METHOD FOR PRODUCING ANTIBODY MOLECULES HAVING INTER-SPECIES, INTRA-TARGET CROSS-REACTIVITY
A method is disclosed for producing an antibody molecule having inter-species, intra-target cross-reactivity. The method comprises the steps of creating a first immune library for a target antigen from a first species, for example man; combining variable regions from the first immune library in a chain shuffling protocol, to produce a second immune library; and screening the second immune library for affinity to both the target antigen and a corresponding antigen from a second species. The second species is different from the first species. By using a suitable test animal as the second species, the method paves the way to convenient testing of the antibody molecule.
1 . A method for producing an antibody molecule having inter-species, intra-target cross-reactivity, said method comprising the steps of:
a. creating a first immune library specific for a target antigen from a first species;
b. combining variable regions from the first immune library in a chain shuffling protocol to produce a second immune library;
c. identifying in the second immune library antibody molecules being reactive to the target antigen and to a corresponding antigen from a second species;
wherein the second species is different from the first species.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the variable regions used in the chain shuffling protocol of step b. are obtained from one individual animal.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first immune library is obtained from a member of the first species infected with the target antigen.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first immune library is obtained from an animal of a third species immunized with the target antigen.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the first species and the third species are identical.
6 . The method of claim 4 wherein the first species and the third species are different.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first species is man.
8 . The method of claim 6 wherein the third species belongs to Camelidae.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the third species is llama.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein the second species is a rodent.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the second species is mouse.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the second species is a non-human primate.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the second species is Cynomolgus.
14 . The method of claim 1 wherein the first species is man and the target antigen is human IL22R.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the third species belongs to Camelidae.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the second species is a rodent.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the second species is mouse.
18 - 24 . (canceled)