US20100290993A1 - Antibodies to IL-6 and use thereof - Google Patents

Antibodies to IL-6 and use thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100290993A1
US20100290993A1 US12/601,295 US60129508A US2010290993A1 US 20100290993 A1 US20100290993 A1 US 20100290993A1 US 60129508 A US60129508 A US 60129508A US 2010290993 A1 US2010290993 A1 US 2010290993A1
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Prior art keywords
seq
antibody
disease
cdrs
human
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US12/601,295
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Inventor
Leon Garcia-Martinez
Anne Elisabeth Carvalho
Katie Olson
Ben Dutzar
Ethan Ojala
John Latham
Brian Kovacevich
Jeffrey T.L. Smith
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H Lundbeck AS
Original Assignee
Leon Garcia-Martinez
Anne Elisabeth Carvalho
Katie Olson
Ben Dutzar
Ethan Ojala
John Latham
Brian Kovacevich
Smith Jeffrey T L
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Priority to US12/601,295 priority Critical patent/US20100290993A1/en
Application filed by Leon Garcia-Martinez, Anne Elisabeth Carvalho, Katie Olson, Ben Dutzar, Ethan Ojala, John Latham, Brian Kovacevich, Smith Jeffrey T L filed Critical Leon Garcia-Martinez
Publication of US20100290993A1 publication Critical patent/US20100290993A1/en
Assigned to ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC reassignment ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ALDER BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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Assigned to BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY reassignment BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNEE'S INTEREST IN NON-US CASES ONLY FOR ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 025587 FRAME 0523. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CONVEYANCE OF NON-US RIGHTS OF PATENTS RELATING TO APPLICATIONS LISTED IN ASSIGNMENT. PRIOR PP. 1-2 WERE FILED IN ERROR. Assignors: ALDERBIO HOLDINGS INC.
Assigned to BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY reassignment BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE'S NAME IN NON-US CASES ONLY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 025681 FRAME 0634. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CONVEYANCE OF NON-US RIGHTS OF PATENTS RELATING TO APPLICATIONS LISTED IN ASSIGNMENT.. Assignors: ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC
Assigned to ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC reassignment ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
Assigned to BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY reassignment BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF 1/2 INTEREST IN NON-U.S. APPLICATIONS Assignors: ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC
Assigned to ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC reassignment ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
Assigned to ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC reassignment ALDERBIO HOLDINGS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
Assigned to LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. reassignment LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ALDER BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Assigned to H. LUNDBECK A/S reassignment H. LUNDBECK A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC
Assigned to LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC reassignment LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ALDER BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC
Assigned to H. LUNDBECK A/S. reassignment H. LUNDBECK A/S. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC
Assigned to H. LUNDBECK A/S reassignment H. LUNDBECK A/S CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054161 FRAME: 0877. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Assignors: LUNDBECK SEATTLE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/70—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by effect upon binding to a cell or to an antigen
    • C07K2317/76—Antagonist effect on antigen, e.g. neutralization or inhibition of binding
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
    • C07K2317/92—Affinity (KD), association rate (Ka), dissociation rate (Kd) or EC50 value
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2317/00—Immunoglobulins specific features
    • C07K2317/90—Immunoglobulins specific features characterized by (pharmaco)kinetic aspects or by stability of the immunoglobulin
    • C07K2317/94—Stability, e.g. half-life, pH, temperature or enzyme-resistance

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity to IL-6.
  • the invention also pertains to methods of screening for diseases and disorders associated with IL-6, and methods of preventing or treating diseases or disorders associated with IL-6 by administering said antibodies or fragments thereof.
  • Interleukin-6 (hereinafter “IL-6”) (also known as interferon- ⁇ 2 ; B-cell differentiation factor; B-cell stimulatory factor-2; hepatocyte stimulatory factor; hybridoma growth factor; and plasmacytoma growth factor) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in numerous biological processes such as the regulation of the acute inflammatory response, the modulation of specific immune responses including B- and T-cell differentiation, bone metabolism, thrombopoiesis, epidermal proliferation, menses, neuronal cell differentiation, neuroprotection, aging, cancer, and the inflammatory reaction occurring in Alzheimer's disease. See A. Papassotiropoulos, et al, Neurobiology of Aging, 22:863-871 (2001).
  • IL-6 is a member of a family of cytokines that promote cellular responses through a receptor complex consisting of at least one subunit of the signal-transducing glycoprotein gp130 and the IL-6 receptor (“IL-6R”) (also known as gp80).
  • the IL-6R may also be present in a soluble form (“sIL-6R”).
  • sIL-6R soluble form
  • IL-6 binds to IL-6R, which then dimerizes the signal-transducing receptor gp130. See Jones, S A, J. Immunology, 175:3463-3468 (2005).
  • IL-6 In humans, the gene encoding for IL-6 is organized in five exons and four introns, and maps to the short arm of chromosome 7 at 7p21. Translation of IL-6 RNA and post-translational processing result in the formation of a 21 to 28 kDa protein with 184 amino acids in its mature form. See A. Papassotiropoulos, et al, Neurobiology of Aging, 22:863-871 (2001).
  • IL-6 is believed to play a role in the development of a multitude of diseases and disorders, including but not limited to fatigue, cachexia, autoimmune diseases, diseases of the skeletal system, cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma, alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Due to the perceived involvement of IL-6 in a wide range of diseases and disorders, there remains a need in the art for compositions and methods useful for preventing or treating diseases associated with IL-6, as well as methods of screening to identify patients having diseases or disorders associated with IL-6. Particularly preferred anti-IL-6 compositions are those having minimal or minimizing adverse reactions when administered to the patient. Compositions or methods that reduce or inhibit diseases or disorders associated with IL-6 are beneficial to the patient in need thereof.
  • the present invention is directed to specific antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6, in particular antibodies having specific epitopic specificity and/or functional properties.
  • One embodiment of the invention encompasses specific humanized antibodies and fragments thereof capable of binding to IL-6 and/or the IL-6/IL-6R complex. These antibodies may bind soluble IL-6 or cell surface expressed IL-6. Also, these antibodies may inhibit the formation or the biological effects of one or more of IL-6, IL-6/IL-6R complexes, IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 complexes and/or multimers of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130.
  • Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, comprising the sequences of the V H , V L and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them.
  • these antibodies will block gp130 activation and/or possess binding affinities (Kds) less than 50 picomolar and/or K off values less than or equal to 10 ⁇ 4 S ⁇ 1 .
  • these antibodies and humanized versions will be derived from rabbit immune cells (B lymphocytes) and may be selected based on their homology (sequence identity) to human germ line sequences. These antibodies may require minimal or no sequence modifications, thereby facilitating retention of functional properties after humanization.
  • the subject antibodies may be selected based on their activity in functional assays such as IL-6 driven T1165 proliferation assays, IL-6 simulated HepG2 haptoglobin production assays, and the like.
  • a further embodiment of the invention is directed to fragments from anti-IL-6 antibodies encompassing V H , V L and CDR polypeptides, e.g., derived from rabbit immune cells and the polynucleotides encoding the same, as well as the use of these antibody fragments and the polynucleotides encoding them in the creation of novel antibodies and polypeptide compositions capable of recognizing IL-6 and/or IL-6/IL-6R complexes or IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 complexes and/or multimers thereof.
  • the invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties.
  • the invention also contemplates methods of making said humanized anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-6/IL-6R complex antibodies and binding fragments thereof.
  • binding fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , Fv and scFv fragments.
  • Embodiments of the invention pertain to the use of anti-IL-6 antibodies for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 or aberrant expression thereof.
  • the invention also contemplates the use of fragments of anti-IL-6 antibodies for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 or aberrant expression thereof.
  • Preferred usages of the subject antibodies are the treatment and prevention of cancer associated fatigue, and/or cachexia and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • inventions relate to the production of anti-IL-6 antibodies in recombinant host cells, preferably diploid yeast such as diploid Pichia and other yeast strains.
  • FIG. 1 shows that a variety of unique epitopes were recognized by the collection of anti-IL-6 antibodies prepared by the antibody selection protocol. Epitope variability was confirmed by antibody-IL-6 binding competition studies (ForteBio Octet).
  • FIG. 2 shows alignments of variable light and variable heavy sequences between a rabbit antibody variable light and variable heavy sequences and homologous human sequences and the final humanized sequences.
  • Framework regions are identified FR1-FR4.
  • Complementarity determining regions are identified as CDR1-CDR3. Amino acid residues are numbered as shown.
  • the initial rabbit sequences are called RbtVL and RbtVH for the variable light and variable heavy sequences respectively.
  • Three of the most similar human germline antibody sequences, spanning from Framework 1 through to the end of Framework 3 are aligned below the rabbit sequences.
  • the human sequence that is considered the most similar to the rabbit sequence is shown first. In this example those most similar sequences are L12A for the light chain and 3-64-04 for the heavy chain.
  • Human CDR3 sequences are not shown.
  • the closest human Framework 4 sequence is aligned below the rabbit Framework 4 sequence.
  • the vertical dashes indicate a residue where the rabbit residue is identical with one or more of the human residues at the same position.
  • the bold residues indicate that the human residue at that position is identical to the rabbit residue at the same position.
  • the final humanized sequences are called VLh and VHh for the variable light and variable heavy sequences respectively.
  • the underlined residues indicate that the residue is the same as the rabbit residue at that position but different than the human residues at that position in the three aligned human sequences.
  • FIG. 3 demonstrates the high correlation between the IgG produced and antigen specificity for an exemplary IL-6 protocol. 9 of 11 wells showed specific IgG correlation with antigen recognition.
  • FIG. 4 provides the ⁇ -2-macroglobulin (A2M) dose response curve for antibody Ab1 administered intravenously at different doses one hour after a 100 ⁇ g/kg s.c. dose of human IL-6.
  • A2M ⁇ -2-macroglobulin
  • FIG. 5 provides survival data for the antibody Ab1 progression groups versus control groups.
  • FIG. 6 provides additional survival data for the antibody Ab1 regression groups versus control groups.
  • FIG. 7 provides survival data for polyclonal human IgG at 10 mg/kg i.v. every three days (270-320 mg tumor size) versus antibody Ab1 at 10 mg/kg i.v. every three days (270-320 mg tumor size).
  • FIG. 8 provides survival data for polyclonal human IgG at 10 mg/kg i.v. every three days (400-527 mg tumor size) versus antibody Ab1 at 10 mg/kg i.v. every three days (400-527 mg tumor size).
  • FIG. 9 provides a pharamcokinetic profile of antibody Ab1. Plasma levels of antibody Ab1 were quantitated through antigen capture ELISA. This protein displays a half life of between 12 and 17 days consistent with other full length humanized antibodies.
  • FIGS. 10 A-D provide binding data for antibodies Ab4, Ab3, Ab8 and Ab2, respectively.
  • FIG. 10 E provides binding data for antibodies Ab1, Ab6 and Ab7.
  • FIG. 11 summarizes the binding data of FIGS. 10 A-E in tabular form.
  • FIG. 12 presents the sequences of the 15 amino acid peptides used in the peptide mapping experiment of Example 14.
  • FIG. 13 presents the results of the blots prepared in Example 14.
  • FIG. 14 presents the results of the blots prepared in Example 14.
  • Interleukin-6 As used herein, interleukin-6 (IL-6) encompasses not only the following 212 amino acid sequence available as GenBank Protein Accession No. NP — 000591:
  • Mating competent yeast species In the present invention this is intended to broadly encompass any diploid or tetraploid yeast which can be grown in culture. Such species of yeast may exist in a haploid, diploid, or tetraploid form. The cells of a given ploidy may, under appropriate conditions, proliferate for indefinite number of generations in that form. Diploid cells can also sporulate to form haploid cells. Sequential mating can result in tetraploid strains through further mating or fusion of diploid strains. In the present invention the diploid or polyploidal yeast cells are preferably produced by mating or spheroplast fusion.
  • the mating competent yeast is a member of the Saccharomycetaceae family, which includes the genera Arxiozyma; Ascobotryozyma; Citeromyces; Debaryomyces; Dekkera; Eremothecium; Issatchenkia; Kazachstania; Kluyveromyces; Kodamaea; Lodderomyces; Pachysolen; Pichia; Saccharomyces; Saturnispora; Tetrapisispora; Torulaspora; Williopsis ; and Zygosaccharomyces .
  • yeast potentially useful in the invention include Yarrowia, Rhodosporidium, Candida, Hansenula, Filobasium, Filobasidellla, Sporidiobolus, Bullera, Leucosporidium and Filobasidella.
  • the mating competent yeast is a member of the genus Pichia .
  • the mating competent yeast of the genus Pichia is one of the following species: Pichia pastoris, Pichia methanolica , and Hansenula polymorpha ( Pichia angusta ).
  • the mating competent yeast of the genus Pichia is the species Pichia pastoris.
  • Haploid Yeast Cell A cell having a single copy of each gene of its normal genomic (chromosomal) complement.
  • Polyploid Yeast Cell A cell having more than one copy of its normal genomic (chromosomal) complement.
  • Diploid Yeast Cell A cell having two copies (alleles) of essentially every gene of its normal genomic complement, typically formed by the process of fusion (mating) of two haploid cells.
  • Tetraploid Yeast Cell A cell having four copies (alleles) of essentially every gene of its normal genomic complement, typically formed by the process of fusion (mating) of two haploid cells. Tetraploids may carry two, three, four, or more different expression cassettes. Such tetraploids might be obtained in S. cerevisiae by selective mating homozygotic heterothallic a/a and alpha/alpha diploids and in Pichia by sequential mating of haploids to obtain auxotrophic diploids.
  • a [met his] haploid can be mated with [ade his] haploid to obtain diploid [his]; and a [met arg] haploid can be mated with [ade arg] haploid to obtain diploid [arg]; then the diploid [his] ⁇ diploid [arg] to obtain a tetraploid prototroph. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that reference to the benefits and uses of diploid cells may also apply to tetraploid cells.
  • Yeast Mating The process by which two haploid yeast cells naturally fuse to form one diploid yeast cell.
  • Meiosis The process by which a diploid yeast cell undergoes reductive division to form four haploid spore products. Each spore may then germinate and form a haploid vegetatively growing cell line.
  • a selectable marker is a gene or gene fragment that confers a growth phenotype (physical growth characteristic) on a cell receiving that gene as, for example through a transformation event.
  • the selectable marker allows that cell to survive and grow in a selective growth medium under conditions in which cells that do not receive that selectable marker gene cannot grow.
  • Selectable marker genes generally fall into several types, including positive selectable marker genes such as a gene that confers on a cell resistance to an antibiotic or other drug, temperature when two ts mutants are crossed or a ts mutant is transformed; negative selectable marker genes such as a biosynthetic gene that confers on a cell the ability to grow in a medium without a specific nutrient needed by all cells that do not have that biosynthetic gene, or a mutagenized biosynthetic gene that confers on a cell inability to grow by cells that do not have the wild type gene; and the like. Suitable markers include but are not limited to: ZEO; G418; LYS3; MET1; MET3a; ADE1; ADE3; URA3; and the like.
  • Expression Vector These DNA vectors contain elements that facilitate manipulation for the expression of a foreign protein within the target host cell. Conveniently, manipulation of sequences and production of DNA for transformation is first performed in a bacterial host, e.g. E. coli , and usually vectors will include sequences to facilitate such manipulations, including a bacterial origin of replication and appropriate bacterial selection marker. Selection markers encode proteins necessary for the survival or growth of transformed host cells grown in a selective culture medium. Host cells not transformed with the vector containing the selection gene will not survive in the culture medium. Typical selection genes encode proteins that (a) confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxins, (b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or (c) supply critical nutrients not available from complex media.
  • Exemplary vectors and methods for transformation of yeast are described, for example, in Burke, D., Dawson, D., & Stearns, T. (2000). Methods in yeast genetics: a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory course manual. Plainview, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
  • Expression vectors for use in the methods of the invention will further include yeast specific sequences, including a selectable auxotrophic or drug marker for identifying transformed yeast strains.
  • a drug marker may further be used to amplify copy number of the vector in a yeast host cell.
  • the polypeptide coding sequence of interest is operably linked to transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences that provide for expression of the polypeptide in yeast cells.
  • These vector components may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: an enhancer element, a promoter, and a transcription termination sequence. Sequences for the secretion of the polypeptide may also be included, e.g. a signal sequence, and the like.
  • a yeast origin of replication is optional, as expression vectors are often integrated into the yeast genome.
  • the polypeptide of interest is operably linked, or fused, to sequences providing for optimized secretion of the polypeptide from yeast diploid cells.
  • Nucleic acids are “operably linked” when placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence.
  • DNA for a signal sequence is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence.
  • “operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading frame. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous.
  • Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites or alternatively via a PCR/recombination method familiar to those skilled in the art (Gateway® Technology; Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.). If such sites do not exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adapters or linkers are used in accordance with conventional practice.
  • Promoters are untranslated sequences located upstream (5′) to the start codon of a structural gene (generally within about 100 to 1000 bp) that control the transcription and translation of particular nucleic acid sequences to which they are operably linked. Such promoters fall into several classes: inducible, constitutive, and repressible promoters (that increase levels of transcription in response to absence of a repressor). Inducible promoters may initiate increased levels of transcription from DNA under their control in response to some change in culture conditions, e.g., the presence or absence of a nutrient or a change in temperature.
  • the yeast promoter fragment may also serve as the site for homologous recombination and integration of the expression vector into the same site in the yeast genome; alternatively a selectable marker is used as the site for homologous recombination. Pichia transformation is described in Cregg et al. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:3376-3385.
  • Suitable promoters from Pichia include the AOX1 and promoter (Cregg et al. (1989) Mol. Cell. Biol. 9:1316-1323); ICL1 promoter (Menendez et al. (2003) Yeast 20(13):1097-108); glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter (GAP) (Waterham et al. (1997) Gene 186(1):37-44); and FLD1 promoter (Shen et al. (1998) Gene 216(1):93-102).
  • the GAP promoter is a strong constitutive promoter and the AOX and FLD1 promoters are inducible.
  • yeast promoters include ADH1, alcohol dehydrogenase II, GAL4, PHO3, PHO5, Pyk, and chimeric promoters derived therefrom.
  • non-yeast promoters may be used in the invention such as mammalian, insect, plant, reptile, amphibian, viral, and avian promoters. Most typically the promoter will comprise a mammalian promoter (potentially endogenous to the expressed genes) or will comprise a yeast or viral promoter that provides for efficient transcription in yeast systems.
  • the polypeptides of interest may be produced recombinantly not only directly, but also as a fusion polypeptide with a heterologous polypeptide, e.g. a signal sequence or other polypeptide having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus of the mature protein or polypeptide.
  • a heterologous polypeptide e.g. a signal sequence or other polypeptide having a specific cleavage site at the N-terminus of the mature protein or polypeptide.
  • the signal sequence may be a component of the vector, or it may be a part of the polypeptide coding sequence that is inserted into the vector.
  • the heterologous signal sequence selected preferably is one that is recognized and processed through one of the standard pathways available within the host cell.
  • the S. cerevisiae alpha factor pre-pro signal has proven effective in the secretion of a variety of recombinant proteins from P. pastoris .
  • yeast signal sequences include the alpha mating factor signal sequence, the invertase signal sequence, and signal sequences derived from other secreted yeast polypeptides. Additionally, these signal peptide sequences may be engineered to provide for enhanced secretion in diploid yeast expression systems. Other secretion signals of interest also include mammalian signal sequences, which may be heterologous to the protein being secreted, or may be a native sequence for the protein being secreted. Signal sequences include pre-peptide sequences, and in some instances may include propeptide sequences.
  • signal sequences are known in the art, including the signal sequences found on immunoglobulin chains, e.g., K28 preprotoxin sequence, PHA-E, FACE, human MCP-1, human serum albumin signal sequences, human Ig heavy chain, human Ig light chain, and the like.
  • K28 preprotoxin sequence e.g., PHA-E, FACE, human MCP-1, human serum albumin signal sequences, human Ig heavy chain, human Ig light chain, and the like.
  • Transcription may be increased by inserting a transcriptional activator sequence into the vector.
  • These activators are cis-acting elements of DNA, usually about from 10 to 300 bp, which act on a promoter to increase its transcription.
  • Transcriptional enhancers are relatively orientation and position independent, having been found 5′ and 3′ to the transcription unit, within an intron, as well as within the coding sequence itself. The enhancer may be spliced into the expression vector at a position 5′ or 3′ to the coding sequence, but is preferably located at a site 5′ from the promoter.
  • Expression vectors used in eukaryotic host cells may also contain sequences necessary for the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA. Such sequences are commonly available from 3′ to the translation termination codon, in untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs or cDNAs. These regions contain nucleotide segments transcribed as polyadenylated fragments in the untranslated portion of the mRNA.
  • Plasmids from the transformants are prepared, analyzed by restriction endonuclease digestion and/or sequenced.
  • recombination methods based on att sites and recombination enzymes may be used to insert DNA sequences into a vector. Such methods are described, for example, by Landy (1989) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 58:913-949; and are known to those of skill in the art. Such methods utilize intermolecular DNA recombination that is mediated by a mixture of lambda and E. coli -encoded recombination proteins. Recombination occurs between specific attachment (att) sites on the interacting DNA molecules.
  • Att sites may be introduced into a sequence of interest by ligating the sequence of interest into an appropriate vector; generating a PCR product containing att B sites through the use of specific primers; generating a cDNA library cloned into an appropriate vector containing att sites; and the like.
  • Folding refers to the three-dimensional structure of polypeptides and proteins, where interactions between amino acid residues act to stabilize the structure. While non-covalent interactions are important in determining structure, usually the proteins of interest will have intra- and/or intermolecular covalent disulfide bonds formed by two cysteine residues. For naturally occurring proteins and polypeptides or derivatives and variants thereof, the proper folding is typically the arrangement that results in optimal biological activity, and can conveniently be monitored by assays for activity, e.g. ligand binding, enzymatic activity, etc.
  • assays based on biological activity will be less meaningful.
  • the proper folding of such molecules may be determined on the basis of physical properties, energetic considerations, modeling studies, and the like.
  • the expression host may be further modified by the introduction of sequences encoding one or more enzymes that enhance folding and disulfide bond formation, i.e. foldases, chaperoning, etc.
  • sequences may be constitutively or inducibly expressed in the yeast host cell, using vectors, markers, etc. as known in the art.
  • sequences, including transcriptional regulatory elements sufficient for the desired pattern of expression are stably integrated in the yeast genome through a targeted methodology.
  • the eukaryotic PDI is not only an efficient catalyst of protein cysteine oxidation and disulfide bond isomerization, but also exhibits chaperone activity. Co-expression of PDI can facilitate the production of active proteins having multiple disulfide bonds. Also of interest is the expression of BIP (immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein); cyclophilin; and the like.
  • BIP immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein
  • cyclophilin cyclophilin
  • each of the haploid parental strains expresses a distinct folding enzyme, e.g. one strain may express BIP, and the other strain may express PDI or combinations thereof.
  • the terms “desired protein” or “target protein” are used interchangeably and refer generally to a humanized antibody or a binding portion thereof described herein.
  • antibody is intended to include any polypeptide chain-containing molecular structure with a specific shape that fits to and recognizes an epitope, where one or more non-covalent binding interactions stabilize the complex between the molecular structure and the epitope.
  • the archetypal antibody molecule is the immunoglobulin, and all types of immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, IgD, etc., from all sources, e.g.
  • antibodies human, rodent, rabbit, cow, sheep, pig, dog, other mammals, chicken, other avians, etc., are considered to be “antibodies.”
  • a preferred source for producing antibodies useful as starting material according to the invention is rabbits. Numerous antibody coding sequences have been described; and others may be raised by methods well-known in the art. Examples thereof include chimeric antibodies, human antibodies and other non-human mammalian antibodies, humanized antibodies, single chain antibodies such as scFvs, camelbodies, nanobodies, IgNAR (single-chain antibodies derived from sharks), small-modular immunopharmaceuticals (SMIPs), and antibody fragments such as Fabs, Fab′, F(ab′) 2 and the like.
  • antibodies or antigen binding fragments may be produced by genetic engineering.
  • antibody-producing cells are sensitized to the desired antigen or immunogen.
  • the messenger RNA isolated from antibody producing cells is used as a template to make cDNA using PCR amplification.
  • a library of vectors, each containing one heavy chain gene and one light chain gene retaining the initial antigen specificity, is produced by insertion of appropriate sections of the amplified immunoglobulin cDNA into the expression vectors.
  • a combinatorial library is constructed by combining the heavy chain gene library with the light chain gene library. This results in a library of clones which co-express a heavy and light chain (resembling the Fab fragment or antigen binding fragment of an antibody molecule).
  • the vectors that carry these genes are co-transfected into a host cell. When antibody gene synthesis is induced in the transfected host, the heavy and light chain proteins self-assemble to produce active antibodies that can be detected by screening with the antigen or immunogen.
  • Antibody coding sequences of interest include those encoded by native sequences, as well as nucleic acids that, by virtue of the degeneracy of the genetic code, are not identical in sequence to the disclosed nucleic acids, and variants thereof.
  • Variant polypeptides can include amino acid (aa) substitutions, additions or deletions. The amino acid substitutions can be conservative amino acid substitutions or substitutions to eliminate non-essential amino acids, such as to alter a glycosylation site, or to minimize misfolding by substitution or deletion of one or more cysteine residues that are not necessary for function.
  • Variants can be designed so as to retain or have enhanced biological activity of a particular region of the protein (e.g., a functional domain, catalytic amino acid residues, etc).
  • Variants also include fragments of the polypeptides disclosed herein, particularly biologically active fragments and/or fragments corresponding to functional domains. Techniques for in vitro mutagenesis of cloned genes are known. Also included in the subject invention are polypeptides that have been modified using ordinary molecular biological techniques so as to improve their resistance to proteolytic degradation or to optimize solubility properties or to render them more suitable as a therapeutic agent.
  • Chimeric antibodies may be made by recombinant means by combining the variable light and heavy chain regions (V L and V H ), obtained from antibody producing cells of one species with the constant light and heavy chain regions from another.
  • V L and V H variable light and heavy chain regions
  • chimeric antibodies utilize rodent or rabbit variable regions and human constant regions, in order to produce an antibody with predominantly human domains.
  • the production of such chimeric antibodies is well known in the art, and may be achieved by standard means (as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,659, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).
  • the human constant regions of chimeric antibodies of the invention may be selected from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgG5, IgG6, IgG7, IgG8, IgG9, IgG10, IgG11, IgG12, IgG13, IgG14, IgG15, IgG16, IgG17, IgG18 or IgG19 constant regions.
  • Humanized antibodies are engineered to contain even more human-like immunoglobulin domains, and incorporate only the complementarity-determining regions of the animal-derived antibody. This is accomplished by carefully examining the sequence of the hyper-variable loops of the variable regions of the monoclonal antibody, and fitting them to the structure of the human antibody chains. Although facially complex, the process is straightforward in practice. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,287, incorporated fully herein by reference.
  • immunoglobulin fragments comprising the epitope binding site (e.g., Fab′, F(ab′) 2 , or other fragments) may be synthesized.
  • “Fragment,” or minimal immunoglobulins may be designed utilizing recombinant immunoglobulin techniques.
  • Fv immunoglobulins for use in the present invention may be produced by synthesizing a fused variable light chain region and a variable heavy chain region. Combinations of antibodies are also of interest, e.g. diabodies, which comprise two distinct Fv specificities.
  • SMIPs small molecule immunopharmaceuticals
  • camelbodies, nanobodies, and IgNAR are encompassed by immunoglobulin fragments.
  • Immunoglobulins and fragments thereof may be modified post-translationally, e.g. to add effector moieties such as chemical linkers, detectable moieties, such as fluorescent dyes, enzymes, toxins, substrates, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, chemiluminescent moieties and the like, or specific binding moieties, such as streptavidin, avidin, or biotin, and the like may be utilized in the methods and compositions of the present invention. Examples of additional effector molecules are provided infra.
  • polyploid yeast that stably expresses or expresses a desired secreted heterologous polypeptide for prolonged time refers to a yeast culture that secretes said polypeptide for at least several days to a week, more preferably at least a month, still more preferably at least 1-6 months, and even more preferably for more than a year at threshold expression levels, typically at least 10-25 mg/liter and preferably substantially greater.
  • polyploidal yeast culture that secretes desired amounts of recombinant polypeptide refers to cultures that stably or for prolonged periods secrete at least 10-25 mg/liter of heterologous polypeptide, more preferably at least 50-500 mg/liter, and most preferably 500-1000 mg/liter or more.
  • a “heterologous” region or domain of a DNA construct is an identifiable segment of DNA within a larger DNA molecule that is not found in association with the larger molecule in nature.
  • the heterologous region encodes a mammalian gene
  • the gene will usually be flanked by DNA that does not flank the mammalian genomic DNA in the genome of the source organism.
  • Another example of a heterologous region is a construct where the coding sequence itself is not found in nature (e.g., a cDNA where the genomic coding sequence contains introns, or synthetic sequences having codons different than the native gene). Allelic variations or naturally-occurring mutational events do not give rise to a heterologous region of DNA as defined herein.
  • a “coding sequence” is an in-frame sequence of codons that (in view of the genetic code) correspond to or encode a protein or peptide sequence. Two coding sequences correspond to each other if the sequences or their complementary sequences encode the same amino acid sequences. A coding sequence in association with appropriate regulatory sequences may be transcribed and translated into a polypeptide. A polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3′ to the coding sequence.
  • a “promoter sequence” is a DNA regulatory region capable of binding RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence. Promoter sequences typically contain additional sites for binding of regulatory molecules (e.g., transcription factors) which affect the transcription of the coding sequence.
  • a coding sequence is “under the control” of the promoter sequence or “operatively linked” to the promoter when RNA polymerase binds the promoter sequence in a cell and transcribes the coding sequence into mRNA, which is then in turn translated into the protein encoded by the coding sequence.
  • Vectors are used to introduce a foreign substance, such as DNA, RNA or protein, into an organism or host cell.
  • Typical vectors include recombinant viruses (for polynucleotides) and liposomes (for polypeptides).
  • a “DNA vector” is a replicon, such as plasmid, phage or cosmid, to which another polynucleotide segment may be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment.
  • An “expression vector” is a DNA vector which contains regulatory sequences which will direct polypeptide synthesis by an appropriate host cell.
  • “Amplification” of polynucleotide sequences is the in vitro production of multiple copies of a particular nucleic acid sequence.
  • the amplified sequence is usually in the form of DNA.
  • a variety of techniques for carrying out such amplification are described in a review article by Van Brunt (1990, Bio/Technol., 8(4):291-294).
  • Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a prototype of nucleic acid amplification, and use of PCR herein should be considered exemplary of other suitable amplification techniques.
  • Antibodies consist of two identical light polypeptide chains of molecular weight approximately 23,000 daltons (the “light chain”), and two identical heavy chains of molecular weight 53,000-70,000 (the “heavy chain”). The four chains are joined by disulfide bonds in a “Y” configuration wherein the light chains bracket the heavy chains starting at the mouth of the “Y” configuration.
  • the “branch” portion of the “Y” configuration is designated the F ab region; the stem portion of the “Y” configuration is designated the F C region.
  • the amino acid sequence orientation runs from the N-terminal end at the top of the “Y” configuration to the C-terminal end at the bottom of each chain.
  • the N-terminal end possesses the variable region having specificity for the antigen that elicited it, and is approximately 100 amino acids in length, there being slight variations between light and heavy chain and from antibody to antibody.
  • variable region is linked in each chain to a constant region that extends the remaining length of the chain and that within a particular class of antibody does not vary with the specificity of the antibody (i.e., the antigen eliciting it).
  • constant regions There are five known major classes of constant regions that determine the class of the immunoglobulin molecule (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE corresponding to ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ , and ⁇ (gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon) heavy chain constant regions).
  • the constant region or class determines subsequent effector function of the antibody, including activation of complement (Kabat, E.
  • variable region refers to the domains within each pair of light and heavy chains in an antibody that are involved directly in binding the antibody to the antigen.
  • Each heavy chain has at one end a variable domain (V H ) followed by a number of constant domains.
  • Each light chain has a variable domain (V L ) at one end and a constant domain at its other end; the constant domain of the light chain is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain, and the light chain variable domain is aligned with the variable domain of the heavy chain.
  • CDR complementarity determining region
  • hypervariable region refers to one or more of the hyper-variable or complementarity determining regions (CDRs) found in the variable regions of light or heavy chains of an antibody (See Kabat, E. A. et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., (1987)). These expressions include the hypervariable regions as defined by Kabat et al. (“Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,” Kabat E., et al., US Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1983) or the hypervariable loops in 3-dimensional structures of antibodies (Chothia and Lesk, J Mol. Biol.
  • the CDRs in each chain are held in close proximity by framework regions and, with the CDRs from the other chain, contribute to the formation of the antigen binding site.
  • the CDRs there are select amino acids that have been described as the selectivity determining regions (SDRs) which represent the critical contact residues used by the CDR in the antibody-antigen interaction (Kashmiri, S., Methods, 36:25-34 (2005)).
  • framework region refers to one or more of the framework regions within the variable regions of the light and heavy chains of an antibody (See Kabat, E. A. et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., (1987)). These expressions include those amino acid sequence regions interposed between the CDRs within the variable regions of the light and heavy chains of an antibody.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; and SEQ ID NO: 6 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 8; and SEQ ID NO: 9 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; and SEQ ID NO: 6 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 8; and SEQ ID NO: 9 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; and SEQ ID NO: 6 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 8; and SEQ ID NO: 9 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 2; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 3; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; and SEQ ID NO: 6) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 2; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 8; and SEQ ID NO: 9) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • the invention also contemplates variants wherein either of the heavy chain polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 18 or SEQ ID NO: 19 is substituted for the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 is substituted for the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; and the heavy chain CDR sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120 is substituted for the heavy chain CDR sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab1, comprising SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3, or the alternative SEQ ID NOs set forth in paragraph [0083] above, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 23; SEQ ID NO: 24; and SEQ ID NO: 25 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; and SEQ ID NO: 28 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 23; SEQ ID NO: 24; and SEQ ID NO: 25 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; and SEQ ID NO: 28 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 23; SEQ ID NO: 24; and SEQ ID NO: 25 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; and SEQ ID NO: 28 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 21; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 22; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 23; SEQ ID NO: 24; and SEQ ID NO: 25) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 21; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; and SEQ ID NO: 28) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 22.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab2, comprising SEQ ID NO: 21 and SEQ ID NO: 22, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 39; SEQ ID NO: 40; and SEQ ID NO: 41 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 42; SEQ ID NO: 43; and SEQ ID NO: 44 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 39; SEQ ID NO: 40; and SEQ ID NO: 41 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 42; SEQ ID NO: 43; and SEQ ID NO: 44 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 39; SEQ ID NO: 40; and SEQ ID NO: 41 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 42; SEQ ID NO: 43; and SEQ ID NO: 44 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 37; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 38; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 39; SEQ ID NO: 40; and SEQ ID NO: 41) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 37; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 42; SEQ ID NO: 43; and SEQ ID NO: 44) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 38.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab3, comprising SEQ ID NO: 37 and SEQ ID NO: 38, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 54; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 55; SEQ ID NO: 56; and SEQ ID NO: 57) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 53; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 58; SEQ ID NO: 59; and SEQ ID NO: 60) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 54.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab4, comprising SEQ ID NO: 53 and SEQ ID NO: 54, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 71; SEQ ID NO: 72; and SEQ ID NO: 73 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 74; SEQ ID NO: 75; and SEQ ID NO: 76 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 71; SEQ ID NO: 72; and SEQ ID NO: 73 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 74; SEQ ID NO: 75; and SEQ ID NO: 76 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 71; SEQ ID NO: 72; and SEQ ID NO: 73 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 74; SEQ ID NO: 75; and SEQ ID NO: 76 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 69; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 70; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 71; SEQ ID NO: 72; and SEQ ID NO: 73) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 69; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 74; SEQ ID NO: 75; and SEQ ID NO: 76) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 70.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab5, comprising SEQ ID NO: 69 and SEQ ID NO: 70, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 87; SEQ ID NO: 88; and SEQ ID NO: 89 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 90; SEQ ID NO: 91; and SEQ ID NO: 92 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 87; SEQ ID NO: 88; and SEQ ID NO: 89 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 90; SEQ ID NO: 91; and SEQ ID NO: 92 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 87; SEQ ID NO: 88; and SEQ ID NO: 89 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 90; SEQ ID NO: 91; and SEQ ID NO: 92 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 85; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 86; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 87; SEQ ID NO: 88; and SEQ ID NO: 89) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 85; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 90; SEQ ID NO: 91; and SEQ ID NO: 92) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 86.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab6, comprising SEQ ID NO: 85 and SEQ ID NO: 86, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 103; SEQ ID NO: 104; and SEQ ID NO: 105 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 106; SEQ ID NO: 107; and SEQ ID NO: 108 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 103; SEQ ID NO: 104; and SEQ ID NO: 105 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 106; SEQ ID NO: 107; and SEQ ID NO: 108 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 103; SEQ ID NO: 104; and SEQ ID NO: 105 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 106; SEQ ID NO: 107; and SEQ ID NO: 108 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 101; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 102; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 103; SEQ ID NO: 104; and SEQ ID NO: 105) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 101; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 106; SEQ ID NO: 107; and SEQ ID NO: 108) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 102.
  • the invention also contemplates variants wherein either of the heavy chain polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 117 or SEQ ID NO: 118 is substituted for the heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 119 is substituted for the light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; and the heavy chain CDR sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121 is substituted for the heavy chain CDR sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab7, comprising SEQ ID NO: 101 and SEQ ID NO: 102, or the alternative SEQ ID NOs set forth in paragraph [0138] above, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 124; SEQ ID NO: 125; and SEQ ID NO: 126 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 127; SEQ ID NO: 128; and SEQ ID NO: 129 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 124; SEQ ID NO: 125; and SEQ ID NO: 126 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 127; SEQ ID NO: 128; and SEQ ID NO: 129 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 124; SEQ ID NO: 125; and SEQ ID NO: 126 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 127; SEQ ID NO: 128; and SEQ ID NO: 129 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 122; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 123; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 124; SEQ ID NO: 125; and SEQ ID NO: 126) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 122; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 127; SEQ ID NO: 128; and SEQ ID NO: 129) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 123.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab8, comprising SEQ ID NO: 122 and SEQ ID NO: 123, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 140; SEQ ID NO: 141; and SEQ ID NO: 142 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 143; SEQ ID NO: 144; and SEQ ID NO: 145 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 140; SEQ ID NO: 141; and SEQ ID NO: 142 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 143; SEQ ID NO: 144; and SEQ ID NO: 145 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 140; SEQ ID NO: 141; and SEQ ID NO: 142 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 143; SEQ ID NO: 144; and SEQ ID NO: 145 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 138; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 139; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 140; SEQ ID NO: 141; and SEQ ID NO: 142) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 138; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 143; SEQ ID NO: 144; and SEQ ID NO: 145) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 139.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab9, comprising SEQ ID NO: 138 and SEQ ID NO: 139, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 156; SEQ ID NO: 157; and SEQ ID NO: 158 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 159; SEQ ID NO: 160; and SEQ ID NO: 161 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 156; SEQ ID NO: 157; and SEQ ID NO: 158 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 159; SEQ ID NO: 160; and SEQ ID NO: 161 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 156; SEQ ID NO: 157; and SEQ ID NO: 158 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 159; SEQ ID NO: 160; and SEQ ID NO: 161 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 154; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 155; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 156; SEQ ID NO: 157; and SEQ ID NO: 158) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 154; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 159; SEQ ID NO: 160; and SEQ ID NO: 161) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 155.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab10, comprising SEQ ID NO: 154 and SEQ ID NO: 155, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 172; SEQ ID NO: 173; and SEQ ID NO: 174 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 172; SEQ ID NO: 173; and SEQ ID NO: 174 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 172; SEQ ID NO: 173; and SEQ ID NO: 174 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 170; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 171; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 172; SEQ ID NO: 173; and SEQ ID NO: 174) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 170; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 175; SEQ ID NO: 176; and SEQ ID NO: 177) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 171.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab11, comprising SEQ ID NO: 170 and SEQ ID NO: 171, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 191; SEQ ID NO: 192; and SEQ ID NO: 193 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 187, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 191; SEQ ID NO: 192; and SEQ ID NO: 193 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 187, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 187.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 191; SEQ ID NO: 192; and SEQ ID NO: 193 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 187.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 186; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 187; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 188; SEQ ID NO: 189; and SEQ ID NO: 190) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 186; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 191; SEQ ID NO: 192; and SEQ ID NO: 193) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 187.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab12, comprising SEQ ID NO: 186 and SEQ ID NO: 187, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 204; SEQ ID NO: 205; and SEQ ID NO: 206 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 207; SEQ ID NO: 208; and SEQ ID NO: 209 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 203, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 204; SEQ ID NO: 205; and SEQ ID NO: 206 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 207; SEQ ID NO: 208; and SEQ ID NO: 209 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 203, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 203.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 204; SEQ ID NO: 205; and SEQ ID NO: 206 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 207; SEQ ID NO: 208; and SEQ ID NO: 209 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 203.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 202; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 203; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 204; SEQ ID NO: 205; and SEQ ID NO: 206) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 202; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 207; SEQ ID NO: 208; and SEQ ID NO: 209) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 203.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab13, comprising SEQ ID NO: 202 and SEQ ID NO: 203, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 220; SEQ ID NO: 221; and SEQ ID NO: 222 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 218, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 223; SEQ ID NO: 224; and SEQ ID NO: 225 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 219, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 220; SEQ ID NO: 221; and SEQ ID NO: 222 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 218, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 223; SEQ ID NO: 224; and SEQ ID NO: 225 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 219, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 218. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 219.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 220; SEQ ID NO: 221; and SEQ ID NO: 222 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 218.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 223; SEQ ID NO: 224; and SEQ ID NO: 225 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 219.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 218; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 219; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 220; SEQ ID NO: 221; and SEQ ID NO: 222) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 218; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 223; SEQ ID NO: 224; and SEQ ID NO: 225) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 219.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab14, comprising SEQ ID NO: 218 and SEQ ID NO: 219, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 236; SEQ ID NO: 237; and SEQ ID NO: 238 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 239; SEQ ID NO: 240; and SEQ ID NO: 241 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 236; SEQ ID NO: 237; and SEQ ID NO: 238 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 239; SEQ ID NO: 240; and SEQ ID NO: 241 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 236; SEQ ID NO: 237; and SEQ ID NO: 238 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 239; SEQ ID NO: 240; and SEQ ID NO: 241 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 234; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 235; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 236; SEQ ID NO: 237; and SEQ ID NO: 238) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 234; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 239; SEQ ID NO: 240; and SEQ ID NO: 241) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 235.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab15, comprising SEQ ID NO: 234 and SEQ ID NO: 235, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 252; SEQ ID NO: 253; and SEQ ID NO: 254 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 252; SEQ ID NO: 253; and SEQ ID NO: 254 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 252; SEQ ID NO: 253; and SEQ ID NO: 254 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 250; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 251; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 252; SEQ ID NO: 253; and SEQ ID NO: 254) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 250; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 255; SEQ ID NO: 256; and SEQ ID NO: 257) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 251.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab16, comprising SEQ ID NO: 250 and SEQ ID NO: 251, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 268; SEQ ID NO: 269; and SEQ ID NO: 270 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 266, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 271; SEQ ID NO: 272; and SEQ ID NO: 273 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 267, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 268; SEQ ID NO: 269; and SEQ ID NO: 270 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 266, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 271; SEQ ID NO: 272; and SEQ ID NO: 273 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 267, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 266. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 267.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 268; SEQ ID NO: 269; and SEQ ID NO: 270 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 266.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 271; SEQ ID NO: 272; and SEQ ID NO: 273 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 267.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 266; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 267; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 268; SEQ ID NO: 269; and SEQ ID NO: 270) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 266; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 271; SEQ ID NO: 272; and SEQ ID NO: 273) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 267.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab17, comprising SEQ ID NO: 266 and SEQ ID NO: 267, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 284; SEQ ID NO: 285; and SEQ ID NO: 286 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 282, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 287; SEQ ID NO: 288; and SEQ ID NO: 289 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 283, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 284; SEQ ID NO: 285; and SEQ ID NO: 286 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 282, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 287; SEQ ID NO: 288; and SEQ ID NO: 289 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 283, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 282. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 283.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 284; SEQ ID NO: 285; and SEQ ID NO: 286 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 282.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 287; SEQ ID NO: 288; and SEQ ID NO: 289 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 283.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 282; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 283; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 284; SEQ ID NO: 285; and SEQ ID NO: 286) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 282; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 287; SEQ ID NO: 288; and SEQ ID NO: 289) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 283.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab18, comprising SEQ ID NO: 282 and SEQ ID NO: 283, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 300; SEQ ID NO: 301; and SEQ ID NO: 302 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 298, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 303; SEQ ID NO: 304; and SEQ ID NO: 305 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 299, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 300; SEQ ID NO: 301; and SEQ ID NO: 302 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 298, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 303; SEQ ID NO: 304; and SEQ ID NO: 305 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 299, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 298. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 299.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 300; SEQ ID NO: 301; and SEQ ID NO: 302 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 298.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 303; SEQ ID NO: 304; and SEQ ID NO: 305 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 299.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 298; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 299; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 300; SEQ ID NO: 301; and SEQ ID NO: 302) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 298; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 303; SEQ ID NO: 304; and SEQ ID NO: 305) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 299.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab19, comprising SEQ ID NO: 298 and SEQ ID NO: 299, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 316; SEQ ID NO: 317; and SEQ ID NO: 318 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 314, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 319; SEQ ID NO: 320; and SEQ ID NO: 321 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 315, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 316; SEQ ID NO: 317; and SEQ ID NO: 318 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 314, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 319; SEQ ID NO: 320; and SEQ ID NO: 321 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 315, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 314. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 315.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 316; SEQ ID NO: 317; and SEQ ID NO: 318 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 314.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 319; SEQ ID NO: 320; and SEQ ID NO: 321 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 315.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 314; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 315; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 316; SEQ ID NO: 317; and SEQ ID NO: 318) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 314; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 319; SEQ ID NO: 320; and SEQ ID NO: 321) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 315.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab20, comprising SEQ ID NO: 314 and SEQ ID NO: 315, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 332; SEQ ID NO: 333; and SEQ ID NO: 334 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 330, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 335; SEQ ID NO: 336; and SEQ ID NO: 337 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 331, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 332; SEQ ID NO: 333; and SEQ ID NO: 334 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 330, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 335; SEQ ID NO: 336; and SEQ ID NO: 337 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 331, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 330. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 331.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 332; SEQ ID NO: 333; and SEQ ID NO: 334 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 330.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 335; SEQ ID NO: 336; and SEQ ID NO: 337 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 331.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 330; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 331; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 332; SEQ ID NO: 333; and SEQ ID NO: 334) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 330; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 335; SEQ ID NO: 336; and SEQ ID NO: 337) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 331.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab21, comprising SEQ ID NO: 330 and SEQ ID NO: 331, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 348; SEQ ID NO: 349; and SEQ ID NO: 350 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 346, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 351; SEQ ID NO: 352; and SEQ ID NO: 353 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 347, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 348; SEQ ID NO: 349; and SEQ ID NO: 350 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 346, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 351; SEQ ID NO: 352; and SEQ ID NO: 353 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 347, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 346. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 347.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 348; SEQ ID NO: 349; and SEQ ID NO: 350 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 346.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 351; SEQ ID NO: 352; and SEQ ID NO: 353 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 347.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 346; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 347; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 348; SEQ ID NO: 349; and SEQ ID NO: 350) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 346; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 351; SEQ ID NO: 352; and SEQ ID NO: 353) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 347.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab22, comprising SEQ ID NO: 346 and SEQ ID NO: 347, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 364; SEQ ID NO: 365; and SEQ ID NO: 366 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 362, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 367; SEQ ID NO: 368; and SEQ ID NO: 369 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 363, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 364; SEQ ID NO: 365; and SEQ ID NO: 366 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 362, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 367; SEQ ID NO: 368; and SEQ ID NO: 369 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 363, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 362. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 363.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 364; SEQ ID NO: 365; and SEQ ID NO: 366 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 362.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 367; SEQ ID NO: 368; and SEQ ID NO: 369 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 363.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 362; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 363; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 364; SEQ ID NO: 365; and SEQ ID NO: 366) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 362; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 367; SEQ ID NO: 368; and SEQ ID NO: 369) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 363.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab23, comprising SEQ ID NO: 362 and SEQ ID NO: 363, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 380; SEQ ID NO: 381; and SEQ ID NO: 382 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 378, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 383; SEQ ID NO: 384; and SEQ ID NO: 385 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 379, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 380; SEQ ID NO: 381; and SEQ ID NO: 382 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 378, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 383; SEQ ID NO: 384; and SEQ ID NO: 385 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 379, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 378. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 379.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 380; SEQ ID NO: 381; and SEQ ID NO: 382 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 378.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 383; SEQ ID NO: 384; and SEQ ID NO: 385 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID. NO: 379.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 378; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 379; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 380; SEQ ID NO: 381; and SEQ ID NO: 382) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 378; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 383; SEQ ID NO: 384; and SEQ ID NO: 385) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 379.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab24, comprising SEQ ID NO: 378 and SEQ ID NO: 379, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 396; SEQ ID NO: 397; and SEQ ID NO: 398 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 394, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 399; SEQ ID NO: 400; and SEQ ID NO: 401 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 395, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 396; SEQ ID NO: 397; and SEQ ID NO: 398 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 394, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 399; SEQ ID NO: 400; and SEQ ID NO: 401 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 395, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 394. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 395.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 396; SEQ ID NO: 397; and SEQ ID NO: 398 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 394.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 399; SEQ ID NO: 400; and SEQ ID NO: 401 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 395.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 394; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 395; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 396; SEQ ID NO: 397; and SEQ ID NO: 398) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 394; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 399; SEQ ID NO: 400; and SEQ ID NO: 401) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 395.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab25, comprising SEQ ID NO: 394 and SEQ ID NO: 395, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 412; SEQ ID NO: 413; and SEQ ID NO: 414 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 415; SEQ ID NO: 416; and SEQ ID NO: 417 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 411, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 412; SEQ ID NO: 413; and SEQ ID NO: 414 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 415; SEQ ID NO: 416; and SEQ ID NO: 417 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 411, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 411.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 412; SEQ ID NO: 413; and SEQ ID NO: 414 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 415; SEQ ID NO: 416; and SEQ ID NO: 417 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 411.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 410; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 411; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 412; SEQ ID NO: 413; and SEQ ID NO: 414) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 410; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 415; SEQ ID NO: 416; and SEQ ID NO: 417) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 411.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab26, comprising SEQ ID NO: 410 and SEQ ID NO: 411, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 428; SEQ ID NO: 429; and SEQ ID NO: 430 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 426, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 431; SEQ ID NO: 432; and SEQ ID NO: 433 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 427, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 428; SEQ ID NO: 429; and SEQ ID NO: 430 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 426, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 431; SEQ ID NO: 432; and SEQ ID NO: 433 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 427, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 426. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 427.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 428; SEQ ID NO: 429; and SEQ ID NO: 430 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 426.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 431; SEQ ID NO: 432; and SEQ ID NO: 433 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 427.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 426; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 427; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 428; SEQ ID NO: 429; and SEQ ID NO: 430) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 426; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 431; SEQ ID NO: 432; and SEQ ID NO: 433) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 427.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab27, comprising SEQ ID NO: 426 and SEQ ID NO: 427, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 444; SEQ ID NO: 445; and SEQ ID NO: 446 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 442, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 447; SEQ ID NO: 448; and SEQ ID NO: 449 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 443, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 444; SEQ ID NO: 445; and SEQ ID NO: 446 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 442, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 447; SEQ ID NO: 448; and SEQ ID NO: 449 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 443, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 442. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 443.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 444; SEQ ID NO: 445; and SEQ ID NO: 446 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 442.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 447; SEQ ID NO: 448; and SEQ ID NO: 449 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 443.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 442; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 443; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 444; SEQ ID NO: 445; and SEQ ID NO: 446) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 442; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 447; SEQ ID NO: 448; and SEQ ID NO: 449) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 443.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab28, comprising SEQ ID NO: 442 and SEQ ID NO: 443, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 460; SEQ ID NO: 461; and SEQ ID NO: 462 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 458, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 463; SEQ ID NO: 464; and SEQ ID NO: 465 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 459, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 460; SEQ ID NO: 461; and SEQ ID NO: 462 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 458, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 463; SEQ ID NO: 464; and SEQ ID NO: 465 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 459, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 458. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 459.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 460; SEQ ID NO: 461; and SEQ ID NO: 462 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 458.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 463; SEQ ID NO: 464; and SEQ ID NO: 465 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 459.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 458; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 459; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 460; SEQ ID NO: 461; and SEQ ID NO: 462) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 458; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 463; SEQ ID NO: 464; and SEQ ID NO: 465) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 459.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab29, comprising SEQ ID NO: 458 and SEQ ID NO: 459, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 476; SEQ ID NO: 477; and SEQ ID NO: 478 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 474, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 479; SEQ ID NO: 480; and SEQ ID NO: 481 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 475, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 476; SEQ ID NO: 477; and SEQ ID NO: 478 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 474, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 479; SEQ ID NO: 480; and SEQ ID NO: 481 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 475, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 474. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 475.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 476; SEQ ID NO: 477; and SEQ ID NO: 478 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 474.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 479; SEQ ID NO: 480; and SEQ ID NO: 481 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 475.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 474; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 475; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 476; SEQ ID NO: 477; and SEQ ID NO: 478) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 474; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 479; SEQ ID NO: 480; and SEQ ID NO: 481) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 475.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab30, comprising SEQ ID NO: 474 and SEQ ID NO: 475, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 492; SEQ ID NO: 493; and SEQ ID NO: 494 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 490, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 495; SEQ ID NO: 496; and SEQ ID NO: 497 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 491, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 492; SEQ ID NO: 493; and SEQ ID NO: 494 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 490, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 495; SEQ ID NO: 496; and SEQ ID NO: 497 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 491, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 490. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 491.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 492; SEQ ID NO: 493; and SEQ ID NO: 494 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 490.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 495; SEQ ID NO: 496; and SEQ ID NO: 497 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 491.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 490; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 491; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 492; SEQ ID NO: 493; and SEQ ID NO: 494) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 490; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 495; SEQ ID NO: 496; and SEQ ID NO: 497) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 491.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab31, comprising SEQ ID NO: 490 and SEQ ID NO: 491, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 508; SEQ ID NO: 509; and SEQ ID NO: 510 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 506, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 511; SEQ ID NO: 512; and SEQ ID NO: 513 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 507, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 508; SEQ ID NO: 509; and SEQ ID NO: 510 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 506, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 511; SEQ ID NO: 512; and SEQ ID NO: 513 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 507, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 506. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 507.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 508; SEQ ID NO: 509; and SEQ ID NO: 510 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 506.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 511; SEQ ID NO: 512; and SEQ ID NO: 513 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 507.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 506; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 507; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 508; SEQ ID NO: 509; and SEQ ID NO: 510) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 506; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 511; SEQ ID NO: 512; and SEQ ID NO: 513) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 507.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab32, comprising SEQ ID NO: 506 and SEQ ID NO: 507, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 524; SEQ ID NO: 525; and SEQ ID NO: 526 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 522, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 527; SEQ ID NO: 528; and SEQ ID NO: 529 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 523, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 524; SEQ ID NO: 525; and SEQ ID NO: 526 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 522, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 527; SEQ ID NO: 528; and SEQ ID NO: 529 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 523, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 522. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 523.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 524; SEQ ID NO: 525; and SEQ ID NO: 526 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 522.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 527; SEQ ID NO: 528; and SEQ ID NO: 529 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 523.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 522; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 523; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 524; SEQ ID NO: 525; and SEQ ID NO: 526) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 522; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 527; SEQ ID NO: 528; and SEQ ID NO: 529) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 523.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab33, comprising SEQ ID NO: 522 and SEQ ID NO: 523, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 540; SEQ ID NO: 541; and SEQ ID NO: 542 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 538, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 543; SEQ ID NO: 544; and SEQ ID NO: 545 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 539, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 540; SEQ ID NO: 541; and SEQ ID NO: 542 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 538, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 543; SEQ ID NO: 544; and SEQ ID NO: 545 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 539, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 538. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 539.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 540; SEQ ID NO: 541; and SEQ ID NO: 542 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 538.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 543; SEQ ID NO: 544; and SEQ ID NO: 545 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 539.
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 538; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 539; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 540; SEQ ID NO: 541; and SEQ ID NO: 542) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 538; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 543; SEQ ID NO: 544; and SEQ ID NO: 545) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 539.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab34, comprising SEQ ID NO: 538 and SEQ ID NO: 539, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 556; SEQ ID NO: 557; and SEQ ID NO: 558 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 554, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 559; SEQ ID NO: 560; and SEQ ID NO: 561 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 555, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 556; SEQ ID NO: 557; and SEQ ID NO: 558 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 554, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 559; SEQ ID NO: 560; and SEQ ID NO: 561 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 555, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 554. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 555.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 556; SEQ ID NO: 557; and SEQ ID NO: 558 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 554.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 559; SEQ ID NO: 560; and SEQ ID NO: 561 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 555.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 554; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 555; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 556; SEQ ID NO: 557; and SEQ ID NO: 558) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 554; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 559; SEQ ID NO: 560; and SEQ ID NO: 561) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 555.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab35, comprising SEQ ID NO: 554 and SEQ ID NO: 555, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • the invention includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention also includes antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 and possessing a variable heavy chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention further contemplates antibodies comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 572; SEQ ID NO: 573; and SEQ ID NO: 574 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 570, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 575; SEQ ID NO: 576; and SEQ ID NO: 577 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 571, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • the invention contemplates other antibodies, such as for example chimeric antibodies, comprising one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 572; SEQ ID NO: 573; and SEQ ID NO: 574 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 570, and/or one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 575; SEQ ID NO: 576; and SEQ ID NO: 577 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 571, or combinations of these polypeptide sequences.
  • the antibodies of the invention include combinations of the CDRs and the variable heavy and light chain sequences set forth above.
  • antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 570. In another embodiment of the invention, antibody fragments of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 571.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 572; SEQ ID NO: 573; and SEQ ID NO: 574 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 570.
  • fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polypeptide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 575; SEQ ID NO: 576; and SEQ ID NO: 577 which correspond to the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the variable heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 571.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • fragments of the antibodies having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following antibody fragments: the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 570; the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 571; the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 572; SEQ ID NO: 573; and SEQ ID NO: 574) of the variable light chain region of SEQ ID NO: 570; and the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 575; SEQ ID NO: 576; and SEQ ID NO: 577) of the variable heavy chain region of SEQ ID NO: 571.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody is Ab36, comprising SEQ ID NO: 570 and SEQ ID NO: 571, and having at least one of the biological activities set forth herein.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein further comprises the kappa constant light chain sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein further comprises and the gamma-1 constant heavy chain polypeptide sequence comprising the sequence set forth below:
  • the invention contemplates an isolated anti-IL-6 antibody comprising a V H polypeptide sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 3, 18, 19, 22, 38, 54, 70, 86, 102, 117, 118, 123, 139, 155, 171, 187, 203, 219, 235, 251, 267, 283, 299, 315, 331, 347, 363, 379, 395, 411, 427, 443, 459, 475, 491, 507, 523, 539, 555 and SEQ ID NO: 571; and further comprising a V L polypeptide sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 2, 20, 21, 37, 53, 69, 85, 101, 119, 122, 138, 154, 170, 186, 202, 218, 234, 250, 266, 282, 298, 314, 330, 346, 362, 378, 394, 410, 426, 442, 458, 474, 490, 506, 522,
  • the invention contemplates humanized and chimeric forms of these antibodies.
  • the chimeric antibodies may include an Fc derived from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgG5, IgG6, IgG7, IgG8, IgG9, IgG10, IgG11, IgG12, IgG13, IgG14, IgG15, IgG16, IgG17, IgG18 or IgG19 constant regions.
  • the antibodies or V H or V L polypeptides originate or are selected from one or more rabbit B cell populations prior to initiation of the humanization process referenced herein.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies and fragments thereof have binding specificity for primate homologs of the human IL-6 protein.
  • primate homologs of the human IL-6 protein are IL-6 obtained from Macaca fascicularis (also known as the cynomolgus monkey) and the Rhesus monkey.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies and fragments thereof inhibits the association of IL-6 with IL-6R, and/or the production of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 complexes and/or the production of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 multimers and/or antagonizes the biological effects of one or more of the foregoing.
  • antibodies and fragments thereof may be modified post-translationally to add effector moieties such as chemical linkers, detectable moieties such as for example fluorescent dyes, enzymes, substrates, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, and chemiluminescent moieties, or functional moieties such as for example streptavidin, avidin, biotin, a cytotoxin, a cytotoxic agent, and radioactive materials.
  • effector moieties such as chemical linkers, detectable moieties such as for example fluorescent dyes, enzymes, substrates, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, and chemiluminescent moieties, or functional moieties such as for example streptavidin, avidin, biotin, a cytotoxin, a cytotoxic agent, and radioactive materials.
  • further exemplary enzymes include, but are not limited to, horseradish peroxidase, acetylcholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase and luciferase.
  • Further exemplary fluorescent materials include, but are not limited to, rhodamine, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, umbelliferone, dichlorotriazinylamine, phycoerythrin and dansyl chloride.
  • Further chemiluminescent moieties include, but are not limited to, luminol.
  • Further exemplary bioluminescent materials include, but are not limited to, luciferin and aequorin.
  • Further exemplary radioactive materials include, but are not limited to, Iodine 125 ( 125 I), Carbon 14 ( 14 C), Sulfur 35 ( 35 S), Tritium ( 3 H) and Phosphorus 32 ( 32 P).
  • exemplary cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, methotrexate, aminopterin, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-fluorouracil decarbazine; alkylating agents such as mechlorethamine, thioepa chlorambucil, melphalan, carmustine (BSNU), mitomycin C, lomustine (CCNU), 1-methylnitrosourea, cyclothosphamide, mechlorethamine, busulfan, dibromomannitol, streptozotocin, mitomycin C, cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (II) (DDP) cisplatin and carboplatin (paraplatin); anthracyclines include daunorubicin (formerly daunomycin), doxorubicin (adriamycin), detorubicin, caminomycin, idarubicin, epirubicin, mit
  • cytotoxic agents include paclitaxel (taxol), ricin, pseudomonas exotoxin, gemcitabine, cytochalasin B, gramicidin D, ethidium bromide, emetine, etoposide, tenoposide, colchicin, dihydroxy anthracin dione, 1-dehydrotestosterone, glucocorticoids, procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, propranolol, puromycin, procarbazine, hydroxyurea, asparaginase, corticosteroids, mytotane (O,P′-(DDD)), interferons, and mixtures of these cytotoxic agents.
  • taxol taxol
  • ricin pseudomonas exotoxin
  • gemcitabine cytochalasin B
  • gramicidin D ethidium bromide
  • emetine emetine
  • etoposide tenoposide
  • cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, chemotherapeutic agents such as carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, calicheamicin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and bleomycin.
  • chemotherapeutic agents such as carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, calicheamicin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and bleomycin.
  • Toxic enzymes from plants and bacteria such as ricin, diphtheria toxin and Pseudomonas toxin may be conjugated to the humanized antibodies, or binding fragments thereof, to generate cell-type-specific-killing reagents (Youle, et al., Proc. Nat'l
  • cytotoxic agents include cytotoxic ribonucleases as described by Goldenberg in U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,104.
  • Embodiments of the invention also relate to radioimmunoconjugates where a radionuclide that emits alpha or beta particles is stably coupled to the antibody, or binding fragments thereof, with or without the use of a complex-forming agent.
  • Such radionuclides include beta-emitters such as Phosphorus-32 ( 32 P), Scandium-47 ( 47 Sc), Copper-67 ( 67 Cu), Gallium-67 ( 67 Ga), Yttrium-88 ( 88 Y), Yttrium-90 ( 90 Y), Iodine-125 ( 125 I), Iodine-131 ( 131 I), Samarium-153 ( 153 Sm), Lutetium-177 ( 177 Lu), Rhenium-186 ( 186 Re) or Rhenium-188 ( 188 Re), and alpha-emitters such as Astatine-211 ( 211 At), Lead-212 ( 212 Pb), Bismuth-212 ( 212 Bi) or -213 ( 213 Bi) or Actinium-225 ( 225 Ac).
  • beta-emitters such as Phosphorus-32 ( 32 P), Scandium-47 ( 47 Sc), Copper-67 ( 67 Cu), Gallium-67 ( 67 Ga), Yttrium-88 ( 88 Y
  • Embodiments described herein further include variants and equivalents that are substantially homologous to the antibodies, antibody fragments, diabodies, SMIPs, camelbodies, nanobodies, IgNAR, polypeptides, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein.
  • These may contain, e.g., conservative substitution mutations, (i.e., the substitution of one or more amino acids by similar amino acids).
  • conservative substitution refers to the substitution of an amino acid with another within the same general class, e.g., one acidic amino acid with another acidic amino acid, one basic amino acid with another basic amino acid, or one neutral amino acid by another neutral amino acid. What is intended by a conservative amino acid substitution is well known in the art.
  • the invention contemplates polypeptide sequences having at least 90% or greater sequence homology to any one or more of the polypeptide sequences of antibody fragments, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein. More preferably, the invention contemplates polypeptide sequences having at least 95% or greater sequence homology, even more preferably at least 98% or greater sequence homology, and still more preferably at least 99% or greater sequence homology to any one or more of the polypeptide sequences of antibody fragments, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein. Methods for determining homology between nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the invention further contemplates the above-recited polypeptide homologs of the antibody fragments, variable regions and CDRs set forth herein further having anti-IL-6 activity.
  • anti-IL-6 activity are set forth herein, for example, in paragraphs [0731]-[0736] infra.
  • the invention further contemplates the generation and use of anti-idiotypic antibodies that bind any of the foregoing sequences.
  • an anti-idiotypic antibody could be administered to a subject who has received an anti-IL-6 antibody to modulate, reduce, or neutralize, the effect of the anti-IL-6 antibody.
  • Such anti-idiotypic antibodies could also be useful for treatment of an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of anti-IL-6 antibodies.
  • a further exemplary use of such anti-idiotypic antibodies is for detection of the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the present invention, for example to monitor the levels of the anti-IL-6 antibodies present in a subject's blood or other bodily fluids.
  • the present invention also contemplates anti-IL-6 antibodies comprising any of the polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences described herein substituted for any of the other polynucleotide sequences described herein.
  • the present invention contemplates antibodies comprising the combination of any of the variable light chain and variable heavy chain sequences described herein, and further contemplates antibodies resulting from substitution of any of the CDR sequences described herein for any of the other CDR sequences described herein.
  • the invention contemplates one or more anti-human IL-6 antibodies or antibody fragment which specifically bind to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) on an intact human IL-6 polypeptide or fragment thereof as an anti-human IL-6 antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20, Ab21, Ab22, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, Ab26, Ab27, Ab28, Ab29, Ab30, Ab31, Ab32, Ab33, Ab34, Ab35, and Ab36.
  • an anti-human IL-6 antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19
  • the anti-human IL-6 antibody or fragment specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) and/or competes for binding to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) on an intact human IL-6 polypeptide or a fragment thereof as Ab1.
  • the anti-human IL-6 antibody which specifically binds to the same linear or conformational epitopes on an intact IL-6 polypeptide or fragment thereof that is (are) specifically bound by Ab1 binds to a IL-6 epitope(s) ascertained by epitopic mapping using overlapping linear peptide fragments which span the full length of the native human IL-6 polypeptide.
  • the IL-6 epitope comprises, or alternatively consists of, one or more residues comprised in IL-6 fragments selected from those respectively encompassing amino acid residues 37-51, amino acid residues 70-84, amino acid residues 169-183, amino acid residues 31-45 and/or amino acid residues 58-72.
  • the invention is also directed to an anti-IL-6 antibody that binds with the same IL-6 epitope and/or competes with an anti-IL-6 antibody for binding to IL-6 as an antibody or antibody fragment disclosed herein, including but not limited to an anti-IL-6 antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20, Ab21, Ab22, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, Ab26, Ab27, Ab28, Ab29, Ab30, Ab31, Ab32, Ab33, Ab34, Ab35, and Ab36.
  • an anti-IL-6 antibody selected from Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20, Ab21, Ab22, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, Ab26, Ab27, Ab28
  • the invention is also directed to an isolated anti-IL-6 antibody or antibody fragment comprising one or more of the CDRs contained in the V H polypeptide sequences selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 3, 18, 19, 22, 38, 54, 70, 86, 102, 117, 118, 123, 139, 155, 171, 187, 203, 219, 235, 251, 267, 283, 299, 315, 331, 347, 363, 379, 395, 411, 427, 443, 459, 475, 491, 507, 523, 539, 555 and SEQ ID NO: 571 and/or one or more of the CDRs contained in the V L polypeptide sequence consisting of: 2, 20, 21, 37, 53, 69, 85, 101, 119, 122, 138, 154, 170, 186, 202, 218, 234, 250, 266, 282, 298, 314, 330, 346, 362, 378, 394, 410, 426, 442, 45
  • the anti-human IL-6 antibody discussed in the two prior paragraphs comprises at least 2 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) in each the variable light and the variable heavy regions which are identical to those contained in an anti-human IL-6 antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20, Ab21, Ab22, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, Ab26, Ab27, Ab28, Ab29, Ab30, Ab31, Ab32, Ab33, Ab34, Ab35, and Ab36.
  • CDRs complementarity determining regions
  • the anti-human IL-6 antibody discussed above comprises at least 2 complementarity determining regions (CDRs) in each the variable light and the variable heavy regions which are identical to those contained in Ab1.
  • all of the CDRs of the anti-human IL-6 antibody discussed above are identical to the CDRs contained in an anti-human IL-6 antibody selected from the group consisting of Ab1, Ab2, Ab3, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8, Ab9, Ab10, Ab11, Ab12, Ab13, Ab14, Ab15, Ab16, Ab17, Ab18, Ab19, Ab20, Ab21, Ab22, Ab23, Ab24, Ab25, Ab26, Ab27, Ab28, Ab29, Ab30, Ab31, Ab32, Ab33, Ab34, Ab35, and Ab36.
  • all of the CDRs of the anti-human IL-6 antibody discussed above are identical to the CDRs contained in Ab1.
  • the invention further contemplates that the one or more anti-human IL-6 antibodies discussed above are aglycosylated; that contain an Fc region that has been modified to alter effector function, half-life, proteolysis, and/or glycosylation; are human, humanized, single chain or chimeric; and are a humanized antibody derived from a rabbit (parent) anti-human IL-6 antibody.
  • the invention further contemplates one or more anti-human IL-6 antibodies wherein the framework regions (FRs) in the variable light region and the variable heavy regions of said antibody respectively are human FRs which are unmodified or which have been modified by the substitution of at most 2 or 3 human FR residues in the variable light or heavy chain region with the corresponding FR residues of the parent rabbit antibody, and wherein said human FRs have been derived from human variable heavy and light chain antibody sequences which have been selected from a library of human germline antibody sequences based on their high level of homology to the corresponding rabbit variable heavy or light chain regions relative to other human germline antibody sequences contained in the library.
  • the anti-human IL-6 antibody or fragment specifically binds to IL-6 expressing human cells and/or to circulating soluble IL-6 molecules in vivo, including IL-6 expressed on or by human cells in a patient with a disease associated with cells that express IL-6.
  • the disease is selected from general fatigue, exercise-induced fatigue, cancer-related fatigue, inflammatory disease-related fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer-related cachexia, cardiac-related cachexia, respiratory-related cachexia, renal-related cachexia, age-related cachexia, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthropathy, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, autoimmune vasculitis, graft versus host disease (GVHD), Sjogren's syndrome, adult onset Still's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, osteoarthritis, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-
  • the invention further contemplates anti-human IL-6 antibodies or fragments directly or indirectly attached to a detectable label or therapeutic agent.
  • the invention also contemplates one or more nucleic acid sequences which result in the expression of an anti-human IL-6 antibody or antibody fragment as set forth above, including those comprising, or alternatively consisting of, yeast or human preferred codons.
  • the invention also contemplates vectors (including plasmids or recombinant viral vectors) comprising said nucleic acid sequence(s).
  • the invention also contemplates host cells or recombinant host cells expressing at least one of the antibodies set forth above, including a mammalian, yeast, bacterial, and insect cells.
  • the host cell is a yeast cell.
  • the yeast cell is a diploidal yeast cell.
  • the yeast cell is a Pichia yeast.
  • the invention also contemplates a method of treatment comprising administering to a patient with a disease or condition associated with IL-6 expressing cells a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-human IL-6 antibody or fragment.
  • a disease or condition associated with IL-6 expressing cells a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-human IL-6 antibody or fragment.
  • the diseases that may be treated are presented in the non-limiting list set forth above.
  • the disease is selected from a cancer, autoimmune disease, or inflammatory condition.
  • the disease is cancer or viral infection.
  • the treatment further includes the administration of another therapeutic agent or regimen selected from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cytokine administration or gene therapy.
  • the invention further contemplates a method of in vivo imaging which detects the presence of cells which express IL-6 comprising administering a diagnostically effective amount of at least one anti-human IL-6 antibody.
  • said administration further includes the administration of a radionuclide or fluorophore that facilitates detection of the antibody at IL-6 expressing disease sites.
  • the method of in vivo imaging is used to detect IL-6 expressing tumors or metastases or is used to detect the presence of sites of autoimmune disorders associated with IL-6 expressing cells.
  • the results of said in vivo imaging method are used to facilitate design of an appropriate therapeutic regimen, including therapeutic regimens including radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof.
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 12; SEQ ID NO: 13; and SEQ ID NO: 14 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; and SEQ ID NO: 17 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 10 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 2; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 11 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 3; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 12; SEQ ID NO: 13; and SEQ ID NO: 14) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 10; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; and SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 31; SEQ ID NO: 32; and SEQ ID NO: 33 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 34; SEQ ID NO: 35; and SEQ ID NO: 36 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 29 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 21; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 30 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 22; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 31; SEQ ID NO: 32; and SEQ ID NO: 33) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 29; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 34; SEQ ID NO: 35; and SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 47; SEQ ID NO: 48; and SEQ ID NO: 49 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 50; SEQ ID NO: 51; and SEQ ID NO: 52 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 45 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 37; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 46 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 38; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 47; SEQ ID NO: 48; and SEQ ID NO: 49) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 37; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 50; SEQ ID NO: 51; and SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 63; SEQ ID NO: 64; and SEQ ID NO: 65 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 66; SEQ ID NO: 67; and SEQ ID NO: 68 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 61 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 53; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 62 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 54; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 63; SEQ ID NO: 64; and SEQ ID NO: 65) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 53; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 66; SEQ ID NO:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 79; SEQ ID NO: 80; and SEQ ID NO: 81 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 82; SEQ ID NO: 83; and SEQ ID NO: 84 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 77 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 69; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 78 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 70; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 79; SEQ ID NO: 80; and SEQ ID NO: 81) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 69; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 82; SEQ ID NO: 77 encoding the light chain
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 95; SEQ ID NO: 96; and SEQ ID NO: 97 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 98; SEQ ID NO: 99; and SEQ ID NO: 100 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 93 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 85; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 94 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 86; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 95; SEQ ID NO: 96; and SEQ ID NO: 97) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 85; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 98; SEQ ID NO:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 11; SEQ ID NO: 112; and SEQ ID NO: 113 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 114; SEQ ID NO: 115; and SEQ ID NO: 116 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 109 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 101; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 110 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 102; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 111; SEQ ID NO: 112; and SEQ ID NO: 113) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 101; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 114; SEQ ID NO:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 132; SEQ ID NO: 133; and SEQ ID NO: 134 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 135; SEQ ID NO: 136; and SEQ ID NO: 137 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 130 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 122; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 131 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 123; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 132; SEQ ID NO: 133; and SEQ ID NO: 134) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 122; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 135; SEQ ID NO: 130 encoding the light chain variable
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 148; SEQ ID NO: 149; and SEQ ID NO: 150 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 138.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 151; SEQ ID NO: 152; and SEQ ID NO: 153 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 139.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 146 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 138; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 147 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 139; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 148; SEQ ID NO: 149; and SEQ ID NO: 150) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 138; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 151; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 164; SEQ ID NO: 165; and SEQ ID NO: 166 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 167; SEQ ID NO: 168; and SEQ ID NO: 169 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 162 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 154; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 163 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 155; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 164; SEQ ID NO: 165; and SEQ ID NO: 166) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 154; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 167; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 180; SEQ ID NO: 181; and SEQ ID NO: 182 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 170.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 183; SEQ ID NO: 184; and SEQ ID NO: 185 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 171.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 178 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 170; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 179 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 171; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 180; SEQ ID NO: 181; and SEQ ID NO: 182) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 170; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 183; SEQ ID NO: 183; SEQ ID NO:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 187:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 196; SEQ ID NO: 197; and SEQ ID NO: 198 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 186.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 199; SEQ ID NO: 200; and SEQ ID NO: 201 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 187.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 194 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 186; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 195 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 187; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 196; SEQ ID NO: 197; and SEQ ID NO: 198) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 186; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 199; SEQ ID NO: 194 encoding the
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 203:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 212; SEQ ID NO: 213; and SEQ ID NO: 214 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 202.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 215; SEQ ID NO: 216; and SEQ ID NO: 217 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 203.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 210 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 202; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 211 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 203; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 212; SEQ ID NO: 213; and SEQ ID NO: 214) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 202; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 215; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 218:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 219:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 228; SEQ ID NO: 229; and SEQ ID NO: 230 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 218.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 231; SEQ ID NO: 232; and SEQ ID NO: 233 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 219.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 226 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 218; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 227 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 219; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 228; SEQ ID NO: 229; and SEQ ID NO: 230) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 218; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 231; SEQ ID NO: 226 encoding the
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 244; SEQ ID NO: 245; and SEQ ID NO: 246 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 234.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 247; SEQ ID NO: 248; and SEQ ID NO: 249 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 235.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 242 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 234; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 243 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 235; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 244; SEQ ID NO: 245; and SEQ ID NO: 246) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 234; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 247; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 260; SEQ ID NO: 261; and SEQ ID NO: 262 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 250.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 263; SEQ ID NO: 264; and SEQ ID NO: 265 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 251.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 258 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 250; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 259 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 251; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 260; SEQ ID NO: 261; and SEQ ID NO: 262) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 250; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 263; SEQ ID NO:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 266:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 267:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 276; SEQ ID NO: 277; and SEQ ID NO: 278 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 266.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 279; SEQ ID NO: 280; and SEQ ID NO: 281 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 267.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 274 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 266; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 275 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 267; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 276; SEQ ID NO: 277; and SEQ ID NO: 278) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 266; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 279; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 282:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 283:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 292; SEQ ID NO: 293; and SEQ ID NO: 294 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 282.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 295; SEQ ID NO: 296; and SEQ ID NO: 297 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 283.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 290 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 282; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 291 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 283; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 292; SEQ ID NO: 293; and SEQ ID NO: 294) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 282; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 295; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 298:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 299:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 308; SEQ ID NO: 309; and SEQ ID NO: 310 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 298.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 311; SEQ ID NO: 312; and SEQ ID NO: 313 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 299.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 306 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 298; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 307 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 299; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 308; SEQ ID NO: 309; and SEQ ID NO: 310) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 298; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 311; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 314:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 315:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 324; SEQ ID NO: 325; and SEQ ID NO: 326 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 314.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 327; SEQ ID NO: 328; and SEQ ID NO: 329 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 315.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 322 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 314; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 323 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 315; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 324; SEQ ID NO: 325; and SEQ ID NO: 326) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 314; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 327; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 330:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 331:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 340; SEQ ID NO: 341; and SEQ ID NO: 342 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 330.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 343; SEQ ID NO: 344; and SEQ ID NO: 345 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 331.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 338 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 330; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 339 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 331; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 340; SEQ ID NO: 341; and SEQ ID NO: 342) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 330; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 343; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 346:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 347:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 356; SEQ ID NO: 357; and SEQ ID NO: 358 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 346.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 359; SEQ ID NO: 360; and SEQ ID NO: 361 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 347.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 354 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 346; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 355 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 347; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 356; SEQ ID NO: 357; and SEQ ID NO: 358) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 346; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 359; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 362:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 363:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 372; SEQ ID NO: 373; and SEQ ID NO: 374 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 362.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 375; SEQ ID NO: 376; and SEQ ID NO: 377 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 363.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 370 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 362; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 371 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 363; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 372; SEQ ID NO: 373; and SEQ ID NO: 374) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 362; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 375; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 378:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 379:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 388; SEQ ID NO: 389; and SEQ ID NO: 390 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 378.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 391; SEQ ID NO: 392; and SEQ ID NO: 393 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 379.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 386 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 378; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 387 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 379; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 388; SEQ ID NO: 389; and SEQ ID NO: 390) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 378; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 391; SEQ ID NO: 386 encoding the
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 394:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 395:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 404; SEQ ID NO: 405; and SEQ ID NO: 406 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 394.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 407; SEQ ID NO: 408; and SEQ ID NO: 409 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 395.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 402 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 394; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 403 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 395; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 404; SEQ ID NO: 405; and SEQ ID NO: 406) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 394; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 407; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 411:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 420; SEQ ID NO: 421; and SEQ ID NO: 422 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 410.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 423; SEQ ID NO: 424; and SEQ ID NO: 425 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 411.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 418 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 410; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 419 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 411; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 420; SEQ ID NO: 421; and SEQ ID NO: 422) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 410; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 423; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 426:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 427:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 436; SEQ ID NO: 437; and SEQ ID NO: 438 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 426.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 439; SEQ ID NO: 440; and SEQ ID NO: 441 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 427.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 434 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 426; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 435 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 427; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 436; SEQ ID NO: 437; and SEQ ID NO: 438) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 426; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 439; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 442:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 443:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 452; SEQ ID NO: 453; and SEQ ID NO: 454 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 442.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 455; SEQ ID NO: 456; and SEQ ID NO: 457 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 443.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 450 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 442; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 451 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 443; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 452; SEQ ID NO: 453; and SEQ ID NO: 454) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 442; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 455; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 458:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 459:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 468; SEQ ID NO: 469; and SEQ ID NO: 470 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 458.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 471; SEQ ID NO: 472; and SEQ ID NO: 473 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 459.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 466 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 458; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 467 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 459; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 468; SEQ ID NO: 469; and SEQ ID NO: 470) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 458; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 471; SEQ ID NO: 466 encoding the
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 474:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 475:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 484; SEQ ID NO: 485; and SEQ ID NO: 486 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 474.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 487; SEQ ID NO: 488; and SEQ ID NO: 489 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 475.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 482 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 474; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 483 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 475; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 484; SEQ ID NO: 485; and SEQ ID NO: 486) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 474; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 487; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 490:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 491:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 500; SEQ ID NO: 501; and SEQ ID NO: 502 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 490.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 503; SEQ ID NO: 504; and SEQ ID NO: 505 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 491.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 498 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 490; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 499 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 491; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 500; SEQ ID NO: 501; and SEQ ID NO: 502) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 490; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 503; SEQ ID NO: 498 encoding the light chain
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 506:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 507:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 516; SEQ ID NO: 517; and SEQ ID NO: 518 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 506.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 519; SEQ ID NO: 520; and SEQ ID NO: 521 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 507.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 514 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 506; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 515 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 507; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 516; SEQ ID NO: 517; and SEQ ID NO: 518) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 506; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 519; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 522:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 523:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 532; SEQ ID NO: 533; and SEQ ID NO: 534 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 522.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 535; SEQ ID NO: 536; and SEQ ID NO: 537 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 523.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 530 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 522; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 531 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 523; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 532; SEQ ID NO: 533; and SEQ ID NO: 534) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 522; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 535; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 538:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 539:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 548; SEQ ID NO: 549; and SEQ ID NO: 550 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 538.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 551; SEQ ID NO: 552; and SEQ ID NO: 553 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 539.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 546 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 538; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 547 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 539; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 548; SEQ ID NO: 549; and SEQ ID NO: 550) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 538; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 551; SEQ ID NO: 546 encoding the
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 554:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 555:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 564; SEQ ID NO: 565; and SEQ ID NO: 566 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 554.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 567; SEQ ID NO: 568; and SEQ ID NO: 569 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 555.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 562 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 554; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 563 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 555; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 564; SEQ ID NO: 565; and SEQ ID NO: 566) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 554; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 567; SEQ
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable light chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 570:
  • polynucleotides of the invention comprise, or alternatively consist of, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the variable heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 571:
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 580; SEQ ID NO: 581; and SEQ ID NO: 582 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the light chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 570.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 583; SEQ ID NO: 584; and SEQ ID NO: 585 which correspond to polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) of the heavy chain variable sequence of SEQ ID NO: 571.
  • CDRs complementarity-determining regions
  • polynucleotide sequences including one or more of the polynucleotide sequences encoding antibody fragments described herein.
  • polynucleotides encoding fragments of the antibody having binding specificity to IL-6 comprise, or alternatively consist of, one, two, three or more, including all of the following polynucleotides encoding antibody fragments: the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 578 encoding the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 570; the polynucleotide SEQ ID NO: 579 encoding the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 571; polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 580; SEQ ID NO: 581; and SEQ ID NO: 582) of the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO: 570; and polynucleotides encoding the complementarity-determining regions (SEQ ID NO: 583; SEQ ID NO: 578 encoding the
  • polynucleotides of the invention further comprise, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the kappa constant light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 586:
  • polynucleotides of the invention further comprise, the following polynucleotide sequence encoding the gamma-1 constant heavy chain polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 588:
  • the invention is directed to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide encoding an anti-IL-6 V H antibody amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 3, 18, 19, 22, 38, 54, 70, 86, 102, 117, 118, 123, 139, 155, 171, 187, 203, 219, 235, 251, 267, 283, 299, 315, 331, 347, 363, 379, 395, 411, 427, 443, 459, 475, 491, 507, 523, 539, 555 and SEQ ID NO: 571 or encoding a variant thereof wherein at least one framework residue (FR residue) has been substituted with an amino acid present at the corresponding position in a rabbit anti-IL-6 antibody V H polypeptide or a conservative amino acid substitution.
  • SEQ ID NO: 371 or encoding a variant thereof wherein at least one framework residue (FR residue) has been substituted with an amino acid present at the corresponding position in a rabbit anti
  • the invention is directed to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence encoding an anti-IL-6 V L antibody amino acid sequence of 2, 20, 21, 37, 53, 69, 85, 101, 119, 122, 138, 154, 170, 186, 202, 218, 234, 250, 266, 282, 298, 314, 330, 346, 362, 378, 394, 410, 426, 442, 458, 474, 490, 506, 522, 538, 554 and SEQ ID NO: 570 or encoding a variant thereof wherein at least one framework residue (FR residue) has been substituted with an amino acid present at the corresponding position in a rabbit anti-IL-6 antibody V L polypeptide or a conservative amino acid substitution.
  • FR residue framework residue
  • the invention is directed to one or more heterologous polynucleotides comprising a sequence encoding the polypeptides contained in SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:18; SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:19; SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:3; SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO:18; SEQ ID NO:20 and SEQ ID NO: 19; SEQ ID NO:21 and SEQ ID NO:22; SEQ ID NO:37 and SEQ ID NO:38; SEQ ID NO:53 and SEQ ID NO:54; SEQ ID NO:69 and SEQ ID NO:70; SEQ ID NO:85 and SEQ ID NO:86; SEQ ID NO:101 and SEQ ID NO:102; SEQ ID NO:101 and SEQ ID NO: 117; SEQ ID NO: 101 and SEQ ID NO: 118; SEQ ID NO: 119 and SEQ ID NO:102; SEQ ID NO
  • the invention is directed to an isolated isolated polynucleotide that expresses a polypeptide containing at least one CDR polypeptide derived from an anti-IL-6 antibody wherein said expressed polypeptide alone specifically binds IL-6 or specifically binds IL-6 when expressed in association with another polynucleotide sequence that expresses a polypeptide containing at least one CDR polypeptide derived from an anti-IL-6 antibody wherein said at least one CDR is selected from those contained in the V L or V H polypeptides contained in SEQ ID NO: 3, 18, 19, 22, 38, 54, 70, 86, 102, 117, 118, 123, 139, 155, 171, 187, 203, 219, 235, 251, 267, 283, 299, 315, 331, 347, 363, 379, 395, 411, 427, 443, 459, 475, 491, 507, 523, 539, 555; 571; 2, 20, 21, 37, 53, 69,
  • Host cells and vectors comprising said polynucleotides are also contemplated.
  • the invention further contemplates vectors comprising the polynucleotide sequences encoding the variable heavy and light chain polypeptide sequences, as well as the individual complementarity determining regions (CDRs, or hypervariable regions) set forth herein, as well as host cells comprising said sequences.
  • the host cell is a yeast cell.
  • the yeast host cell belongs to the genus Pichia.
  • IL-6 is a member of a family of cytokines that promote cellular responses through a receptor complex consisting of at least one subunit of the signal-transducing glycoprotein gp130 and the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R).
  • the IL-6R may also be present in a soluble form (sIL-6R).
  • sIL-6R soluble form
  • IL-6 binds to IL-6R, which then dimerizes the signal-transducing receptor gp130.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the invention, or IL-6 binding fragments thereof are useful by exhibiting anti-IL-6 activity.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the invention, or IL-6 binding fragments thereof exhibit anti-IL-6 activity by binding to IL-6 which may be soluble IL-6 or cell surface expressed IL-6 and/or may prevent or inhibit the binding of IL-6 to IL-6R and/or activation (dimerization) of the gp130 signal-transducing glycoprotein and the formation of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 multimers and the biological effects of any of the foregoing.
  • the subject IL-6 antibodies may possess different antagonistic activities based on where (i.e., epitope) the particular antibody binds IL-6 and/or how it affects the formation of the foregoing IL-6 complexes and/or multimers and the biological effects thereof. Consequently, different IL-6 antibodies according to the invention e.g., may be better suited for preventing or treating conditions involving the formation and accumulation of substantial soluble IL-6 such as rheumatoid arthritis whereas other antibodies may be favored in treatments wherein the prevention of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 or IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 multimers is a desired therapeutic outcome. This can be determined in binding and other assays.
  • the anti-IL-6 activity of the anti-IL-6 antibody of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to IL-6 may also be described by their strength of binding or their affinity for IL-6. This also may affect their therapeutic properties.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to IL-6 bind to IL-6 with a dissociation constant (K D ) of less than or equal to 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 , 10 ⁇ 7 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 8 , 10 ⁇ 8 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 9 , 10 ⁇ 9 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 10 , 10 ⁇ 10 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 , 10 ⁇ 11 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 12 , 10 ⁇ 12 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 13 , 10 ⁇ 13 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 14 , 10 ⁇ 14 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 15 or 10 ⁇ 15 .
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies and fragments thereof bind IL-6
  • the anti-IL-6 activity of the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to IL-6 bind to IL-6 with an off-rate of less than or equal to 10 ⁇ 4 S ⁇ 1 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 5 S ⁇ 1 , 10 ⁇ 5 S ⁇ 1 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 6 S ⁇ 1 , 10 ⁇ 6 S ⁇ 1 , 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 7 S ⁇ 1 , or 10 ⁇ 7 S ⁇ 1 .
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to IL-6 bind to a linear or conformational IL-6 epitope.
  • the anti-IL-6 activity of the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the present invention, and fragments thereof having binding specificity to IL-6 exhibit anti-IL-6 activity by ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or alternatively treating, or preventing, diseases and disorders associated with IL-6.
  • diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 are set forth infra. As noted cancer-related fatigue, cachexia and rheumatoid arthritis are preferred indications for the subject IL-6 antibodies.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or IL-6 binding fragments thereof do not have binding specificity for IL-6R or the gp-130 signal-transducing glycoprotein.
  • the present invention provides methods of isolating a clonal population of antigen-specific B cells that may be used for isolating at least one antigen-specific cell.
  • these methods contain a series of culture and selection steps that can be used separately, in combination, sequentially, repetitively, or periodically.
  • these methods are used for isolating at least one antigen-specific cell, which can be used to produce a monoclonal antibody, which is specific to a desired antigen, or a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to such an antibody.
  • the present invention provides a method comprising the steps of:
  • the present invention provides an improvement to a method of isolating a single, antibody-producing B cell, the improvement comprising enriching a B cell population obtained from a host that has been immunized or naturally exposed to an antigen, wherein the enriching step precedes any selection steps, comprises at least one culturing step, and results in a clonal population of B cells that produces a single monoclonal antibody specific to said antigen.
  • a “clonal population of B cells” refers to a population of B cells that only secrete a single antibody specific to a desired antigen. That is to say that these cells produce only one type of monoclonal antibody specific to the desired antigen.
  • “enriching” a cell population cells means increasing the frequency of desired cells, typically antigen-specific cells, contained in a mixed cell population, e.g., a B cell-containing isolate derived from a host that is immunized against a desired antigen.
  • a mixed cell population e.g., a B cell-containing isolate derived from a host that is immunized against a desired antigen.
  • an enriched cell population encompasses a cell population having a higher frequency of antigen-specific cells as a result of an enrichment step, but this population of cells may contain and produce different antibodies.
  • cell population encompasses pre- and a post-enrichment cell populations, keeping in mind that when multiple enrichment steps are performed, a cell population can be both pre- and post-enrichment.
  • the present invention provides a method:
  • Each cell population may be used directly in the next step, or it can be partially or wholly frozen for long- or short-term storage or for later steps.
  • cells from a cell population can be individually suspended to yield single cell suspensions.
  • the single cell suspension can be enriched, such that a single cell suspension serves as the pre-enrichment cell population.
  • one or more antigen-specific single cell suspensions together form the enriched cell population; the antigen-specific single cell suspensions can be grouped together, e.g., re-plated for further analysis and/or antibody production.
  • the present invention provides a method of enriching a cell population to yield an enriched cell population having an antigen-specific cell frequency that is about 50% to about 100%, or increments therein.
  • the enriched cell population has an antigen-specific cell frequency greater than or equal to about 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100%.
  • the present invention provides a method of enriching a cell population whereby the frequency of antigen-specific cells is increased by at least about 2-fold, 5-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 50-fold, 100-fold, or increments therein.
  • increment is used to define a numerical value in varying degrees of precision, e.g., to the nearest 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01, etc.
  • the increment can be rounded to any measurable degree of precision, and the increment need not be rounded to the same degree of precision on both sides of a range.
  • the range 1 to 100 or increments therein includes ranges such as 20 to 80, 5 to 50, and 0.4 to 98.
  • increments therein means increments between 100 and the measurable limit.
  • less than 100 or increments therein means 0 to 100 or increments therein unless the feature, e.g., temperature, is not limited by 0.
  • Antigen-specificity can be measured with respect to any antigen.
  • the antigen can be any substance to which an antibody can bind including, but not limited to, peptides, proteins or fragments thereof; carbohydrates; organic and inorganic molecules; receptors produced by animal cells, bacterial cells, and viruses; enzymes; agonists and antagonists of biological pathways; hormones; and cytokines.
  • Exemplary antigens include, but are not limited to, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-18, IFN- ⁇ , IFN- ⁇ , BAFF, CXCL13, IP-10, VEGF, EPO, EGF, HRG, Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Hepcidin.
  • Preferred antigens include IL-6, IL-13, TNF- ⁇ , VEGF-A, Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Hepcidin.
  • the antigen used in each enrichment step can be the same as or different from one another. Multiple enrichment steps with the same antigen may yield a large and/or diverse population of antigen-specific cells; multiple enrichment steps with different antigens may yield an enriched cell population with cross-specificity to the different antigens.
  • Enriching a cell population can be performed by any cell-selection means known in the art for isolating antigen-specific cells.
  • a cell population can be enriched by chromatographic techniques, e.g., Miltenyi bead or magnetic bead technology.
  • the beads can be directly or indirectly attached to the antigen of interest.
  • the method of enriching a cell population includes at least one chromatographic enrichment step.
  • a cell population can also be enriched by performed by any antigen-specificity assay technique known in the art, e.g., an ELISA assay or a halo assay.
  • ELISA assays include, but are not limited to, selective antigen immobilization (e.g., biotinylated antigen capture by streptavidin, avidin, or neutravidin coated plate), non-specific antigen plate coating, and through an antigen build-up strategy (e.g., selective antigen capture followed by binding partner addition to generate a heteromeric protein-antigen complex).
  • the antigen can be directly or indirectly attached to a solid matrix or support, e.g., a column.
  • a halo assay comprises contacting the cells with antigen-loaded beads and labeled anti-host antibody specific to the host used to harvest the B cells.
  • the label can be, e.g., a fluorophore.
  • at least one assay enrichment step is performed on at least one single cell suspension.
  • the method of enriching a cell population includes at least one chromatographic enrichment step and at least one assay enrichment step.
  • the cell populations of the present invention contain at least one cell capable of recognizing an antigen.
  • Antigen-recognizing cells include, but are not limited to, B cells, plasma cells, and progeny thereof.
  • the present invention provides a clonal cell population containing a single type of antigen-specific B-cell, i.e., the cell population produces a single monoclonal antibody specific to a desired antigen.
  • the present invention also provides methods for obtaining an enriched cell population containing at least one antigen-specific, antibody-secreting cell.
  • the present invention provides an enriched cell population containing about 50% to about 100%, or increments therein, or greater than or equal to about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of antigen-specific, antibody-secreting cells.
  • the present invention provides a method of isolating a single B cell by enriching a cell population obtained from a host before any selection steps, e.g., selecting a particular B cell from a cell population and/or selecting an antibody produced by a particular cell.
  • the enrichment step can be performed as one, two, three, or more steps.
  • a single B cell is isolated from an enriched cell population before confirming whether the single B cell secretes an antibody with antigen-specificity and/or a desired property.
  • a method of enriching a cell population is used in a method for antibody production and/or selection.
  • the present invention provides a method comprising enriching a cell population before selecting an antibody.
  • the method can include the steps of: preparing a cell population comprising at least one antigen-specific cell, enriching the cell population by isolating at least one antigen-specific cell to form an enriched cell population, and inducing antibody production from at least one antigen-specific cell.
  • the enriched cell population contains more than one antigen-specific cell.
  • each antigen-specific cell of the enriched population is cultured under conditions that yield a clonal antigen-specific B cell population before isolating an antibody producing cell therefrom and/or producing an antibody using said B cell, or a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to such an antibody.
  • the present invention allows antibody selection from among a high frequency of antigen-specific cells. Because an enrichment step is used prior to antibody selection, the majority of the cells, preferably virtually all of the cells, used for antibody production are antigen-specific. By producing antibodies from a population of cells with an increased frequency of antigen specificity, the quantity and variety of antibodies are increased.
  • an antibody is preferably selected after an enrichment step and a culture step that results in a clonal population of antigen-specific B cells.
  • the methods can further comprise a step of sequencing a selected antibody or portions thereof from one or more isolated, antigen-specific cells. Any method known in the art for sequencing can be employed and can include sequencing the heavy chain, light chain, variable region(s), and/or complementarity determining region(s) (CDR).
  • the method for antibody selection can also include one or more steps of screening a cell population for antigen recognition and/or antibody functionality.
  • the desired antibodies may have specific structural features, such as binding to a particular epitope or mimicry of a particular structure; antagonist or agonist activity; or neutralizing activity, e.g., inhibiting binding between the antigen and a ligand.
  • the antibody functionality screen is ligand-dependent. Screening for antibody functionality includes, but is not limited to, an in vitro protein-protein interaction assay that recreates the natural interaction of the antigen ligand with recombinant receptor protein; and a cell-based response that is ligand dependent and easily monitored (e.g., proliferation response).
  • the method for antibody selection includes a step of screening the cell population for antibody functionality by measuring the inhibitory concentration (IC50).
  • IC50 inhibitory concentration
  • at least one of the isolated, antigen-specific cells produces an antibody having an IC50 of less than about 100, 50, 30, 25, 10 ⁇ g/mL, or increments therein.
  • the method for antibody selection can also include one or more steps of screening a cell population for antibody binding strength.
  • Antibody binding strength can be measured by any method known in the art (e.g., Biacore).
  • at least one of the isolated, antigen-specific cells produces an antibody having a high antigen affinity, e.g., a dissociation constant (Kd) of less than about 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 10 M-1, preferably about 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 13 to 5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 10 , 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 12 to 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 10 , 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 12 to 7.5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 , 1 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 to 2 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 , about 1.5 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 11 or less, or increments therein.
  • Kd dissociation constant
  • the antibodies are said to be affinity mature.
  • the affinity of the antibodies is comparable to or higher than the affinity of any one of Panorex® (edrecolomab), Rituxan® (rituximab), Herceptin® (traztuzumab), Mylotarg® (gentuzumab), Campath® (alemtuzumab), ZevalinTM (ibritumomab), ErbituxTM (cetuximab), AvastinTM (bevicizumab), RaptivaTM (efalizumab), Remicade® (infliximab), HumiraTM (adalimumab), and XolairTM (omalizumab).
  • the affinity of the antibodies is comparable to or higher than the affinity of HumiraTM.
  • the affinity of an antibody can also be increased by known affinity maturation techniques.
  • at least one cell population is screened for at least one of, preferably both, antibody functionality and antibody binding strength.
  • the method for antibody selection can also include one or more steps of screening a cell population for antibody sequence homology, especially human homology.
  • at least one of the isolated, antigen-specific cells produces an antibody that has a homology to a human antibody of about 50% to about 100%, or increments therein, or greater than about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% homologous.
  • the antibodies can be humanized to increase the homology to a human sequence by techniques known in the art such as CDR grafting or selectivity determining residue grafting (SDR).
  • the present invention also provides the antibodies themselves according to any of the embodiments described above in terms of IC50, Kd, and/or homology.
  • the B cell selection protocol disclosed herein has a number of intrinsic advantages versus other methods for obtaining antibody-secreting B cells and monoclonal antibodies specific to desired target antigens. These advantages include, but are not restricted to, the following:
  • the B cell selection protocol reproducibly yields a clonal B cell culture containing a single B cell, or its progeny, secreting a single monoclonal antibody that generally binds to the desired antigen with a relatively high binding affinity, i.e. picomolar or better antigen binding affinities.
  • prior antibody selection methods tend to yield relatively few high affinity antibodies and therefore require extensive screening procedures to isolate an antibody with therapeutic potential.
  • the protocol results in both in vivo B cell immunization of the host (primary immunization) followed by a second in vitro B cell stimulation (secondary antigen priming step) that may enhance the ability and propensity of the recovered clonal B cells to secrete a single high affinity monoclonal antibody specific to the antigen target.
  • B cell selection protocol reproducibly yields enriched B cells producing IgG's that are, on average, highly selective (antigen specific) to the desired target.
  • Antigen-enriched B cells recovered by these methods are believed to contain B cells capable of yielding the desired full complement of epitopic specificities as discussed above.
  • the invention can be used to produce therapeutic antibodies to desired peptide targets, e.g., viral, bacterial or autoantigen peptides, thereby allowing for the production of monoclonal antibodies with very discrete binding properties or even the production of a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies to different peptide targets, e.g., different viral strains.
  • desired peptide targets e.g., viral, bacterial or autoantigen peptides
  • This advantage may especially be useful in the context of the production of a therapeutic or prophylactic vaccine having a desired valency, such as an HPV vaccine that induces protective immunity to different HPV strains.
  • the B cell selection protocol tends to reproducibly yield antigen-specific antibody sequences that are very similar to endogenous human immunoglobulins (around 90% similar at the amino acid level) and that contain CDRs that possess a length very analogous to human immunoglobulins and therefore require little or no sequence modification (typically at most only a few CDR residues may be modified in the parent antibody sequence and no framework exogenous residues introduced) in order to eliminate potential immunogenicity concerns.
  • the recombinant antibody will contain only the host (rabbit) CDR1 and CDR2 residues required for antigen recognition and the entire CDR3.
  • the present invention provides a method for identifying a single B cell that secretes an antibody specific to a desired antigen and that optionally possesses at least one desired functional property such as affinity, avidity, cytolytic activity, and the like by a process including the following steps:
  • these methods will further comprise an additional step of isolating and sequencing, in whole or in part, the polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences encoding the desired antibody.
  • sequences or modified versions or portions thereof can be expressed in desired host cells in order to produce recombinant antibodies to a desired antigen.
  • the clonal population of B cells predominantly comprises antibody-secreting B cells producing antibody against the desired antigen. It is also believed based on experimental results obtained with several antigens and with different B cell populations that the clonally produced B cells and the isolated antigen-specific B cells derived therefrom produced according to the invention secrete a monoclonal antibody that is typically of relatively high affinity and moreover is capable of efficiently and reproducibly producing a selection of monoclonal antibodies of greater epitopic variability as compared to other methods of deriving monoclonal antibodies from cultured antigen-specific B cells. In an exemplary embodiment the population of immune cells used in such B cell selection methods will be derived from a rabbit.
  • non-human and human hosts can alternatively be used as a source of immune B cells. It is believed that the use of rabbits as a source of B cells may enhance the diversity of monoclonal antibodies that may be derived by the methods. Also, the antibody sequences derived from rabbits according to the invention typically possess sequences having a high degree of sequence identity to human antibody sequences making them favored for use in humans since they should possess little antigenicity. In the course of humanization, the final humanized antibody contains a much lower foreign/host residue content, usually restricted to a subset of the host CDR residues that differ dramatically due to their nature versus the human target sequence used in the grafting. This enhances the probability of complete activity recovery in the humanized antibody protein.
  • the methods of antibody selection using an enrichment step disclosed herein include a step of obtaining a immune cell-containing cell population from an immunized host.
  • Methods of obtaining an immune cell-containing cell population from an immunized host are known in the art and generally include inducing an immune response in a host and harvesting cells from the host to obtain one or more cell populations. The response can be elicited by immunizing the host against a desired antigen.
  • the host used as a source of such immune cells can be naturally exposed to the desired antigen such as an individual who has been infected with a particular pathogen such as a bacterium or virus or alternatively has mounted a specific antibody response to a cancer that the individual is afflicted with.
  • Host animals are well-known in the art and include, but are not limited to, guinea pig, rabbit, mouse, rat, non-human primate, human, as well as other mammals and rodents, chicken, cow, pig, goat, and sheep.
  • the host is a mammal, more preferably, rabbit, mouse, rat, or human.
  • the host produces antibodies as part of the native immune response to the antigen.
  • the immune response can occur naturally, as a result of disease, or it can be induced by immunization with the antigen.
  • Immunization can be performed by any method known in the art, such as, by one or more injections of the antigen with or without an agent to enhance immune response, such as complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvant.
  • the invention also contemplates intrasplenic immunization.
  • the method can comprise immunizing a host cell culture in vitro.
  • host animal cells are harvested to obtain one or more cell populations.
  • a harvested cell population is screened for antibody binding strength and/or antibody functionality.
  • a harvested cell population is preferably from at least one of the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
  • PBMCs peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • the cells can be harvested from more than one source and pooled. Certain sources may be preferred for certain antigens. For example, the spleen, lymph nodes, and PBMCs are preferred for IL-6; and the lymph nodes are preferred for TNF.
  • the cell population is harvested about 20 to about 90 days or increments therein after immunization, preferably about 50 to about 60 days.
  • a harvested cell population and/or a single cell suspension therefrom can be enriched, screened, and/or cultured for antibody selection.
  • the frequency of antigen-specific cells within a harvested cell population is usually about 1% to about 5%, or increments therein.
  • a single cell suspension from a harvested cell population is enriched, preferably by using Miltenyi beads. From the harvested cell population having a frequency of antigen-specific cells of about 1% to about 5%, an enriched cell population is thus derived having a frequency of antigen-specific cells approaching 100%.
  • the method of antibody selection using an enrichment step includes a step of producing antibodies from at least one antigen-specific cell from an enriched cell population.
  • Methods of producing antibodies in vitro are well known in the art, and any suitable method can be employed.
  • an enriched cell population such as an antigen-specific single cell suspension from a harvested cell population, is plated at various cell densities, such as 50, 100, 250, 500, or other increments between 1 and 1000 cells per well.
  • the sub-population comprises no more than about 10,000 antigen-specific, antibody-secreting cells, more preferably about 50-10,000, about 50-5,000, about 50-1,000, about 50-500, about 50-250 antigen-specific, antibody-secreting cells, or increments therein.
  • these sub-populations are cultured with suitable medium (e.g., an activated T cell conditioned medium, particularly 1-5% activated rabbit T cell conditioned medium) on a feeder layer, preferably under conditions that favor the survival of a single proliferating antibody-secreting cell per culture well.
  • suitable medium e.g., an activated T cell conditioned medium, particularly 1-5% activated rabbit T cell conditioned medium
  • the feeder layer generally comprised of irradiated cell matter, e.g., EL4B cells, does not constitute part of the cell population.
  • the cells are cultured in a suitable media for a time sufficient for antibody production, for example about 1 day to about 2 weeks, about 1 day to about 10 days, at least about 3 days, about 3 to about 5 days, about 5 days to about 7 days, at least about 7 days, or other increments therein.
  • more than one sub-population is cultured simultaneously.
  • a single antibody-producing cell and progeny thereof survives in each well, thereby providing a clonal population of antigen-specific B cells in each well.
  • the immunoglobulin G (IgG) produced by the clonal population is highly correlative with antigen specificity.
  • the IgGs exhibit a correlation with antigen specificity that is greater than about 50%, more preferably greater than 70%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or increments therein. See FIG. 3 , which demonstrates an exemplary correlation for IL-6. The correlations were demonstrated by setting up B cell cultures under limiting conditions to establish single antigen-specific antibody products per well.
  • Antigen-specific versus general IgG synthesis was compared. Three populations were observed: IgG that recognized a single format of antigen (biotinylated and direct coating), detectable IgG and antigen recognition irrespective of immobilization, and IgG production alone. IgG production was highly correlated with antigen-specificity.
  • a supernatant containing the antibodies is optionally collected, which can be can be enriched, screened, and/or cultured for antibody selection according to the steps described above.
  • the supernatant is enriched (preferably by an antigen-specificity assay, especially an ELISA assay) and/or screened for antibody functionality.
  • the enriched, preferably clonal, antigen-specific B cell population from which a supernatant described above is optionally screened in order to detect the presence of the desired secreted monoclonal antibody is used for the isolation of a few B cells, preferably a single B cell, which is then tested in an appropriate assay in order to confirm the presence of a single antibody-producing B cell in the clonal B cell population.
  • a few B cells preferably a single B cell
  • an appropriate assay in order to confirm the presence of a single antibody-producing B cell in the clonal B cell population.
  • about 1 to about 20 cells are isolated from the clonal B cell population, preferably less than about 15, 12, 10, 5, or 3 cells, or increments therein, most preferably a single cell.
  • the screen is preferably effected by an antigen-specificity assay, especially a halo assay.
  • the halo assay can be performed with the full length protein, or a fragment thereof.
  • the antibody-containing supernatant can also be screened for at least one of: antigen binding affinity; agonism or antagonism of antigen-ligand binding, induction or inhibition of the proliferation of a specific target cell type; induction or inhibition of lysis of a target cell, and induction or inhibition of a biological pathway involving the antigen.
  • the identified antigen-specific cell can be used to derive the corresponding nucleic acid sequences encoding the desired monoclonal antibody.
  • AluI digest can confirm that only a single monoclonal antibody type is produced per well.
  • these sequences can be mutated, such as by humanization, in order to render them suitable for use in human medicaments.
  • the enriched B cell population used in the process can also be further enriched, screened, and/or cultured for antibody selection according to the steps described above which can be repeated or performed in a different order.
  • at least one cell of an enriched, preferably clonal, antigen-specific cell population is isolated, cultured, and used for antibody selection.
  • the present invention provides a method comprising:
  • the method can further include one or more steps of screening the harvested cell population for antibody binding strength (affinity, avidity) and/or antibody functionality. Suitable screening steps include, but are not limited to, assay methods that detect: whether the antibody produced by the identified antigen-specific B cell produces an antibody possessing a minimal antigen binding affinity, whether the antibody agonizes or antagonizes the binding of a desired antigen to a ligand; whether the antibody induces or inhibits the proliferation of a specific cell type; whether the antibody induces or elicits a cytolytic reaction against target cells; whether the antibody binds to a specific epitope; and whether the antibody modulates (inhibits or agonizes) a specific biological pathway or pathways involving the antigen.
  • assay methods that detect: whether the antibody produced by the identified antigen-specific B cell produces an antibody possessing a minimal antigen binding affinity, whether the antibody agonizes or antagonizes the binding of a desired antigen to a ligand; whether the antibody induces or inhibit
  • the method can include one or more steps of screening the second enriched cell population for antibody binding strength and/or antibody functionality.
  • the method can further include a step of sequencing the polypeptide sequence or the corresponding nucleic acid sequence of the selected antibody.
  • the method can also include a step of producing a recombinant antibody using the sequence, a fragment thereof, or a genetically modified version of the selected antibody.
  • Methods for mutating antibody sequences in order to retain desired properties are well known to those skilled in the art and include humanization, chimerisation, production of single chain antibodies; these mutation methods can yield recombinant antibodies possessing desired effector function, immunogenicity, stability, removal or addition of glycosylation, and the like.
  • the recombinant antibody can be produced by any suitable recombinant cell, including, but not limited to mammalian cells such as CHO, COS, BHK, HEK-293, bacterial cells, yeast cells, plant cells, insect cells, and amphibian cells.
  • mammalian cells such as CHO, COS, BHK, HEK-293, bacterial cells, yeast cells, plant cells, insect cells, and amphibian cells.
  • the antibodies are expressed in polyploidal yeast cells, i.e., diploid yeast cells, particularly Pichia.
  • the method comprises:
  • the signal peptide starts at the first initiation methionine and is typically, but not necessarily 22 amino acids in length for rabbit light chain protein sequences.
  • the start of the mature polypeptide can also be determined experimentally by N-terminal protein sequencing, or can be predicted using a prediction algorithm. This is also the start of Framework 1 as classically defined by those in the field.
  • Example: RbtVL amino acid sequence from residues numbered 1 through 88 in FIG. 2 is BLASTed against a human antibody germline database. The top three unique returned sequences are shown in FIG. 2 as L12A, V1 and Vx02.
  • L12A was the most homologous human germline variable light chain sequence and is used as the basis for the humanization of RbtVL.
  • the human L12A frameworks 1, 2 and 3 are unaltered.
  • the resulting humanized sequence is shown below as VLh from residues numbered 1 through 88. Note that the only residues that are different from the L12A human sequence are underlined, and are thus rabbit-derived amino acid residues. In this example only 8 of the 88 residues are different than the human sequence.
  • the CDR3 sequence can be of various lengths, but is typically 9 to 15 amino acid residues in length.
  • the CDR3 region and the beginning of the following framework 4 region are defined classically and identifiable by those skilled in the art. Typically the beginning of Framework 4, and thus after the end of CDR3 consists of the sequence ‘FGGG . . . ’, however some variation may exist in these residues.
  • the rabbit light chain framework 4 which is typically the final 11 amino acid residues of the variable light chain and begins as indicated in Step 7 above and typically ends with the amino acid sequence ‘ . . . VVKR’ is replaced with the nearest human light chain framework 4 homolog, usually from germline sequence. Frequently this human light chain framework 4 is of the sequence ‘FGGGTKVEIKR’. It is possible that other human light chain framework 4 sequences that are not the most homologous or otherwise different may be used without affecting the specificity, affinity and/or immunogenicity of the resulting humanized antibody.
  • This human light chain framework 4 sequence is added to the end of the variable light chain humanized sequence immediately following the CDR3 sequence from Step 7 above. This is now the end of the variable light chain humanized amino acid sequence.
  • FIG. 2 Framework 4 (FR4) of the RbtVL rabbit light chain sequence is shown above a homologous human FR4 sequence.
  • the human FR4 sequence is added to the humanized variable light chain sequence (VLh) right after the end of the CD3 region added in Step 7 above.
  • the signal peptide starts at the first initiation methionine and is typically 19 amino acids in length for rabbit heavy chain protein sequences. Typically, but not necessarily always, the final 3 amino acid residues of a rabbit heavy chain signal peptide are ‘ . . . VQC’, followed by the start of Framework 1.
  • the start of the mature polypeptide can also be determined experimentally by N-terminal protein sequencing, or can be predicted using a prediction algorithm. This is also the start of Framework 1 as classically defined by those in the field.
  • Example: RbtVH amino acid sequence from residues numbered 1 through 98 in FIG. 2 is BLASTed against a human antibody germline database. The top three unique returned sequences are shown in FIG. 2 as 3-64-04, 3-66-04, and 3-53-02.
  • Example: 3-64-04 in FIG. 2 was the most homologous human germline variable heavy chain sequence and is used as the basis for the humanization of RbtVH.
  • this is a Glycine residue preceded by an Isoleucine residue in the rabbit heavy chain Framework 2. It is possible that the specificity, affinity and/or immunogenicity of the resulting humanized antibody may be unaltered if smaller or larger sequence exchanges are performed, or if specific residue(s) are altered, however the exchanges as described have been used successfully, but do not exclude the possibility that other changes may be permitted.
  • a tryptophan amino acid residue typically occurs four residues prior to the end of the rabbit heavy chain CDR2 region, whereas in human heavy chain CDR2 this residue is typically a Serine residue. Changing this rabbit tryptophan residue to a the human Serine residue at this position has been demonstrated to have minimal to no effect on the humanized antibody's specificity or affinity, and thus further minimizes the content of rabbit sequence-derived amino acid residues in the humanized sequence.
  • the final three amino acids of Framework 1 positions 28-30
  • the final residue of Framework 2 position 49
  • the resulting humanized sequence is shown below as VHh from residues numbered 1 through 98. Note that the only residues that are different from the 3-64-04 human sequence are underlined, and are thus rabbit-derived amino acid residues. In this example only 15 of the 98 residues are different than the human sequence.
  • the CDR3 sequence can be of various lengths, but is typically 5 to 19 amino acid residues in length.
  • the CDR3 region and the beginning of the following framework 4 region are defined classically and are identifiable by those skilled in the art. Typically the beginning of framework 4, and thus after the end of CDR3 consists of the sequence WGXG . . . (where X is usually Q or P), however some variation may exist in these residues.
  • the rabbit heavy chain framework 4 which is typically the final 11 amino acid residues of the variable heavy chain and begins as indicated in Step 7 above and typically ends with the amino acid sequence ‘ . . . TVSS’ is replaced with the nearest human heavy chain framework 4 homolog, usually from germline sequence. Frequently this human heavy chain framework 4 is of the sequence ‘WGQGTLVTVSS’. It is possible that other human heavy chain framework 4 sequences that are not the most homologous or otherwise different may be used without affecting the specificity, affinity and/or immunogenicity of the resulting humanized antibody. This human heavy chain framework 4 sequence is added to the end of the variable heavy chain humanized sequence immediately following the CDR3 sequence from Step 7 above. This is now the end of the variable heavy chain humanized amino acid sequence.
  • FIG. 2 framework 4 (FR4) of the RbtVH rabbit heavy chain sequence is shown above a homologous human heavy FR4 sequence.
  • the human FR4 sequence is added to the humanized variable heavy chain sequence (VHh) right after the end of the CD3 region added in Step 7 above.
  • the invention is also directed to the production of the antibodies described herein or fragments thereof.
  • Recombinant polypeptides corresponding to the antibodies described herein or fragments thereof are secreted from polyploidal, preferably diploid or tetraploid strains of mating competent yeast.
  • the invention is directed to methods for producing these recombinant polypeptides in secreted form for prolonged periods using cultures comprising polyploid yeast, i.e., at least several days to a week, more preferably at least a month or several months, and even more preferably at least 6 months to a year or longer.
  • polyploid yeast cultures will express at least 10-25 mg/liter of the polypeptide, more preferably at least 50-250 mg/liter, still more preferably at least 500-1000 mg/liter, and most preferably a gram per liter or more of the recombinant polypeptide(s).
  • a pair of genetically marked yeast haploid cells are transformed with expression vectors comprising subunits of a desired heteromultimeric protein.
  • One haploid cell comprises a first expression vector
  • a second haploid cell comprises a second expression vector.
  • diploid yeast cells will be transformed with one or more expression vectors that provide for the expression and secretion of one or more of the recombinant polypeptides.
  • a single haploid cell may be transformed with one or more vectors and used to produce a polyploidal yeast by fusion or mating strategies.
  • a diploid yeast culture may be transformed with one or more vectors providing for the expression and secretion of a desired polypeptide or polypeptides.
  • vectors may comprise vectors e.g., linearized plasmids or other linear DNA products that integrate into the yeast cell's genome randomly, through homologous recombination, or using a recombinase such as Cre/Lox or Flp/Frt.
  • additional expression vectors may be introduced into the haploid or diploid cells; or the first or second expression vectors may comprise additional coding sequences; for the synthesis of heterotrimers; heterotetramers; etc.
  • the expression levels of the non-identical polypeptides may be individually calibrated, and adjusted through appropriate selection, vector copy number, promoter strength and/or induction and the like.
  • the transformed haploid cells are genetically crossed or fused.
  • the resulting diploid or tetraploid strains are utilized to produce and secrete fully assembled and biologically functional proteins, humanized antibodies described herein or fragments thereof.
  • diploid or tetraploid cells for protein production provides for unexpected benefits.
  • the cells can be grown for production purposes, i.e. scaled up, and for extended periods of time, in conditions that can be deleterious to the growth of haploid cells, which conditions may include high cell density; growth in minimal media; growth at low temperatures; stable growth in the absence of selective pressure; and which may provide for maintenance of heterologous gene sequence integrity and maintenance of high level expression over time.
  • haploid strains can comprise numerous minor autotrophic mutations, which mutations are complemented in the diploid or tetraploid, enabling growth and enhanced production under highly selective conditions.
  • Transformed mating competent haploid yeast cells provide a genetic method that enables subunit pairing of a desired protein.
  • Haploid yeast strains are transformed with each of two expression vectors, a first vector to direct the synthesis of one polypeptide chain and a second vector to direct the synthesis of a second, non-identical polypeptide chain.
  • the two haploid strains are mated to provide a diploid host where optimized target protein production can be obtained.
  • additional non-identical coding sequence(s) are provided. Such sequences may be present on additional expression vectors or in the first or the second expression vectors. As is known in the art, multiple coding sequences may be independently expressed from individual promoters; or may be coordinately expressed through the inclusion of an “internal ribosome entry site” or “IRES”, which is an element that promotes direct internal ribosome entry to the initiation codon, such as ATG, of a cistron (a protein encoding region), thereby leading to the cap-independent translation of the gene. IRES elements functional in yeast are described by Thompson et al. (2001) P.N.A.S. 98:12866-12868.
  • antibody sequences are produced in combination with a secretory J chain, which provides for enhanced stability of IgA (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,177; and 5,202,422).
  • the two haploid yeast strains are each auxotrophic, and require supplementation of media for growth of the haploid cells.
  • the pair of auxotrophs are complementary, such that the diploid product will grow in the absence of the supplements required for the haploid cells.
  • Many such genetic markers are known in yeast, including requirements for amino acids (e.g. met, lys, his, arg, etc.), nucleosides (e.g. ura3, ade1, etc.); and the like. Amino acid markers may be preferred for the methods of the invention.
  • diploid cells which contain the desired vectors can be selected by other means, e.g., by use of other markers, such as green fluorescent protein, antibiotic resistance genes, various dominant selectable markers, and the like.
  • Two transformed haploid cells may be genetically crossed and diploid strains arising from this mating event selected by their hybrid nutritional requirements and/or antibiotic resistance spectra.
  • populations of the two transformed haploid strains are spheroplasted and fused, and diploid progeny regenerated and selected.
  • diploid strains can be identified and selectively grown based on their ability to grow in different media than their parents.
  • the diploid cells may be grown in minimal medium that may include antibiotics.
  • the diploid synthesis strategy has certain advantages. Diploid strains have the potential to produce enhanced levels of heterologous protein through broader complementation to underlying mutations, which may impact the production and/or secretion of recombinant protein.
  • any antibiotics used to select those strains do not necessarily need to be continuously present in the growth media.
  • a haploid yeast may be transformed with a single or multiple vectors and mated or fused with a non-transformed cell to produce a diploid cell containing the vector or vectors.
  • a diploid yeast cell may be transformed with one or more vectors that provide for the expression and secretion of a desired heterologous polypeptide by the diploid yeast cell.
  • two haploid strains are transformed with a library of polypeptides, e.g. a library of antibody heavy or light chains.
  • Transformed haploid cells that synthesize the polypeptides are mated with the complementary haploid cells.
  • the resulting diploid cells are screened for functional protein.
  • the diploid cells provide a means of rapidly, conveniently and inexpensively bringing together a large number of combinations of polypeptides for functional testing. This technology is especially applicable for the generation of heterodimeric protein products, where optimized subunit synthesis levels are critical for functional protein expression and secretion.
  • the expression level ratio of the two subunits is regulated in order to maximize product generation.
  • Heterodimer subunit protein levels have been shown previously to impact the final product generation (Simmons L C, J Immunol Methods. 2002 May 1; 263(1-2):133-47). Regulation can be achieved prior to the mating step by selection for a marker present on the expression vector. By stably increasing the copy number of the vector, the expression level can be increased. In some cases, it may be desirable to increase the level of one chain relative to the other, so as to reach a balanced proportion between the subunits of the polypeptide.
  • Antibiotic resistance markers are useful for this purpose, e.g. Zeocin resistance marker, G418 resistance, etc.
  • strains that contain multiple integrated copies of an expression vector in a strain by selecting for transformants that are resistant to higher levels of Zeocin or G418.
  • the proper ratio, e.g. 1:1; 1:2; etc. of the subunit genes may be important for efficient protein production. Even when the same promoter is used to transcribe both subunits, many other factors contribute to the final level of protein expressed and therefore, it can be useful to increase the number of copies of one encoded gene relative to the other.
  • diploid strains that produce higher levels of a polypeptide, relative to single copy vector strains are created by mating two haploid strains, both of which have multiple copies of the expression vectors.
  • Host cells are transformed with the above-described expression vectors, mated to form diploid strains, and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences.
  • a number of minimal media suitable for the growth of yeast are known in the art. Any of these media may be supplemented as necessary with salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate), buffers (such as phosphate, HEPES), nucleosides (such as adenosine and thymidine), antibiotics, trace elements, and glucose or an equivalent energy source. Any other necessary supplements may also be included at appropriate concentrations that would be known to those skilled in the art.
  • the culture conditions such as temperature, pH and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.
  • a protease inhibitor such as phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) may be useful to inhibit proteolytic degradation during purification, and antibiotics may be included to prevent the growth of adventitious contaminants.
  • PMSF phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride
  • the composition may be concentrated, filtered, dialyzed, etc., using methods known in the art.
  • the diploid cells of the invention are grown for production purposes.
  • Such production purposes desirably include growth in minimal media, which media lacks pre-formed amino acids and other complex biomolecules, e.g., media comprising ammonia as a nitrogen source, and glucose as an energy and carbon source, and salts as a source of phosphate, calcium and the like.
  • media comprising ammonia as a nitrogen source, and glucose as an energy and carbon source, and salts as a source of phosphate, calcium and the like.
  • Preferably such production media lacks selective agents such as antibiotics, amino acids, purines, pyrimidines, etc.
  • the diploid cells can be grown to high cell density, for example at least about 50 g/L; more usually at least about 100 g/L; and may be at least about 300, about 400, about 500 g/L or more.
  • the growth of the subject cells for production purposes is performed at low temperatures, which temperatures may be lowered during log phase, during stationary phase, or both.
  • low temperature refers to temperatures of at least about 15° C., more usually at least about 17° C., and may be about 20° C., and is usually not more than about 25° C., more usually not more than about 22° C. In another embodiment of the invention, the low temperature is usually not more than about 28° C.
  • Growth temperature can impact the production of full-length secreted proteins in production cultures, and decreasing the culture growth temperature can strongly enhance the intact product yield. The decreased temperature appears to assist intracellular trafficking through the folding and post-translational processing pathways used by the host to generate the target product, along with reduction of cellular protease degradation.
  • secreted, active protein preferably a mammalian protein.
  • active antibodies refers to a correctly folded multimer of at least two properly paired chains, which accurately binds to its cognate antigen.
  • Expression levels of active protein are usually at least about 10-50 mg/liter culture, more usually at least about 100 mg/liter, preferably at least about 500 mg/liter, and may be 1000 mg/liter or more.
  • the methods of the invention can provide for increased stability of the host and heterologous coding sequences during production.
  • the stability is evidenced, for example, by maintenance of high levels of expression of time, where the starting level of expression is decreased by not more than about 20%, usually not more than 10%, and may be decreased by not more than about 5% over about 20 doublings, 50 doublings, 100 doublings, or more.
  • the strain stability also provides for maintenance of heterologous gene sequence integrity over time, where the sequence of the active coding sequence and requisite transcriptional regulatory elements are maintained in at least about 99% of the diploid cells, usually in at least about 99.9% of the diploid cells, and preferably in at least about 99.99% of the diploid cells over about 20 doublings, 50 doublings, 100 doublings, or more.
  • substantially all of the diploid cells maintain the sequence of the active coding sequence and requisite transcriptional regulatory elements.
  • Antibody polypeptides of the invention having IL-6 binding specificity may also be produced by constructing, using conventional techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, an expression vector containing an operon and a DNA sequence encoding an antibody heavy chain in which the DNA sequence encoding the CDRs required for antibody specificity is derived from a non-human cell source, preferably a rabbit B-cell source, while the DNA sequence encoding the remaining parts of the antibody chain is derived from a human cell source.
  • a second expression vector is produced using the same conventional means well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, said expression vector containing an operon and a DNA sequence encoding an antibody light chain in which the DNA sequence encoding the CDRs required for antibody specificity is derived from a non-human cell source, preferably a rabbit B-cell source, while the DNA sequence encoding the remaining parts of the antibody chain is derived from a human cell source.
  • the expression vectors are transfected into a host cell by convention techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art to produce a transfected host cell, said transfected host cell cultured by conventional techniques well known to those of ordinary skill in the art to produce said antibody polypeptides.
  • the host cell may be co-transfected with the two expression vectors described above, the first expression vector containing DNA encoding an operon and a light chain-derived polypeptide and the second vector containing DNA encoding an operon and a heavy chain-derived polypeptide.
  • the two vectors contain different selectable markers, but preferably achieve substantially equal expression of the heavy and light chain polypeptides.
  • a single vector may be used, the vector including DNA encoding both the heavy and light chain polypeptides.
  • the coding sequences for the heavy and light chains may comprise cDNA.
  • the host cells used to express the antibody polypeptides may be either a bacterial cell such as E. coli , or a eukaryotic cell.
  • a mammalian cell of a well-defined type for this purpose such as a myeloma cell or a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line may be used.
  • the general methods by which the vectors may be constructed, transfection methods required to produce the host cell and culturing methods required to produce the antibody polypeptides from said host cells all include conventional techniques.
  • the cell line used to produce the antibody is a mammalian cell line, any other suitable cell line, such as a bacterial cell line such as an E. coli -derived bacterial strain, or a yeast cell line, may alternatively be used.
  • the antibody polypeptides may be purified according to standard procedures in the art, such as for example cross-flow filtration, ammonium sulphate precipitation, affinity column chromatography and the like.
  • the antibody polypeptides described herein may also be used for the design and synthesis of either peptide or non-peptide mimetics that would be useful for the same therapeutic applications as the antibody polypeptides of the invention. See, for example, Saragobi et al, Science, 253:792-795 (1991), the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the invention also includes screening assays designed to assist in the identification of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 in patients exhibiting symptoms of an IL-6 associated disease or disorder.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibodies of the invention are used to detect the presence of IL-6 in a biological sample obtained from a patient exhibiting symptoms of a disease or disorder associated with IL-6.
  • the presence of IL-6, or elevated levels thereof when compared to pre-disease levels of IL-6 in a comparable biological sample, may be beneficial in diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with IL-6.
  • Another embodiment of the invention provides a diagnostic or screening assay to assist in diagnosis of diseases or disorders associated with IL-6 in patients exhibiting symptoms of an IL-6 associated disease or disorder identified herein, comprising assaying the level of IL-6 expression in a biological sample from said patient using a post-translationally modified anti-IL-6 antibody or binding fragment thereof.
  • the anti-IL-6 antibody or binding fragment thereof may be post-translationally modified to include a detectable moiety such as set forth previously in the disclosure.
  • the IL-6 level in the biological sample is determined using a modified anti-IL-6 antibody or binding fragment thereof as set forth herein, and comparing the level of IL-6 in the biological sample against a standard level of IL-6 (e.g., the level in normal biological samples).
  • a standard level of IL-6 e.g., the level in normal biological samples.
  • the above-recited assay may also be useful in monitoring a disease or disorder, where the level of IL-6 obtained in a biological sample from a patient believed to have an IL-6 associated disease or disorder is compared with the level of IL-6 in prior biological samples from the same patient, in order to ascertain whether the IL-6 level in said patient has changed with, for example, a treatment regimen.
  • the invention is also directed to a method of in vivo imaging which detects the presence of cells which express IL-6 comprising administering a diagnostically effective amount of a diagnostic composition.
  • Said in vivo imaging is useful for the detection and imaging of IL-6 expressing tumors or metastases and IL-6 expressing inflammatory sites, for example, and can be used as part of a planning regimen for design of an effective cancer or arthritis treatment protocol.
  • the treatment protocol may include, for example, one or more of radiation, chemotherapy, cytokine therapy, gene therapy, and antibody therapy, as well as an anti-IL-6 antibody or fragment thereof.
  • a biological sample includes, but is not limited to, sera, plasma, urine, saliva, mucous, pleural fluid, synovial fluid and spinal fluid.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, diseases and disorders associated with IL-6.
  • Anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof can also be administered in a therapeutically effective amount to patients in need of treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6 in the form of a pharmaceutical composition as described in greater detail below.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, diseases and disorders associated with fatigue.
  • Diseases and disorders associated with fatigue include, but are not limited to, general fatigue, exercise-induced fatigue, cancer-related fatigue, inflammatory disease-related fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, cachexia.
  • Diseases and disorders associated with cachexia include, but are not limited to, cancer-related cachexia, cardiac-related cachexia, respiratory-related cachexia, renal-related cachexia and age-related cachexia.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, autoimmune diseases and disorders.
  • Diseases and disorders associated with autoimmunity include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthropathy, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, autoimmune vasculitis, graft versus host disease (GVHD), Sjogren's syndrome, adult onset Still's disease.
  • SLE systemic lupus erythematosis
  • IBD inflammatory bowel disease
  • polymyalgia rheumatica giant cell arteritis
  • autoimmune vasculitis graft versus host disease (GVHD)
  • humanized anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
  • Nishimoto N. Clinical studies in patients with Castleman's disease, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis in Japan, Clin Rev Allergy Immunol., 2005 June; 28(3):221-30; Nishimoto N, et al, Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Arthritis Rheum., 2004 June; 50(6):1761-9; Choy E., Interleukin 6 receptor as a target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Ann Rheum Dis., 2003 November; 62 Suppl 2:ii68-9; Nishimoto N, et al, Toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and dose-finding study of repetitive treatment with the humanized anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody MRA in rheumatoid arthritis.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, diseases and disorders associated with the skeletal system.
  • Diseases and disorders associated with the skeletal system include, but are not limited to, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone.
  • humanized anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, osteoarthritis.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, diseases and disorders associated with cancer.
  • Diseases and disorders associated with cancer include, but are not limited to, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, leukemia, renal cell cancer, multicentric Castleman's disease, ovarian cancer, drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy and cancer chemotherapy toxicity.
  • anti-IL-6 antibodies described herein, or fragments thereof are useful for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms of, or treating, or preventing, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, asthma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, fever, acute phase response, allergies, anemia, anemia of inflammation (anemia of chronic disease), hypertension, depression, depression associated with a chronic illness, thrombosis, thrombocytosis, acute heart failure, metabolic syndrome, miscarriage, obesity, chronic prostatitis, glomerulonephritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, reperfusion injury, and transplant rejection.
  • Rattazzi M et al, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in vascular disease: culprits or passive bystanders?, J Hypertens., 2003 October; 21(10):1787-803; Ito T, et al, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors reduce interleukin-6 synthesis in human vascular smooth muscle cells, Cardiovasc Drugs Ther., 2002 March; 16(2):121-6; Stenvinkel P, et al, Mortality, malnutrition, and atherosclerosis in ESRD: what is the role of interleukin-6?, Kidney Int Suppl., 2002 May; (80): 103-8; Yudkin J S, et al, Inflammation, obesity, stress and coronary heart disease: is interleukin-6 the link?, Atherosclerosis, 2000 February; 148(2):209-14; Huber S A, et al, Interleukin-6 exacerbates early atherosclerosis in mice, Arterioscler Thromb Vas

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KR101741731B1 (ko) 2017-05-30
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US7935340B2 (en) 2011-05-03
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