Immunological control of β-amyloid levels in vivo
Disclosed are bispecific antibodies comprising a first antibody binding specificity which confers the ability of the bispecific antibody to cross the blood-brain barrier, and a second antibody specificity conferring the ability of the bispecific antibody to bind to a β-amyloid epitope. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting the formation of β-amyloid plaques in the brain of a human, or promoting the disaggregation of a preformed β-amyloid plaque. Such methods recite the administration of a bispecific antibody.
1. A therapeutic antibody that specifically binds and cleaves an epitope contained within amino acid positions 10-25 of β-amyloid, wherein said antibody binds soluble β-amyloid and soluble β-amyloid aggregates in a living organism.
2. The therapeutic antibody of claim 1 that is a whole antibody.
3. The therapeutic antibody of claim 1 that specifically binds to an epitope having an amino acid between positions 14 and 25 of β-amyloid.
4. The therapeutic antibody of claim 1 , which specifically binds an epitope contained in positions 14 -25 of said β-amyloid peptide.
5. An antibody fragment that specifically binds and cleaves an epitope contained within amino acid positions 10-25 of β-amyloid, wherein said antibody binds soluble β-amyloid and soluble β-amyloid aggregates in a living organism.
6. The fragment of claim 5 , which is a Fab or F(ab′) 2 fragment.
7. The fragment of claim 6 which is an F(ab′) 2 fragment.
8. The fragment of claim 6 , which is an Fab fragment.
9. The therapeutic antibody of claim 1 , wherein the antibody is produced in a myeloma cell.
10. A composition that comprises the antibody of claim 1 , and a sterile diluent.