NKG2D receptor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient has an elevated level of NKG2D− expressing T cells. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the T cells are CD8+ or CD4+. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration is subcutaneous. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a human patient with Crohn's Disease, the method comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or binding fragment thereof with complementary determining regions derived from monoclonal antibody clone 1D11 wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof binds essentially the same epitope as monoclonal antibody clone 1D11. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof is humanized, chimeric, or human. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof interferes with the binding of an NKG2D ligand to the NKG2D receptor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the patient has an elevated level of NKG2D− expressing T cells. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the T cells are CD8+ or CD4+. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the administration is subcutaneous. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody is a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a human patient with Crohn's Disease, the method comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising the complementary determining regions of monoclonal antibody clone 1D11. 
     
     
         16 . A method of  claim 15 , wherein the complementary determining regions of monoclonal antibody clone 1D11 are within an antibody or a binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof is humanized, chimeric, or human. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof interferes with the binding of an NKG2D ligand to the NKG2D receptor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the administration is subcutaneous. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the antibody is a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody.