Human monoclonal antibody against Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBVSAG)

Abstract

Disclosed is a hybridoma cell line which produces human antibodies capable of binding to the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBVsAg), as well as antibodies produced by the cell line. Also disclosed are various uses of said antibodies in the prevention and treatment of HBV infection. Peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from human donors having a high titer of anti HBVsAg antibodies are activated in vitro with pokeweed mitogen and then fused with heteromyeloma cells to generate hybridomas secreting human antibodies having a high affinity and specificity to HBVsAg.

1. A human monoclonal antibody Ab17.141, which is secreted by the European Collection of hybridoma cell line deposited in the Cell Cultures (ECACC) under Accession No.  96052169, or a fragment thereof which retains the antigen binding characteristics of Ab17.1.41.    
     
     
       2. The hybridoma cell line deposited at the ECACC on May 22, 1996 under Accession No. 96052169. 
     
     
       3. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections comprising as an active ingredient an antibody in accordance with  claim 1  together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       4. A method for the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections comprising administering to an individual in need a therapeutically effective amount of antibodies according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       5. A method for reducing the occurrence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in a population of individuals, comprising administering a human monoclonal antibody Ab 17.1.41 or a fragment thereof which retains the antigen binding characteristics of Ab 17.1.41 in accordance with  claim 1  to a population of individuals to reduce the occurrence of HBV infections in the population. 
     
     
       6. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus infections comprising as an active ingredient an antibody in accordance with  claim 1  adopted for use in combination with at least one other active ingredient being an anti viral agent. 
     
     
       7. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 6  wherein the anti viral agent is selected from the group consisting of: interferons, anti-Hepatitis B (HB) monoclonal antibodies, anti HB polyclonal antibodies, nucleoside analogues and inhibitors of DNA polymerase. 
     
     
       8. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 6  wherein the anti viral agent is a nucleoside analogue. 
     
     
       9. A method for the treatment of HBV infections comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 6 . 
     
     
       10. A method for the treatment of HBV infections comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
       11. A method for the treatment of HBV infections comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
       12. A method for reducing the occurrence of HBV infections according to  claim 5 , wherein the population of individuals include liver transplantation patients.