Connaught Laboratories Limited

Aventis Pasteur Limited

Other

University of Toronto

Brian H Barber

Michel Henri Klein

Jiri J Krepinsky

Naveen N Anand

Neal Den Hollander

Judith E Caterini

George Carayannotis

M Younus Meah

George A Cates

George C Cates

Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith. The conjugate antibody molecules and nucleic acid molecules encoding them are useful as antigens and as immunogens in diagnostic and prophylactic applications.

Method for delivery of antigens to selected cells of the immune system using chimeric antibodies

Chimeric antibodies for delivery of antigens to selected cells of the immune system

Methods are described for the rapid synthesis in satisfactory yield of methyl ecgonine phenylphosphonates as analogues of transition states for the hydrolysis of the benzoyl ester of an ecgonine derivative, namely cocaine, and their linking to carrier proteins, for the purpose of using them as immunogens. The resulting immunogens elicit the formation in experimental animals of antibodies able to promote the hydrolysis of cocaine. Both these catalytic anti-cocaine antibodies and the immunogens themselves are potentially useful for the treatment of individuals seeking to avoid the pharmacological effects of cocaine and in diagnostic applications.

Immunogens for the production of cocaine-hydrolyzing catalytic antibodies

A new method is described for eliciting IgG antibody response to proteins or synthetic peptides, particularly those that are weakly immunogenic, without the requirement for the use of adjuvants, thereby making it easier and safer to confer protection against pathogenic organisms. The antigen is coupled to a monoclonal antibody, specific for membrane determinants expressed on certain types of mammalian recipient cells, called antigen presenting cells. The monoclonal antibody acts as a 'vector' or 'delivery vehicle' for targeting foreign antigens onto such recipient cells. This targeting facilitates subsequent antigen recognition by helper T-cells, which are pivotal in helping the induction of antigen-specific IgG responses.

Enhancement of antigen immunogenicity

A new method is described for eliciting IgG antibody response to proteins or synthetic peptides without the requirement for the use of adjuvants, thereby making it easier and safer to confer protection against pathogenic organisms. The antigen is coupled to a monoclonal antibody, specific for membrane determinants expressed on certain types of mammalian recipient cells, called antigen presenting cells. The monoclonal antibody acts as a 'vector' or 'delivery vehicle' for targeting foreign antigens onto such recipient cells. This targeting facilitates subsequent antigen recognition by helper T-cells, which are pivotal in helping the induction of antigen-specific IgG responses.

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Mississauga, Canada

Brian H Barber