Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of influenza
The present invention provides novel human anti-influenza antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies are used in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza infection.
1. A human monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to an epitope in the extracellular domain of the matrix 2 ectodomain (M2e) polypeptide of an influenza A virus wherein said monoclonal antibody comprises a V H CDR1 region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 179; a V H CDR2 region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 180; a V H CDR3 region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 181; a V L CDR1 region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 184; a V L CDR2 region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 185; and a V L CDR3 region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186.
2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-influenza A antibody according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutical carrier.
3. The composition of claim 2 , further comprising an anti-viral drug.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein said anti-viral drug is a neuraminidase inhibitor, a HA inhibitor, a sialic acid inhibitor or an M2 ion channel inhibitor.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein said neuraminidase inhibitor is zanamivir or oseltamivir phosphate.
6. The composition of claim 2 , further comprising a second anti-influenza A antibody.
7. A method for the treatment of an influenza A virus infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject the composition of claim 2 .
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises administering an anti-viral drug, a viral entry inhibitor or a viral attachment inhibitor.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said anti-viral drug is a neuraminidase inhibitor, a HA inhibitor, a sialic acid inhibitor or an M2 ion channel.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said neuraminidase inhibitor is zanamivir or oseltamivir phosphate.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition is administered prior to or after exposure to influenza A virus.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein said composition is administered at a dose sufficient to promote viral clearance.
13. A method for determining the presence of an influenza virus infection in a patient, comprising the steps of:
(a) contacting a biological sample obtained from the patient with the antibody according to claim 1 ;
(b) detecting an amount of the antibody that binds to the biological sample; and
(c) comparing the amount of antibody that binds to the biological sample to a control value, and therefrom determining the presence of the influenza virus in the patient.
14. A diagnostic kit comprising the antibody according to claim 1 .