Antibodies to MASP-2

Abstract

The invention relates to antibodies to MASP-2 and functional equivalents thereof. In particular, the invention relates to MASP-2 antibodies capable of inhibiting the function of MASP-2. The invention furthermore discloses MASP-2 epitopes, wherein antibodies recognizing said epitopes are in particularly useful for inhibiting MASP-2 activity. The invention also relates to methods of producing said antibodies, methods of inhibiting MASP-2 activity as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the MASP-2 antibodies.

1 . A monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof specifically recognizing and binding a polypeptide fragment of human MASP-2-consisting of the CCP1, CCP2 and serine protease domains (aa 293 to 686 of SEQ ID 1), wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is capable of displacing the reference monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition numbers DSMACC2658 and DSMACC2659, or DSMACC2660 in a competitive ELISA assay, wherein the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is capable of inhibiting MASP-2 catalysed C4 deposition. 
     
     
         2 . An antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof specifically recognizing and binding a polypeptide fragment of human MASP-2-consisting of the CCP1, CCP2 and serine protease domains (aa 293 to 686 of SEQ ID 1), wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is selected from one or more antibodies wherein the one or more antibodies are selected from the group consisting of
 i) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number 03050904;   ii) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2657;   iii) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2660;   iv) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited un- der the deposition number DSM ACC2658; and   v) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2659; or wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is capable of displacing one or more reference antibodies in a competitive ELISA assay, wherein the one or more reference antibodies are selected from the group consisting of   i) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number 03050904;   ii) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2657;   iii) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2660;   iv) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2658; and   v) the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition number DSM ACC2659,   
       wherein the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is capable of inhibiting MASP-2 catalysed C4 deposition. 
     
     
         3 . A method of treating a disease or disorder relating to the inhibition of MASP-2 activity in a mammal wherein a therapeutically effective amount of at least one antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof specifically recognizing and binding a polypeptide fragment of human MASP-2-consisting of the CCP1, CCP2 and serine protease domains (aa 293 to 686 of SEQ ID 1), wherein said antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is capable of displacing the reference monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited under the deposition numbers DSMACC2658 and DSMACC2659, or DSMACC2660 in a competitive ELISA assay, wherein the antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, is capable of inhibiting MASP-2 catalysed C4 deposition, is administered to the mammal in need of said treatment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the disease or disorder is selected from conditions characterized by improper activation of MBL-lectin pathway, such as an autoimmune inflammatory condition.