Albumin Fusion Proteins
The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encodings the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the intention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.
1 - 60 . (canceled)
61 . An albumin fusion protein comprising a single chain Fv (scFv) fused to albumin, or albumin fragment or variant, wherein said albumin fragment or variant has the ability to prolong the serum half-life of the unfused scFv, and wherein said albumin fusion protein has antigen-binding activity.
62 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , wherein said albumin, or albumin fragment or variant, comprises an amino acid sequence selected from:
a) amino acid residues 1 to 585 of SEQ ID NO:18; and
b) amino acid residues 1 to 387 of SEQ ID NO:18.
63 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , which further comprises a therapeutic protein other than said scFv.
64 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , wherein said scFv is fused to the N-terminus, C-terminus, or the N- and C-terminus of said albumin, or albumin fragment or variant.
65 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , wherein said scFv comprises a variable heavy chain (V H ) and a variable light chain (V L ) linked by a peptide linker.
66 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 615 wherein said scFv comprises a variable heavy chain (V H ) and a variable light chain (V L ) linked by a protease cleavage site.
67 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , wherein said scFv comprises a variable heavy chain (V H ) and a variable light chain (V L ) linked by a disulphide bond.
68 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , wherein said scFv comprises a variable heavy chain (V H ) fused to the N-terminus of said albumin, or albumin fragment or variant, and a variable light chain (V L ) fused to the C-terminus of said albumin, or albumin fragment or variant.
69 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , further comprising a secretion leader sequence.
70 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , which is non-glycosylated.
71 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , which is expressed in yeast,
72 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 71 , wherein said yeast is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
73 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 71 , wherein said yeast is glycosylation deficient.
74 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 71 , wherein said yeast is glycosylation and protease deficient.
75 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 61 , wherein said fusion protein is expressed by a mammalian cell.
76 . The albumin fusion protein of claim 75 , wherein said mammalian cell is a COS, CHO (Chinese hamster ovary), or NSO cell.
77 . A composition comprising the albumin fusion protein of claim 61 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
78 . A method of treating a patient, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of the albumin fusion protein of claim 61 .
79 . A nucleic acid molecule comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding the albumin fusion protein of claim 61 .
80 . An albumin fusion protein comprising a IVIG fused to albumin, or albumin fragment or variant, wherein said albumin fragment or variant has the ability to prolong the serum half-life of the unfused IVIG, and wherein said albumin fusion protein has IgG activity.