Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Pro-N-Cadherin

Abstract

Humanized antibody to a pathologically mislocated form of N-cadherin detects and eliminates cells that express the protein extracellularly. These cells are found in fibrotic conditions within heart, lung, and liver, as well as kidney, skin, and other organs effected by fibrosis. The antibody does not affect cells with normal, subcellular location of the protein.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A polynucleotide encoding a humanized antibody which binds to pro-N-cadherin in its pro-domain, said polynucleotide comprising:
 segments encoding framework portions of a human antibody; and   segments encoding six complementarity determining regions (CDRs) from a mouse antibody, wherein the CDRs are SEQ ID NO: 22-27 or SEQ ID NO: 28-33.   
     
     
         6 . The polynucleotide of  claim 5  wherein the segments encoding the six CDRs are SEQ ID NO: 5-10 or SEQ ID NO: 11-16. 
     
     
         7 . The polynucleotide of  claim 5  wherein the human antibody is an IgG1 antibody. 
     
     
         8 . The polynucleotide of  claim 5  that is in a replicating vector. 
     
     
         9 . The polynucleotide of  claim 5  that is codon optimized for expression in cells of a non-human species. 
     
     
         10 .- 19 . (canceled)