Therapeutic use of antibodies to hgf

A method of treatment, wherein said method comprises the administration of at least one anti-hepatocyte growth factor polypeptide, wherein said method comprises:

• (i) administering to a patient with a disease or condition associated with HGF expressing cells or the overexpression of HGF a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (ii) inhibiting or blocking HGF-associated angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (iii) inhibiting or blocking HGF-associated cell proliferation in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (iv) inhibiting or blocking HGF-associated cell invasion in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (v) inhibiting or blocking HGF-associated metastasis in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (vi) inhibiting or blocking the HGF/HGF-R (c-met) interaction and/or c-met activation in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (vii) inhibiting or blocking the mitogenic, motogenic, and/or morphogenic properties of HGF in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (viii) promoting HGF-associated fibrosis in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• and/or
• (ix) inhibiting HGF-associated cell scattering in a subject in need thereof comprising administering at least one anti-human HGF antibody or fragment which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28.

A method of in vivo imaging which detects the presence of cells which express HGF comprising:

• (i) administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or a fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (ii) administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment that contains at least 2 CDRs which are identical to an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (iii) administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment that contains at least 3 CDRs which are identical to an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (iv) administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment that contains at least 4 CDRs which are identical to an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (v) administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment that contains at least 5 CDRs which are identical to an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• and/or
• (vi) administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment, wherein all 6 CDRs of the anti-human HGF antibody or fragment are identical to an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28.

An anti-human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) antibody or antibody fragment which is selected from:

• (i) one that specifically binds to the same or overlapping epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (ii) one that specifically binds to the same epitope(s) on an intact human HGF polypeptide or fragment thereof as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• wherein optionally said epitope(s) are identified using a binding assay that detects the binding of said anti-human HGF antibody to one or more peptides in a library of 10-15-mer peptides which are overlapping peptide fragments of human HGF that correspond to all or substantially all of the length of the human HGF polypeptide, and further optionally said binding assay is a Western immunoblot assay which detects specific binding of the antibody or antibody fragment to one or more of said 10-15 mer peptides in said library by the use of a chemiluminescent label which emits a detectable chemiluminescent signal when specific binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to a peptide in said library occurs;
• (iii) said antibody or antibody fragment contains at least 2 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (iv) said antibody or antibody fragment contains at least 3 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (v) said antibody or antibody fragment contains at least 4 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25 and Ab28;
• (vi) said antibody or antibody fragment contains:
• (a) a variable heavy chain comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 44, SEQ ID NO:
• 244, SEQ ID NO:
• 284, SEQ ID NO:
• 324, SEQ ID NO:
• 364, SEQ ID NO:
• 444, SEQ ID NO:
• 524, SEQ ID NO:
• 724, SEQ ID NO:
• 804, SEQ ID NO:
• 844, SEQ ID NO:
• 884, SEQ ID NO:
• 924, and SEQ ID NO:1044;
• a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 246, SEQ ID NO:
• 286, SEQ ID NO:
• 326, SEQ ID NO:
• 366, SEQ ID NO:
• 446, SEQ ID NO:
• 526, SEQ ID NO:
• 726, SEQ ID NO:
• 806, SEQ ID NO:
• 846, SEQ ID NO:
• 886, SEQ ID NO:
• 926, and SEQ ID NO:1046;
• and a CDR3 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, SEQ ID NO:
• 248, SEQ ID NO:
• 288, SEQ ID NO:
• 328, SEQ ID NO:
• 368, SEQ ID NO:
• 448, SEQ ID NO:
• 528, SEQ ID NO:
• 728, SEQ ID NO:
• 808, SEQ ID NO:
• 848, SEQ ID NO:
• 888, SEQ ID NO:
• 928 and SEQ ID NO:1048;
• and/or
• (b) a variable light chain comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 264, SEQ ID NO:
• 304, SEQ ID NO:
• 344, SEQ ID NO:
• 384, SEQ ID NO:
• 464, SEQ ID NO:
• 544, SEQ ID NO:
• 744, SEQ ID NO:
• 824, SEQ ID NO:
• 864, SEQ ID NO:
• 904, SEQ ID NO:
• 944, and SEQ ID NO:1064;
• a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 266, SEQ ID NO:
• 306, SEQ ID NO:
• 346, SEQ ID NO:
• 386, SEQ ID NO:
• 466, SEQ ID NO:
• 546, SEQ ID NO:
• 746, SEQ ID NO:
• 786, SEQ ID NO:
• 826, SEQ ID NO:
• 866, SEQ ID NO:
• 906, SEQ ID NO:
• 946, and SEQ ID NO:1066;
• and a CDR3 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 228, SEQ ID NO:
• 268, SEQ ID NO:
• 308, SEQ ID NO:
• 348, SEQ ID NO:
• 388, SEQ ID NO:
• 468, SEQ ID NO:
• 548, SEQ ID NO:
• 748, SEQ ID NO:
• 828, SEQ ID NO:
• 868, SEQ ID NO:
• 908, SEQ ID NO:
• 948, and SEQ ID NO:1068;
• with the further proviso that one or two residues of any of the afore-identified CDR polypeptides may be substituted with another amino acid, preferably a conservative amino acid substitution;
• (vii) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 4, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 8;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 24, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 26, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 28;
• (viii) the anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment contains a variable heavy chain which comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 44, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 48;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 64, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 66, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 68;
• (ix) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 244, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 246, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 248;
• and the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 264, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 266, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 268;
• (x) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 284, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 286, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 288;
• and the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 304, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 306, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 308;
• (xi) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 324, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 326, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 328;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 344, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 346, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 348;
• (xii) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 364, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 366, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 368;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 384, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 386, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 388;
• (xiii) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 444, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 446, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 448;
• and the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 464, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 466, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 468;
• (xiv) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 524, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 526, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 528;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 544, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 546, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 548;
• (xv) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 724, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 726, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 728;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 744, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 746, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 748;
• (xvi) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 804, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 806, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 808;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 824, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 826, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 828;
• (xvii) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 844, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 846, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 848;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 864, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 866, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 86;
• (xviii) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 884, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 886, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 888;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 904, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 906, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 908;
• (xix) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 924, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 926, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 928;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 944, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 946, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 948;
• (xx) the variable heavy chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1044, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1046, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1048;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1064, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1066, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1068;
• (xxi) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and/or the variable light chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 22;
• (xxii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 22, respectively;
• (xxiii) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 42 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (xxiv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 42 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62, respectively;
• (xxv) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 242 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 262;
• (xxvi) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 242 and SEQ ID NO:
• 262, respectively;
• (xxvii) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 282 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 302;
• (xxviii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 282 and SEQ ID NO:
• 302, respectively;
• (xxix) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 322 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 342;
• (xxx) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 322 and SEQ ID NO:
• 342, respectively;
• (xxxi) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 362 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 382;
• (xxxii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 362 and SEQ ID NO:
• 382, respectively;
• (xxxiii) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 442 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 462;
• (xxxiv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 442 and SEQ ID NO:
• 462, respectively;
• (xxxv) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 522 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 542;
• (xxxvi) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 522 and SEQ ID NO:
• 542, respectively;
• (xxxvii) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 722 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 742;
• (xxxviii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 722 and SEQ ID NO:
• 742, respectively;
• (xxxix) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 802 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 822;
• (xl) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 802 and SEQ ID NO:
• 822, respectively;
• (xli) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 842 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 862;
• (xlii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 842 and SEQ ID NO:
• 862, respectively;
• (xliii) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 882 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 902;
• (xliv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 882 and SEQ ID NO:
• 902, respectively;
• (xlv) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 922 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 942;
• (xlvi) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 922 and SEQ ID NO:
• 942, respectively;
• (xlvii) the variable heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1042 and the variable light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1062;
• (xlviii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 1042 and SEQ ID NO:
• 1062, respectively;
• (xlix) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 21;
• (l) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 41 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 61;
• (li) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 241 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 261;
• (lii) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 281 and the light chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 301;
• (liii) the heavy chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 321 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 341;
• (liv) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 361 and the light chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 381;
• (lv) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 441 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 461;
• (lvi) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 521 and the light chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 541;
• (lvii) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 721 and the light chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 741;
• (lviii) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 801 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 821;
• (lix) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 841 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 861;
• (lx) the heavy chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 881 and the light chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 901;
• (lxi) the heavy chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 921 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 941;
• and/or
• (lxii) the heavy chain comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 1041 and the light chain comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1061.

An isolated nucleic acid or nucleic acids which encode for and when expressed in a suitable host cell result in the expression of an anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment or the variable heavy or light chain thereof, selected from:

• (i) said antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids competes with and/or specifically binds to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on human HGF as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (ii) said antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids specifically binds to the same or overlapping epitope(s) on human HGF as an anti-human HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• wherein said epitope(s) optionally are identified is a binding assay that detects the binding of an anti-human HGF antibody to one or more peptides in a library of 10-15-mer peptides which are overlapping fragments that correspond to all or substantially all of the length of the human HGF polypeptide, optionally wherein said binding assay is a Western immunoblot assay which detects specific binding of the antibody or antibody fragment to one or more of said 10-15 mer peptides in said library by the use of a chemiluminescent label which emits a detectable chemiluminescent signal when specific binding of said antibody or antibody fragment to a peptide in said library occurs;
• (iii) said antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids contains at least 2 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (iv) said anti-human anti-HGF antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids contains at least 3 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (v) said anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids contains at least 4 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23 Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (vi) said anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids contains at least 5 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23 Ab24, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (vii) said antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids contains all 6 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an anti-HGF antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab12, Ab14, Ab19, Ab21, Ab23, Ab25, and Ab28;
• (viii) said anti-human HGF antibody or antibody fragment encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids contains:
• (a) a variable heavy chain comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• SEQ ID NO:
• 4, SEQ ID NO:
• 44, SEQ ID NO:
• 284, SEQ ID NO:
• 324, SEQ ID NO:
• 364, SEQ ID NO:
• 444, SEQ ID NO:
• 524, SEQ ID NO:
• 724, SEQ ID NO:
• 804, SEQ ID NO:
• 844, SEQ ID NO:
• 884, SEQ ID NO:
• 924, and SEQ ID NO:1044;
• a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, SEQ ID NO:
• 46, SEQ ID NO:
• 246, SEQ ID NO:
• 286, SEQ ID NO:
• 326, SEQ ID NO:
• 366, SEQ ID NO:
• 446, SEQ ID NO:
• 526, SEQ ID NO:
• 726, SEQ ID NO:
• 806, SEQ ID NO:
• 846, SEQ ID NO:
• 886, SEQ ID NO:
• 926, and SEQ ID NO:1046;
• and a CDR3 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 8, SEQ ID NO:
• 48, SEQ ID NO:
• 248, SEQ ID NO:
• 288, SEQ ID NO:
• 328, SEQ ID NO:
• 368, SEQ ID NO:
• 408, SEQ ID NO:
• 448, SEQ ID NO:
• 488, SEQ ID NO:
• 528, SEQ ID NO:
• 728, SEQ ID NO:
• 848, SEQ ID NO:
• 888 SEQ ID NO:
• 928, and SEQ ID NO:1048;
• and/or
• (b) a variable light chain comprising a CDR1 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 24, SEQ ID NO:
• 64, SEQ ID NO:
• 264, SEQ ID NO:
• 304, SEQ ID NO:
• 344, SEQ ID NO:
• 384, SEQ ID NO:
• 464, SEQ ID NO:
• 544, SEQ ID NO:
• 744, SEQ ID NO:
• 824, SEQ ID NO:
• 864, SEQ ID NO:
• 904, and SEQ ID NO:
• 944, and SEQ ID NO:1064;
• a CDR2 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 26, SEQ ID NO:
• 66, SEQ ID NO:
• 266, SEQ ID NO:
• 306, SEQ ID NO:
• 346, SEQ ID NO:
• 386, SEQ ID NO:
• 466, SEQ ID NO:
• 546, SEQ ID NO:
• 746, SEQ ID NO:
• 826, SEQ ID NO:
• 866, SEQ ID NO:
• 906, SEQ ID NO:
• 946, and SEQ ID NO:1046;
• and a CDR3 sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 28, SEQ ID NO:
• 68, SEQ ID NO:
• 268, SEQ ID NO:
• 308, SEQ ID NO:
• 348, SEQ ID NO:
• 388, SEQ ID NO:
• 468, SEQ ID NO:
• 548, SEQ ID NO:
• 748, SEQ ID NO:
• 788, SEQ ID NO:
• 828, SEQ ID NO:
• 868, SEQ ID NO:
• 908, SEQ ID NO:
• 948 and SEQ ID NO:1068 with the further proviso that one or two residues of any of the afore-identified CDR polypeptides may be substituted with another amino acid;
• (ix) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 4, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 6, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 8;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 24, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 26, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 28;
• (x) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 44, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 46, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 48;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 64, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 66, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 68;
• (xi) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 244, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 246, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 248;
• and the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 264, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 266, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 268;
• (xii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 284, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 286, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 288;
• and the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 304, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 306, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 308;
• (xiii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 324, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 326, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 328;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 344, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 346, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 348;
• (xiv) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 364, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 366, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 368;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 384, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 386, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 388;
• (xv) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 444, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 446, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 448;
• and the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 464, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 466, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 468;
• (xvi) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 524, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 526, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 528;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 544, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 546, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 548;
• (xvii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 724, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 726, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 728;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 744, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 746, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 748;
• (xviii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 804, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 806, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 808;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 824, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 826, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 828;
• (xix) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 844, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 846, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 848;
• and/or the variable light chain comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 864, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 866, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 868;
• (xx) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 884, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 886, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 888;
• and/or the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 904, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 906, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 908;
• (xxi) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 924, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 926, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 928;
• and/or the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 944, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 946, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 948;
• (xxii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1044, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1046, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1048;
• and/or the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises the CDR1 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1064, the CDR2 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1066, and the CDR3 sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 1068;
• (xxiii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and/or the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 22;
• (xxiv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 2 and SEQ ID NO:
• 22, respectively;
• (xxv) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 42 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 62;
• (xxvi) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 42 and SEQ ID NO:
• 62, respectively;
• (xxvii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 242 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 262;
• (xxviii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 242 and SEQ ID NO:
• 262, respectively;
• (xxix) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 282 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 302;
• (xxx) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 282 and SEQ ID NO:
• 302, respectively;
• (xxxi) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 322 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 342;
• (xxxii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 322 and SEQ ID NO:
• 342, respectively;
• (xxxiii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 362 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 382;
• (xxxiv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 362 and SEQ ID NO:
• 382, respectively;
• (xxxv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 402 and SEQ ID NO:
• 422, respectively;
• (xxxvi) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 442 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 462;
• (xxxvii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 522 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 542;
• (xxxviii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 522 and SEQ ID NO:
• 542, respectively;
• (xxxix) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 722 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 742;
• (xl) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 722 and SEQ ID NO:
• 742, respectively;
• (xli) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 802 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 822;
• (xlii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 802 and SEQ ID NO:
• 822, respectively;
• (xliii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 842 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 862;
• (xliv) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 842 and SEQ ID NO:
• 862, respectively;
• (xlv) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 882 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 902;
• (xlvi) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 882 and SEQ ID NO:
• 902, respectively;
• (xlvii) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 922 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 942;
• (xlviii) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 922 and SEQ ID NO:
• 942, respectively;
• (xlix) the variable heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1042 and the variable light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1062;
• (l) the variable heavy and light chains are each at least 90% identical to the variable heavy and light chains in SEQ ID NO:
• 1042 and SEQ ID NO:
• 1062, respectively;
• (li) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 21;
• (lii) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 41 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 61;
• (liii) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 241 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 261;
• (liv) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 281 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acid comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 301;
• (lv) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 321 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 341;
• (lvi) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 361 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 381;
• (lvii) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 441 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 461;
• (lviii) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 521 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 541;
• (lix) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 721 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 741;
• (lx) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 801 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 821;
• (lxi) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 841 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 861;
• (lxii) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence that is at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 881 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 901;
• (lxiii) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 921 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 941;
• and/or
• (lxiv) the heavy chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises SEQ ID NO:
• 1041 and the light chain encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises encoded by said nucleic acid or nucleic acids comprises a sequence at least 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:
• 1061.