WO2012092664A1

WO2012092664A1 - Monoclonal anti-anti-mhc antibodies and uses thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2012092664A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey W . HOFFMANN
Original assignee: Network Immunology Inc.
Priority date: 2011-01-04
Filing date: 2012-01-04
Publication date: 2012-07-12
Also published as: WO2012092665A1; WO2012092663A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to a MHC protein. The disclosure further provides uses of the monoclonal antibody such as for reducing the risk of HIV or SIV infection; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies; kits containing the compositions; and methods of producing hybridomas.

Description

MONOCLONAL ANTI-ANTI-MHC ANTIBODIES AND USES THEREOF

FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies and uses thereof. The uses include use in reducing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, use in the treatment of autoimmunity, and use in the treatment of cancers. The present disclosure further relates to compositions, systems, processes, kits, and the like.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. HIV can pass from one infected individual to another by the transfer of bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate and breast milk. In the body, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. HIV infection in humans is considered pandemic by the World Health Organization. From its discovery in 1981 to 2006, AIDS killed more than 25 million people (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS, 2006, "Overview of the global AIDS epidemic." 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic). Approximately 7,000 people worldwide contract HIV every day, and in the U.S. about 66,000 new cases are reported every year. (Harmon, K., 2009, "Renewed Hope." Scientific American 302 (1): 15-16.). HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system; more specifically, T helper cells (also known as CD4+ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells (Cunningham, A., et al., 2010, "Manipulation of dendritic cell function by viruses." Current Opinion in

Microbiology 13(4): 524-529). It has been postulated that HlV-specific T helper cells are preferentially infected with HIV. T helper cells are a sub-group of lymphocytes that play an important role in establishing and maximizing the capabilities of the immune system. These cells have little or no cytolytic or phagocytic activity; however, they are involved in activating and directing other immune cells, such as other T cells and B cells. T helper cells bind epitopes that are part of class II histocompatibility molecules (i.e., MHC class II molecules). Only specialized antigen-presenting cells express MHC class II molecules. Some have suggested that HIV has MHC-mimicking determinants and the antigen-specific receptor of HIV-specific T helper cells is a coreceptor for infection by HIV. Based on this theory, HIV would bind specifically to at least some T helper cell receptors, which would also have affinity for MHC class II molecules of antigen-presenting cells. (Hoffmann, G.W., 1994, "Co-selection in immune network theory and in AIDS pathogenesis." Immunol. Cell Biol. 72: 338-46; Douek, D.K., et al., 2002. "HIV preferentially infects HIV-specific CD4+ T cells." Nature 417: 95-98). The importance of T helper cells can be seen in individuals infected with HIV as HIV infection results in a decrease in the number of functional CD4+ T cells, which ultimately leads to the symptomatic stage of infection known as AIDS. Most untreated people infected with HIV eventually develop AIDS (Migueles, S. and Connors, M. 2010. "Long-term Nonprogressive Disease Among Untreated HIV-infected Individuals: Clinical Implications of Understanding Immune Control of HIV." JAMA 304(2): 194-201). These individuals mostly die from opportunistic infections or malignancies associated with the progressive failure of the immune system (Lawn, S.D. 2004. "AIDS in Africa: the impact of coinfections on the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection." J. Infect. Dis. 48(1): 1-12). Treatment with anti-retrovirals increases the life expectancy of people infected with HIV. Anti-retroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to anti-retroviral medication is not available in all countries (Palella, F. J. Jr., et al. 1998. "Declining morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. HIV Outpatient Study Investigators." N. Engl. J. Med 338(13): 853-860). Reducing the incidence of HIV infection would clearly be of benefit in medical, economic and sociological terms. However, despite advances in therapies, there is currently no public available vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS. Since the discovery of HIV, attempts to develop an HIV vaccine have repeatedly failed or have been, at best, only marginally effective. See, for example, Fauci, et al. 2008. Science 321: 530; Letvin. 2009. Science 326:1 196. Prior attempts at developing a vaccine typically involve immunization with HIV components, and the lack of success has been ascribed, at least in part, to the enormous diversity and high mutation rate of HIV.

[0003] Numerous pathologies involve either an over-active (e.g. autoimmune diseases) or under-active (e.g. cancer) immune system. In such cases, it may be desirable to stabilize the immune system. Additionally, certain degenerative diseases and conditions related to aging may be aided by stabilizing the immune system.

SUMMARY

[0004] In part, the present disclosure describes monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0005] In part, the present disclosure describes rodent monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0006] In part, the present disclosure describes fragments of anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0007] In part, the present disclosure describes methods of producing anti-anti-MHC antibodies. [0008] In part, the present disclosure describes methods of producing monoclonal anti-anti- MHC antibodies.

[0009] In part, the present disclosure describes methods of producing rodent anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0010] In part, the present disclosure describes polyclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[001 1] In part, the present disclosure describes a method of reducing an organism's risk of being infected with HIV. The present method comprises introducing anti-anti-MHC antibodies to the organism.

[0012] In part, the present disclosure describes a method of reducing an organism's risk of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

[0013] In part, the present disclosure describes vaccines that prevents or reduces the risk of HIV infection.

[0014] In part, the present disclosure describes compositions comprising anti-anti-MHC antibodies. For example, the present composition may comprise antibodies and an adjuvant.

[0015] In part, the present disclosure describes a method of supplying anti-anti-MHC antibodies, the method comprising:

a. receiving input parameters, said parameters comprising the HIV and/or SIV status of a subject and a delivery location;

b. if the HIV and/or SIV status is negative, selecting appropriate anti-anti-MHC antibodies for reducing the risk of the subject being infected with HIV; and c. distributing said anti-anti-MHC antibodies to the delivery location.

[0016] In part, the present disclosure describes anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0017] In part the present disclosure describes methods for the production of anti-anti-anti- MHC antibodies.

[0018] In part, the present disclosure describes a method of producing anti-anti-MHC antibodies using anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0019] In part, the present disclosure describes monoclonal anti-anti-anti-monoclonal antibodies.

[0020] In part, the present disclosure describes methods for the production of anti-anti-anti- MHC monoclonal antibodies.

[0021] In part, the present disclosure describes the use of anti-anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies in immunogenic form as a component of a vaccine against HIV.

[0022] In part, the present disclosure describes the use of anti-anti-anti-MHC monoclonal antibodies in immunogenic form as a vaccine against HIV infection. [0023] In part, the present disclosure describes a method of treatment for degenerative disorders such as autoimmune diseases using anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies given in non-immunogenic form.

[0024] In part the present disclosure provides a method of production of monoclonal anti-anti- MHC antibodies that stabilize the immune system and are suitable for aiding in the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and other degenerative diseases and conditions when given in non-immunogenic form.

[0025] As used herein, the term "immune response" means the production of antibodies and/or the induction of cell mediated immunity.

[0026] As used herein, the term "idiotype" means the unique set of antigenic determinants (or epitopes) of the V region of an antibody, lymphocyte receptor or specific T cell factor, wherein such idiotype can potentially induce the formation of anti-idiotypic antibodies.

[0027] As used herein, the term "anti-idiotype" means a set of antigenic determinants (or epitopes) of the V region of an antibody, lymphocyte receptor or specific T cell factor that is complementary to the V region of the respective idiotype.

[0028] As used herein, the term "anti-anti-MHC antibody" means an antibody in an alloimmune serum that binds to an anti-MHC and/or an anti-anti-anti-MHC antibody in the converse alloimmune serum (see Figure 1) or a monoclonal antibody with the same specificity. Anti-anti- MHC antibodies are distinct from antiidiotypic antibodies that are selected and produced by purifying an idiotype bearing antibody and immunizing a vertebrate with that idiotype. In the context of an P anti-Q immune response, where P and Q are vertebrates, anti-anti-P antibodies in a P anti-Q serum bind specifically to anti-P and anti-anti-anti-P antibodies in a Q anti-P serum. Anti-anti-P antibodies are predominantly anti-anti-(P MHC), because of the strong role that MHC antigens play in alloimmunity. As used herein, when P has made an immune response to Q and Q has made an immune response to P the animal P is "conversely alloimmune" to the animal Q, and the P anti-Q serum is the "converse antiserum" to the Q anti-P antiserum. The present monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies can be selected on the basis of complementarity to anti-MHC and anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies in the converse alloimmune antiserum.

[0029] As used herein, the term "anti-anti-anti-MHC antibody" means, in the context of a P anti-Q immune response where P and Q are vertebrates, an antibody present in an P anti-Q serum, or a monoclonal antibody, that binds to the V regions of anti-anti-(Q MHC) antibodies present in a Q anti-P serum, but not to vertebrate Q MHC antigens (see Figure 1).

[0030] As used herein, the term "organism" or "subject" refers to any vertebrate organism. For example, the organism may be one at risk of being infected or already infected by HIV or SIV. [0031] As used herein, the term "symmetrical immune network theory" refers to a theory of how the adaptive immune system is regulated. See Geoffrey W. Hoffmann "Immune Network Theory" published at online at www.networkimmunologyinc.com.

[0032] As used herein, the term "aiding in the prevention or treatment" means that the symptoms of a particular disease or condition are reduced following exposure to the monoclonal antibody or antibodies.

[0033] As used herein, the term "stabilizing the immune system" means altering the activity of the immune system such that the system operates at a level appropriate for treating the pathology of the particular disease or condition an organism is suffering from.

[0034] This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of the present invention.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 shows a system by which anti-, anti-anti-, and anti-anti-anti-antibodies are defined and are believed to be present as polyclonal antibodies in alloimmune or xenoimmune vertebrates. A vertebrate "P" with MHC antigens P that is alloimmune or made alloimmune to a vertebrate "Q" with MHC antigens Q is believed to make anti-Q, anti-anti-P, and anti-anti-anti- Q antibodies. If the vertebrate "Q" is alloimmune or is made alloimmune to the vertebrate "P", "Q" is believed to make anti-P, anti-anti-Q, and anti-anti-anti-P antibodies. The anti-anti-Q antibodies in the Q anti-P serum are believed to have specificity for anti-Q and anti-anti-anti-Q polyclonal antibodies in the P anti-Q serum. The monoclonal and polyclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies of this disclosure are believed to have specificity for anti-MHC and anti-anti-anti- MHC antibodies as shown in this figure. The anti-anti-P antibodies are sometimes referred to as "anti-anti-self ' because they can have a more general complementarity to anti-P V regions rather than only having complementarity for anti-(P MHC) V regions.

[0036] Figure 2 illustrates the IJ phenomenon in the context of the symmetrical immune network theory.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a possible mechanism for a monoclonal anti-anti-(MHC class II) antibodies in immunogenic form being a vaccine for the prevention of infection with HIV.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a possible mechanism for the induction of transplantation tolerance using anti-anti-(graft MHC) antibodies. [0039] Figure 5 shows a possible method for obtaining monoclonal anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies and their use in a transplantation technology.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a possible mechanism by which anti-anti-anti-(graft MHC) antibodies mediate transplantation tolerance.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a possible mechanism for the stabilization of an immune system by anti- anti-(self MHC) antibodies. Such stabilization may be useful for the prevention or treatment of degenerative diseases including autoimmune conditions and cancers.

[0042] Figure 8 shows a possible mechanism for the stabilization of an immune system by anti- anti-anti-MHC antibodies. Such stabilization can be for the prevention or treatment of degenerative diseases including autoimmunity and cancers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present disclosure describes monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies and uses thereof.

[0044] The uses of the monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies include as a component of a vaccine for reducing the risk of HIV infection in an organism. In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a method of producing anti-idiotypic antibodies against antigen receptors on the surface of an organism's lymphocytes and the use of such anti-idiotypic antibodies in reducing the risk of HIV infection in an organism. The present disclosure further relates to vaccines, compositions, kits, systems, methods, and the like.

[0045] The uses of the monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies herein include use for the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases.

[0046] The uses of the monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies herein include use for the treatment or prevention of cancers.

[0047] The present methods include the production of anti-anti-MHC antibodies. For example, the methods include methods involving the use of two organisms, hereinafter referred to as organism P and organism Q. It is preferable that organism P and organism Q have different MHC genes, that is, be allogeneic or xenogeneic with respect to each other. It may involve the production of anti-anti-(MHC P) monoclonal antibodies for administration to an organism at risk of HIV infection.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a system by which anti-, anti-anti-, and anti-anti-anti-antibodies are defined and are believed to be present as polyclonal antibodies in alloimmune or xenoimmune vertebrates. A vertebrate "P", with MHC antigens P, that is alloimmune or made alloimmune to a vertebrate "Q", with MHC antigens Q, is believed to make anti-Q, anti-anti-P and anti-anti- anti-P antibodies. If the vertebrate "Q" is alloimmune or is made alloimmune to the vertebrate "P", "Q" is believed to make anti-P, anti-anti-Q and anti-anti-anti-P antibodies. The anti-anti-Q antibodies in the Q anti-P serum are believed to have specificity for anti-Q and anti-anti-anti-Q polyclonal antibodies in the P anti-Q serum. The monoclonal and polyclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies herein may be produced using such alloimmune vertebrates, and are believed to have specificity for anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies as shown here, and are believed to be specific for the V regions of both anti-(MHC class I) and anti-(MHC class II) V regions. Adapted from G. W. Hoffmann and T. A. Kion (1992) in Theoretical and Experimental Insights into

Immunology, A. S. Perelson et al., eds., Springer- Verlag, Heidelberg pp. 353-364. If "P" is designated as "self, "anti-anti-self ' in the P anti-Q serum binds specifically to "anti-self and "anti-anti-anti-self antibodies in the Q anti-P serum.

[0049] Figure 2 illustrates the IJ phenomenon in the context of the symmetrical immune network theory. Clonal selection of T cells interacting with self MHC class II antigens and with each other is believed to lead to this "network focusing" topology. Diverse helper T cells are believed to be selected partly on the basis of affinity for MHC class II. A set of

anti-anti-(MHC class II) suppressor T cells is believed to be selected on the basis of recognizing as many helper T cell idiotypes as possible. The anti-(MHC class II) helper T cells are believed to be selected to recognize the anti-anti-(MHC class II) suppressor T cell idiotypes in addition to MHC class II. There is believed to be co-selection (mutual selection) of the T helper and T suppressor idiotypes, leading to the emergent selection of the anti-anti-(MHC class II) idiotypes known as IJ. It is believed that in the context of the helper T cell idiotypes, IJ is an image of MHC class II, or "anti-anti-MHC class Π". The IJ idiotypes are believed to be more

homogeneous than the helper T cell V regions and are consequently effective as an antigen when a mouse is immunized with lymphoid cells, and they cause the production of anti-IJ antibodies, which are therefore anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies. Adapted from Hoffmann, G. W. 1994, Immunol. Cell Biol. 72, 338. IJ clones are known in the symmetrical immune network theory as the "centre-pole" of the system.

[0050] One method herein comprises obtaining a selection of cells from an organism Q.

Preferably, the selection of cells comprises lymphocytes. The cells preferably include cells with receptors on their surface with anti-(MHC P) specificity (for example, T cells that have anti- (MHC P) specificity); that is, anti-organism P specificity. For safety, the lymphocytes of organism Q may be made non- viable by, for example, gamma irradiation or other suitable method.

[0051 ] The method may further comprise exposing cells, preferably including T lymphocytes and/or B lymphocytes, of organism P to the cells from organism Q such that an immune response is induced against the cells of organism Q thereby resulting in the production of anti- (MHC Q), anti-anti-(MHC P), and/or anti-anti-anti-(MHC Q) antibodies, as illustrated in Figure 1. This is preferably done in vivo. For example, organism P may be immunized with the selection of organism Q cells, preferably containing lymphocytes.

[0052] Organism Q's cells are recognized as foreign by organism P's immune cells and anti- (MHC Q) antibodies are produced. In addition, the anti-(MHC P) receptors on organism Q's cells are recognized as foreign by organism P's immune system, which induces organism P's immune system to produce anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies. Furthermore, the immune response may include the production of anti-anti-anti-(MHC Q) antibodies, which in the context of the symmetrical immune network theory are sometimes referred to as "anti-IJ" antibodies in the mouse.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a possible mechanism for a monoclonal anti-anti-(MHC class II) antibodies in immunogenic form being a vaccine for the prevention of infection with HIV. Alpha (a) is an abbreviation for "anti-". Helper T cells can be selected to have some affinity for MHC class II antigens. The helper T cells can be coselected with suppressor T cells that are anti-anti-(MHC class II). Since HIV preferentially infects HIV-specific helper T cells, HIV is also coselected with the helper T cells, and HIV has an anti-anti-(MHC class II) shape. The anti- anti-(MHC class II) monoclonal antibody selects anti-anti-anti-(MHC class II) lymphocytes that are anti-HIV. This can increase the immune system's anti-HIV response. Both the anti-anti-anti- P antibodies and the anti-anti-anti-Q antibodies of Figure 1 are believed to bind to multiple HIV glycoproteins and proteins including but not necessarily limited to gpl20, gp41 and p24.

[0054] The present disclosure further describes obtaining monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies (mAb). These antibodies may be produced via any suitable method such methods being known in the art. Preferred methods of producing monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies are described below in Example 1 to 3.

[0055] This disclosure describes monoclonal antibodies that are able to induce an anti-HIV immune response in a subject. Monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies as described herein are also referred to as "anti-anti-self ' monoclonal antibodies. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that when an animal is hyper-immunized with allogeneic tissue, including immunization with foreign lymphocytes, the lymphocytes of the animal are selected such that they fall into three categories, namely anti-foreign, anti-anti-self and anti-anti-anti-foreign. It is further believed that the lymphocytes of such immunized animals can be used to make hybridomas, and these hybridomas can be screened for the monoclonal antibodies suitable for use as an HIV vaccine, by first selecting clones that make antibodies that are neither anti-foreign nor anti-anti-anti-foreign. One marker for having anti-foreign specificity is the capacity to bind to the relevant foreign MHC antigens, and one marker for anti-anti-anti-foreign specificity is believed to be the ability to bind to HIV antigens. Monoclonal antibodies with this double- negative phenotype (not anti-foreign MHC and not positive for binding to HIV antigens) are candidates for being anti -anti -self monoclonal antibodies and for being suitable for use in an anti-HIV vaccine. These monoclonal antibodies can then be further tested for the ability to induce an anti-HIV immune response when given to animals in immunogenic form, and if they are capable of that, they can potentially be used as the specific components of an HIV vaccine. Monoclonal anti-anti-self antibodies that induce anti-HIV immune responses can be further tested for their ability to prevent SIV infection in macaque monkeys as a potential pre-clinical proof of efficacy.

[0056] This disclosure further relates to monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies that are able to stabilize immune systems. For example, such antibodies may be able to aid in the prevention or treatment of autoimmune disorders, cancers, or other degenerative diseases and conditions. Methods of production of such monoclonal antibodies are described in examples 1 to 3 below.

[0057] While not wishing to be bound by theory, the present methods are believed to work based on the symmetrical immune network theory, according to which the variable regions (the "V regions") of antibodies, specific T cell factors, and specific lymphocyte receptors recognize each other and that such recognition is a key element in the regulation of the immune system. The V regions of antibodies, lymphocyte receptors and specific T cell factors each have a set of antigenic determinants (or epitopes) that characterize each type of antibody, receptor and specific T cell factor. These antigenic determinants are referred to as idiotypes and function in their own right as antigenic stimuli, which can induce the formation of anti-idiotypic antibodies. An antiidiotype is a set of antigenic determinants complementary to its respective idiotypes. The interactions between idiotypes and antiidiotypes and the interaction between idiotypic receptors and antiidiotypic receptors was thought to be a major factor in regulating a specific immune response (see, for example, Wigzell, H. and Binz, H. 1980. Progress in Immunology IV, eds. Fougereau, M. and Dausset, J. Academic Press, N.Y., p. 94-103; Infante, et al. 1982. J. Exp. Med. 155: 1100; Bona, C. and Paul, E. 1980. Regulatory T Lymphocytes, eds., Pernis, B. and Vogel, H.J. Academic Press, N.Y., p. 292). The interactions between idiotypes and antiidiotypes was thought to be symmetrical. The symmetrical interactions may include

symmetrical stimulation, inhibition, and elimination interactions. However, for a variety of reasons symmetrical immune network theory has been largely discounted by the scientific community and the vast majority of immunologists are not further pursuing or researching the theory. One issue with the theory is that it is based on the presumed existence of molecules called specific T cell factors, or "tabs", which are integral to the symmetrical immune network theory, but are not part of the reigning paradigm of adaptive immunity in the year 2010. A second cause for the unpopularity of the symmetrical immune network theory is known as the IJ paradox. Tabs were shown experimentally to express IJ determinants, and IJ was clearly mapped in mice to within the MHC, but no gene for IJ could be found there. This was the IJ paradox. The IJ paradox led to the widespread conclusions that "IJ does not exist" and

"suppressor tabs do not exist". Since these molecules are important in the symmetrical immune network theory, it has been widely concluded that the symmetrical immune network theory is wrong.

[0058] In spite of the technical prejudice that exists against immune network theory , the present disclosure describes the use of anti-anti-MHC for reducing the risk of HIV infection. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that HIV mimics anti-anti-MHC V regions, and this makes it vulnerable to immunization with the present anti-anti-MHC antibodies.

[0059] Anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies produced using an organism Q and an organism P can be selected on the basis of the V regions of the anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies having

complementarity to the V regions of anti-anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies present in the serum of a Q organism that is immune to P, as described in the examples. An embodiment of the present disclosure comprises administering anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies to a subject in immunogenic form. The anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies may be monoclonal, polyclonal, or a combination thereof but are preferably monoclonal. In an embodiment, purified anti-anti-MHC antibodies are administered to the recipient.

[0060] For the treatment of autoimmune diseases or cancers, monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies may be administered to a vertebrate in non-immunogenic form. As used herein, "non- immunogenic" means without an adjuvant, via a non-immunogenic route, and/or in non- immunogenic amounts. The amount of the antibodies used and route of administration may be determined by one skilled in the art. For example, the recipient may be given monoclonal anti- anti-MHC antibodies intravenously or intra-peritoneal without an adjuvant, in amounts that may be between about 10 ng and about 10 of antibody per kilogram weight of the recipient per dose, even more preferably about 1 μg of antibody per kilogram of the recipient per dose.

[0061] Specific antibodies are normally defined primarily in terms of an antigen to which they bind, with a secondary aspect of the definition being the species of animal in which they were produced. In some cases antibodies are also defined in terms of both antigen specificity and an antiidiotypic reagent. In examples 1 and 2 below monoclonal anti-anti-MHC are defined and obtained based on interactions between the idiotypes that are present in two complementary antisera.

[0062] As used herein, "immunogenic" means with an adjuvant, via an immunogenic route, and/or in immunogenic amounts. The adjuvant may be alum and/or other substance(s) capable of increasing the ability of the anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies to stimulate an organism's immune system.

[0063] When used as a vaccine for reducing the risk of HIV or SIV infection monoclonal anti- anti-MHC antibodies may be administered to the recipient in an effective amount in

immunogenic form. An "effective amount" of the monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies refers to a sufficient amount, for the number and periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired result; that is, reduction in the risk of HIV or SIV infection. An effective amount will usually be an immunogenic amount. For example, the antibodies may be administered once, twice, three, or more times. An effective amount of the monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies may vary according to factors such as the health, age, sex and weight of the organism.

[0064] When used as a vaccine for reducing the risk of HIV/SIV infection, the monoclonal anti- anti-MHC antibodies may be administered prior to HIV infection. The number of

administrations that are needed may vary depending on circumstances but, for example, there may be one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more administrations of monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies. The interval between administrations may be any suitable time such as, for example, about 1 week to about 8 weeks, about 10 days to about 6 weeks, about 2 weeks to about 4 weeks. Preferably, a subject is given monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies via an immunogenic route, for example intramuscularly or subcutaneously, with an adjuvant, in amounts preferably between about 1 μg and about 1 mg of monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibody per dose, even more preferably about 10 μg to about 100 μg of monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibody per dose. It may be possible to give one or more doses without an adjuvant.

[0065] Monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies, may be a specific component of an HIV vaccine for reducing the risk of infection with HIV. The monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies have V regions that resemble HIV and are believed therefore to stimulate the organisms immune system against HIV.

[0066] If desired, administration of the present monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies may be combined with any other method or substance for reducing the risk of HIV infection.

[0067] The present disclosure describes a composition comprising the monoclonal anti-anti- MHC antibody in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will depend on the mode of administration of the compound but will preferably be immunogenic. Suitable carriers include those known in the art for use in such modes of administration.

[0068] The present carrier preferably comprises an adjuvant for exacerbating the immune response.

[0069] The carrier may further comprises a variety of optional ingredients such as water, salts such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride, a preservative such as thimerosal or

formaldehyde, a buffer such as those containing potassium dihydrogen phosphate or disodium hydrogen phosphate, or combinations thereof.

[0070] The present disclosure describes a composition comprising monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibody in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will depend on the mode of administration and purpose of the composition. For example, when used as a vaccine the carrier will preferably be immunogenic. Suitable carriers include those known in the art for use in such modes of administration.

[0071] The pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated by means known in the art and their mode of administration.

[0072] The pharmaceutical composition may comprise anti-anti-MHC monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies or fragments of antibodies in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0073] The dose of the pharmaceutical composition may be determined by the skilled practitioner. For example, each dose may contain between about 1 μg and about 1 mg the anti- anti-MHC antibody. In an embodiment each dose comprises between about 10 g and about 100 μg of the anti-anti-MHC antibody per dose.

[0074] The present invention further discloses a kit comprising a pharmaceutical composition of the monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibody with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier together with instructions for use.

[0075] The present disclosure further describes a method of supplying monoclonal anti-anti- MHC antibodies, the method comprising:

a. receiving input parameters, said parameters including the HIV and/or SIV status of a subject and a delivery location;

b. if the HIV and/or SIV status is negative, selecting appropriate monoclonal anti- anti-MHC antibodies for reducing the risk of the subject being infected with HIV; and

c. distributing said monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies to the delivery location. [0076] The input parameters may include other information about the subject such as, but not limited to, age, sex, medical history, further genetic information, and the like.

[0077] The present method may comprise selecting appropriate anti-anti-MHC antibodies for reducing the risk of the subject being infected with HIV based on the input parameters. The selection may be performed in any suitable manner such as, for example, manually. The selection may be performed using a computer to identify suitable anti-anti-MHC antibodies. The antibodies may be produced as needed or may be produced in advance and stored in an appropriate manner until required. For example, the present method may comprise the production of a bank of monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies suitable for subjects with specified MHC genes.

[0078] The present method comprises distributing the antibodies to a delivery location. The distribution may be done by any suitable means but it is preferred that the distribution is performed in an expeditious manner.

[0079] The present disclosure provides a method, use, pharmaceutical composition and kit for reducing the risk of the subject being infected with HIV.

[0080] The anti-anti-MHC antibodies and anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies described here can potentially be used for inducing transplantation tolerance.

[0081] Figure 4 shows a possible mechanism for the induction of transplantation tolerance using anti-anti-(graft MHC) antibodies. Alpha (a) is an abbreviation for "anti-" and "tab" means specific T cell factor. The single arrows denote stimulation. The double arrows denote arming, meaning tabs binding to the surface of non-specific accessory cells (A cells) including macrophages and monocytes. Evans et al. (1972) J. Exp. Med., 136, 1318. The tabs on the surface of the A cells can form an immunogenic array. Anti-anti-graft antibodies (aagraft IgG) can stimulate agraft and aaagraft T cells. The agraft T cells may also be stimulated by the graft. The agraft and aaagraft T cells secrete agraft and aaagraft tabs respectively. The agraft and aaagraft tabs can bind to the surface of A cells. The agraft and aaagraft tabs on the A cells can stimulate aagraft T cells. The aagraft T cells secrete aagraft tabs that may also bind to the surface of A cells. Thus the A cells can become armed with a mixture of agraft, aagraft and aaagraft tabs. The armed A cell can stimulate the proliferation of agraft, aagraft and aaagraft T cells. While not wishing to be bound by theory, in the context of the symmetrical immune network theory, the resulting state of the system with elevated levels of agraft, aagraft and aaagraft T cells is believed to be a specifically suppressed state with regard to making an immune response to the graft. [0082] Figure 5 shows a method for obtaining monoclonal anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies and their use in a transplantation technology. In this figure, a vertebrate CI is multiply immunized with lymphocytes of a vertebrate P and a vertebrate C2 is multiply immunized with

lymphocytes of a vertebrate Q. The B lymphocytes of vertebrate CI can be used to make hybridomas. Hybridomas can be selected for those that produce antibodies having V regions that bind to HIV antigens. These hybridomas make monoclonal antibodies having anti-anti-anti- (P MHC) activity. The B lymphocytes of vertebrate C2 are used to make hybridomas.

Hybridomas are selected that have V regions that bind to HIV antigens. These hybridomas make monoclonal antibodies having anti-anti-anti-(Q MHC) activity. P receives a Q skin graft together with anti-anti-anti-Q antibodies and Q receives a P skin graft together with anti-anti- anti-P antibodies. In each case the anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies are given beginning at the time of the skin graft and at intervals thereafter. When the skin grafts are stably accepted, P and Q are each ready to receive an organ transplant from the other, should the need arise.

[0083] Figure 6 shows a possible mechanism by which anti-anti-anti-(graft MHC) antibodies mediate transplantation tolerance. Alpha (a) is an abbreviation for "anti-" and "tab" means specific T cell factor. In this figure, small doses of the anti-anti-anti-graft antibodies in non- immunogenic form stimulate anti-anti-graft T cells that secrete anti-anti-graft specific T cell factors (tabs). These specific T cell factors bind to the surface of non-specific accessory cells including macrophages (A cells), where they present an array that is stimulatory for anti-graft T cells and anti-anti-anti-graft T cells that secrete anti-graft tabs and anti-anti-anti-graft tabs respectively. The A cells thus become armed with a mixture of anti-graft, anti-anti-graft and anti-anti-anti-graft tabs, and the immune system is stimulated to go to a state with elevated levels of anti-graft, anti-anti-graft and anti-anti-anti-graft T cells. While not wishing to be bound by theory, in the context of the symmetrical immune network theory the organism is believed to then be in a specifically suppressed state with regard to making an immune response to the graft.

[0084] The present disclosure further describes methods for the stabilization of the immune system. These methods are designed to prevent and treat one or more autoimmune disorders and may be effective also for the prevention and treatment of other degenerative diseases including cancers. Figure 7 shows a possible mechanism for the stabilization of an immune system by anti-anti-(self MHC) antibodies. Such stabilization may be useful for the prevention or treatment of degenerative diseases including autoimmune conditions and cancers. Alpha (a) is an abbreviation for "anti-" and "tab" means specific T cell factor. Anti-anti-(self MHC) antibodies (ctaself) stimulate self and aa self T cells. The aself T cells may also be stimulated by self antigens. The aself and aaaself T cells secrete aself and aaaself tabs respectively. The aself and aaaself tabs bind to the surface of A cells. The a(self MHC) and aaaself tabs on the A cells stimulate a self T cells. The aaself T cells secrete aaself tabs that also bind to the surface of A cells. Thus the A cells become armed with a mixture of aself, aaself and aaaself tabs. The armed A cell stimulates the proliferation of aself, aaself and aaaself T cells. While not wishing to be bound by theory, the resulting state of the system with elevated levels of aself, aaself and aaaself T cells is believed to be stabilized and resistant against making immune responses against self, without being compromised regarding making appropriate immune responses such as toward cancer cells. Hence monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies may be useful in a technology for the stabilization of the immune system.

[0085] For the stabilization of the immune system monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies can be administered to a vertebrate in non-immunogenic form. The amount of the antibodies used may be determined by one skilled in the art. For example, the recipient is given monoclonal anti-anti- MHC antibodies intravenously or intra-peritoneal without an adjuvant, in amounts that may be between about 10 ng and about 10 μg of antibody per kilogram weight of the recipient per dose, even more preferably about 1 μg of antibody per kilogram of the recipient per dose.

[0086] The monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies herein may be humanized or chimeric mouse- human antibodies that may be produced and used to preclude undesired immune reactions against the antibodies.

[0087] Any suitable autoimmune disorder may be prevented, treated, or the prevention or treatment of the disease may be aided with the present monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies. Examples of identified or suspected autoimmune diseases include, but are not limited to, Achlorhydra; Autoimmune Active Chronic Hepatitis; Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis; Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis; Addison's Disease; Agammaglobulinemia; Alopecia areata; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Ankylosing Spondylitis; Anti-GBM/TBM Nephritis; Antiphospholipid syndrome; Antisynthetase syndrome; Arthritis; Atopic allergy; Atopic

Dermatitis; Autoimmune Aplastic Anemia; Autoimmune cardiomyopathy; Autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Autoimmune hepatitis; Autoimmune inner ear disease; Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome; Autoimmune peripheral neuropathy; Autoimmune pancreatitis; Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome Types I, II, & III; Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis; Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura; Autoimmune uveitis; Balo disease/Balo concentric sclerosis; Bechets Syndrome; Berger's disease; Bickerstaff s encephalitis; Blau syndrome;

Bullous Pemphigoid; Castleman's disease; Chagas disease; Chronic Fatigue Immune

Dysfunction Syndrome; Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; Chronic recurrent multifocal ostomyelitis; Chronic lyme disease; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Churg-Strauss syndrome; Cicatricial Pemphigoid; Coeliac Disease; Cogan syndrome; Cold agglutinin disease; Complement component 2 deficiency; Cranial arteritis; CREST syndrome; Crohns Disease; Cushing's Syndrome; Cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis; Dego's disease; Dercum's disease; Dermatitis herpetiformis; Dermatomyositis; Diabetes mellitus type 1 ; Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis; Dressler's syndrome; Discoid lupus erythematosus; Eczema; Endometriosis; Enthesitis-related arthritis; Eosinophilic fasciitis; Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita; Erythema nodosum; Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia; Evan's syndrome;

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva; Fibromyalgia; Fibromyositis; Fibrosing aveolitis;

Gastritis; Gastrointestinal pemphigoid; Giant cell arteritis; Glomerulonephritis; Goodpasture's syndrome; Graves' disease; Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS); Hashimoto's encephalitis;

Hashimoto's thyroiditis; Haemolytic anaemia; Henoch-Schonlein purpura; Herpes gestationis; Hidradenitis suppurativa; Hughes syndrome (Antiphospholipid syndrome);

Hypogammaglobulinemia; Idiopathic Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura); IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease); Inclusion body myositis; Inflammatory demyelinating polyneuopathy; Interstitial cystitis; Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; Kawasaki's Disease; Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome; Leukocytoclastic vasculitis; Lichen planus; Lichen sclerosus; Linear IgA disease (LAD); Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis); Lupoid hepatitis; Lupus erythematosus; Majeed syndrome; Meniere's disease; Microscopic polyangiitis; Miller-Fisher syndrome; Mixed Connective Tissue Disease; Morphea; Mucha-Habermann disease; Muckle- Wells syndrome; Multiple Myeloma; Multiple Sclerosis; Myasthenia gravis; Myositis;

Narcolepsy; Neuromyelitis optica (Devic's Disease); Neuromyotonia; Occular cicatricial pemphigoid; Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome; Ord thyroiditis; Palindromic rheumatism;

PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus); Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration; Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH); Parry Romberg syndrome; Parsonnage- Turner syndrome; Pars planitis; Pemphigus; Pemphigus vulgaris; Pernicious anaemia; Perivenous encephalomyelitis; POEMS syndrome; Polyarteritis nodosa; Polymyalgia rheumatica; Polymyositis; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Primary sclerosing cholangitis; Progressive inflammatory neuropathy; Psoriasis; Psoriatic Arthritis; Pyoderma gangrenosum; Pure red cell aplasia; Rasmussen's encephalitis; Raynaud phenomenon; Relapsing polychondritis; Reiter's syndrome; Restless leg syndrome; Retroperitoneal fibrosis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatoid fever; Sarcoidosis; Schizophrenia; Schmidt syndrome; Schnitzler syndrome; Scleritis; Scleroderma; Sjogren's syndrome; Spondyloarthropathy; Sticky blood syndrome; Still's Disease; Stiff person syndrome; Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE); Susac's syndrome; Sweet syndrome; Sydenham Chorea; Sympathetic ophthalmia; Takayasu's arteritis; Temporal arteritis (Giant cell arteritis); Tolosa-Hunt syndrome; Transverse Myelitis; Ulcerative Colitis; Undifferentiated connective tissue disease; Undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy;

Vasculitis; Vitiligo; Wegener's granulomatosis; Wilson's syndrome; Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

[0088] Any suitable cancer may be prevented, treated, or the prevention or treatment of the disease may be aided with the present monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies. Examples of identified or suspected cancers include, but are not limited to, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Acute myeloid leukemia; Adrenocortical carcinoma; AIDS-related cancers; AIDS-related lymphoma; Anal cancer; Appendix cancer; Astrocytoma, childhood cerebellar or cerebral; Basal cell carcinoma; Bile duct cancer, extrahepatic; Bladder cancer; Bone cancer,

Osteosarcoma/Malignant fibrous histiocytoma; Brainstem glioma; Brain tumor; Brain tumor, cerebellar astrocytoma; Brain tumor, cerebral astrocytoma/malignant glioma; Brain tumor, ependymoma; Brain tumor, medulloblastoma; Brain tumor, supratentorial primitive

neuroectodermal tumors; Brain tumor, visual pathway and hypothalamic glioma; Breast cancer; Bronchial adenomas/carcinoids; Burkitt lymphoma; Carcinoid tumor, childhood; Carcinoid tumor, gastrointestinal; Carcinoma of unknown primary; Central nervous system lymphoma, primary; Cerebellar astrocytoma, childhood; Cerebral astrocytoma/Malignant glioma, childhood; Cervical cancer; Childhood cancers; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Chronic myelogenous leukemia; Chronic myeloproliferative disorders; Colon Cancer; Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; Desmoplastic small round cell tumor; Endometrial cancer; Ependymoma;

Esophageal cancer; Ewing's sarcoma in the Ewing family of tumors; Extracranial germ cell tumor, Childhood; Extragonadal Germ cell tumor; Extrahepatic bile duct cancer; Eye Cancer, Intraocular melanoma; Eye Cancer, Retinoblastoma; Gallbladder cancer; Gastric (Stomach) Cancer; Gastric (Stomach) Cancer, Childhood; Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor;

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST); Germ Cell Tumor, Extracranial, Childhood; Germ Cell Tumor, Extragonadal; Germ Cell Tumor, Ovarian; Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor; Glioma, Adult; Glioma, Childhood Brain Stem; Glioma, Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma; Glioma, Childhood Visual Pathway and Hypothalamic; Gastric Carcinoid; Hairy cell leukemia; Head and neck cancer; Heart cancer; Hepatocellular (liver) cancer; Hodgkin lymphoma;

Hypopharyngeal cancer; Hypothalamic and visual pathway glioma, childhood; Intraocular Melanoma; Islet Cell Carcinoma (Endocrine Pancreas); Kaposi sarcoma; Kidney cancer (renal cell cancer); Laryngeal Cancer; Leukemias; Leukemia, acute lymphoblastic (also called acute lymphocytic leukemia); Leukemia, acute myeloid (also called acute myelogenous leukemia); Leukemia, chronic lymphocytic (also called chronic lymphocytic leukemia); Leukemia, chronic myelogenous (also called chronic myeloid leukemia); Leukemia, hairy cell; Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer; Liver Cancer (Primary); Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell; Lung Cancer, Small Cell;

Lymphomas; Lymphoma, AIDS-related; Lymphoma, Burkitt; Lymphoma, cutaneous T-Cell; Lymphoma, Hodgkin; Lymphomas, Non-Hodgkin (an old classification of all lymphomas except Hodgkin's); Lymphoma, Primary Central Nervous System; Macroglobulinemia,

Waldenstrom; Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone/Osteosarcoma; Medulloblastoma, Childhood; Melanoma; Melanoma, Intraocular (Eye); Merkel Cell Carcinoma; Mesothelioma, Adult Malignant; Mesothelioma, Childhood; Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary; Mouth Cancer; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome, Childhood; Multiple

Myeloma Plasma Cell Neoplasm; Mycosis Fungoides; Myelodysplasia Syndromes;

Myelodysplasia/ Myeloproliferative Diseases; Myelogenous Leukemia, Chronic; Myeloid Leukemia, Adult Acute; Myeloid Leukemia, Childhood Acute; Myeloma, Multiple (Cancer of the Bone-Marrow); Myeloproliferative Disorders, Chronic; Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Neuroblastoma; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; Non-small cell lung cancer; Oral Cancer; Oropharyngeal cancer; Osteosarcoma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian epithelial cancer (Surface epithelial-stromal tumor); Ovarian germ cell tumor; Ovarian low malignant potential tumor; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic cancer, islet cell; Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer; Parathyroid cancer; Penile cancer; Pharyngeal cancer; Pheochromocytoma; Pineal astrocytoma; Pineal germinoma; Pineoblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors, childhood; Pituitary adenoma; Plasma cell neoplasia/Multiple myeloma; Pleuropulmonary blastoma; Primary central nervous system lymphoma; Prostate cancer; Rectal cancer; Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer); Renal pelvis and ureter, transitional cell cancer; Retinoblastoma; Rhabdomyosarcoma, childhood; Salivary gland cancer; Sarcoma, Ewing family of tumors; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Sarcoma, soft tissue;

Sarcoma, uterine; Sezary syndrome; Skin cancer (nonmelanoma); Skin cancer (melanoma); Skin carcinoma, Merkel cell; Small cell lung cancer; Small intestine cancer; Soft tissue sarcoma; Squamous cell carcinoma (nonmelanoma); Squamous neck cancer with occult primary, metastatic; Stomach cancer; Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, childhood; T-Cell lymphoma, cutaneous (Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary syndrome); Testicular cancer; Throat cancer; Thymoma, childhood; Thymoma and Thymic carcinoma; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid cancer, childhood; Transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter; Trophoblastic tumor, gestational; Unknown primary site, carcinoma of, adult; Unknown primary site, cancer of, childhood; Ureter and renal pelvis, transitional cell cancer; Urethral cancer; Uterine cancer, endometrial; Uterine sarcoma; Vaginal cancer; Visual pathway and hypothalamic glioma, childhood; Vulvar cancer; Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia; and Wilms tumor (kidney cancer), childhood.

[0089] The prevention or treatment of other diseases or conditions may be aided by the present antibodies, including for example degenerative diseases. Examples of other diseases or conditions include, but are not limited to, acne, adenoid problems, AIDS, allergies, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, atherosclerosis, blisters, bronchitis, bunions, burns, canker sores, cataracts, celiac disease, cervical problems, cholesterol problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, circulatory problems, cirrhosis, cold sores, colitis, dermatitis, diverticulitis, eczema,

emphysema, endometriosis, epilepsy, fever, gastritis, goiter, gout, hay fever, heart disease, haemorrhoids, hepatitis, hives, inflammation, itching skin, kidney disease, lactose intolerance, Meniere's disease, neuralgia, Parkinson's disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, phlebitis, pleurisy, pregnancy problems, premenstrual syndrome, prostate problems, rashes, sinusitis, tendonitis, thyroid problems, uterine problems, vaginal problems, varicose veins, and warts.

[0090] Figure 8 shows a possible mechanism for the stabilization of an immune system by anti- anti-anti-MHC antibodies. Such stabilization can be for the prevention or treatment of degenerative diseases including autoimmunity and cancers. Alpha (a) is an abbreviation for "anti-" and "tab" means specific T cell factor. Small doses of the anti-anti-anti-(self MHC) antibodies in non-immunogenic form stimulate anti-anti-self T cells that secrete anti-anti-self specific T cell factors (tabs). These specific T cell factors bind to the surface of non-specific accessory cells including macrophages (A cells), where they present an array that is stimulatory for anti-self T cells and anti-anti-anti-self T cells that in turn secrete anti-self tabs and anti-anti- anti-self tabs respectively. The A cells thus become armed with a mixture of anti-self, anti-anti- self and anti-anti-anti-self tabs. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the immune system then enters a specifically stabilized state with regard to making immune responses against self, on account of an increase in the level of the centrally important anti-anti- self T cells, without being compromised regarding making immune responses to foreign substances including cancer cells.

[0091] Monoclonal <xaa(self MHC) antibodies suitable for the stabilization of the immune system of an organism Q can be obtained by immunizing a vertebrate P with Q tissue including lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from the immunized vertebrate P may be used to make hybridomas, and hybridomas can be selected that make monoclonal antibodies that bind to HIV proteins. These monoclonal antibodies are the desired aaa(Q MHC) antibodies, which in a vertebrate Q are anti-anti-anti-self. Hence, such MHC-specific anti-HIV antibodies that are anti-anti-anti- MHC antibodies may be useful in a technology for the stabilization of the immune system.

[0092] It is contemplated that any embodiment, aspect, example, method, composition, or element discussed in this specification may be implemented or combined in any suitable manner with any other embodiment, aspect, example, method, composition, or element.

[0093] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Unless otherwise specified, all patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference. Citation of references herein is not to be construed nor considered as an admission that such references are prior art to the present invention.

[0094] The invention includes all embodiments, modifications and variations substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the examples and figures. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Examples of such modifications include the substitution of known equivalents for any aspect of the invention in order to achieve the same result in substantially the same way.

[0095] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated, in part, by the following non-limiting methods and examples:

EXAMPLES

Example 1. A method of production of monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies, suitable for use in a vaccine for the prevention of HIV infection, involving the immune systems of two organisms P and Q and anti-anti-anti-MHC antibodies, whereby P may be a rodent or a rabbit for the ease of production of monoclonal antibodies. The method comprises the steps of: a. an animal P is immunized with lymphocytes of an animal Q;

b. IgG is obtained from the said immunized animal P is absorbed using Q lymphocytes producing anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG;

c. an animal Q is immunized with lymphocytes of an animal P, so that P and Q are conversely alloimmune; d. IgG from said immunized animal Q is purified;

e. anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG from step b. is used to purify anti-(MHC P)IgG and anti- anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG from the IgG obtained in step d;

f. said anti-(MHC P) and anti-anti-anti-(MHC P) is absorbed using cells of an animal P that express P MHC antigens, for example B lymphocytes such that anti-(MHC P) antibodies are removed and leaving anti-anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG antibodies. The Fc part of the anti-anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG antibodies are biotinylated;

g. said biotinylated anti-anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies from step f. is used to select anti-anti-(MHC P) B cells from an animal P mice that has made an immune response to Q. This selection may be done using streptavidin coupled to a fluorochrome and a fluorescence activated cell sorter;

h. make hybridomas using said selected anti-anti-(MHC P) B cells; and i. purify anti-anti-(MHC P) monoclonal antibodies made by said hybridomas.

Example 2. Monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies that are produced by the following steps: a. immunization of a vertebrate of strain P with lymphocytes of an animal of strain

Q;

b. immunization of a vertebrate of strain Q with lymphocytes of an animal of strain P;

c. making hybridomas using the immunized vertebrate P with the selection of clones on the basis of specificity for at least one HIV glycoproteins and/or proteins including, for example, gpl20, gp41 and p24, production of antibodies and stability;

d. producing monoclonal antibodies by the hybridomas selected in step c;

e. making hybridomas using the immunized vertebrate Q of step b. with the

selection of clones on the basis of their V regions binding to the V regions of the monoclonal antibodies produced in step d.;

f. making monoclonal antibodies by the hybridomas selected in step e.

Example 3. Monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies are produced by the steps of: a. immunization of an animal P with allogeneic tissue of an animal Q, preferably including immunization with Q lymphocytes;

b. making hybridomas using the lymphocytes of the immunized animal P; the hybridomas are used to produce monoclonal antibodies;

testing the monoclonal antibodies for the ability to induce an anti-HIV immune response when given to an animal in immunogenic form; and

selecting those monoclonal antibodies that induce an anti-HIV response in the step d. as the desired anti-anti-MHC monoclonal antibodies.

Claims

1. A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to a MHC protein.

2. A monoclonal antibody according to claim 1 wherein the monoclonal antibody and the MHC-specific antibody are derived from conversely alloimmune animals.

3. A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to at least one glycoprotein and/or protein of the HIV virus.

4. A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to more than one glycoprotein and/or protein of the HIV virus.

5. A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to at least one of gpl20, gp41 and p24.

6. Use of the monoclonal antibody according to any preceding claim for reducing the risk of HIV or SIV infection in a subject in need thereof, the use comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of the antibody and an adjuvant.

7. The use of claim 6 wherein the adjuvant is selected from aluminium hydroxide,

aluminium phosphate, virosomes, squalene, QS21 , MF59, and combinations thereof.

8. The use of claim 6 wherein said antibody is administered to said organism prior to exposure of the organism to HIV.

9. The use of claim 6 wherein the effective amount comprises between about 10 g and 100 μg of the antibody per dose administered to the organism.

10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies in an immunogenic form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

11. A kit comprising:

a. a composition comprising monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and

b. instructions for use in an organism.

12. A method of supplying monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies as a vaccine for the prevention of infection with HIV, the method comprising:

c. distributing said monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies to the delivery location.

A method for reducing the risk of infection with HIV or SIV in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising the step of administering to the subject a monoclonal antibody according to any of claims 1 to 5 in an immunogenic form.

A vaccine for reducing the risk of HIV infection, said vaccine comprising monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies in immunogenic form.

A use of a monoclonal antibody according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the treatment or prevention of a degenerative disorder in a subject in need thereof, said use comprising administering said antibody to said subject in a non-immunogenic form.

A use of a monoclonal antibody according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the treatment or prevention of an autoimmune disorder in a subject in need thereof, said use comprising administering said antibody to said subject in a non-immunogenic form.

A use of a monoclonal antibody according to any of claims 1 to 5 for the treatment or prevention of a cancer in a subject in need thereof, said use comprising administering said antibody to said subject in a non-immunogenic form.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoclonal antibody according to any of claims 1 to 5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

A method of producing a hybridoma capable of producing a monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibody, said method comprising:

a. selecting vertebrate organisms (P) and (Q);

b. immunizing P with lymphocytes from Q;

c. obtaining serum or IgG from the immunized animal P;

d. treating said serum or IgG using Q lymphocytes to produce serum or IgG

enriched in anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG;

e. immunizing Q with lymphocytes from P;

f. obtaining serum or IgG from said immunized animal Q;

g. purifying anti-(MHC P)IgG and/or anti-anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG from the serum or IgG obtained in step f. using anti-anti-(MHC P)IgG;

h. treating said anti-(MHC P) and anti-anti-anti-(MHC P) using suitable cells of P to reduce the amount of anti-(MHC P) antibodies leaving IgG enriched in anti- anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies;

i. making hybridomas using B cells from P that has been immunized with

lymphocytes from Q;

j. selecting anti-anti-MHC hybridomas using IgG enriched in anti-anti-anti-(MHC P) antibodies; and k. optionally, purifying monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibodies from the anti-anti- MHC hybridomas.

20. A method of producing a hybridoma capable of producing monoclonal anti-anti-MHC antibody, said method comprising selecting vertebrate organisms (P) and (Q):

a. immunizing P with lymphocytes of Q;

b. immunizing Q with lymphocytes of P;

c. making hybridomas using the immunized vertebrate P of step a. and selecting clones based on their anti-HIV specificity;

d. optionally producing monoclonal antibodies from the selected hybridomas; e. making hybridomas using the immunized vertebrate Q of step b. and selecting clones on the basis of their V regions specifically binding to the V regions of the monoclonal antibodies produced in step d.; and

f. optionally making monoclonal antibodies by the hybridomas selected in step e.

21. A method of producing a monoclonal antibody, said method comprising selecting

vertebrate organisms (P) and (Q):

a. immunizing P with lymphocytes from Q;

b. using lymphocytes from P to make hybridomas;

c. producing and purifying monoclonal antibodies using said hybridomas; d. immunizing a vertebrate animal X with the monoclonal antibodies given in

immunogenic form;

e. obtaining serum from X;

f. testing the serum for the presence of antibodies that bind to HIV; and g. selecting the monoclonal antibodies that induce the production of antibodies that bind to HIV.