Method for preparing anti-MIF antibodies
AssigneeBiogen Idec Inc.
InventorsWilliam Kloetzer, Nabil Hanna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The specification provides methods of preparing high-affinity antibodies to a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in animals in which the MIF gene has been homozygously knocked-out (MIF−/−). Also provided are methods of preparing hybridomas which produce the anti-MIF antibodies, methods of administering the antibodies to treat inflammatory or cancerous conditions and/or diseases modulated by MIF, as well as compositions comprising said high-affinity anti-MIF antibodies.
Claims12
A method of preparing a high-affinity anti-MIF antibody or fragment thereof comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a transgenic animal in which the MIF gene is functionally knocked out;
- (b) immunizing said transgenic animal with a MIF protein or a polypeptide fragment thereof;
- and
- (c) obtaining a high affinity anti-MIF antibodies or fragment thereof from said animal.
5-33. (canceled)
A method for producing a transgenic mouse lacking an endogenous MIF gene that produces high affinity anti-MIF antibodies, said method comprising:
- (a) introducing a MIF targeting construct comprising a selectable marker sequence into a murine embryonic stem (ES) cell;
- (b) introducing said modified murine ES cell into a murine embryo;
- (c) transplanting said modified embryo into a pseudopregnant mouse;
- (d) allowing said embryo to develop to term;
- and
- (e) identifying a transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a disruption of the endogenous MIF gene of at least one allele;
- (f) breeding the transgenic mouse of step (e) to obtain a transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a homozygous disruption of the endogenous MIF gene (MIF−/−), wherein said disruption results in a mouse which lacks endogenous MIF as compared to a wild type mouse;
- and
- (g) immunizing the transgenic (MIF−/−) mouse with complete MIF protein a peptide fragment of a MIF protein, or a fusion protein containing all or a part of a MIF protein.
35-53. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.