NZ614217B2 - Diagnostic antibody assay - Google Patents

Abstract

Discloses a monoclonal antibody, characterised in that it binds to A? peptides starting with amino acid 11 and having a pyroglutamate at the N-terminus (A?pGlu(11)) with high affinity, wherein said high affinity means a dissociation constant (KD) value of 10-7 M or better and wherein said antibody is antibody A? 13-11-6, which is produced by hybridoma cell line with Deposit No. DSM ACC3100, or a humanised or chimeric antibody or an antibody fragment thereof. Also discloses use of the antibody to treat or diagnose neurodegenerative diseases. s antibody A? 13-11-6, which is produced by hybridoma cell line with Deposit No. DSM ACC3100, or a humanised or chimeric antibody or an antibody fragment thereof. Also discloses use of the antibody to treat or diagnose neurodegenerative diseases.

Description

DIAGNOSTIC ANTIBODY ASSAY The present invention pertains to novel diagrostic assays for the diagnosis 0: amyloidosis, a group o: disorders and abnormalities associated with amyloid protein such as Alzheimer's e and d aspects. In particular, an antibody assay is provided.

Amyloidosis is not a single disease entity but rather a diverse group of progressive disease processes characterized by extracellular tissue ts of a waxy, starch—like protein called amyloid, which accumulates in one or more organs or body systems. As the d deposits accumulate, they begin to interfere wit? the norma' function 0“ the organ or body system.

There are at least 15 different types of amyloidosis. The major forms are primary amyloidosis without known antecedent, secondary amyloidosis following some other condition, and hereditary amyloidosis.

Secondary amyloidosis occurs during chronic infection or inflammatory disease, such as ulosis, a bacterial in J: ection. . J:_amilial_ M dit rran an. f vcr, bone infections osteomyelitis), toid arthritis, inflammation of the small intestine (granulomatous ileitis), Hodgkin's disease and leprosy.

Amyloid ts include amyloid P (pentagonal) component (AP), a glycoprotein d. to normal serum. amyloid. P (SAP), and sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAG), complex carbohydrates of connective tissue. Amyloid protein s, which account for about 90% of the amyloid material, comprise one of several different types of proteins. These proteins are capable of 'o'ding' into so—called. "beta—pleatedfl sheet fibrils, a unique protein configuration which exhibits binding sites for Congo red resulting in the unique staining properties of the amyloid protein.

Many diseases of aging are based on or associated with d— like proteins and are characterized, in part, by the buildup of extracellular ts of amyloid or amyloid—like material that contribute 11) the pathogenesis, as well as the progression 0: the disease. These diseases include, but are not limited to, neurological disorders such as mild cognitive ment (MCI), mer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial mer’s dementias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia FBD) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome, , Lewy body ia, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutcr type); the Guam. Parkinson—Dementia complex. Other diseases wrich. are based on or associated with amyloid—like proteins are progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV—related dementia, ALS ropic lateral sclerosis), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and Others, including macular degeneration.

Although pathogenesis of these es may be diverse, their characteristic deposits often n many shared molecular constituents. To a significant degree, this may be attributable to the local activation or pro—inflammatory pathways thereby leading to the concarrent deposition of activated complement components, acute phase reactants, immune modulators, and other inflammatory mediators r et al., Tohoku J Exp Med. 174(3): 269—277 (1994)).

Recently, accumulating evidence demonstrates involvement of N— terminal modified AB peptide variants in mer’s disease.

Aiming biopsies display .C a presence o_ AB 1—40 and AB 1—42 not only in the brain. 0: Alzheimer’s ts but also ir senile plaques of unaffected individuals. However, N—terminal truncated and pyroGlL modified AB N3pE—40/AB N3pE—42 is almost exclusively engrained within plaques of mer’s disease patients, making this AB variant an eligible diagnostic marker and a potential target for drug development.

At present, l commercial manufacturers offer ELISA kits which. allow a detection. of .AB 1—40 / 1—42 and__AB N3pE—40/AB N3pE—42 in the low picogram (pg) range.

The brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients are morphologically characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and. by deposits of AB peptides in neocortical brain structures (Selkoe, D.J. & Schenk, 3. Alzheimer's disease: molecular tanding predic:s amyloid—based therapeutics.

Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. —3, 545-584 (2003)). AB peptides are liberated. from. the d. precursor. protein (APP) after sequential cleavage by B- and y-secretase. The y—secretase cleavage s in the generation of AB 1—40 and AB 1—42 peptides, which differ in their C—termini and exhibit different potencies of aggregation, fibril formation and neurotoxicity (Shin, R.W. et al. Amyloid beta—protein (Abeta) 1-40 but no: Abeta 1—42 contributes to the mental formation 0; mer disease amyloid fibrils in rat brain. J. Neurosci. 17, 2O 193 (1997); Zwatsubo, T2 et al. Visualization of Abeta 42(43) and Abeta 40 in senile plaques with end—specific Abeta monoclonals: evidence that an initially deposited s is Abeta 42(43). Neuron 13, —5—53 (1994); Iwatsubo, T., Mann, D.M., Odaka, A., Suzuki, N. & Shara, Y. Amyloid beta pro:ein (Abeta) deposition: Abeta 42(43) precedes Abeta 40 in Down syndrome.

Ann. Neurol. 37, 294—299 (1995); Hardy, J.AJ & Higgins, G.A.

Alzheimer's disease: the amyloid cascade esis. Science 256, 5 (1992 ; Raner, S., Ueberham, U., Schliebs, R., Perez—Polo, J.R. & 3igl, V. The regulation of amyloid precursor 3O protein metabolism by cholinergic mechanisms and neurotrophin or signa"ng. Prog. Neurobiol. 56, 541—569 (1998)).

The majority of AB peptides deposited in e plaques are N— terminal ted. or modified. Studies of Piccini and Saido have shown that the core structure of senile plaques and vascular deposits consist of 50 \O o pyroglutamate (pYroGlu) modified peptides (Piccini et al., J Biol. Chenu 2005 (Dct 40):34186—92; Saido et al., Neuron. 1995 Feb; 14(2): 457— 66). PyroGlu modifi d p ptid s ar morc strongly cytotoxic than other AB species and stable against aminopeptidases (Russo et al., J hem. 2002 Sep;82(6):1480—9). Thus, pyroGlu AB species have a longer half life whereby the lation o; these s and the formation of neurotoxic ers as well as aggregates are beneficial (Saido, iol Aging. 1998 Jan— Feb;19(1 :S69—75). Due to the cyclization of glutamate to pyroGlu, charged amino acids will be lost which strongly reduces the solubility o: the peptide and causes an increased aggregation tendency. In vitro studies have shown that the l oligomerisation o: e.g. AB3(pE) is much faster compared to non—modified peptides (Schilling et al., mistry. 2006 Oct 41):l2393—9).

Studies conducted by the Applicants have showed that ABll(pE) has a higher aggregation potency and a much lower solubility than AB3(pE). The group of Naslund J. et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.

Neurobiology, Vol. 91 pp.8378—8382) detected by mass spectrometry the most prominent truncated variant ABpE(11—42) in brains of sporadic AD. Up to now the study of Naslund J. et al. is one o: the few studies that examined the deposition of AB;1(pE) in plaques.

All facts suggest that pyroGlu AB is a kind 0: germ for the initialization of fibril formation. In a new study (Piccini et al., 2005, supra) volunteers with plaque depositions but without AD specific pathology could be distinguished frmn AD patients die to the characteristic amount of AB—species. Thereby the amount .2 o_ N—terminal truncated, pyroGlu modified peptides was significant higher in the brain of AD patients.

The posttranslational formation 0: pyroGlu at position 3 or 11 of .AB—peptide implies cyclization of an inal glutamate residue. Glutaminyl cyclase (QC) plays an important role in the generation of pyroGlu peptides. QC is wide—spread in the plant— and animal kingdom and inter alia, is involved in the maturation of e es. Both the cyclisation of glutamine by release (x: ammonia and o: glutamate by release 0: water to pyroGlu is performed by QC. In contrast to the glutamine cyclization the glutamate cyclisation occurs not spontaneously.

QC catalyses the efficient (unwanted) side reaction from glutamate to pyroGlu. The generated pyroGlu residue protects the protein against proteolytic degradation. There are l references which shows that QC plays an important role in the generation of pyroGlu AB: 1. In several studies it was shown that QC catalyses the formatior of pyroGlu residues from glutamate at N—terminus of AB (Cynis et al., Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Oct;l76—(10):l618—25, Schilling et al., FEBS Lett. 2004 Apr 9;563(l—3):l9;—6); 2. Bo:h AB peptides and QC are sed in large quantities in hippocampus and cortex. These brain areas are at particular risk j11 AD (Pohl et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci 11 S A. 1991 Nov 22):10059—63, Selkoe, Physiol Rev. 7001 Apr;81(7):741—66); 3. The APP is cleaved by etase during the ort to the plasma membrane whereby the N—terminus of AB with the free ate residue can be produced (Greenfield et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S .A. L999 Jan l9;96(2):742-7). In the secretory vesicles a co-localisation of processed .APP and the QC was determined. So in the mild acid milieu of the vesicles an accelerated deification of glutamate residue to pyroglutamate can occur.

-. Also other neurodegeneratuve disease’s iar Danish (FDD) or British. dementia (FBD ) are related. with. N—terminal pyroGlu modified peptides e.g. 3ri2, but in contrast they are not related to AB in terms of their primary structure (Vidal R. et al., L999 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 97, 4920—4925).

Possibly the QC—catalysed formation of u AB is involved in the development and. progression. 0: neurodegenerative diseases.

The formation of N—terminal modified amyloid peptides certainly represents a ental factor in the process of AB aggregation and could be the onset of disease. The suppression of the pyroGhi AB formation by inhibition 0: QC, might represent a therapeutic approach. QC tors would be able to prevent the fornuatior1 o: jpyrwnGlil AB, reduce the tration 0; pyroglutamate AB in the brain and so delay the oligomerisation of AB—peptides. Schilling et al. show, that QC expression was up regulated in the cortex of AD patients and correlated with the appearance of pyroGlu—modilied AB—peptide. Oral application of a QC inhibitor resulted in reduced pyroglutamate modified AfipE(3— 42) level in two different transgenic mouse models 0: AD and in a new Drosophila model (Schilling et al., 2008 Biol. Chem. (389), 983—991).

Lewy body dementia (L3D) ii; a neurodegenerative disorder that can occur in s older than 65 years of age, and typically causes symptoms of cognitive (thinking) ment and abnormal behavioral changes. Symptoms can include cognitive impairment, neurological signs, sleep disorder, and autonomic e. ive impairment is the presenting feature 0“ LRD in mOSt cases. Patients have recurrent episodes 0: ion that progressively' worsen. The flJctuation in cognitive y is often associated with shifting s of attention and alertness. Cognitive impairmert and fluctuations of thinking may vary over minutes, hours, or days. Lewy bodies are formed from phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated neurofilament proteins; they contain the synaptic protein alpha—synuclein as well as tin, which is involved in the e'imination 0“ damaged or abnormal proteins. In addition to Lewy Bodies, Lewy neurites, which are inclusion bodies in the cell processes of the nerve cells, may also be present. Amyloid. plaques may form. in the brains of patients afflicted with DLB, however they tend to be fewer in number than seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles, the other micropathological hallmark of AD, are nOt a :main. teristic of LSD but are frequently present in addition to amyloid plaques.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized 13y degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. In some ALS patients, dementia or aphasia may be present (ALS-D). The dementia is most ly a frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and many 0: these cases have ubiquitinr positive, tBUrnegative inclusions in neurons of ,he dentate gyrus and superficial layers of the frontal and temporal lobes. "nc'usion—body is IBM) is a crippling disease usually .Clound. in people over age 50, in. which. muscle fibers develop inf‘ammation and begin to atrophy — but in which the brain is spared. and. patients retain. their full intellect. Two enzymes involved in the production 0: amyloid-3 protein were found to be increased inside the muscle cells 0: patients with this most common, progressive muscle disease of older people, in which amyloid—B is also increased. r disease that is based on or associated with the accumulation and deposit of amyloid—like protein is macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that causes deterioration o: the macula, which is the central area Ol the retina (the paper-thin tissue at the back 0: the eye where light—sensitive cells send visual signals to the brain). Sharp, clear, "straight aheadfi vision is sed by the . Damage to the macula s in the development .c ol blind spots and blurred or ted vision. Age-related. macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment in the United States and for people over‘ age 65 it is the leading‘ cause of legal blindness among Caucasians. Approximately l.8 million Americans of age 40 and older have advanced AMD, and another 7.3 million people with intermediate AMD are at substantial risk for vision loss. The government estimates that by 2020 there will be 2.9 million people with advanced AMD. Victims of AMD are often sed and frustrated to find out how little is known about the causes and treatment of ttis blinding condition.

There are two forms 0: macular degeneration: dry macular ration and wet macular degeneration. The dry form, in which the cells 0: the macula slowly begin to break down, is diagnosed in 85 percent of r degeneration cases. Both eyes are usually affected by dry AMD, although one eye can lose vision whil the other cy remains unaffected. Drusen, which are yellow deposits under the retina, .C are common early signs o_ dry AMD. The risk 0: developing advanced dry AME or wet AMD increases as the ntmber or size of the drusen increases. It is possible for dry AM? to advance and cause loss of vision withou: turning into the wet form of the e; however, it is also possible .C _or early—stage dry AMD to suddenly change into the we: form.

The wet form, although it only accounts for 15 t 0: the cases, results in 90 percent of the blindness, and is considered advanced ZQHD (there is IN) early or‘ intermediate stage (I: wet AMD). Wet AMD is always preceded by the dry form or the e.

As the dry form. worsens, some people begin to have abnormal blood vessels growing behind the macula. These vessels are very fragile and will leak fluid and blood (hence 'wet' macular degeneration), causing rapid damage to the macula.

The dry form of AMD will initially often cause slightly blurred vision. The center 0: vision in particular may then become blurred and this region grows larger as the disease progresses.

No symptoms may be noticed if only one eye is affected. In wet AMD, ht lines may appear wavy and central vision loss can occur rapidly.

Diagnosis .C (1. macular ration typically involves a dilated eye exam, visual acuity test, and a g of the back or the eye using a procedure called fundoscopy to help diagnose AMD, and — if wet AMD is suspected — scein angiography may also be performed. If dry AMD reaches the advanced stages, there is no current treatment to prevent vision loss. However, a specific high dose formt'a O“ antioxidants and zinc may delay or prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage.

Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium. injection), laser pho:ocoagulation and photodynamic therapy can control the abnormal blood vessel growth and bleeding in the macula, which is help_ul.c for some people who have wet AMD; however, vision that is already lost will not be restored by these techniques. If vision is already lost, low vision aids exist that can help improve the quality of life.

One 0: the earliest signs 0: age—related macular degeneration (AMD) is the accumulation. .C o_ extracellular deposits known as druser between the basal lamina of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and 3ruch's membrane (3M). Recent studies conducted by Anderson et al. have confirmed that drusen contain amyloid beta. (Experimental Eye Research 78 (2004) 243 — 256).

The aim. of the present invention is to establish a highly sensitive and concomitantly robust ion technique that allows quantitative determination of AB variants, in particular AfipGlu(ll—x) peptides, in biological samples, e.g. liquor or serum samples, preferably serim samples. This is a tremendous nge, taking the low aburdance of AB peptides in blood into account. Having such a detection technique ble is, however, a prerequisite for Studying efficacy of small le 2O inhibitors in drug screening programs.

The present invention. provides novel s and compositions comprising highly specific and highly e "ective antibodies, including ic antibodies and fragments f, ing partially or fully humanized antibodies and fragments thereof, having the ability to specifically recognize and bind to specific epitopes from a range of B—amyloid antigens, in particular (ll-x) peptides, which may be presented to the dy in a monomeric, dimeric, trimeric, etc, or a polymeric orm, in form 0“ an aggregate, fibers, filaments or in the condensed form of a plaque. The antibodies enabl ed by the teaching of the present invention are particularly useful for diagnosis of amyloidosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary dosis and age—related amyloidosis including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Lewy body dementia, Down's me, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson— Dementia complex; as well as other es which are based on or associated. with amyloid—like proteins such as ssive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis Dutch type, Parkinson's disease, HIV-related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and others, including macular degeneration, to name just a few.

Summary of the invention The present ion pertains in particular to antibodies or variants thereof, which are characterized in that they bind to (ll—X) peptides with a high ty. Said high affinity means in the context of the present ion an affinity of a K3 value of 10—7 M or better, preferably a KD value 0: 10—8 M or , and even more preferably a KD value 0: 10—9 M — 10—12 In ular the antibody is preferably a Hwnoclonal antibody and is selected from AB 13—11—6, hereinafter referred to as clone 13.

The antibody according to the present invention is especially useful in a diagnostic method to detect amyloidosis, in particular Alzheimer's disease.

Description of the Figures Figure 1: Screening of anti AB11(pE) antibody 26 hybridoma cell supernatants after cell fusion and HAT medium selection were analyzed. The mAb were tested against different modified AB peptides containing the sequence EVHH partly. The grey labelled peptide ABpE(ll—23) (see spo: 10) contains the target sequence with pyroglutamate at NFterminus ). Each membrane was spotted. with peptides l—l6. Tybridoma cells 0; framed membranes (n= 9) were selected for recloning. Only the cells of membranes framed with a solid line were stable after recloning.

Figure 2: Coating of CM5 chip with AB(pEll—30) The sensor chip surface was activated with :JC/ NHS at 10 ul/min for 8 min. The ligand immobilization by amine coupling was performed with: A) 10 ug/mL AB(pE11—30) in 10 mM KH2P04, pH 6 and 3) 50 ug/ml AB(pE11—30) in 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 5. e was injected with 10 uL/min for 5 min (A) and 20 min (B). Then ve groups (free esters) were deactivated with 1 M ethanolamine pH 8.5, 10 u'/min for 10 min. Non—immobilized p ptid s worc rcmovcd by injection of 0.1 M HCl (3 x 10 ul) and then the chip was rinsed over night with running . Finally the signal RU. .5 was 1000 The ligand immobilization was per_ormed at e 3000.

Figure 3: SPR measurement of anti ABll(pE) dies Analyzation of hybridoma cell culture supernatant from clone 13 by e 3000. Usage of CM5 chip with immobilized AB(pEll—30), with 1000 RU (flow cell 4). Illustrated is a real-time plot of binding at AB(pE11—30) over time. Sample dilution 1:100 in running buffer and injection with 30 ul/min over 300s and recording of 300 iation time. The signal from non—coated flow cell were subtracted from measured signals at flow cel; 4 with immobilized AB.

Figure 4: Curve of anti ABll(pE) antibody Purified antibody with concentrations of 0.04—10 ug/ml was measured by SPR at 3iacore 3000. The linear range of the curve is from 0.040 ug/ml up to 1.25 ug/ml antibody. Antibody dilution in running buffer and injection with 30 ul/min over 300 s. Each SPR signal was selected from the end or the dissociation phase.

The signal from non-coated flow cells were subtracted from measured signals at flow cells with immobilized AB.

Figure 5: Standard curve of anti ABll(pE) antibody Purified antibody with known concentrations was measured by SPR at Biacore 3000. Concentration range from 0.040 up to 1.25 ug/ml antibody. Equation of liner regression: y=3033.7x+50.099 G8=0.991). Each SPR signal was selected from the end of iatior phase. The signal from ated flow cells were subtracted from ed signals at flow cells with immobilized Figure 6: Comparison of cell number and ing anti ABll(pE) antibody concentration Hybridoma cells 0: clone 13 (cell passage 19) cultivated in serum—containing medium and serum—free medium (Hybridoma SFM) at 37 OC and 5 % C02, mented with 2 mM L—glutamine and 50 uM B—mercaptoethanol directly before use. The ceLls were cultivated _or about 10 days in shake flasks and reguLarly a sample was taken to determine cell growth (A) and antibody concentration (3) by SPR.

Figure 7: The specific growth rate u dependent on cultivation time Hybridoma cells clone 13 (cell passage 19) cultivated in serum— containing medium and serum-free medium (Hybridoma SFM) at 37 OC and 5 % C02, supplemented. with. 2 mM L—glutamine and 50 uM B—mercaptoethanol directly before use. The data are based on the growth curve in shake flask over 10 days.

Figure 8: The concentration of anti ABll(pE) was d against the integral of viable cells oma cells clone 13 (cell passage 19) cultivated in serum— containing medium and serum-free medium (Hybridoma SFM) at 37 °C and 5 % C02, supplemented. with. 2 mM L—glutamine and 50 uM B-mercaptoethanol. The data are based on the growth curve in shake flasks over 10 days. The integral of viable cells were obtained from the plot of cell number dependent on time, whereby the data points at 5, 24, 48, 72 h were integrated. The antibody productivity rates are obtained from the slope of the curves (see linear functions). R2: coefficient of determination.

Figure 9: Chromatogram of anti ABll(pE) purification 1800 m; hybridoma (clone 13) cell culture supernatant with protein (3 HP column. (V=5 :ml) at .AktaTMPurifier‘ were purified.

The column. was cooled. at -°C, equilibrated. with. 1 x binding buffer (20 mM NafiHXM, p} 7.0). Centrifugation of cell e supernatant at 38400 x g at 4 °C, 30 min, mixed 1:1 with 2 X binding buffer. Usage of AktaTMPurifiers P—950 pump. Application of culture supernatant (ice cooled) with 1.5 ml/min. A) Chromatogram with absorbance at 280 nm and conductivity during the purification process. Washing with 0—2 M NaCl— nt over column volumes then g with 1. x binding buffer again.

W'ution with 0—2 M KSCN— gradient (pH 7.0) over 5 column volumes with reverse flow of 7.5 ml/min. 3) Higher magnification of 0—2 M KSCN—gradient and the elution fraction V: 20 ml. The indicated volume is the technical system flow, not the real volume.

Figure 10: SDS—Gel—Electropherogram of anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13) purification Pre-stained protein ladder: 10 -— 250 kDa, Fermentas. Analyzed purification fractions: slot 1; 6: before Protein G ca-ion, slot 2; 7: Flow h, slot 3; 8: Wash fraction, slot 4; 9: n with KSCN, 30 ug/ml antibody was applied, slot 5: non—reducing sample buffer. Antibody purification. was med with protein G HP , and elution with 0 -— 2 M KSCN pH 7.0. Reduced samples diluted 1:3 in SDS bu""er (Roti®— Load 1, BioRad) with B—mercaptoethanol , ted 10 min, 95 °C.

Non reduced samples diluted 1:4 in sample buffer without B—mercaptoethanol, shaked 30 min, 30 °C. Separation time of SDS— PAGE (12 %, 1 mm SDS-gel): 10 min at 100 V, 35 min at 200V. Gel stained with Coomassie Rril‘iant Blue—G250, destained with 10 % acetic acid.

Figure 11: UV—spectrum of anti ABll(pE) antibody Usage of protein G column purified antibody from hybridoma cell culture supernatant (clone 13). Spectrum meaSJred n 240 nm and 339 nm. Dilution 1:20 in dialysis buffer (D—PBS, 2mM EDTA, pH 7.13). The ess of probe was 1 cm and the UVPSpec:rum between 240 and 339 nm was measured with UV-spectrometer UV1.

Figure 12: UV—spectrum of anti ABll(pE) antibody Antibody dilution: 1:10 in D—PBS, 2 mM EDTA. UV—spectrum between 240 Inn and 339 Inn was neasured with the UV—Spectrometer UV; before and after biotinylation. The ess of the probe was Figure 13: CD—Spectrum of anti ABll(pE) antibody Spectrum of biotinyLated and non biotinylated antibody was measured at 20 °C with Jasco J—710 spectro—polarimeter between 190 and 260 nm. The antibody concentration was 0.13 mg/ml in 10 mM NaH2P04 (pH 7.1). Measurement with 20 accumulations, 1 s integration and 1 mm thickness of the probe.

Figure 14: l stability of anti Afill(pE) antibody The CD-spectrum was measured at temperature from 20 °C up to 80 °C with Jasco J—710 o—polarimeter between 190 and 260 nm.

The antibody concentrations were 0.13 mg/ml in 10 mM NaHgPO4 (pH 7.14). Measurement at 5 °C intervals, 10 accumulations with heat rate of 30 K/h, 1 s integration, and 1 mm thickness of the probe Temperature equilibrated 180 s before each measurement.

Figure 15: Thermal stability of ylated anti AB11(pE) antibody The CD-spectrum was measured at ature from 20 °C up to 80 °C with Jasco J—710 spectro—polarimeter between 190 and 260 nm.

The antibody concentrations were 0.13 mg/ml in 10 mM NaHzPO4 (pH 7.14). Measurement at 5 °C intervals with heat rate of 30 K/h, 10 lations, 1 5 integration, and 1 mm thickness 0: the probe temperature, equilibrated 180 s before each measurement.

Figure 16: ITC ion curve of A[3(pE11—18)—PEG at anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13) Usage of ITC MicroCalorimeter (MicroCal). The experiment ted of 30 ions (1 x 2 ul and 29 x 10 ul) at 20 °C each of 81.78 uM A8(p111—18)—P?G in "TC buffer pH 7.1 with 4—min interval between. subsequent injection. (black line). The upper trace illustrates the heat 0; dilution 0‘ A8 pEll—l8)—PEG into ITC bu""er. The lower trace illustrates the injection 0; A8(pEll—l8)—PEG into sample cell (volume = 1.105 ml) containing 5.13 uM antibody in ITC buffer pH 7.1. The red line is the base line.

Figure 17: ITC binding curve of AB(pE11—18)—PEG at anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13) The antibody was purified with protein G sepharose and eluted with KSCN—gradient (pH 7.0). The experiment consisted of 30 injections (1 x 2 ul and 29 x 10 ul) at 20 °C each of 81.78 uM l—l8)—P?G in ITC buffer pH 7.1 with 4—min interval between subsequent injection. The sample cell (volume = 1.405 ml 2O containing 5.13 uM antibody in ITC buffer pH 7.1. The heat of dilution of Afi(pE11—18)—P?G into "TC buffer has been subtracted from all ligand injections. Usage 0: ITC MicroCalorimeter (MicroCal). Thermodynamic parameters reaction stoichiometry (N), association constant (K), binding enthalpy (AH) as well as the entropy (AS) was determined with Origin 7.0.

Figure 18: ITC binding curve of 1—18)—PEG at anti AB11(pE) antibody (clone 13) The antibody was purified with protein G sepharose and eluted 3O wifli 0.1 D4 glyoUm—HCl solution (pH 2.7). The experiment consisted of 30 injections (1 x 2 ul and 29 x 10 ul) at 20 °C each of 686.31 uM A8(pELl—l8)—PEG in ITC buffer pH 7.1 witr 4— min interval n subsequent injections. The sample cell (volume = 1.405 ml) containing 32.85 uM antibody in ITC bujjer pH 7.1. The heat of dilution of Afi(p?1’—l8)—PFG into "TC bu‘fier has been. subtracted. from. all ligand. injections. Usage of ITC MicroCalorimeter Cal). Thermodynamic ters reaction stoichiometry (N), association constant (K), binding enthalpy (AH) as well as the entropy (AS) was determined with Origin 7.0.

Figure 19: ITC binding curve of AB(pE11—18)—PEG at biotinylated anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13) The experiment consisted of 30 injections (1 x 2 ul and 29 x 10 ul) at 20 °C each of 101.8 uM Afi(pE11—18)—?EG in ITC buffer pH 7.1 with 4—min interval between subsequent injections. The sample cell (volume = 1.105 ml) ning 5.12 uM biotinylated antibody in ITC buffer p} 7.1. The heat 0‘ dilution 05 AB(pE;l— 18)—PEG into ITC buffer has been subtracted. from. all ligand ions. Usage of ITC MicroCalorimeter (WicroCal).

Thermodynamic parameters reaction stoichiometry (N), association constant (K), binding enthalpy (AH) as well as the entropy (AS) was determined with Origin 7.0.

Figure 20: Cross reactivity of anti ABll(pE) and anti AB3(pE) antibody Determination of cross reactivity of anti E) antibody (clone 13) 'U) ABp.LJ (1—30) and AfipE(3—40) peptide via SPR at 3iacore 3000. Usage of CM5 chip with immobilized ABpE(11—30) with . 1000 RU and ABpE(3—40) with 1830 RU. Injection of 1 ug/ml antibodies with 30 ul/min over 300 s and ing 0; 300 s dissociation time, dilution in running . The measured signals at flow cell with immobilized AB were subtracted with signal from non—coated flow cell.

Figure 21: Standard Curve of anti E) antibody (clone 13) in g—ELISA 3O lization of 700 ng/ml AB pE11—20)—biotin at streptavidin coated microplate (2 h, at RT). Rlocking with 700 pl fiL SA— Blocker (—T) 1 h at RT and tol‘owed by wash cycle (3 x 300 ul/ well wash buffer). Standard anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13) was diluted in ELISArBlocker (+T) in radix division from 3500 pg/ml down to 55 pg/ml and incubated 2 h at 4 °C. A wash cycle followed and detection with polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse Zg’s HRP 1 h at 4 °C. After wash cycle TMB/be were added, inc1bated min at RT (dark) and enzyme on was stopped with l M EbSO4. Absorption was measured at 450/ 540 nm at TECAN Sunrise.

Figure 22: Direct ABll(pE) ELISA (clone 13) AfipE(ll—30) peptide with different trations was coated over night at 4 °C and then blocked with fiLlSA—410cker (-T) 2 h at RT. Anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13) biotinylated was pre— incubated with streptavidin-HRP conjugate 10 min at RT and diluted in ELISA—Blocker +T) were med. Addition of l ug/ml antibody (clone 13). Wash cycles in—between incubations with 6 x 300 ul/wel‘ TRS—T buffer (except after peptide coating). TMB/Hfib were added, incubated 30 min at RT (dark) and enzyme reaction was d with 1 M H2S04. Absorption was measured at 450/ 540 nm at TECAN Sunrise.

Figure 23: Direct E) ELISA (4G8) ABpE(ll—30) peptide with ent concentrations was coated over night at 4 °C and then blocked with ELISArBlocker (—T) 2 h at RT. Biotinylated 4G8 was pre—incubated with streptavidin—HRP 2O ate for 10 min at RT and a radix two di'ution in EL"SA— Blocker (+T) were performed. on of l ug/nl 4G8 antibody.

Wash cycles in-between incubations with 6 >< 300 ul/well TBS—T buffer (except after peptide coating). TM3/Pfib were added, incubated 30 min at RT (dark) and enzyme reac:ion was stopped with l M EbSO4. Absorption was measured at 450/ 540 nm at TECAN Sunrise.

Figure 24: Beta amyloid staining of human AD brain Immunostaining was performed with anti ABll(pE) (clone 13) antibody. The AD brain sections were paraffin—embedded. The cell nuclei were stained with haematoxylin. Serial cuts from hippocampus of AD case 1; 3 and from fronta‘ cortex 0: AD case 2 are imaged. AD case 1 and 2 showed extracellular, large plaques with deposition of ABll(pE) (see narrow and magnification square). "ntracellular ABll(p?) deposits in AD case 2 (see bo:tom right ication square) and Afill(pE) deposits in AD case 3 (see narrow) were shown. The magnifications on the Ixeft and right images are similar. The images were kindly provided by the lab of C. Lemere (Havard Medical School, Boston).

Figure 25: Beta amyloid staining of APP/PSl mice brain Immunostaining of ‘ormalin Sixed, paraffin embedded AD brain ns with anti ABll(pL)_‘ dy. Cell nuclei were stained with haematoxylin. Serial cuts from. ampus of the transgenic mice. Serial cuts showed vascular deposits 0; ABll(pE). The brown stain is shown at the blood vessels in the brain. The images were kindly provided by the lab of C. Lemere (Havard Medical School, Boston).

Figure 26: Anti ABll(pE) IgG and Ig’s level in auto—Ig—ELISA EDTA—plasma of Alzheimer disease (AD) and control group (13 AD; 30 ls) was analyzed concerning total immunglobulins and IgG in anti ?) autoantibody ELISA. Illustrated is the average and standard deviation of control and AD group. s 0: duplicate determination, samples were measured within the Standard curve.

Figure 27: Anti ABll(pE) IgG2, IgG3, IgM and IgA level in auto— Ig—ELISA Lu' ETA—plasma of Alzheimer disease (AD) and control group (13 AD; controls) was analyzed concerning IgG2, IgG3, IgM and IgA in anti ABll(pE) autoantibody fiL SA. rated is the average and standard ion of control and AD group. Results of duplicate determination, samples were measured within the standard curve.

Detailed description of the Invention Definitions The term "antibody" is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers intact monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, pecific antibodies (e.g. bispecific antibodies) formed from at least two intact antibodies, and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity. The antibody may be an IgM, IgG (e.g. IgGl, "gG7, “gGB or IgG4), g), gA or "gE, for example. Preferably however, the antibody is not an IgM antibody.

"Antibody fragments" comprise a portion of an intact antibody, generally the n binding or variable region 0“ the intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab', 2, and Fv fragments: ies; —chain antibody molecules; and multispecitic antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

The term. "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an antibody ed from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e. the individual antibodies comprising the tion are cal except for possible naturally ing mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly ic, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to "polyclonal antibody" preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant specilicity,.C on the antigen. :11 additior to their the monoclonal antibodies can frequently be advantageous in that they are synthesized by the hybridoma culture, uncontaminated by other immunoglobulins. The "monoclonal" indicates the character o: the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring tion of tre antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used. in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first bed by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 , or may be made by generally well known recombinant DNA. methods. The "monoclonal antibodies" may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques described. in Clackson. et al., Nature, 352:624—628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:58l—597 (1991), for example.

The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include chimeric antibodies (immunoglobulins) in. which. a portion. of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with. or homologous to corresponding sequences in dies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, wrile the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from arother species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments 0: such dies, so long as ttey exhibit the desired biologica' activity.

"Fumanized" forms of non—human e.g., murine) antibodies are crimeric globulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments f (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2 or other n—binding subsequences 0: antibodies) whict contain a l sequence d from. a non—human immunoglobulin. For the most part, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) i11 which. residues from 21 complementarity—determining region (CDR) of the recipient are ed by residues from a CDR of a non—human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework region (FR) residues 0: the human imminoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non— human residues. Furthermore, zed antibodies may comprise residues which .C are _ound neither in the ent antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework ces.

These modifications are made to further refine and optimize antibody performance. In general, the humanized. antibody will comprise SLbstantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which a‘l or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond. to those 0: a. non—human. immunoglobulin. and all or substantially all Of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), lly that of a human immunoglobulin. For further details, see Jones et al., Nature, 321:522—525 (1986), Reichmann et al, Nature. 332:323-329 (1988): and , Curr.

Op. Struct. Biel., 2:593—596 (1992). The humanized antibody includes a PrimatizedTM antibody wherein the antigen—binding region of the antibody is derived from an antibody produced by immunizing macaque monkeys with the antigen .C o_ interest.

"Single—chain Fv" or "st" antibody fragmerts comprise the VH and VL domains of antibody, wherein these s are present in a single polypeptide chain. Generally, the Fv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the VH and VL s which enables the st to form the desired structure for antigen binding. For a review 0: st see Pluckthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds., Springer—Verlag, New York, pp. 269—315 (1994).

The term "diabodies" refers to small antibody fragments with two n—binding sites, which fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain (VH) connected to a light—chain variable domain (VD) in the same polypeptide chain (VH — VD). By using a linker that is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain, the domains are forced to pair with the complementary domains 0: another chain and create two antigen— binding sites. Diabodies are described more fully in Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sol. USA, 90:6444—6448 (1993).

An ted" antibody is one which has been fied and separated and/or recovered from a component of its natural environment. Contaminant components of its natural nment are materials which would interfere with stic or therapeutic uses for the antibody, and may include enzymes, hormones, and other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes.

In preferred ments, the antibody will be purified (1) to greater than 95% by weight 0: antibody as determined. by the Lowry , and most preferably more than 99% by weight, (2) to a degree sufficient to obtain. at least 15 residues of N— terminal or internal amino acid sequence by use of a ng cup sequenator, or (3) to homogeneity by SDS—PAGE under reducing or nonreducing conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain. Tsolated antibody includes the antibody in situ within. recombinant cells since at least one component of the antibody's natural environment will not be present. Ordinarily, however, isolated antibody will be prepared by at leas: one purification step.

As used herein, the expressions "cell", "cell line," and "cell culture" are used hangeably and all such designations include progeny. Thus, the words formants" and "transformed cells" include the primary subject cell and culture d. therefroni without . for the number‘ of transfers.

It is also understood. that all progeny may not be precisely cal in DNA content, due to deliberate or inadvertent mutations. Mutant progeny that have the same function or biological activity as screened for in the originally transformed cell are included. Where distinct designations are intended, this will be clear from the context.

The terms eptide", "peptide", and "protein", as used herein, are interchangeable and are d. to mean a biomolecule composed of amino acids linked by a peptide bond.

The terms "a", "an" and "the" as used herein are defined to mean "one or more" and e the plural unless the t is inappropriate.

The language "diseases and disorders which are caused. by or associated with amyloid or amyloid—like proteins" includes, but is not limited to, diseases and disorders caused by the presence or activity of amyloid-like ns in monomeric, fibril, or polymeric State, II or any combination 0; the three. Such diseases and ers include, but are not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and macular degeneration.

The term "amyloidosis" refers to a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including, but not d to, ary amyloidosis and kmed amyloidosis such as diseases including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), including diseases or conditions terized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity such as, for e, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral remorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch. type); the Guam. Parkinson—Dementia. complex, familial forms of Alzheimer’s disease like Familial British Dementia (FED) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD); as well as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid— like proteins such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld. Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV— related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), inclusion— body myositis (13M), Adult Onset Diabetes, and senile cardiac amyloidosis; and various eye diseases including macular degeneration, drusen-related optic neuropathy, and ct due to beta—amyloid deposition.

"Amylohj B, AB or /B—amyloid" is an art recognized term and refers to amyloid B proteins and peptides, amyloid B precursor protein (APP), as well as modifications, fragments and any functional equivalents :hereo:. In particular, by amyloid B as used herein is meant any fragment produced by lytic ge of APP but especially those fragments which are ed. in or associated. with. the amyloid. pathologies including, but not limited tO, ABLBm ABLAW ABL42. The amino acid sequences of these AB peptides are as follows: AB 1-42 (SEQ ID NO. 1): Asp—Ala—Glu—Phe-Arg—His—Asp—Ser—Gly-Tyr—Glu—Val—His—His-Gln-Lys— Leu—Val—Phe—Phe—Afa—G'u—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser-Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala—Ile-Ile— Gly-Leu—Met—Val—G'y—G'y-Val—Val—Zle—Ala AB 1-40 (SEQ ID NO. 2): Asp—Ala—Glu—Phe—Arg—His—Asp—Ser—Gly—Tyr—Glu—Val—His—His—Gln-Lys— Leu—Val—Phe—Phe—Ala—Glu—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser—Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala—Ile—Ile— Gly-Leu—Met—Val—Gly—Gly—Val—Val AB 1-38 (SEQ ID NO. 3): Asp—Ala—Glu—Phe—Arg—His—Asp—Ser—Gly—Tyr—Glu—Val—His—His—Gln-Lys— Leu—Val—Phe—Phe—Ala—Glu—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser—Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala—Ile—Ile— Gly-Leu—Met—Val—Gly—Gly "pGlu-AB " or “AB NBpE” refers to inally truncated forms of AB, that start at the glutamic acid residue at position 3 in the amino acid sequence of AB, and wherein said glutamic acid residue is cyclized to form. a pyroglutamic acid residue. In particular, by pGlu—AB as used herein are meant those fragments which are involved in or associated with the amyloid pathologies ing, but not limited to, pGlU‘A8338, pGlu—Afigmo, p—Glu—AB; The sequences of the N—terminally truncated forms of AB, Agygw A5340, A8342 are as follows: AB 3-42 (SEQ ID NO. 4): Glu—Phe—Arg—His—Asp—Ser—Gly—Tyr—Glu—Val—His—His—Gln—Lys—Leu—Val— Phe—Phe—A‘ a—G' u—Asp—Va'—G'y—Ser—Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala— le— —Leu— Met-Val—G‘ y-G' y—Val—Va‘-"‘e—Ala AB 3-40 (SEQ ID NO. 5): Glu—Phe—Arg—His—Asp—Ser—Gly—Tyr—Glu—Val—His—His—Gln—Lys—Leu—Val— Phe—Phe—A‘ a—G' u—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser—Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala— le— 1e—Gly—Leu— Met-Val—G‘ y-G' y—Val—Va‘ AB 3-38 (SEQ ID NO. 6): e—Arg—His—Asp—Ser—Gly—Tyr—Glu—Val—His—His—Gln—Lys—Leu—Val— e—A‘ a—G' u—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser—Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala— le— 1e—Gly—Leu— Met-Val—G‘ y-G' Y "AfipGlu(ll)", “AB (pEll)” or “Afill(pE)” refers to NFterminally truncated forms of Ab, that start at the glutamic acid residue at position ll in the amino acid sequence 0: AB, and wherein said glutamic acid residJe is ed to fonn a pyroglutamic acid residue. “n particu'ar, by AfipGlu(ll—X)as used herein are meant those fragments which are involved in or associated with the amyloid pathologies including, but not limited to, pGlu—ABH, 38/ pGlu-ABlli4o, p-Glu-ABlli42.

The sequences 0: the N—terminally truncated forms of AB, ABulm, , Afilyqz are as follows: AB 11—42 (SEQ ID NO. 7): Glu—Val—His—His—Gln—Lys—Leu—Val—Phe—Phe—Ala—Glu—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser- Asn—Lys-Gly—Ala—Tle—"le-Gly—Leu-Met—Val—Gly—Gly—Val—Val—“le—Ala AB 11—40 (SEQ ID NO. 8): l—His—His—Gln—Lys—Leu—Val—Phe—Phe—Ala—Glu—Asp—Val—Gly—Ser- Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala—Ile—Ile—Gly—Leu—Met—Val—Gly—Gly—Val—Val AB 11-38 (SEQ ID NO. 9): Glu—Val—His—His—Gln—Lys—Leu—Val—Phe—Phe—A'a-G‘u—Asp—Val—Gly-Ser- Asn—Lys—Gly—Ala—Ile—Ile—Gly—Leu—Met—Val—G'y-G'y 95 "n particular the present invention rs to the following items: 1. Antibody, characterised in that it binds to ABpGlu(ll) peptides or variants thereof, preferably with high affinity. 2. Antibody according to item. 1, n said. high affinity means a dissociation constant (KD) value of —7 M, or better. 3. Antibody according to item 1 or 2, wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

Antibody according to any of the preceding items, wherein the variable part 0: the light chain of said antibody has a tide sequence O“ SEQ "D NO: 51, or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID ED: 52.

Antibody according to any of the preceding items, wherein the variable part 0: the heavy chain of said antibody has a nucleotide sequence 0" SEQ "D NO: 53, or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID ED: 54. dy according to any of the preceding items, wherein the variable part of the light chain of said antibody has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the amin0 acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and wherein the variable part of the heavy chain .5 0. said dy has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ l, 53, or the amino acid sequence of SfiQ J NO: Antibody according to any of the preceding items, wherein said antibody is AB 13—ll—6 (Deposit No. DSM ACC 3lOO) or a functional variant thereof. dy according to item 7, wherein said antibody is AB 13 —ll—6 (Deposit No. DSM ACC 3100).

Ar tibody according to any of the preceding items, wherein said antibody is a. humanized. or chimeric antibody, or an ar tibody fragment which retains the high affinity. 3O 10. Ar tibody ing to any of the preceding items for use in tr e ion of (ll)peptides or variants thereo .C ll. Ar tibody according' to item. 10, wherein said. varian':S are selected from the following group: pGlll—ZX311738 pGill—ZXBile40 pGlu—ABlLAL and BMIX variants, n X is an integer between 18 and 42, more preferably and 42. 12. Antibody according to any 0: the preceding items, which is human. 13. Antibody according to any of the preceding items, which is a diabody or a single chain antibody which retains the high affinity. 14. dy according to any of the ing items, which binds to the epitope bound by the antibodies defined in item . dy according to any of the preceding items, which has the complementarity determining regions of the antibodies as 2O defined in item 1;. 16. Antibody according to any of the preceding items, wherein the variable part of the light chain 0: said antibody has one or more, such as one, two or three, complementarity determining regions which are the same as one or more, such as one, two or three, complementarity determining regions of the antibody having a variable part of a light chain which has a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51, or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52. 17. dy according to any of the preceding items, wherein the variable part of the light chain of said antibody has one or more, such. as one, two or three, complementarity determining regions which are the same as one or more, such as one, two or three, complementarity determining regions of the antibody having a variable part of a heavy chain which has a nucleotide sequence of SfiQ J NO: 53, or an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54. 18. dy according to any of the preceding items, which is labeled. 19. Antibody according to any 0: the preceding items, which is immobilised on a solid phase. 20. Antibody obtainable from the hybridoma cell line DSM ACC 3100. 21. Composition comprising the antibody as defined in any of the preceding items. 22. Composition according to item 21 for the treatment, prevention or delay 0: amyloidosis. 23. Composition according to item 21 or 22, wherein said amyloidosis is a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group ting of mild ive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome. 24. Composition according to item 21 or 22, wherein said amyloidosis is sporadic Alzheimer's disease or a al Alzheimer’s dementia. . ition ing to item. 24, wherein said Familial Alzheimer’s dementia is Familial British Dementia or Familial Danish Dementia. 26. Hybridoma cell line DSM ACC 3100. 27. Use of the antibody as defined in any one of items 1 to 20 or the composition as defined in any one 0: items 21 to 25 in a diagnostic or therapeutic method. 28. The use ing to item 27 for the dimfimsis of an amyloid—associated disease or condition. 29. The use according to item 28, wherein said amyloidosis is a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome.

. The use according to item 28, n said amyloidosis is sporadic Alzheimer's disease or a al Alzheimer’s dementia. 31. The use ing to item 28, wherein said Familial Alzheimer’s dementia is Familial British Dementia or Familial Danish Dementia. 32. In vitro diagnostic method for the diagnosis of an amyloid— ated disease or condition, in particular mer's disease, comprising the following steps: 2O contacting an antibody according to any one of items 1 to 20 with a sample from a subject suspected to be afflicted with said disease or condition, and detecting binding of the antibody to a A8pGlu(l;) protein, from the sample. 33. Diagnostic kit, comprising' the dy as defined fill any one of items 1 to 20, and instructions for use, and — optionally — (a) further biologically active substance(s). 3O 34. The diagnostic kit of item 33, wherein said further ical substance is an irhibitor of glutaminyl cyclase.

. An oligonucleotide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 26 to 50.

The antibodies of the invention may be useful for the diagnosis 0: amyloidosis.

The antibodies of the invention may be used _:.C as a inity purification . In this process, the dies are immobilised on a solid phase such a Sephadex resin or filter paper, using methods well known in the art. The immobilized antibody is contacted with. a sample containing 11M; ABpG;u(ll) peptide to be purified, and. thereafter‘ the support is washed with a suitable solvent that will remove substantially all the material in the sample except the AfipGlu(ll)—peptide, which is bound to the immobilized antibody. y, the support is washed with another suitable solvent, such as glycine buffer, pH .0 that will release the ABpGlu(1l)-peptide from the antibody.

Anti—ABpGlu(ll)—peptide antibodies may also be useful in diagnostic assays :or ABpGlu(ll)—peptide, e.g. detecting its occurrence in ic cells, tissues, or serum” Thus, the antibodies may be used in the sis 0: amyloidosis, in particular a neurodegenerativo dis aso s l c: d from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), mer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Atheimer’s ias (FAD) such as Familial British. Dementia. (FBD) and. Familial Danish. Dementia (FDD) and neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome; preferably Alzheimer‘s disease.

For diagnostic applications, the dy typically will be labelled with a detectable moiety. Numerous labels are available which can be generally grouped into the following categories: (a) Radioisotopes, such as 35S, 14C, 1251, 3H, and 131:. The antibody can be labeled with the radioisotope using the techniques described in Current Protocols in Immunology, Volumes 1 and 2, Gutigen et al., Ed., Wiley—Interscience. New York, New York. Pubs., (1991) for example and radioactivity can be measured using scintillation counting. (b) Fluorescent labels such. as rare earth. chelates (europium chelates) or fluorescein and its tives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, Lissamine, phycoerythrin and Texas Red are available. The fluorescent labels can be conjugated to the antibody using the techniques disclosed in Current Protocols in Immunology, supra for example. Fluorescence can. be quantified using a fluorimeter. (c) Various enzyme—substrate labels are available. The enzyme generally catalyses a. chemical alteration o: the chromogenic substrate which can be measured using various ques. For example, the enzyme may catalyze a color change in a substrate, which can be measured spectrophotometrically. Alternatively, the enzyme :may' alter‘ the fluorescence or chemiluminescence of ':he substrate. Techniques for quantifying a change in fluorescence are bed above. The chemiluminescent substrate becomes eleCtronically excited by a chemical reaction and may then emit light which can be measured using a chemiluminometer, :or example) or donates energy to a fluorescent or. Examples o: enzymatic labels include 'uciferases (e.g, "ire"ly luci .C erase and bacterial luciferase; U.S. Patent No, 4,737,456), lucifer‘n, 2,3—dihydrophthalazinediones, Halate dehydrogenase, , peroxidase such as horseradish peroxidase (HRPO), ai<aline phosphatase. O—galactosidase, glicoamylase, lysozyme, saccharide oxidases (e.g., glucose e, galactose e, and glucose— 6—phosphate dehydrogenase , heterocyclic oxidases (such as uricase and xanthine oxidase), lactoperoxidase, microperoxidase, and the like. ques for conjugating enzymes to antibodies are described in O'Sullivan et al., Methods for the Preparation 0' Enzyme—Antibody Conjugates for use in Enzyme Immunoassay, in s in Enzym (ed Langone & H. Van s), Academic Press, New York, 73: 147—166 (1981).

Examples of enzyme—substrate ations include, for example: (i) Horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) with hydrogen peroxidase as a substrate, n the hydrogen peroxidase oxidizes a dye sor (e.g. orthophenylene diamine (CPU) or 3,3',5,5'— tetramethyl benzidine hydrochloride (TMB)); (ii) alkaline phosphatase (A?) with para-Nitrophenyl phosphate as chromogenic substrate; and (iii) B—D—galactosidase (B—D—Gal) with a chromogenic substrate (e.g. p-nitrophenyl—B—D—galactosidase) or the fluorogenic substrate 4—methylumbelliferyl-B—D—galactosidase.

Numerous other enzyme—substrate ations are available to those skilled ir the art.

Sometimes, the label is indirectly conjugated with the dy.

The d artisan. will be aware of various techniques :or ing this. For example, the dy can be conjugated with biotin and any of the three broad categories or labels mentioned above can be ated with avidin, or Vice versa. Biotin binds selectively to avidin and thus, the label can be conjugated with the antibody in this indirect manner. Alternatively, to achieve indirect conjugation of the label with the dy, the antibody is conjugated with a small hapten (e.g. digoxin) and one of the different types of labels mentioned above is conjugated with an anti—hapten antibody (e.g. anti—digoxin antibody). Thus, indirect conjugation of the label with the antibody can be achieved.

The (ll)-antibody need not be labeled, and the presence thereof can be detected using a labeled antibody, which binds to the ABpGlu(ll)—antibody.

The antibodies or the present invention may be ed in any known assay method, such as competitive binding assays, direct and indirect sardwich assays, and immunoprecipitation assays.

Zola, Rbnoclonal Antibodies A hbnual of Tbchniques, pp.l47—158 (CRC Press. Inc., 1987) Competitive binding assays rely on the ability of a labeled standard to compete with the test sample analyte for binding with a limited amount of antibody. The amount of .ABpGlu(ll) peptide in the test sample is inversely proportional to the amount 0. standard. that becomes bound. to the antibodies. To facilitate determining the amount of standard that becomes bound, the antibodies generally are insolubilized before or after the competition, so that the standard and analyte that are bound to the antibodies may conveniently be ted from the Standard and analyte which remain unbound.

Sandwich assays e the use of two antibodies, each capable of binding to .C a diflerent immunogenic portion, or epitope, of the protein to be detected. In a sandwich assay, the test sample analyte is bound by a first antibody which is lized on a solid t, and thereafter‘ a second antibody’ binds to the analyte, thus forming an insoluble three—part complex. The second antibody may itself be labeled with a detectable moiety (direct sandwich assays) or may be measured using an anti— immunoglobulin antibody that is labeled with a able moiety (indirect sandwich assay). For example, on profcrablo type of sandwich assay is an ELISA assay, in which case the detectable moiety is an enzyme.

For immunohistochemistry, the tissue sample may be fresh or frozen or may be embedded in paraffin and fixed with a vative such as formalin, for example.

Diagnostic Kits As a matter of ience, the antibody 0; the t invention can be provided in a kit, i.e., a packaged combination or reagents in predetermined amounts with instructions for performing the diagnostic assay. Where the antibody is ed with an enzyme, the kit will include substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme (e.g. a ate precursor which provides the detectable chromophore or fluorophore). In on, other additives may be included such as stabilizers, buffers (e.g. a block buffer or lysis buffer) and the like. The relative amounts 0: the various reagents may be varied widely to provide for concentrations in solution. of the reagents which substantially ze the sensitivity of the assay.

Particularly, the reagents may be provided as dry powders, usually lyophilized, including excipients which on dissolution will e a reagent solution having the appropriate concentration. -he diagnostic kit ing to the invention. may contain a further biologically active substance as described below.

Especially preferred 'ifl‘ the use in the diagnostic kit are inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase.

The diagnostic kit of the ion is especially use ul "or the detection and diagnosis of amyloid- associated diseases and conditions, in partiCJ'ar neurodegenerative diseases selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD like Familial British Dementia (FBD) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome; preferably Alzheimer’s disease.

The present invention pertains in particular to antibodies which are characterized in that they bind to AfipGlu(ll)—peptides with a high affinity. The t invertion also pertains to antibodies which are characterised in that they bind to .ABpGlu(ll)—peptides or ts thereo: with. a high affinity.

Said high a" "inity means in the context of the t invention an ty of a K3 value 0: 10—7 M or better, preferably a K3 value of 10—8 M or better, and even more preferably a K3 value of 10—9 M — 10—12 M. Thereby, the inventive antibodies bind to ABpGlu(ll)—peptides with a higher affinity than previously known antibodies.

In particular the antibody is preferably a monoclonal antibody and is AB 13—11—6 (DSM ACC 3100).

The antibody according to the present invention is especially useful in a diagnostic method to detect amyloidosis, in particular a neurodegenerativo dis aso s l c: d from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic mer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia (F3D) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration ir Down Syndrome; preferably Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dy can be humanised or is a chimeric antibody or is a human antibody.

Further, the antibody as selected from the above-mentioned group can also be a functional variant 0: said group.

In the context of the present invention, variant I) a 0; a ABpGlu(;l) e is in ular pG:—U_ABll—381 pGLU-Afiliem/ pG_‘_u-A(311,42 Further ts of ABpGlu(ll) peptides are all pGlu—Afilyx variants, which rave been shown to accumulate in the brain as a consequence of Alzheimer‘s disease or ing Alzheimer's disease. X is defined as an integer n 18 and 42, e.g. in the above pGlu—ABlin, "42" would be the integer :or "x".

In the context H functional 0: the present invention a variant" o_ the inventive antibody is an antibody which retains the binding capacities, in particular binding capacities with high affinity to a pGlu-ABH,X e or functional variant thereof.

The provision of such functional ts is known in the art and encompasses the mentioned possibilities, which were indicated under the definition of antibodies and fragments thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is an antibody fragment, as defined above. "n a further preferred embodiment, the inventive antibody is an antibody which binds to the epitope which is bound by the antibodies as d above, in particular antibody l3—ll—6.

In a further preferred embodiment, the antibody of the invention is an antibody which has the complementarity—determining regions (CDRs) of the above—defined antibodies. Preferably, the antibody can be labeled; possible labels are those as mentioned above and. all those known. to a jperson. d. in the art Oi diagnostic uses of dies in particular.

Preferably, the antibody is immobilized on a solid phase.

The present invention also ns an antibody which is obtainable from hybridoma cell line 13—11—6 (DSM ACC 3100).

The present invention also relates to a composition which ses the dy as defined above. In particular, said composition is a composition :in: a diagnostic use, especially for the diagnosis of a egenerativc discasc s lectcd from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD) like Fami'ial Rritish Dementia (F3D) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD , neurodegeneration in Down me; preferably Alzheimer’s disease; Ill particular fur detection (If ABpGlu(ll) e or variants thereof in a biological sample.

In another embodiment, the dy according to the invention and as described herein before or a fragment thereof, exhibits a binding affinity to an AfipGlu(l’) oligomer, fiber, fibri' or filament which. is at least 2 times, particularly at least 4 times, particularly at least 10 times, particularly at leaSt 15 times, more particularly at least 20 times, but especially at leas: 25 times higher than the binding affinity to an ABpGlu(ll) nonone I .

In Still another ment, an dy or a fragment thereof chimeric antibody fragment thereo_,.5 or‘ a or a or‘ a humanized antibody or a fragment thereof is provided as described herein before, which antibody substantially binds to aggregated. AB, including AB plaques, in the mammalian, particularly the human brain but, preferably, does not show any icant cross— reactivity with amyloid precursor protein (APP).

In another aspect o: the invention, the antibody or a fragment thereof or the chimeric antibody’ or a fragment thereo:, or a humarized antibody or a fragment thereof is provided as described herein before, which dy substantially binds to soluble polymeric d, ularly amyloid B (AB), including AB monomers, in the mammalian, particularly the human brain but, preferably, does not show any significant cross-reactivity with amyloid sor protein (APP).

The present invention. relates also to humanized. forms of the antibodies as defined above, compositions comprising said humanized antibodies and the use of said compositions for the treatment 0: amyloidosis, especially for ,he treatment or neurodegenerative e in a mammal, in part‘cular in a human.

Said neurodegenerative disease is in particular selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD) like Familial British ia (FSD) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome. ably, said neurodegenerative disease is mer’s disease.

The present invention is also directed to hybridoma cell line 13—11—6.

The present invention also pertains to the use of the antibody or the ition comprising the dy, both as defined above, for use in an in Vitro diagnostic method. In particular, this diagnostic method is directed to sis of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting .C mild cognitive impairment (MC"), Alzheimer's e (AD), like for instance sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Fami‘ia' Alzheimer's dementias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia (FBD and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down me; ably mer’s disease; es:>eci.all_y 13y detecting an ABpGlu(ll) peptide or variants thereof in a biological sample.

Preferably, said sample is a serum .

According to another preferred embodiment, said sample is a liquor or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the present invention pertains to the following method: In vitro or in situ diagnostic method for the diagnosis Ol an amyloid—associated disease or condition, preferably Alzheimer‘s disease, comprising the following steps: con_actingJ_ an antibody according to the invention with a sample, preferab'y selected. front a serum, ‘ or CSF sample, most pre erab'y a serum sample; or a specific body part or body area o: a t suspected to be afflicted with said conditior or disease, and detecting binding of the antibody to a ABpGlu(ll) peptide, from the sample.

More particularly, the invention relates to a method of diagnosis of an amyloid-associafed. disease or condition, preferably Alzheimer's disease, comprisilmg iing the immunospecific binding of an antibody or an active fragment thereof to a AfipGlu(ll) peptide, in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention, or a chimeric artibody or a fragment thereof, or a humanized antibody or a fragment : according to the invention. and. as described. herein. before, and/or‘ a functional part thereof, which antibody binds a ABpGlu(;l) peptide; (b) allowing the antibody and/or a functional part f, to bind to the ABpGlu(ll) peptide to form an immuno ogica' x; (c) detecting the formation of the immuno‘ogica' complex; and (d) correlating' the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of AfipGlJ(ll) peptide in the sample or specific body part or area.

Also comprised is a method of determining the extent 0; amyloidogenic plaque burden in a tissue and/or body fluids comprising (a) obtaining a sample representative of the tissue and/or body fluids under investigation; (b) g said sample for the presence of amyloid protein with an antibody, particularly a onal antibody according to the invention, or a chimeric antibody or a nt thereof, or a humanized dy or a nt thereof according to the ion. and. as described. herein. before, and/or‘ a functional part thereo:'I (c) determining the amount of antibody bound to the n; and (d) calculating‘ the plaque burden. in the tissue and/or‘ body fluids. in particular, the invention relates to a method of determining the extent of amyloidogenic plaque . in a tissue and/or body fluids, wherein the formation of the logical complex in step c) is determined such that presence or absence 0: the immunological complex correlates with. presence or absence of amyloid protein, in particular ABpGlu(ll) peptides.

In still another embodiment, the invention relates to a composition comprising the antibody according to the invention, or‘ a chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, or a thanized antibody or a fragment thereo: according to the invention and as described. herein. before including any functionally eqiivalent antibody or any derivative or functional parts thereo:, in a therapeutically effective amount, in. particular a composition which is a pharmaceutical composition optionally further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another ment of the invention, said composition comprises the antibody in a therapeutically effective amount. r comprised by the invention is a nuxture comprising an dy, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention, or a chimeric artibody or a fragment thereof, or a humanized antibody or a fragment thereo: according to the invention and. as described. herein. before including any functionally equivalent antibody or any derivative or functional parts thereof, in a therapeutically effec,ive amount and, optionally, a further ically active substance and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient. 75 "n ular, the invention relates to a mixture, wherein the .Curther biological'y active substance is a compound used in the medication 0: amyloidosis, a group of diseases and. disorders associated with amyloid or amyloid—like protein such as the ABpGlu(ll) protein involved in egenerative diseases ed from the group consisting of mild cognitive ment (MCI), Alzheimer's e (AD), like for ce ic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s ias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia (F3D) and Familial Danish ia. (FDD), neurodegeneration jll Down. Syndrome; preferably Alzheimer’s disease.

In another ment of the invention, the other biologically active substance or compound. may also be a eutic agent that may be used in the treatment of amyloidosis caused by ABpGlu(ll) or may be used in the tion of other neurological disorders.

The other biologically active substance or compound may exert its biological effect by the same or a similar mechanism as the antibody ing to the invention or by an unrelated mechanism 0: action or by a multiplicity of related and/or unrelated mechanisms of action.

Generally, the other biologically active compound.:may include neutron—transmission enhancers, psychotherapeutic drugs, choline esterase inhibitors, calcium—channel blockers, biogenic amines, benzodiazepine tranquillizers, acety'cho'ine synthesis, storage or release enhancers, acety‘cho'ine postsynaptic receptor agonis:s, monoamine oxidase—A or —3 inhibitors, N—methyl- D—aspartate glutamate receptor nists, eroidal anti—injflanunatCDry (irilgs, antioxidants, and serotonergic receptor antagonists.

More particularly, the invention relates to a mixture comprising at least one compound selected from. the group consisting o: compounds effective against oxidative , anti—apoptotic compounds, metal chelators, inhibitors 0' DNA. repaid: such as epin and lites, 3— amino—l—propanesulfonic acid (3 APS), 1,3—propanedisullonate.E (1,3PDS), d-secretase activators, B— and y —secretase inhibitors, tau proteins, neuro:ransmitter, ,3— sheet breakers, attractants for amyloid beta clearing / depleting cellular components, inhibitors 0: N—terminal truncated amyloid beta ircluding utamated amyloid beta 3— 42, such as inhibitors 0" glutaminyl cyclase, anti—inflammatory molecules, or cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) s1ch as tacrine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and/or galantamine, Ml agonists and other drugs including any d or tau modifying drug and nutritive supplements, and nutritive supplements, together with an antibody according to the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

The invention further relates to a mixture, wherein the compound is a cholinesterase inhibitor (Chfi s), particularly a mixture, wherein the compound is one selected from the group ting o: tacrine, rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine, niacin and memantine.

In a further embodiment, the mixtures according to the invention may comprise niacin or memantine together with an antibody according to the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

In a further embodiment, the mixtures ing to the invention may comprise a glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor together with an antibody ing to the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

Preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl cyc'ase are described in WO 75436, in particular examples l—l—l as shown on pp. 31-40.

The synthesis of examples l—l4l is shown on pp. 40—48 of WO 2005/075436. The disclosure of regarding examples 1—141, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is orated herein by reference.

Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are described in WO 2008/055945, in ular examples 1—473 as shown on pp. 46-155. The synthesis of examples 1—473 is shown on pp. 156—192 of WO 55945. The sure of WO 2008/055945 regarding es 1—473, their sis and their use as inyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are described in WO 2008/055947, in particular examples 1—345 as shown on pp. 53-118. The synthesis of examples 1—345 is shown on pp. Ll9—133 of . The disclosure of WO 2008/055947 regarding examples 1—345, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference. r red tors of glutaminyl cyclase are described in WO 2008/055950, in particular examples 1—212 as shown on pp. 57—120. The synthesis of examples 1—212 is shown on pp. 121—128 of WO 2008/055950. The disclosure of WO 2008/055950 regarding examples 1—212, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyc'ase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further red inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are described in W02008/06514l, in particular examples 1—25 as shown on pp. 56—59. The synthesis of es 1—25 is shown on pp. 60—67 of W02008/O6514l. The sure of W02008/O6514l regarding examples 1—25, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl e are described in WO 7008/110593, in particular es 1-27 as shown on pp. 55-59. The synthesis of examples 1—27 is shown on pp. 59—71 of WO 2008/110523. The sure of WO 2008/110523 regarding examples 1—27, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are described in WO 2008/128981, in ular examples 1—18 as shown on pp. 62—65. The synthesis of examples 1—18 is shown on pp. 65—74 of WO 2008/l2898l. The disclosure of WO 2008/128981 regarding examples 1-18, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by re_erence..C Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are bed in WO 7008/198987, in particular examples 1—44 as shown on pp. 61-67. The synthesis of examples 1—44 is shown on pp. 68—83 of . The disclosure of regarding examples 1—44, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl e are described in , in ular examples 1—30 as shown on pp. 64-68. The synthesis of examples 1—30 is shown on pp. 68—80 of WO 2008/128983. The disclosure of WO 2008/128983 regarding es l—30, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further preferred inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are described in WO 2008/128984, in particular examples 1—36 as shown on pp. 63—69. The synthesis of examples 1—36 is shown on pp. 69—81 of WO 2008/128984. The sure of WO 2008/128984 regarding examples 1—36, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further red inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase are bed in WO 2008/128985, in particular es l—7l as shown on pp. 66—76. The synthesis of examples 1—71 is shown on pp. 76—98 of WO 2008/128985. The disclosure of WO 28985 regarding examples l—7l, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

Further red inhibitors of g'utaminyl cyclase are described in WO 2008/128986, in particular examples 1—7 as shown on pp. 65-66. The synthesis of examp'es '—7 is shown on pp. 66—73 0: WO 2008/128986. The disclosure of regarding es 1—7, their synthesis and their use as glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors is incorporated herein by reference.

In still another embodiment of the invention mixtures are provided. that comprise cal antipsychotics" such. as, ior example clozapine, ziprasidone, risperidone, aripiprazole or olanzapine for the treatment 0: ve and negative psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders (manifested by marked incoherence, derailment, tangentiality), and bizarre or disorganized behavior, as well as anhedonia, flattened affect, apathy, and social withdrawal, together with an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention, bit particularly’ a chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, or a humanized antibody or a fragment thereo: according to the invention and as described. herein and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable r and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

In a ic ment o: the invention, the compositions and es according to the invention and as described herein before comprise the antibody and the biologically aCtive substance, respectively, in a therapeutically ive amount.

Other compounds that can be suitably used in mixtures in combination with the antibody ing to the present invention are described. in W02008/O65141 (see especially pages 37/38), including PEP—inhibitors (pp. 43/44), LiCl, inhibitors O— dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, preferably inhibitors of DP IV or DP 2O IV—like enzymes (see pp. 48/49); cholinesterase (AC2:'n inhibitors (see p. 47), PIMT enhancers, inhibitors of beta 3 cr tas s (s o p. 11), inhibitors of gamma secretases (see pp. 41/42), inhibitors 0: neutral endopeptidase, inhibitors 0' phosphodiesterase—4 (PDE—4) (see pp. 42/43), TNFalpha inhibitors, muscarinic Ml receptor antagonists (see p. 46), NMDA receptor antagonists (see pp. 47/48), sigma-1 receptor inhibitors, histamine H3 antagonists (se p. 43), immunomodulatory , immunosuppressive agents or an agent selected front the group consisting‘ of antegren izumab ) I Neurelan (fampridine—SR), campath (alemtuzumab), IR 208, N_% 5788/MSP 771 (tiplimotide), paclitaxel, x.MS (AG 28-), SH636, Differin (CD 271, adapalene), BAY 361677 (interleukin—— ) I matrix-metalloproteinase—inhibitors (e.g. 3B 76163), interferon— tau (trophoblastin) and SAIK-MS; beta—amyloid. dies (see p.44), cysteine protease tors (see p. 44); MCP—l antagonists (see pp. 44/45), amyloid protein deposition inhibitors (see 42) and beta amyloid synthesis irhibitors (see p. 42), which document is incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment, the invention s to a mixture comprising the antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention, or a chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, or a humanized antibody or a fragment thereo: according to the invention and as described herein before and/or the biologically active substance in a therapeutically effective amount.

The invention r relates to the use of an antibody, particularly ea monoclonal antibody according 11) the invention, but particularly a chimeric antibody or a fragment thereo:, or a humanized antibody or a fragment thereof according to the invention. and. as described. herein before and/or‘ a functional part thereof and/or a ceutical composition, or a Huxture comprising‘ said. antibody, for the preparation. of a Inedicament for treating or alleviating the effects of amyloidosis, a group 2O 07 diseases and disorders associated with d plaque ion including secondary amyloidosis and lated amyloidosis such as diseases including, but not limited to, ogical ers such as .Alzheimer's Disease LAD), Lewy body dementia, Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson—Dementia complex; as we" as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid—like proteins such as progressive uclear palsy, le sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV—related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac dosis; endocrine tumors, and others, including macular degeneration.

Also comprised. by the present invention. is a method. for the preparation of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody ing to the invention, but particularly a chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, or a zed dy or a fragment thereof according to the ion and as described herein before and/or a functional part thereo: and/or a pharmaceutical composition, or a mixture comprising said antibody and/or a functional part thereof, particularly in a therapeutically :L‘ .— e' ective amount, for use in a method or preventing, treating or ting the efiects.C of amyloidosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary dosis and age-related dosis such as diseases including, but not limited to neurodegenerative es such as :mild cognitive ment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic .Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s ias (FAD) like al British Dementia (F3D) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome; Lewy body dementia, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson—Dementia complex; as well as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins such as progressive uclear palsy, multiple sis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV—related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and others, including macular degeneration comprising formulating an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according' to the invention, but particularly’ a chimeric antibody or a fragment thereof, or a humanized antibody or a fragment thereo: according to the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable form.

Further comprised by the t ion is a method for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of dosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque ion including secondary amyloidosis and age—related amyloidosis such as diseases including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance ic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia (FSD) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome; Lewy body dementia, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson—Dementia complex; as well as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob e, son's disease, HIV—related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sis), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and , including r degeneration by administering an antibody and/or a functional part thereof, but particularly a lummnized antibody and/or a functional part thereof, or a composition or mixture comprising such an antibody and/or a onal part thereof, to an animal or 21 human ed by such a disorder comprising administering the antibody in a therapeutically effective amount.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for the treatment 0“ dosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary amyloidosis and age—related amyloidosis including, but not limited. to, neurodegenerative diseases Sich as Inild cognitive ment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance sporadic mer's disease (SAD) or al Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia (F3D) and Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome; ularly a disease or condition characterized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity by administering to an animal, ularly a mammal or a human, an antibody, particularly a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention and as described herein.

In. a specific embodiment the invention. provides a method. for retaining or increasing cognitive memory capacity but, particularly, for restoring the cognitive memory capacity 0; an animal, particularly a mammal or a human, suffering from memory impairment by administering to an animal, particular'y a mammal or a human, an antibody, particularly a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention and as described herein before.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a therapeutic composition and .C a method ol producing such a composition as well as a method for the treatment of amyloidosis, .C a group ol diseases and disorders associated with d plaque formation ing secondary amyloidosis and lated dosis including, but not limited to, neurodegenerative diseases such l0 as mild cognitive impairment (MC"), Alzheimer's disease (AD), like for instance ic Afzheimer's d‘sease (SAD) or Familial Alzheimer’s dementias (FAD) like Familial British Dementia (FBD) and Familial iDanish_ Dementia (FDD), neirodegeneration_ in iDown Syndrome; particularly a disease or condition characterized by a l5 loss of cognitive memory capacity, using an antibody according to the ion and as described herein before.

In. particular, the invention relates to the treatment of an animal, particularly a mammal or a human, suffering from an amyhflorassociated condition terized by a loss or cognitive memory capacity that leads to the retention of cognitive memory capacity.

EXAMPLES 1. Material and Methods 1.1 Cell culture techniques 1.1.1 Hybridoma cells and dy screening Murine hybridoma cells producing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against AB species were provided from es GmbH (Berlin).

Female BALB/c mice were immunized with chemical synthesized antigen Afi(pE11—14) which was linked at the C—terminal ne residue with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) prOtein. The KLH protein is potently immunogenic and was applied as vaccine carrier protein.

The cell fusion was performed with spleen cells 0: the immunized mice and the murine myeloma cell line SP2/O—Agl4. After cell , the hybridoma cells were ed with hypoxanfhine aminopterin thymidine medium (HAT). Therefore, HAT medium allows selection of hybridoma cells, which inherit the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) gene from 3 cells and tumorigenic property from. a cells. Afterwards the hybridoma supernatants were screened for the ce of specific H$¢> against Afi(pEll—l4) .

The InAb \Nere eaxanduied concerning their ability to bind at different modified AB— peptides. Therefore AB—peptides were spotted at a hydroxy— cellulose-membrane, incubated. with. mAb from. cell culture supernatants and were detected by d antibodies. Hybridoma cells, which produce specific mAb against the inal modified ABll(pE) peptide and showed no significant cross— reactions with. other modified..AB-peptides (see Table l) were selected for recloning. Through limited dilution techniques the hybridoma cells were cloned to achieve one isolated clone.

The followed oma clone was stable after recloning and ed from 3ioGenes: pEVHH—59025 13—11—6 (clone 13) The present study intended to successfully cultivate the hybridoma cell for the tion of mAb in cell culture supernatant. The mAb concentration in ce'l culture supernatant o: the clone should be determined by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR . An additional aiHL was the optimization. of ation, whereby the adaption. of hybridoma. cells from. serum. containing perlormed.C serum free medium should be to simplify the purification. of mAb. Furthermore the mAb should. be purified, biophysically characterized. and. applied in assay or used for immunostaining.

Table 1: Amino acid sequence of AB11(pE) and modified AB— peptides.

The grey labelled peptide ABpE(11-23) contains the target ce with pyroglutamate at the N-terminus Seq ID Peptide Sequence Seq ID Peptide Sequence No No.

IAB2 RHDSGY AB 1:- - EVHHQKLVFFAED 23 A“ (l - 3\H 13 I23 — 2-3) H 24 AB 2 DAEFRHiSODSGYEVH 2.4 1 — - AB iDSGYEVHHQKLVF 1-5 .9) -p13 FRHDSGYEVHH AB 17 — LVFFAEDVGSNKG “.5 Q 29 I FRHDSGYEVHHQK Al3 25 - GSNKGA --GYEVHHQKLVFFA AB I IGLMVGGVVIA 1.1.2 Cultivation of hybridoma cells The hybridoma cells were cultivated in cell culture flasks at 37 °C and in a humidified atmosphere of 5 0 6 C02. The ation D— MEM medium (with L—glutamine, sodium pyruvate, 4.5 g/l glucose, Invitrogen) was supplemerted with 15 % F38 and 1 % MEM—NEA (non essential amino acids, ogen). Immediately Ibefore use of culture medium a stock solution of 50 mM B—mercaptoethanol and a fresh defrosted stock solu:ion of 200 mM L—glutamine were used with a final tration of at least 50 £4 B—mercaptoethanol and 2 Iml L—glutamine. The subculture o; cells was routinely performed dependent upon cell density twice per week. The cell density should be n 1 x 106 and 2 x 106 living cells/ml. For passaging o: hybridoma cells the partial adherent cells were detached from bottle bottom through carefully up and down pipetting of cell suspension, transferred into falcon tubes and centrifuged at 300 x g for 5 nun.

Afterwards the cell culture supernatant containing mAb was aspirated then collected in a reservoir and stored at 4 0C. For SPR measurement, a sample (100 ul) was taken from cell culture supernatant. After ension " 0: cell pellet with .Clresh culture medium the cell density was ined by using the Casy® Cell Counter (Scharfe System. GmbH, Reutlingen). Therefore the cell suspension was lO—times diluted in Casy®ton ological saline solution) ard then 100 ul of cell dilution was translerred.C into 9900 ul Casy®ton. Th d vicc d tcrminod the amoun- ol living and dead cells as well as the total cell amount per ml in the sample by electric current exclusion. Vital cells with intact cell nes exclude the electrical current whereas dead cells with defect cell membranes are electrically tive. Then the cells were seeded with a density, dependent on the cell growth, between 1 x 105 and 5 x 105 living cells/ml in T—flask (25 cm? — 175 cm2 according to requirement). 1.1.3 eservation of hybridoma cells Hybridoma cells in thmic growth phase and with viability over 85 % were cryopreserved. Freezing 0: cells should be performed as early as possible with low passage number. The hybridoma cells were centrifuged at 300 x g for 5 min and resuspended at a concentration of 7 x 106 living cells/ ml in 45 % culture :medium. (D—MEM, l \%) MEM—NEA, 15 \%) FBS), 45 %3 heat— inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 10 O 6 dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO). The cell suspension was quickly transferred in 1 ml aliquots into cryo vials. The cryo vials were p'aced inside the .Clreezing container filled with isopropyl l of QUAL ERHHHfi to guarantee a slow cooling rate of 1 °C per minute. The ng container was stored for a maximum 0: 48 hours at —80 °C. Afterwards the cryo vials were transferred to liquid nitrogen at —l96 OC. 1.1.4 Thawing of hybridoma cells The hybridoma cells stored in liquid nitrogen were fast thawed in a water bath at 37 °C until small pieces of ice were left inside. The freezing media used contained DMSO which has a cell toxic effect at temperatures higher. than. 4 °C. ore the cell culture medium should be cooled to 4 °C. The cell suspension was transferred in falcon tubes and diluted drop-wise with 5 ml 4 °C culture medium. The cells were immediately centrifuged at 300 x g for 5 min and the supernatant with the cell toxic anti—freeze agent DMSO was aspirated. The cell pellet was resuspended in 37 °C heated cell culture medium and seeded in a 25 cm? T—flask with a cell density of 5 — 7 x 105 living cells per ml. 1.1.5 Screening for contamination Hybridoma cells were examined every two month for :mycoplasma ination. Therefore the MycoAlertgflycoplasma Detection Kit from Lonza was Lsed to test the cell culture supernatant. The assay is a selective biochemical test that exploits the ty of n asma' enzymes. The viable mycoplasma are lysed and the enzymes react with the MycoAlertTM ate catalyzing the conversion 0: ADP to ATP. The increase of ATP level can be detected. using' a bioluminescence reaction. because the emitted light intensity ates with ATP concentration.

Therefore a sample 0“ cell culture supernatant was centrifuged at 200 x g for‘ 5 min. then. 100 ul hybridoma. atant were mixed. with. 100 ul MycoAlertTM Reagent in a 96-well plate and incubated 5 min at room temperature. The luminescence was measured with the luminometer GeniosPro (Tecan) and then 100 ul MycoAlertTM Substrate were added, incubated for 10 min at room temperature and the luminescence was measured again. When the ratio of second lumincsconc mhasuromont to first one is less than 1, the cells are not contaminated. 1.1.6 Hybridoma cell cultivation in shake flask oma cells grow in stationary suspensior culture (e.g. T— flask) and. in agitated. suspension culture (e.g. shake flask).

For the antibody produc:ion the hybridoma ce"s were cultivated for about seven days in shake flasks para"el to stationary cultivation 1J1 T—flasks. The cells were seeded with a density between 3 x 105 and 5 x 105 cells/ml in shake flask. The cell culture media (D-MEM, l % MEM—NEA, l5 % FBS or ultra low IgG FBS) was supplemented with 0.5 % gentamicin, 5O uM B— toethanol and 2 Im% L—glutamine. To facilitate an optimal gas exchange only about 30 % of total shake flask vo‘lume were filled. with. medi a. The sion. culture in. shake flask was incubated at 37 °C, 5 % C02 and rotated at 80 rpm. After seven days incubation the cell suspension was transferred with pipette in falcon tubes and centrifuged at 500 .C X g _or 10 min.

Afterwards the cell culture atant con:aining the antibodies was collected in a reservoir and stored at 4 °C. For SPR measurement a sample of cell culture supernatant was taken.

The cell pellet was discarded. 1.1.7 Adaption of hybridoma cells to serum-free media The application of serum—free media simplifies the purification of the ed mAb ill contrast to serum—supplemented medium.

Serum—free media is free of BSA and bovine immunoglobulins (e.g. :gG), facilitating purification of mAb. The ce lls must be adapted from serum—containing medium (D-MEM, 15 % F38, l % MEM— NEA) to serum— free conditions by stepwise reduction 0: the serum concentration to ensure a high cell vitalitY and dy tion ra ':e. Therefore the cells should be in mild- logarithmic growth phase with viability over 90 % prior to on. Following di "erent serum—free media and protein-free media were tested (see Table 2).

Table 2: Tested serum—free media and protein—free media for hybridoma cell cultivation Media Company Hybridoma Express serum—free Low, 11 ug/mi Hybridoma Express serum—free Low (not PAA Plus specified) CD Hybridoma. protein—free No proteins or Medium peptides %CO Hybridoma-SFM serum—free Low, 20 ug/mi All tested media were supp lemented with 0.5 % gentamicin.

Immediately before use 0: culture medium, 50 UM B- mercaptoethanol and 2 mM amine were added. Parallel to the serum—free media adaption also culture media (D—MEM, 1 \% MEM- NEA with 15 \% Ultra low IgG—FBS (Invitrogen) containing less than 5 ug/ml lgG were . Due to the presence 0 FQS the cells were directly adapted to the culture media. Therefore the ce"s were subcultured wi :h a seeding density of 4 X l05 living ce"s/ml into culture medium with 15 \% Ultra low lgG—FBS. The further ture of cells was routinely performed dependent on cell density twice per week.

The hybridoma cells were cultivated in 175 cm2 T—flask at 37 °C and in a humidified atmosphere of 5 % C02. 2O 1.1.8 Preparation of growth curves Growth curves over seven days were d for long term analysis of hybridoma cell growth in serum—free and serum— containing media. The oma cells were cultivated in shake flasks. Therefore a 125 ml—shake flask was iroculated. with a working volume of 30 ml cell suspension at 37 °C, 5 % C02 and was shaken at 80 rpm. Regularly a 300 ul sample was obtained from the shake flask for the determination of cell number and dy concentration in cell e supernatant. For the media optimization serum—containing media with 15 % FBS or 15 % IJltra. low gG—E4S ( nvitrogen) and serum—free as well as protein—free media from the companies PAA and GIBCO were tested. 1.2 Antibody purification 1.2.1 Affinity chromatography The mAb enriched in tre hybridoma cell culture supernatant was purified using affinity—chromatography. ore a HiTrap Protein G HP (5 ml) column with inant protein G coupled to 6 % cross—linked dextran support material (GE care, Uppsala) was used. Pro:ein G, a cell surface protein of Group G streptococci ia, is a Type I Ec receptor that binds to the Fc region 0: ian IgG by a non—immune ism. The Fc receptor has also a binding region for albumin. But the albumin binding site is genetically deleted from recombinant form of protein G, thereby avoiding unwanted cross—reactions with albumin and so the purification of antibodies from F38 containing cell culture supernatant is possible. However, protein G binds beside mouse—IgG also bovine-ZgG. On this account for the cultivation of hybridoma cells Ultra low IgG—FBS (Invitrogen) containing less than 5 ug/ml IgG was used and also serum—free and protein—free media was tested for hybridoma cultivation.

The affinity chromatography was performed at urifier (GE Healthcare). At first the column was rinsed with degassed bi— distilled water to remove the preservative ethanol. The whole column was cooled at 4 °C. Then the protein G column was equilibrated with l x binding buffer (20 mM 4, pH 7.0) to ensure the l pH 7 and suitable ionic strength for the antibody binding. The cell culture supernatant was centrifuged at 38400 X g (Avanti 0—30 , %fiCKMAN COULTER) at 4 °C and 30 min to remove remaining cell fragments. For the chromatography the cell culture supernatant was mixed 1:1 with 2 x binding bu "er (40 mMfi NazHPO4, ij 7.0). The application. of the probe at the column was med with the sample application pump 0; AktamPurifiers P—950 with a flow of 1.5 ml/min ght, whereby the supernatant was ice cooled. Thereby the maximal d total pressure should not exceed 0.3 MPa because oxc ssiv* pr ssurc could destroy the gel bed 0: the support material. Following this, excess and unspecific components were washed from the column with binding buffer, followed by a gradien': of 0 to 2 M NaCl over 5 column volumes. Afterwards the column was washed again with l x binding buffer. Two different methods were tested to elute the antibodies from the column. The protein was eluted in e flow of 2.5 ml/min and the frac-ion was ted with increasing tion at 280 nm. The t elution method was performed with acidic 0.1 M glycine—HCl solution (pH 2.7) by buffer switch. Due to the pH tion the bound immunglobulins were released .C lrom the protein G and were then collected. After elution the pH in the elution fraction was immedia:ely neutralized by titration with 1 M Tris—HCl, pH 9.0.

The col Jmn was rinsed with l x binding buffer to equilibrate the column to pH 7.0. The second method was performed with a gradien't of 0 to 2 M potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) over 5 column s \ whereby the pH remains constant at 7.0. The interac:ions n the dy and protein (3 were loosened through KSCN. After elution the column was rinsed wittl lx binding buffer.

Afterwards the antibody solution was immediately dialysed to ge the buffer. 1.2.2 SDS—Polyacrylamidgelelectrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) The SDS—Polyacrylamidgelelectrophoresis is used to te proteins according to their molecular weight in electrical field. With the detergent SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) the intrinsic charges 0: polypeptides were overlaid through the accumulation of SDS at the polypeptide (approx. 1 molecule per 1.6 amino acids). Thereby the electrophoretic mobility depends widely on the molecular weight 0: the protein. For the reduCtion of the proteins the probes were diluted with SDS sample bulfer (Roti®—Load l, BioRad) in proportion l:3 (v/v) and incubated .C min at 95 °C. The SDS sample buffer contains B— mercaptoethanol reducing disulfide bonds 0: proteins and cause the tion of heavy and light chains .C ol antibodies. Samples which should no: be d were diluted with sample buffer (250 mM Tris—HCl pl 8.0, 5 %\ (w/v) SDS, 50 % v/v) glycerin, 0.005 % (w/v) bromophenol blue) containing no B—mercaptoethanol. The buffer was diluted in proportion of 1:4 (v/v) with the sample.

Before applicatior of the sample to a polyacrylamide gel, the probes were slightly shaken at 30 °C for 30 min. In the t worg, fractions 0 a "inity chromatography (see chapter 1.2.1) were examined in SDS—PAGE for testing of the ce and purity o: the antibodies to be analyzed. The separation 0: proteins was perlormed.C in 12 % polyacrylamide gel (composition see Table 3). The electrophoresis was performed in a vertical cutting chamber, filled with 1x running bu "er (30.3 g/l Tris, g/l SDS, 144 g/l glycine) and started with 100 V for 10 min and then increased to a constant voltage 0“ 200. Reside the probes, a pre-stained protein ladder (10 — 250 kDa, Fermentas) was applied as molecular weight reference.

The pro:eins were stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue—G250 :or min. Following this, the gel was destained with 10 % acetic acid over several hours.

Table 3: Composition of stacking— and separation gel for SDS— PAGE Used amount components Stacking gel (3 Seperation. gel (12 %) %) H20 3.95 ml Stacking gel buffer (500 mM CL, pH 6.8) Separation gel 2.8 ml buffer (1.5 M Tris/HCL, pH 8.8) Acrylamide 4.5 ml % APS 60 ul % SDS :50 pl 225 pl TEMED :2 pl 18 pl 1.2.3 Dialysis and entration of proteins The dialysis was used for the transformation of antibody solution in storage buffer (D—PBS with 2 mM EDTA (pH 7.13)) by using the semi permeable properties 0: dialysis ne. After antibody purification with affinity chromatography the elution fraction containing antibodies were ed. At first the dialysis tube was soaked. in distilled. water to achieve semi permeability, flexibility of the tube and to remove preservation agents. The dialysis tube with a cut—off threshold of 6 — 8 kDa was filled with the antibody solution and suspended in e buffer. Following this, the antibody solution was dialyzed over night at 4 0C under nt ng t lOO-fold volume of sample. Afterwards the concentration was determined with UV/VIS speCtroscopy. The antibody solution was up—concentrated to at leas: 2 mg/ml using VIVASPIN 20 ml CONCENTRATOR“—tubes o: the company VIVASCIENCE with cut—off threshold of 5 kDa. The dy’ solution. was centrifuged. at 4 °C and. 3500 X g in a Swing—Out—Rotor from Sigma. Finally, the dy was dialyzed against D—PBS with 2mM EDTA (pH 7.13). 1.2.3.1 Biotinylation of antibody The biotinylation of the mAb mouse anti Afill(pfi) (clone l3) was required for the app'ication in Afill(pfi) HL SA as antibody to detect specifically Afi(pEll—X) peptides in biological samples.

For the detection a Streptavidin—peroxidase polymer was added to the biotinylated antibody whereby a strong non-covalent interaction between streptavidin and biotin was formed. 3O The ylation was performed with concentrated antibody (see section 1.2.3). At first the purified and concentrated mAb was dialyzed against biotinylation buffer (100 mM NaHzPO4, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.2) at 4 °C over night. Afterwards the protein concentration was determined via UV-spectrum (see section 1.3.1). The biotinylation agent (NHS-PEO4—Biotin) was dissolved in distilled water to prepare a 20 mM on. The reaction was periormed.C in a molar ratio antibody:bio:in of 1 : 6 and incubated at 4 W: for 4 11. The reaction between antibody and activated biotin was stopped with the addition of 1 M Tris buffer pH 9.0 with 50—fold excess referred to the amount of the reaction mixture and then incubated at 4 °C for 1 h. The antibody-biotin solution was twice dialysed. against dialysis buffer (D—PBS, 2 mM EDTA) at 4 °C over two days and the protein tration was ined via ctrum (see section 1.3.1). For the estimation of incorporated biotin level '00 ul vidin solution was added to 800 ul dialysis , incubated in the measuring cuvette for 10 min and then A5m with UV-Spectrometer‘ UV1 was measured» After‘ that 100 ifl. antibody— biotin solution was added to the solition in cuvette, mixed and the absorption Awe was measured again when the value remains constant for at least 15 seconds. The biotin. forms a complex with avidin resulting in reduction 0: absorption at 500 nm. The level of biotin incorporation (moles of biotin per mole Oi protein) was then calculated. 1.3 Methods for biophysical characterization of antibodies 1.3.1 UV/VIS-Spectroscopy After the purification. of anti .ABll(pE) dy, the UV/VIS spectruni was determined. For‘ the determination. of the jpro:ein concentration, the absorption at 280 nm and also the UV—spec:rum between 240 nm and 339 nu was measured with the UV-Spectrometer UVl of Thermo Scientific. The protein concentration was determined by the tion Pam and the extinction coefficient.

An extinction coefficient of s = 1.5 was assumed for the anti ABll(pE) antibody. 1.3.2 Determination of thermodynamic protein stability via CD- Spectroscopy The purified anti ABll(pE) antibody was ed against 10 mM NmfiPO4 (pH 7.14). The concentration was determined by UV/VIS oscopy (see section 1.3.1). For CD—spectroscopy the antibody was diluted to a concentration of 0.13 mg/ml and filled in a quartz glass cuvette (d= 0.1 cm). The CD—spectrum. was measured with the Jasco J—710 o—polarimeter (Jasco GmbH, GroB—Umstadt) between 190 and 260 nm. The spectra at temperature of 20 °C were measured with 20 accumulations. Then the temperature was increased from 20 °C up to 80 °C whereby the e'liptic‘ty was measured at 5 °C interval with 10 accumuiations.

The heat rate was 30 K/h and the temperature was brated 180 s before each measurement. 1.3.3 e Plasmon nce (SPR) 1.3.3.1 Immobilization of ligand on CM5 chip The synthesized AB(pE11—30) peptide, stored in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) at -80 0C, was thawed at room temperature. The tube containing the peptide was left open under a fume hood over night to evaporate the solvent PFIP. With 10 mM sodium acetate pH 5 the peptide was diluted to a concentration at 1 mg/ml.

The used CM5 chip has a carboxylated dextran matrix. For coupling of the peptide Afi(p311—30) the amine ng method was used. It was required to activate the sensor chip surface before peptide coupling. Therefore activation reagents 0.4 M 1— 3—(3—dimethylamino—propyl)—carbodiimide (EDC) and 0.1 M N— hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) were mixed at a ratio 1:1 and injected with 10 ui/min :or 8 min at CM5 chip. Then the coupling 0; peptide fo"owed. At first 10 ug/ml peptide AB(pEll—30) in 10 mM potassium. dihydrogen. hosphate pH 6 was injected. with a flow rate 0: 10 ul/min for 5 min. Because 0: the low signal rise the peptide was applied again with a higher concentration diluted in a on with pH 5. 50 ug/ml peptide AB(pE11—30) in mM sodium acetate pH 5 was injected with a flow rate of 10 ul/min for 20 min. A mild acid pH was chosen .C _or coupling to provide a pre-concentration o: the peptide (positive net charge) at the sensor surface (carboxyl group negative net charge) by electrostatic attraction. The covalent bond 0: the peptide was formed by the reaction of the two amino acids Lysine (at peptide position 16 and 28) with the activated carboxyl group at chip surface. Excess reactive ester ’ groups were vated with M ethanolamine pH 8.5 with .C a flow rate of 10 ul/min or ‘0 min.

Non—immobiliz d p ptidcs wcro r mov d by injection 0: 0.; M HCl (3 X 10 ul) and subsequently the chip was rinsed over night with running buffer. At the end the signal was about 1000 Response Units (RU) whereby the chip surface was saturated with the p ptid . Hence, th coated chip was used for determination o; antibody content anti ABll(pE) out of cell culture supernatant. 1.3.3.2 Quantification of anti ABll(pE) antibodies For the measurement of anti ABll(pE) antibody concentration a CM5 chip, which was coated with AB(pE11-30) was used. The chip surface was saturated with the peptide and the signal was about 1000 Response Units (RU) (see section 1.3.3.1). The mAb ning in cell cu1ture supernatant were appropriately diluted in g buffer (HfiBHS fiJTA buffer (H%S—fiB), %iacore) for antibody analysis. A: first the flow cells 0: sensor chip were rinsed with running buffer. Afterwards the antibody solution with anti ABll(pE) was ed with a flow rate of 30 ul/min over 300 s to characterize the ation of the antibody at the antigend An. unmodified. flow cell was used. as reference, which should only show ific interactions of the antibody with the matrix. Afterwards the running buffer was automatically injected again by switch—over valve to induce the dissociation of the dy. Finally the chip was regenerated by injection of 0.1 M HCl (10 ul), whereby the remaining antibody was removed from the sensor surface. The evaluation 0: the binding was med with the program BIAevaluation (3iacore, Freiburg).

For the quantification of antibody concentration in samples of cell e supernatant, a standard curve with known concentrations determined by UV/VZS spectroscopy 0: the purified and dialysed mAb from hybridoma clone 13 was measured. The mAb was purified as described in section 1.2.1. For the liigtest standard concentration, 10 ug/ml mAb was applied and diluted in running buffer down to the lowest concentration of 0.04 ug/ml by performing a radix two division. 1.3.3.3 Determination of cross reactivity by SPR The cross reactivity 0“ anti ABll(pE) dy (clone 13) to pyroglutamate-peptides AB3(pE), Afill(p3), CCL2 (known as MCP—l), CCL8 (known as MOP—2), big gastrin, gonadoliberin, neurotensin, orexin A, ec:in, collagen l and TRH (:hyrotropin—releasing hormone) was tested 'via SPR. Therefore CM5 chips with. a high concentration of immobilized utamate peptides were used.

Antibody clone 13 was dilited. in running" buffer‘ and injected with 1 ug/ml, a flow rate 0: 3O ul/min over 300 s. 1.3.4 Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) 1 Determination of thermodynamic parameters With :TC, the thermodynamic parameters of the binding of anti ABll(pE) antibody from clone 13 at antigen Afill(pE) was determined. For the ITC experiment, the peptide Afi(p311—18)—PEG was used because the hydrophilic PEG group imparts hydrophilic 2O properties and so it was possible to ve the peptide directly in ITC buffer. Former ments with AB(pE11—20) could only be performed with 1 - 2 \% DMSO, due to the strong hydrophobicity o: the peptide it was necessary to dissolve it with DMSO which could have an effect on the ITC binding properties. At first the antibody was dialyzed against ITC buffer (150 mM NaCl, 25 mM NazHPO4, 25 mM KH2P04, :. mM .L'JTA, pH=7.;) over night at 4 °C. The lised peptide, stored at — °C, was ved in identical ITC buffer pH= 7.1 which was used for antibody is. Both antibody and antigen must be in 3O identical solutions, otherwise large heats of dilution will mask the desired observation. Before the ETC experiment, the concentration or antibody was determined by UV/VIS spectroscopy (see n 1.3.1). At first the antibody with e.g. 5.13 uM (see Table 4) was added into the sample cell and the reference cell was filled with distilled watery Ther1 the EUltigerl was injected into the sample cell with e.g. 81.78 uM (see Table 4).

The antigmi should be generally in twofold excess to the dy, bearing in mind that an antibody has two binding sites the antigen was in the cell at least in fourfold excess to the antibody. The 30 ions (1 x 2 ul and 29 x 10 ul) were made wi_th. a 4—min interval between ient injections. The measurement 0: heat of reaction was med at 20 °C.

Furthermore the heat of reaction was determined which was only generated by dilution 0: the antigen through the titration into ITC buffer (pH= 7.1). Therefore the n was injected into the sample cell filled with ITC buffer. The heat of reaction which was generated during the titration o: the antigen to the antibody" was corrected. about this value. The analysis of raw data and the determination. o: the association constant (KA), reaction. stoichiometry (n), binding enthalpy (AH) and. entropy (AS) was performed with Origin Software of MicroCal.

W‘th “TC the binding parameters of anti ?) antibody eluted irom procein G column with KSCN—gradient (pH 7.0), with 0.1 M gLycine—PCl (pH 2.7) and. also the biotinylated. antibody were analyzed. In Table 4 the used antigen and dy concentrations are listed.

Table 4: trations of AB(pEll-18)—PEG peptide and anti ABll(pE) antibody in ITC Used concentrations of the . antibody with. KSCN-gradient (pH 7.0) and 0.1 M glycine—HCl (pH 2.7) from protein G column, respectively and of the biotinylated anti A811(ph)_‘ antibody. The interaction of Afi(pE11—18)—PEG peptide and the three antibodies were analyzed in ITC.

Concentrations (FM) in ITC ist ITC 2nd ITC 3th ITC experiment experiment experiment 686.31 Anti Afill(pE) 5.13 101.8 (Glycine—HCl antibody (KSCN eluted) (3iotinylated) eluted) AB(pE11—18)—PEG 32.85 5.12 peptide The -eluted anti ABll(pE) antibody was applied in a higher tration than the KSCN eluted antibody due to the presumption -ha- the antibody was partly inactivated by acidic elution. 1.4 Application of monoclonal anti ABll(pE) antibodies 1.4.1 Study PBD—0316 Plasma and serum samples front AD patients (n = 13) and 30 healthy controls were analyzed. in the present study. The 43 analyzed samples come from the initial study and were recruited through a CRO (GALMED GmbH). The samples originated from ts with a clinical diagnosis of AD and from control groups. In a prestudy examination the neuropsychological functions 0: all participants 0: the stidy were tested by several psychometric tests (DemTect, ental—State Test, Clock—drawing test). The DemTect scale is a brief ing tes: for dementia comprisirg five short subtests (10—word lis: repetition, number transcoding, semantic word fluency task, backward digit span, delayed word list recall) er et al., 2000, Psycho 26 343—3—7). The Mini—Mental State Examination (MMSE) or in test is a brie: 30—point questionnaire test that is used to assess cognition. It is commonly used in medicine to screen for dementia. In the time span of about 10 min it samples various functions including‘ arithmetic, memory and orientation. The test includes simple questions and problems in a number of areas: the time and place of the test, repeating lists of words, arithmetic, language use and hension, and basic motor skills.

Scoring of the clocks (Clock—drawing test) was laasecl on a modilication..C of the scale usecl by Shulmann. et al., 1986. All circles were predrawn and the instruction to the subjects was to “set the time 10 after 11”.

After prestudy examination the study d 2 weeks later with blood. withdrawal from. all participants, defined. as time point zero. All blood samples for the ination 0: AD biomarkers were collected into polypropylene tubes (Sarstedt Monovette) containing potassium—EDTA for EDTA plasma and blank for serum.

All samples were collected by venous puncture or by repeated withdrawal out of an inserted forearnl vein ling' cannula and centrifuged with 1550 g (3000 rpm) for 10 min at 4 0C to provide plasma. Samples were fuged within one hour after blood withdrawal. Plasma or serum of each separate sample was pipetted. off, filled. in one 5 HQ. polypropylene cryo—tube and stored frozen. at —80 °C. After‘ 3; 6 and. 12 months blood. was again withdrawn from all participants and handled as described above. 1.4.2 Auto—Ig ELISA 1.4.2.1 Performance and establishment of auto-Ig-ELISA Auto— g—HL SA’s were performed and established for the analysis of auto—immunglobulins in plasma samples from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and healthy controls. Especially aito— immunglobuiins against erminus of A0 peptides and 23ri2 peptides should be tested. The auto—Ig—ELISA is constructed according to the principle of the direct sandwich—ELISA.

Therefore streptavidin coated microplates (Thermo i_ic).C were used for immobilization of es AB(p33—12); Afi(pE11—20) and. Bri2 (1—23) which are biotinylated. at the C-terminus. At first the streptavidin plate was three times washed with 300 ul wash buffer (25 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05 % Tween, 0.1 % BSA) to clear the plate and remove vative agents. ards 100 ul peptide solution with 200 ng/ml was added and incubated at room temperature (RT) for 2 11. The lates (MTP) were masked. with. a cover sheet to t evaporation during the incubation time. The MTPs were blocked with 700 ul/ well EL"SA— Blocker t Tween 70 (fiL SA—%locker (—T)) and incubated for 1 h at RT. Following' this, unbound. p ptid s worc r mov d. by three times washing' with 300 u; wash. buffer. The IEDTA—plasma samples were appropriately diluted in ELISArBlocker + Tween 20 (hfi.SAr%locker (+T)). For the calibration curve, mAb were diluted in ELISA—Blocker (+T) or wash buffer by performing a radix two division. The diluted standard and EDTA—Plasma samples were transferred into MTP with 100 ul per well. Dependent on the amount of determination the s and calibrators were pipetted into several wells. After an incubation time o: 2 h at 4 °C, a new wash cycle followed (three times wash buffer with 300 ul/ well). onal rabbit anti—mouse lg’s conjugated with Horse Radish Peroxidase (HRP) were used for the detection of the calibrator. Polyclonal anti—human Ig’s, IgG, IgG2, lgG3. IgM or lgA conjugated with ERP were used as enzyme—conjugate solution for the detection of auto—immunglobulins out of EDTA—Plasma. The J_ . enzyme conjugate solu-101s were diluted with ELTSA—R'ocker (+T) to a tration of l ug/ml. In each well 100 ul of enzyme— conjugate on was pipetted and incubated for l h at - °C. A wash cycle (three times wash buffer with 300 ul/ well) followed.

The peroxidase ate solution Sure BlJe ny KL?) containing Tetramethylbenzidin (TMB, chromogen) and hydrogen peroxide (substrate) was added with 100 ul/ well. The HRP catalyses the decomposition of two hydrogen de molecules to water and oxygen, whereby two electrons from the amino groups of the chromogen TMB are transferred at the substrate. The e of electrons from TMR (oxidization) leads to a radical cation which is stabilized through dimerisation and exhibits the typical blue color. So the color. of the chromogen. is changed from colorless to blue through the electror transfer. The color intensity of the solution is proportional to the analyte concentration. After the incubation of 30 min at RT the enzymatic reaction was stopped with l W H2504 solution by inactivation of the peroxidase and the dimerisation of TMR is abolished. After the disproportion the intensive yellow colored divalent cation was formed. The absorption. was measured at a wavelength of 450 nm corrected by absorbance at 540 nm. The absorption. at 450 nm. and. 540 nm. was measured. with. the TECAN Sunrise plate .

The anti ABB(pE), anti Afill(pE) and anti 3ri2 (1—23) ELISA were completely established according the described protocols (see Table 5). For the establishment of the ELISA/s the standard protocol of the manufacturer (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used as a model. After the optimization of different parameters such as the concentration of immobilized antigen, detection dy and incubation times— and temperatures as well as wash cycles the followed protocols were prepared.

Table 5: Performance of auto-Ig-ELISA’s Auto— g—fiLISA. Anti AB3(pE) Anti ABll(pE) Anti Bri2 (1— Microplate Maxisorp Streptavidin Wash cycle AB(pEll-20) biotin Immobilized antigen 200 ng/ml, 100 pl Diluted in wash buffer Incubation 2 h, RT Blocking 200 pl ELISA—Blocker (—T) Incubation l h, RT Wash cycle 3 x 3.99___E_2-_z___ws_l%____w_a_s_h___k29££e:;_______________________ Analyte Human anti Human anti {uman anti AB3(pE), 100 ABll(pE), 100 Bri2, 100 pl __ 11.1.. _ _ Standard mAb mouse mAb mouse Wo mAb is anti AB3(pE) anti ABll(pE) available (clone 6), (clone 13), 100 pl 100 pl _ “_m _____ Dilution Analyte, ELISA—Blocker (+T) Incubation 2 h, 4 °C Wash cyclew_ 3 X 300 uI/ well wash buffer Detection onal rabbit ouse Ig’s (HRP) for standard, 100 pl PolyclonaI anti—human Ig’s, gG, gG7, "gG3.

IgM or IgA (HRP) for plasma sample, 100 pl Incubation I 4 °C ._ h, _ _Wash cycle 3 X _ 309_El1 well wash buffer ________ _ Substrate/Chromogen IbOZ/ TMB (Sure Blue), 100 pl, 30 min at RT ;n the dark ______ I__mmmmmmmmmmmmmmw Stop solution I M HZSO4, 100 pl Measurement of 03 at 450/540 nm at TECAN Sunrise After eStablishment of g—ELISA’s, plasma samples from AD ts and healthy controls were tested. Therefore 13 plasma samples from AD patients and 30 healthy ls were analysed.

The plasma salees originated from. patients witl1 a cliliical diagnosis of .AD/ MC: and. from. healthy control groups. The 43 plasma samples come from the study FED—0316 performed in ation with GalMed Medical Research Company. Plasma samples collected after 6 months (TO+6) were used. To the plasma samples protease inhibitor and 'Lti DTA were added to prevent protein degradation and to conserve the samples. Therefore to 1 ml plasma. 25 ul protease inhibitor solution. was added. For the protease inhibitor solution a tablet of se inhibitor Complete Mini were solved in 1 ml PBS. Afterwards the samples were aliquoted and stored at —80 0C to guarantee a constant y of analyzed plasma. 1.4.3 Establishment of AB(pEll—x) ELISA AB(pEll—x) ELISA should be established for the analysis of ABQflfll—x) peptides in cerebrum .C ol e.g. mice models. The ion of pyroGlu AB es in plasma or CSF isn’t possible due to the high aggregation tendency the e 0: oligomers through the blood—cerebral-barrier is impaired.

The Afill(pfi) fiL SA was constructed according to the principle .C sandwich ELISA and as model the classical protocol of ABB(pE ELISA J_ was applied. Commercially available monoclonal mouse an-; AB(l7—24) antibody (clone 4G8, Covance) was used as capture antibody adsorbed to the surface of the microplate. The monoclonal biotinylated anti ABll(pE) antibody bound to captured AB(pEll—X) were detected. by addition. of streptavidin—HRP (SA— HRP) conjugate. The establishment was performed with synthesized Afi(p?‘1—30) and Afi(pEll—40) peptide. The AB peptide stored in uoroisopropanol (HFIP) at —80 0C was thawed at room temperature. The tube with the e was left open under a fume hood to evaporate the solvent HFIP. The peptides were dissolved in 100 mM NaOH, incubated for 10 min at RT and were dilJited fill EIArbuffer which contains 0.05 % Tween and l % BSA. The AB(pEll—X) ELISA. was performed according the described protocol in Table 6.

Table 6: Performance of ch AB(pEll-x) ELISA Sandwich AB(pE”l—x) BLISA late Maxisorp Capture antibody Mouse anti AB(;7—24) clone 4G8, 2 ug/ml in D-PBS pH 7.4, 100 ul/well Incubation Over night, 4 °C Blocking ELISA—Blocker (—T), 200 ul/well Incubation 2 h, RT Wash cycle 6 x 300 ul/well protein. free blocking buffer (TBS) + 0.05 % Tween 20 (PIERCE)TBS-T Preparation Analyte Evaporate t HFIP. Solved peptide in 100 mM NaOH ( te min at RT), diluted in EIA— buffer Analyte AB(pEll—30) or AB(pEll—40) concentration range 800 pg/ml to 12.5 pg/ml, 100 ul/well Incubation 2 h, RT Pre—incubation mAb Mix detection antibody with SA—HRP and SA—HRP conjugate, te 10 Hfijl at RT, dilute with ELISA—Blocker (+T) to end concentration Detection l ug/ml mAb mouse anti ABll(p3)— Biotin, 2 ug/ml SA—HRP, 100 ul/well Incubation l h, 4 °C Wash cycle 6 X 300 ul/wel; TBS—T Substrate/Chromogen. H202/ TMB (Sure Blue), 100 pl, 30 min at RT in the dark Stop solution I M HZSO4, 100 pl Measurement 0: D at 450/540 nm at TECAN Sunrise In addition to the sandwich ELISA a direct ELISA with adsorbed antigen AB(pElI—30) at microplate was med to test directly the monoclonal anti .AB(l7—24)—biotin antibody (cIone 4G8) and the onaI anti Afill(pE)—biotin antibody (cIone 13). The biotinylated antibodies were detected by addition 0: streptavidin—HRP (SA-HRP) conjugate. The established protocol 0: direct ELISA was shown in Table 7.

Table 7: Performance of direct AB(pE11—x) ELISA Direct AB(pEll—X) ELISA Microplate Waxisorp Preparation antigen Evaporate t HFIP over night.

Solved peptide in 100 mM NaOH ( te 10 min at RT), diluted in PBS direct at MTP antigen AB(pEIl-30) concentration range 500; 250; 100 ng/ml, 200 pl/well Incubation Over night, 4 °C ng _ELISA:BlocRer_(fT)J_2§0 pL/weIl_ __ Incubation 2 h, RT Wash cycle 6 X 300 ul/welI protein free ng busfer (TRS) + 0.05 % Tween 20 (PIERCE)TBS-T Incubation 2 h, RT _flash cycle 6 X 300 ul/well TBS—T Pre—incubation mAb BM): detection antibody with SA—HRP and SA—HRP conjugate, incubate 10 nu11 at RT, dilute with ELISA—Blocker (+T) to end concentration Detection I ug/ml mAb mouse anti ABII(pE)— Biotin, 2 ug/ml SA—HRP, I00 ul/well Incubation I h, 4 °C Wash cycle 6 x 300 ul/well TBS—T Substrate/Chromogen. H202/ TM? (Sure , 100 pl, 30 min at RT in the dark Stop solution 1 M HZSOZ, 100 pl ement of 03 at 450/540 nm at TECAN Sunrise 1.4.4 Immunohistochemistry The histochemistry (IHC) images were kindly provided from Qiaoqiao Shi (lab of C. Lemere) of Harvard. Medical School in Boston.

With IHC the antigens AB(pE11—x) and —x) were localized in cerebral tissue sections. Therefore the anti Afill(pE) dy (clone 13) was used for detection of the pyroglu AB peptides.

For the :HC human cerebral tissue sections of the hippocampus and the frontal cortex from AD patients and furthermore cerebral tissue sections of hippocampus from APP/P81 transgenic mice were used. APP/P81 mice currently are used by several tories for studies on the mechanisms of amyloid deposition. The mouse model Swedish mutation .5 express the o amyloid precursor protein APP), shows increased brain AB levels .Col'owed by development o: neuritic plagues. Co sion 0_ mu-an- presenilin 1 (P81) increase the Afi(;-42) generation. The tissue sec:ions were paraffin—embedded and serial cut. The sections were Stained with hematoxylin. to colored. nuclei of cells and. then. immunostained with anti Afill(pE) antibody. The tissue section preparation and staining were med in accordance with standard methodology. 1.5 Sequencing antibody variable regions Cultivation of Hybridoma cells: Hybridoma cells were grown in D—MEM (+ L—Glutamine, + Na— Pyruvate, 4,5g/l Glucose, Gibco) with the addition of 15% FBS, 1% MEM—NEA. (non essential amino acids, Gibco), l Gentamycin ) and 50uM B—mercaptoethanol at 37°C and 5% C02.

Subcultivation occurred after 3-4 (days (ieperuiing CH1 cell density. Cells were seeded in a concentration of 0.5 x 106 cells/ml, splitting occurred at a cell density of 2—5 x 106 cells/ml.

CDNA Synthesis and Reverse ription: Total RNA was isolated from 2 X 106 cells according to the manual of the NucleospinRNA Isolation Kit ey—Nagel). 100 ng RNA were applied for cDNA. synthesis by using Oligo (dT)15 primer (Promega) and SuperScript I Reverse riptase (Invitrogen).

PCR—Amplification of Heavy and Light Chain Variable Regions: The heavy chain variable region was amplified from the template cDNA by using Phusionn[}igh—Fidelity DNA Polymerase (NEW ENGLAND 3ioLabs) with the primer MHCGl in combination with primers MHVl to MHV’7. For amplification of the light chain variable region the primer ation WKC with the s MKVl to MKVll was Jsed (see Table 8).

Cloning of PCR products in pJETl.2: Heavy and light chain variable regions, amplified by PCR, were cloned into pJETl.2/blunt vector according to the protocol of ETTM PCR Cloning Kit (Fermentas). Sequencing was performed by use 0: pJETl.2 sequencing primers.

Table 8: Primer sequences for PER—amplification of heavy and light chain variable regions _EQID No- ATGAAGTTGCCTGTTAGGCTGTTGGTGCF_ _ 3G 26 ATGGAGWCAGACACACTCCTGYTATGGGTG 27 ATGAGTGTGCTCACTCAGGTCCTGGSGTTG 28 ATGAGGRCCCCTGCTCAGWTTYTTGGMWTCTTG 29 _0A - v3 l- -VIHV9 ATGGMTTGGGTGTGGAMCTTGCTATTCCTG WFVl A"TGGGCAGACTTACATTCTCATTCCTG -W'Vl TTTGGGCTGATTTTTTTTATTG l- W A:‘GATGGTGTZAAGTCTTCTGTACCTG _ VIHCG CAGTGGATAGACAGATGGGGG —50 2. Results 2.1 Antibody screening After the cell fusion and selection of hybridoma cells with HAT medium, the hybridoma cells (originating from several different single cells) were screened to identify cells secreting specific mAb to the target n ABll(pE). The mAb were examined ning their ability to bind at di "erent modified AB peptides. Thus possible cross—reactions of the mAb with. other modified AB peptides were determined. The AB peptides with the different sequences which were spotted at a hydroxy—cellulose— membrane are shown in Figure 1. The screening was performed with 26 hybridoma cell supernatants tested versus 16 different AB peptides.

Figure 1 shows 26 membranes (labelled. as P1- P53) which. were spotted with 16 peptides, rated above the nes. The screening analysis indicated that mAb from hybridoma cells of framed membranes (P7, P10, 911, P12, P13, P15, P22, P24, P27 showed a middle to strong signal against the N—terminal modified AB(pE:_1—23) (pEVHHQKLVFFAED) peptide (SEQ ID NO: 2-9) with the target epitope ABll(pIL‘LJ Furthermore, they indicated no significant cross—reactions with other modified AB—peptides. The mAb tested. on framed. membranes also didn’t bind. at the non— cyclized N—terminal glutamate at on 1; (see spot 9) and no binding‘ signals were detected. at spots 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 without the complete AB sequence pEVHH at N-terminus. In addition no binding signals at the N-terminal pyroglutamate at position 3 (see spot 6) were detected at the framed membranes. In summary, it can. be said. that the mAb from. hybridoma cells tested. on framed membrane pictures were specific for the N—terminal ABll(pE) peptide and showed no significant cross—reactions with other sequences of AB(1—42) peptide. For this reason the described 9 hybridoma clones were ed for recloning. Five hybridoma clones which are labeled in Figure 1 with a solid line were stable after recloning and selected or "urther recloning.

Using the limited dilution technique, the selected hybridoma cells were cloned to achieve one isolated clone. In the present 2O work one of these five ed oma clones, named clone 13 was cultivated (see the followed section 2.2) and antibody concentration in tre cell culture atant was determined.

Hybridoma cells tested at membrane P4, P5, P16, P25, were not se1ected for recloning because the mAb showed weak or no signals t the target n AB’1(p?) and also t the different AB peptides. rmore the hybridoma cells Oi membrane P1, P17, P26, P29, P31, P32, P35, P36, P38, P42, P47, P49 and P53 were no: selected for recloning‘ because the mAb 3O showed a strong signa1 at the target antigen AB(p311—14) as well as at other spotted AB peptides and so they indicated no selectivity against tre antigen AB(pE11—14). 2.2 Cultivation of hybridoma cells and zation of cell culture media Preliminary tests were performed with hybridoma cells producing anti AB antibodies. During the tests, the optimal cultivation conditions for oma cells ing antibodies against Afi3(pE) were determined. It was shown that the hybridoma cells cultivated with the medium DMEM supplemented with 15 % FBS, 1 % MEM—NEAA, 2 mM L—glutamine and 50 uM B—mercaptoethanol have a high proliferation as well as antibody tion rate.

Therefore, in the present study, the chosen hybridoma clone (clone 13) was cultivated according to the optimized conditions.

It was shown that the hybridoma clone could be successfully cul_ivated.J. Within 4 to 6 passages after thawing of hybridoma ce"s the cell number could be increased 12—fold or 20—fold. The ce"s formed partly cell aggregates in suspension and also adherent cells could. be ed” Vital cells showed. a round cell shape and were bigger compared to non—vital cells. The cells were rly tested for mycoplasma contamiration with MycoAlert%Mycoplasma iDetection. Kit. All tested. hybridoma cells were mycoplasma free. During the cultivation time o: hybridoma cells the concentration of anti ABll(pE) antibodies in cell culture supernatant was measured by SPR (see seCtion 2.2.1). An onal aim of the present study was the on o; hybridoma. cells from. serum-containing to .C serum—lree conditions to simplify the purification of the produced mAb. This was performed stepwise. The optimal serum-free medium was identified by preparation of growth CLrVGS after media adaption over ten days. Thereby the cell growth and antibody production rate was measured during the cu‘tivat‘on time. 2.2.1 Determination of antibody concentration in cell culture supernatant The concentration 0“ anti Afi11(p?) antibody out of cell culture supernatant was determined with the principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at the Biacore 3000. Th rcforc th pcptid AB(p?‘1—30) was immobilized at sensor surface of a CM5 chip (see method section 1.3.3.1). In Figure 2 the lization of AB(pEl1—30) is shown in a real—time plot over time. At first the coupling was performed. with. 10 ug/ml .AB(pE11—30). The signal rose ip (see Figure 2, marked A) during the e coupling.

Because of the low signal the peptide was applied again with a higher concentration of 50 ug/ml (see Figure 2, marked 3 . In summary, a high concentration of e was immobilized at the chip surface. For the determination of antibody’ content from cell culture supernatant a high concentration 0“ immobi'ized peptide was necessary. Thereby, the detection of even low antibody concentrations is possible and also the linear range Ol the standard curve is higher than with lower trations Ol immobilized peptides. The overload of the chip was not suitable .C lor binding s and the determination of binding rates like dissociation rate kd and association rate ka. Due to the high antigen concentration, multiple bond interactions of the antibody are possible (effect 0: avidity) whicr leads to wrong binding rates and to an artificially low off rate.

From each cell passage of the cultivated hybridoma clone, the cell culture supernatants were tested for anti Afill(pE) antibodies at Biacore 3000. The results of hybridoma clone 13 is shown in Figure 3. Clone 13 was the only clone which produced anti ABll(pE) dies. A_curve with a high measurement signal (RU) of the antibody from. oma. clone 13 was determined, which leads to the conclusion that the anti Afill(pE) antibody was produced with high yield. In contrast for clone 15, 22 and 24, no specific Heasurement (RU) signals were obtained during the total cultivation period. For this reason only oma cells of clone 13 were further cultivated and used for all ned experiments in the present study.

For the fication of antibody concentration within the cell culture supernatant a Standard curve with known concentrations of ed anti Afill(p3) antibody .C lrom clone 13 (see section 1.2) was measured. The measurement signals (RU) by Biacore 3000 were plotted against the antibody concentrations. The standard curve is shown in Figure 4.

The standard shows a linear course between 0.040 ug/ml and l.25 ug/ml antibody concentration (see Figure 5). Akmnve 'the concentration of 1.25 ug/ml, the curve slope dropped. Due to the high antibody concentration, steric hindrances during the binding of dy at antigen can occur. The equation 0: linear regression: .7x"50.099 (r2=0.99l) was used for ation 0: antibody concentrations from cell culture supernatant. The further measured samples of cell culture supernatant were diluted that the measurement was within the linear range 0; standard curve. 2.2.2 Adaption of hybridoma cells to serum—free conditions Hybridoma. cells (clone 13) were adapted. from. serum—containing media (SCM) to different serum—free (SFM) and protein—free media, to simplify the protein G ty purification of the murine anti ABll(pE) mAb from cell culture supernatant. Protein G binds specifically and with high affinityrImirine immunoglobulin G—molecules. The bovine :gG contained in F38 is also strongly bound from n G and undesirable cross— reactions are possible. Therefore serum—free media or protein— free media should be used for the ation of hybridoma cells 2O to exclude that bovine IgG is contained in the ed dy elution fraction.

The media adaption to the different SFM (Hybridoma Express, Hybridoma Express Plus, Hybridoma SFM) and protein—free medium (CD Hybridoma Medium) was performed in T—flasks and after each passage the cell number and the antibody concentration was determined. In Table 9 the cell growth and antibody production after media adaption is shown.

Table 9: Cell growth and dy production after adaption to SFM and protein-free medium The hybridoma cells (clone 13) were adapted sequentialy in T— flask (37 °C, 5 % C02)..After the adaption process the cells were cultivated 2 passages and the results of cell growth and anti ?) antibody production (via SP?) were determined. + cells proliferate, —mno cell proliferation and antibody production, respectively.J— . Description Cell Antibody Media growth production.

Hybridoma Express serum—free Very low Hybridoma Express serum—free — Plus CD Hybridoma protein— — Medium free Hybridoma SFM serum—free High The results in Table 9 showed that only cells in Hybridoma SFM proliferated and also produced antibodies with high yield. So only the adaption of cells to Hybridoma SFM were successful. For the ison of cells cultivated in SCM (DMEM, 15 % FBS, l % NEAA and DMRM, 15 \% low TgG FRS, 1 % NFAA) and in Hybridoma SFM, a growth curve over ten days was determined. Therefore, the cells were cultivated in shake flasks and regularly a sample was obtained fin: the determination of cell number and antibody concentration in the cell culture atant (see Figure 6).

The results demonstrated that cultivated cells in Hybridoma SFM showed a icant, more than twice higher growth compared to cells in SCM. The exponential phase of cells in flybridoma SFM started at 24 hours whereas cells in SCM started after 48 hours.

So the Hybridoma SFM initiated. an earlier exporential growth with. a shorter‘ lag’ phase of hybridoma. cells compared. to SCM.

Similarly cells cultivated in SFM and SCM reached the highest 2O cell number after 72 hours. It is noticeable that cells cultivated in SFM showed a dying phase within 72 h and 144 h, which wasn’t observed in growth curves of SCM—cultivated cells.

B side th cm nt of cell number, the anti ABll(pE) dy concentration was measured. The cells ated in SFM showed a significantly higher antibody yield than in SCM.

Generally the antibody concentration increased with the rising cell number in the exponential phase, but cells cultivated in SCM stopped the antibody production with the beginning 0; stationary phase at 72 hours. However, the antibody production 0: SFM—cultivated cells slightly increase independent of reduced cell number after 72 hours.

To determine specific parameters for the analysis of growth curves, the specific growth rate u and the production rate qp were calculated. This data should be serving :or better interpretation (I: growth enni antibody production. In. Figure 7 the specific growth rate was plotted against the ation time.

At the beginning 0: cultivation, a high specific grOWth rate was determined which strongly decreased after the exponential growth phase at 72 hours. The specific growth rate u was positive until just before 96 hours indicating that the cells had grown. The decline phase of cells was characterized by a negative growth rate e energy sources were consumed after 96 IL It was noticeable that the cells in Hybridoma SFM showed a strong decrease of growth rate after 72 hours due to the very high cell 2O concentration.

Furthermore, the integral of viable cell concentration over the culture time called integral of viable cell density (IVCD) was calculated. The IVCD implies how much cells, by incorporation of time, contribute to the antibody production over the cultivation time. The integral was determined from the curves “lustrated in Figure 6 (A . The measured. points of living ce" numbers at ation time 5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were fitted by the exponential func-ionf(0==a-60Z, y a. and C: are constants and t the time. Afterwards the exponential on was integrated. The lVCJ were calculated for each time point at 5 h, 24 h, 48 h and. 72 h. For the determination. of the antibody tion rates qp the antibody concentrations were plotted t the IVCD (see Figure 8) and from. the slope of these curves ck was obtained. (Renard et al., Biotechnol. Lett. l988, , 91—96; Ozturk et al., J. Biotechnol. 1990, 16, 259—278).

In Figure 8, only the data points at 5, 24, 48, 72 h were included, because the dy production. rates were strongly reduced ir the decline phase and the straight line couldn’t correlate the data poin,s of decline and exponential . The specific antibody production rate was in exponential phase significantly higher than in stationary phase. These data indicate that the dy production rate was growth dependent for the hybridoma. cell line using‘ in this study. In. contrast Ozturk S. described that the specific dy production rate was constant in both exponential growth and decline phase and so the antibody production of mouse hybridoma cells was not growth associated (Ozturk S. et al. .

In Table 10 the obtained specific antibody production rates are shown.

Table 10: Specific production rate qP of hybridoma cells cultivated with SCM and SFM in shake flask Antibody production Media rate qp (pg Ab/(cells- h)) DMEM, 15 % PBS, 1 % NEAA 0,2717 DMEM, 15 % low TgG FRS, i % 0,2277 NEAA flybridoma SFM (serum free) 0,5121 The cells cultivated in Hybridoma SFM showed the highest antibody production rate with 0.5121 pg/ (cells- h). So the qpof Hybridoma SFM was approx. twice higher ed to cells cultivated in SCM, possibly due to the twice higher cell proliferation in SFM The hybridoma ce lls cultivated in SCM were subcultivated several passages and .C _rom the passage number 18 the antibody concentration was reduced continuously (data not shown). The antibody production of cells with passage number 27 was totally stopped but the cells showed a normal cell growth independent 0: reduced antibody production which was also recognized :or hybridoma cells producing‘ anti A83(pE) antibodies. Already in literature it was described that hybridoma cells are often unstable and could stop the antibody production. It was determined that hybridoma cells are often present as a mfixture of antibody producing and oducing cells (Heath et al., J Biotechnol. 1990, Vol.15, 8.71—89). Hybridoma cells which don’t produce antibodies may lack genetical integrity concerning the sequences for heavy and light chains. Non-producing cells show a higher proliferation rate than producing cells and could dominate the hybridoma e after some passages (Kromenaker et al., Biotechnol Prog 1994, Vol.10, 8.299—307). In contrast, the cells ated in {ybridoma SFM still showed a high antibody production rate beyond the passage 27. That suggests that the cells cultivated in SFM showed continuous cell growth as well as antibody production independent to cell passage number. The cultivation 0: cells in SFM up to higher‘ e 2O number was performed one time. To make a clear statement, the experiment should be repeated a second time.

Summarizing, the cells ated. in Hybridoma SFM showed an excellent cell growth with maximum grOWth rate and display the icant highest antibody production yield with a high specific tion rate over the total cultivation time, compared. to the cells cultivated. in SCM. The used. hybridoma cells require only a minor sequential adaption from. SCM to Hybridoma SFM. With the use of oma SFM the cost of hybridoma cultivation could be reduced by 18 %, compared to the alternative usage of JMLM with low gG has. Additionally, the purification o: mAb from cell culture supernatant was fied due to the absence or serum. containing' bovine IgG and other serum components like proteases.

The growth curves of all tested media showed a strong decrease after exponential growth phase at 72 hours, because (x: the complete consumption of amine. Miller et al. described that the maximal cell number is enriched when L-glutamine was consumed, because the limitation factor 0:: cell growth. is L— glutamine, which is mainly used as energy source and facilitates cell growth and antibody production (Mi ller et al., 1989, h Bioeng. Vol.32, 8.947-965). Due to these facts the SCM and also SFM were mented with 2 mM L—glutamine. But the cell growth and antibody production was icantly higher IO]: cells in Hybridoma SFM than in SCM.

Hybridoma SFM is a very low—protein medium <20 ug/m;) optimized lor hybridoma cell cul:ivation. The medium contains n—glutamine, trace elements, minerals, and a low amount (20 ug/ml of defined proteins (insulin and errin). Which substances in the SFM were decisive for the high cell proliferation and antibody yield wasn’t examined but in the following could be speculated. There are several possibilities to increase the antibody ency 0; hybridoma cells. In the literature it is described. that the addition of a lipid. mix containing terol, phospholipids and fatty acids ertanced the antibody production of hybridoma cells because the lipid sation and fluidity of plasma membrane have an inf‘uence on cell function (Savonniere et al., Biotechnol. 1996 Jul 18;48(1—2 :161—73). Also growth factors could increase the antibody production rate, for example epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast grow:h factor (FGF), inter‘eukin—Q ("L—9), IL—6 (Q—ce'l stimulating factor), :ransferrin, insnlin and ethanolamine ami et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A” 1982 Feb;79(4):l158—62; Dandulakis et al.

Biotechnol Prog. l995 Sep—Oc:;11(5):518—24). 2.3 Antibody purification The antibody anti Afill(pE) from clone l3 should be purified to homogeneity out of cell culture supernatant to be used in fih SA and onal experiments. The antibody was purified with protein G sepharose column (see section ld2.l). The bound antibody was eluted according to two different methods. At first, acidic 0.1 M glycine—HCl solution (pH 2.7) was used and the eluted fraction was immediately neutralized through ion with l M Tris—HCl, pH 9.0. During the neutralization process the antibody was strongly precipitated e 0; a le structure change of the antibody during the acidic elution.

For this reason a pH neutral elution method was per_ormed with.c a gradient of potassium. thiocyanate. Because .C o_ KSCN the interaCtions between the antibody and protein G were loosened.

With this technique the antibody was eluted and no itation o; the antibody occurred. In Figure 9 the chromatogram of the purification process is shown.

With increased KSCN—gradient the antibody was eluted. The elution peak was almost ric like a gaussian function which indicated a homogeneous elution with one antibody species. The elution was indiced by the chaotropic ion SCN‘ which abolishes the protein—protein. interaCtions. A. too high concentration. 0; KSCN could denature ns and therefore the antibody elution was performed in a gradient followed by immediate is.

After the affinity chromatography, a SDS—PAGE was performed to examine the content of antibody in the different fractions of protein G column purification (see Figure 10). Thereby the purity o: the elution on with anti ABll(pE) antibody could be determined. Samples of unpurified cell culture supernatant, flow through fraction, wash fraction and elution fraction 0: protein G column were analyzed.

The SDS—gel shows that ' the protein. G purification. the ic binding antibody was separated from non specific binding proteins. "n the unpurified cell culture supernatant (slot 1; 6) and flow h (2; 7) the BSA—band (bovine serum albumin) with approx. 66 kDa was clearly identified, however the e'ution fraction (slot 4; 9) ned no BSA. During the wash cycle a small part of the bound antibodies was washed out of the column (slot 3). The n fraction in slot 4 shows that only the specific binding antibody was eluted. in SJS-BAGE the antibody was separated in the heavy chain witr approx. 50 kDa and the light chain with approx. 25 kDa (see slot 4) based on the reducing conditions. To show the total antibody with intact disulfide-bonds, the elution fraction was applied under non— reducing conditions (see slot 9). The antibody was identified with a band at approx. 150 kDa. rmore, it was shown that no BSA was holding back in the column and so d from the purified antibody in the elution fraction. Protein G binds mouse IgG but also bovine IgG which is containing in F38. To reduce the impurity with bovine IgG, thra low S (Invitrogen) containing less than 5 ug/ml IgG was used. With this purification method the antibody was purified to homogeneity and ted from all other proteins contained in the cell culture supernatant. After dialysis the antibody concentration was determined via UV—spectrometer and SPR.

During the purification .C 0 anti Afi1’(p?) antibody with a protein G sepharose column a sample from cell culture supernacant before application at protein G column, from flow through, wash fraction and elution fraction were taken. This was followed by ement via SPR. For the quantification. of anti ABll(pE) antibody by SPR the standard curve which is rated in Figure 10 was used. It was determined that before the purification approx. 14.8 ug/ml antibody was contained in the cell culture supernatant, which is equivalent to a total amount 0: 26.7 mg antibody in 1800 ml supernatant. The flow through contained 0.8 ug/ml dy (2.4 mg total) and the wash .C_rac:ion 8.7 ug/ml (0.2 mg total) dy. A concentration of ;.07 mg/ml which amounted. to 21 mg antibody in the elution _rac-ion was determined via SPR. Subsequently the yield of the affinity chromatography O was 80 6. After the purification, concentration and dialysis of the antibody the measurement of UV-spectrum was performed (see Figure ll).

From the UV—spectrum, the antibody concentration with 4.09 mg/ml after purification was determined. Therefore approx. 21 mg antibody out of 1800 ml cell culture supernatant was purified.

So the ined antibody concentration by UV/VIS method agreed with the results of SPR. The antibody was then sterile filtered, aliquoted and or r analysis stored at 4 °C. r'l_he presented result of antibody purification was performed with cell culture supernatant from cells with high passages (passage 17 — 22), y a reduced antibody tion rate above e 18 was ed (see section 2.2.2). However, the antibody concentration in the cell culture supernatant 0: cells with lower passage number amounted to approx. 30 ug/ml.

Consequently, antibody purification. yield. of cells with lower passage number would be twice higher with approx. 42 mg than with the used high cell passages. 2.3.1 Biotinylation of anti ABll(pE) antibody The anti 3) antibody was biotinylated for the application as detection dy in the .AB(pEll—X) ELISA” The antibody— biotin solution was dialysed to remove non—conjugated biotin. A concentration of 1.88 mg/ml biotinylated antibody (MW 150,000) 2O was determined via UVFspectrum and followed the biotinylation level was determined with HABA assay. rShe result was that about 2 biotin molecules were coupled at one antibody. In Figure 12 the UV/VTS spectrum. of the antibody before and after the biotinylation is shown. The two spectra showed the same course of the curve, indicating that no aggregation occurred. during‘ the biotinylation. process. So the ylation. was successful and. the antibody can. be used. in combination with streptavidin-HRP polymer as detection antibody. 2.4 Characterization of anti ABll(pE) antibodies 2.4.1 Sequencing antibody variable regions The following sequences were identified: 2.4.1.1 Clone 13—11—6 (Clone 13) A5 Clone l3 variable part ligrt chain nucleotide sequence (3w IC ID NO : 51) a :ggagtcacatacccaggt,ctoata,Lgc-gcLgcLatgggtatctggtacctgtggggaca t :gtgatgtcacagtctcca-cc-ccc-ggc-gtgLcagcaggagagaaggtcactatgagctg caaatccagtcagagtctgt,ctacagtagaacccgaaagaactacttggc:tggtaccaacagJ_ aaaccagggcagtctcctaaattgctgatctactgggcatccactagggaatctggggtccctg atcgcttcacaggcagtgga:ctgggacagatttcactctcaccatcagcagtgtgcaggctga agacctggcagtttattactgcaagcaatct:acaatctgtggtcgttcggtggaggcaccaag Ctggaaatcaaacgggctgatgctgcaccaactgtatccatcttcccaccatccagt A5 Clone l3 variable part light chain protein sequence (SiQ 1) NO : 52) VLlLLLLWVSGTCGDIVMSQSPSSLAVSAGEKVTMSCKSSQSLFYSRTRKNYLAWYQQ KLLIYWASTRESGV?DRFTGSGSGTDFTLTISSVQAEDLAVYYCKQSYNLWSFGGGTK LEIKRADAAPTVSIFPPSS A3 Clone l3 variable part heavy chain nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO : 53) atgggatggagctgtatcatgttc-Lt-ngLagcaacagc:acagatgtccactcccaggtcc aactgcagcagcctgggactgaac,gg,gaagcctggggcttcagtgaagctgtcctgcaaggc ttctggcttcaccttcaccagctactggatgcactgggtgagacagaggcctggacaaggcctt gagtggattggagagattaatcctagtaacggtcgtac:aactataatgagaagttcaagagca cactgactgtagacaaatcctccagcacagcc:acatgcaac:cagcagcc:gacatc tgaggac:ctgaggtctattactg:gcgagaggggatc:tgcctgggactggLc-gc-tac-gg ggccaagggactctggtcactgtc:ctgcagccaaaacgacacccccatctgtc:atccac:g AB Clone l3 variable part heavy chain protein sequence SEQ ID V0 : 54) MGWSC:MXFLVATATDVHSQVQLQQPGTELVKPGASVKLSCKASGFTFTSYWMHWVRQRPGQGL 3O fiW GH NPSNGRTNYNLKFKSKATLTVDKSSSTAYMQLSSLTSfiDSfiVYYCARGDLAWDWSAYW GQGTLVTVSAAKTTPPSVYPL 2.4.2 Determination of secondary structure The secondary ure of biotinylated and non—biotinylated anti ABll(pE) antibody was investigated by CD—spectroscopy.

Possible changes of secondary structure due to the biotinylation process could be ed. The CD—measurement was performed with "30 ug/ml antibody nylated and non—biotinylated) dissolved in 10 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.1. In Figure 13 the far—UV—CD- spectrum of the antibodies at 20 °C is shown. The spectra of the biotinylated and non-biotinylated antibody were nearly identical and both antibodies showed a minimum at 218 nm and a maximum at 200 nm which is typical for B-sheet proteins. The results indicated that the biotinylation had no influence on secondary structure. The same CD-spectra indicates identical secondary s-ruc -ure and so 110 influence on binding properties, however this didn’t implicate binding properties in "TC or in fiL SA. 2.4.3 Temperature transition of ABll(pE) antibody Circular dichroism can be used to observe how secondary S tructure changes with nmental conditions. Thermal protein S tability is assessed using CD by following s in the spectrum with increasing ature. In. Figure l- and. Figure , the spectra of biotinylated and non—biotirylated anti ) antibody at temperatures fronl 20 OC up to 80 0C is shown. From a temperature of 60 °C the course of spectra was 2O changed. The maximum at approx. 20; nm, typical signal for B— sheet proteins, decreased at a temperature of 60 °C and resulted at 80 °C in. a minimum. The results indicated. that the non— biotinylated as well as the biotinylated antibody began to denature at 60 °C (Tmm65 °C). So the temperature Stability of the antibody was given up to 60 °C. The s were in the normal range of :gG’s and agree with other s for example S. Frey determined a melting temperature of monoclonal IgG with 63 °C (S. Frey et al., 2008, Biol. Chem., Vol. 389, pp. 37—45).

Both antibodies showed in the range of 20 °C up to 60 °C 3O identical CD—spectra with a minimum at approx. 218 Inn and m. at 201 nm, indicating that the biotinylation had no nce on n ity. 2.4.4 Binding properties of ABll(pE) antibody To characterize the binding' of anti ABll(pE) antibody at the AB(pEll—18)—PEG peptide the method of Isothermal Titration Calorimetry ITC) was used (see section 1.3.4). The antibody which was eluted from protein G column with KSCN—gradient (pH 7.0) and 0.1 M glycine—HCl (pH 2.7) was analyzed. With ITC the reaction. stoichiometry (N), association. nt (KA), Ibinding enthalpy (AH) as well as the entropy (AS) were determined. The peptide was titrated to anti ABl'(p7U antibody j11 the ITC MicroCalorimeter as described in section 1.3.4.2. The titration curve displays the heat per seconds as a function of time (see Figure 16). The reaction partners ct and heat is ed or ed in direc: tion to the amount of binding events. Each injeCtion of antigen leads to change or temperature. To compensate the temperature difference between the sample and reference cell the addition or removal of heat to the sample cell occurs and serves as measurement signal.

At first the heat of the Afi(p?11—18)—PFG dilution in "TC buffer was ined. (see Figure 16, upper trace). The upper trace shows a constant and low signal (background signal) compared to the measurement signal. Afterwards the peptide Afi(p311—18)—PEG was titrated to anti E) dy in the sample cell (see Fjgure 16, lower trace). The total heat release after each injection was determined by integration of the area between each peak and. bas lin . Th n. th h at of dilution. (see Figure 16, upper trace) was subtracted from the total heat release of each injection. Figure 17 shows the obtained g curve of anti ABll(pE) antibody (eluted with KSCN—gradient) with Afi(p?1’—18)— PEG whereby the total heat release at each injection is plotted against the molar ratio of antibody and peptide. From the binding curve the thermodynamic parameters constants were determined with the program Origin 7.0.

In Table 11 the determined parameters N, KA, KD, AH, and AS as well as the Gibbs energy AG for the binding of anti ABll(pE) antibody at Afi(pE11—18)—PEG peptide are shown. Note that KD=1/KA and AG = AH — T AS.

Table 11: Thermodynamic binding parameters of AB(pEll—18)—PEG peptide at anti E) antibody The antibody was eluted from n G column with KSCN—gradient (pH 7.CM and 0.1 D4 glycine—HCl (pH 2.7), respectively. The parameters wcr det rmin d by ITC MicroCalorimeter at 20 °C.

Binding parameters Anti ABll(pE) antibody glycine—HCl elution Stoichiometry (N) 1.88 i 0.0087 1.01 1 0.0015 Association constant 12.7 i 9.5 i 0.52 _ 6 _1 (K1) in 10 M Dissociation constant 78.74 105.26 (K5) in nM Binding enthalpy (AH) in —8.259 —7.999 i kcal/mol 0,058 0,026 Binding entropy (AS) in 4.33 4.64 cal/mol x K"1 -TAS kcal/mol -1.27 -1.36 Gibbs energy (AG) in —9.53 —9.36 kcal/mol At firs: the results 0: anti ABll(pL‘LJ) antibody eluted with KSCN— gradient (pH 7.0) were discussed. The iometry of the antigen and antibody bond. was 1.88. So the iometry was almost 2, that means nearly all antibodies were active and interacted. with two molecules of .A8(pE1;—l8)—PEG peptide. The reason for the stoichiometry variatior was the inaccurate tration. determinations due to the unknown antibody absorption coefficients. A stoichiometry with significantly less than two would te that a part of antibody molecules are inactive, which is in the case for acidic eluted antibody.

The dissociation nt of the antibody was 78.74 nw. For example anti—hMCPl N1pE(1—x) antibody (data not shown) stowed a 3—times higher iation constant than anti A811(pE) antibody. That means that the strength 0: binding 0: anti A811(pE) was higher than of anti—hMCPl klpE(1—X) antibody.

However the anti—hMCPl N1pE(1—X) was successfully used in MCP1 fiL SA, which suggests that the anti ?) antibody also should. show good. binding‘ properties in ELISA” The determined dissociation. constant (I' anti .A311(p?) antibody .ranged ill the middle of described ITC results in literature. For example the ction of D—PAM (Protein A Mimetic) with monocloral antibodies -1 ZgG showed a KD in the range of 10—5M (D'Agostino 3. et al., J Immunol Methods. 2008 Apr 20;333(1—2):l26—38) and the KB of the interaction between soluble ric .AB(l—40) and mouse monoclonal antibodies were in the range of 10’7 to 10’8 Bfl (Brockhaus et 31., J Phys Chem B. 2007 Feb 8;lll(5)21238-43).

The KB of anti Afi;l(pE) antibody amounted 7.8 - 10—8M_1 and was comparable with data described in literature.

In general, antibody and antigen interactions are mostly enthalpic driven by hydrogen bonds (specific interaction) and often the y change is negative (AS < 0) due to the loss of conformatioral degrees. But from the bond of Afi(pEll—18) PEG at anti .ABll(pE) antibody resulted. an. mild. entropy gain. of AS = 4.33 (cal - mol’l - K’), a negative enthalpy with AH = —8.259 kcal/mol and a low Gibbs energy with AG = — 9.53 kcal/mol. So the interaction was mild enthalpic driven (AH < 0) due to the ion of en bonds and also mild entropic driven (AS > 0) whict is unusual for antibody and antigen interaCtions. The bond was terized by hydrophobic interaCtions due to tte strong hydrophobic epitope ABl;(pE), water molecules were ced which resulted in gain of con_ormational.C degrees of freedom and so in an mild entropy gain (Ohtaka et al., 2002, Protein Sci. 11, 1908—1916). In contrast, the most antigen and antibody’ bonds are driven by a :negative enthalpy and unfavorable entropy lost e.g. MCPl —X) antibody. r1-he above described. ITC results were performed. with antibody purified with protein G sepharose and eluted with radient see section 2.3). In addition, the antibody n was tested with acidic 0.1 M glycine-HCl solution (pH 2.7) followed. by immediate neutralization with 1.2M Tris—HCl, the antibody was precipitated. Before concentration determination the precipitated protein was removed by centrifugatior and does not occur within the ITC experiment. The binding parameters of this acidic eluted antibody were also characterized by ITC. Figure 18 shows the obtained binding curve of anti ABll(pE) antibody (eluted with glycine—HCl) with Afi(p?11—18)—P?G y the total heat release at each injection. is p;otted against the molar ratio 0: antibody and peptide.

The results 0: anti E) antibody e1uted. with glycine—HCl showed. a dissociation constant of KB: 105.26 nM, a negative py with AH = —7.99 kcal/mol and a entropy gain of 4.64 (cal - mol’l - Kfi). The energetic ters 0: the acidic and KSCN eluted antibody were nearly the same but in contrast the stoichiometry value of acidic eluted dy was only 1.01 and so signi_icantly lower than two. That means approx. the ha1f of the antibodies were inactivated due to the acidic elutior. In conclusion, the antibody elution was further performed with KSCN—gradient instead with acidic glycine—HCl.

Additionally, the biotinylated anti ABll(pE) antibody (see section 1.2.3.1) was also examined in TTC. In Table 12 determined thermodynamic binding ters are shown.

Table 12: Thermodynamic binding parameters of l—18) -PEG e at biotinylated anti ABll(pE) antibody The antibody was biotinylated whereby two biotin molecules were coupled at one antibody. The param tors w r in d by :TC MicroCalorimeter a: 20 °C.

Biotinylated a n t i Afill(pE) antibody Stoichiometry (N) 1.66 i 0.0092 Association constant 8.0 i 0.69 (KA) in 106 M'1 Dissociation constant 125.00 (K5) in nM Binding enthalpy (AH) in -8.276 i 0.066 kcal/mol Binding entropy (AS) in 3.36 cal/mol -1 -TAS kcal/mol -O.98 Gibbs energy (AG) in —9.26 kcal/mol In. Figure 19 the obtained. binding curve of biotinylated. anti AB11(pE) antibody and AB(pE11—18)—PEG are shown.

The results of biotinylated anti Afill(pE) antibody show nearly the same enthalpy and entropy value but a slightly higher dissociation constant (Kb: 125 nM) than the non—biotinylated dy. That means that the binding strength of biotinylated anti Afill(p3) was slightly lower than that of non—biotinylated antflmdy. Zflso the stoichiometry with 1.66 was under the stoichiometry o: non—biotinylated antibody which possibly showed that a low part of antibody molecules are inactive. Concluding, a slight loss of antibody activity, ly by the biotinylation process was determined. 2.4.5 Determination of cross reactivity The cross reactivity of anti E) antibody (clone 13) to pyroglutamate-peptides CCL2 (known as MCP—l), CCL8 (known as MCP-Z), big gastrin, gonadoliberin, neuro:ensin, orexin A, fibronectin, collagen 1_ and TRH tropin—releasing hormone) was tested via SPR (data not shown). The tes:ed dy showed no cross reactivity with the l pyroglutamate-peptides.

Additionally, the cross reactivity 0; antibody clone 13 to ABpE(3—40) and ABpE(11—30) were tested in SPR, whereby the antibody should be compared concerning its reactivity. In Figure a reai—time p1ot 0“ clone 13 to AfipE(11—30) and —40) e over time is illustrated.

The SPR results indicate that clone 13 showed. a weak cross reactivity to ABpE(3—40) but with 4 magnitudes lower than to 1—30). The ITC results (see section 2.4.3) show that the bond between ABllpE and clone 13 was mild entropic driven due to hydrophobic interactions. That means that in general, clone 13 could unspecifically interact with hydrophobic peptides e.g Afi3(pE) which was confirmed by the above shown results of SPR.

Summarizing, the anti Afi11(pE) antibody showed an high affinity (see ITC results) and a good specificity. 2.5 Application of anti Afill(pE) antibody in Sandwich ELISA 2.5.1 Establishment of g—ELISA For the analysis of auto—immunglobulins in plasma samples from AD patients and healthy controls the anti ABll(pE), anti AB3(pE) and anti Bri—2(pE1) autoantibody ELISA’s were established see Table 5). The ifi.SA’s were developed for the analys‘s of the ent antibody classes lgG, IgM, IgA, subclasses (IgG2, IgG3) and. total immunoglobulin. Ig’s. At the beginnirg‘ o: the optimization s, too high background signals were measured, 2O whereby after lization o: the peptide (200 rg/ml) no blocking was performed. Therefore fiL SA—Hlocker (—T) ard PBS/ 10 O FBS/ 0.05 % Tween. tested. for blocking’ well .C 6 were as as lor dilution of samples and conjugate. ELISArBlocker (—T) showed the lowest background signal and the higheSt —to-noise ratio in all auto— g—HL SA’s.

Furthermore, a standard for the fication. of samples in anti ABll(pE) auto— g—fiLISA. were established. Therefore the purified and ed mAb (clone 13) (see chapter 2.2) was 3O tested as rd. Tte mAb is directed against the N4terminus of Afi(p?’l—x) and belongs to the mouse "gG c'ass. In Figure 21, the stardard curve of the mAb clone 13 is shown. For the detection 0: the standard antibody (clone 13 rabbit anti-mouse :g’s (HR?) and in contrast for human plasma samples anti—human lg’s, gG, gG2, "gG3, "gM or "gA was used. A standard for each autoantibody class and subclass was not ble but the comparison (I: autoantibody level in 2%) patients and control groups within each antibody class / subclass was possible because the samples were tested and quantified under identical conditions. However, the comparison 0: tibody concentrations between the classes/ subclasses as well as bemmen the auto— gwfl.SA’s wasn’t admissible due to the quantification with the standard of class IgG.

The LOQ of the ABll(pE) auto—antibody ELISA was 55 pg/ml with S/N of 1.65 and the LOQ of AB3(pE) auto—antibody ELISA was 48.8 pg/ml with S/N ratio of l.88. rizingy the nflfl) from hybridoma clone 13 was suitable as standard and was further used in the Bll(pE) auto—Ig—ELISA. 2.5.2 Development of AB(pE11—x) ELISA The performance of the ABll(pfi) fiL SA according to the sandwich fin SA with 4G8 capture antibody ard biotinylated anti ABll(pE detection antibody showed weak or inconsistent signals (resul J— not shown). The detection 0: peptide AB(pEll—30) as well as o; AB(pEll—40) showed only weak signals. Both AB peptides are very hydrophobic and to avoid the adhesion of peptides at the vessel wall during the storage the peptide solutions were prepared (HFIP was evaporated and alkaline ) immediately before usage in ELISA, but also no s were detec:ed. Possible problems could be caused by sterical hindrance between the e 4G8 antibody with epitope AB(l7—24) and the detection antibody with epitope AB(pEll-l5). To test directly the antibody reactivity of 4G8 and anti ABll(pE) antibody a direct ELISA with ed AB peptide was performed. Immediately before usage the HFIP was ated and then the AB peptide was dissolved in NaOI (10 min at RT). The strorg hobic AB(pEll—30) peptide ShOJld be immediately diluted in PBS directly at the microplate to guarantee that the peptide during the dilution didn’t adhere at polypropylene vial. In Figures 22 and 23, the ELISA signal by usage of biotinylated anti E) antibody and 4G8 is shown.

The anti ABll(pE) antibody showed a strong ELTSA signal in a AB(pEll—30) tration dependent manner and detected AB peptides ir the range of nano grams. Concluding, the biotinylated anti ABll(pE) antibody recognized the peptide and le .C was lor the application as detection antibody.

In contrast the biotinylated 4G8 antibody showed only a iNeak fin SA signal in a AB(pEll—30) concentration deperdent manner.

Compared with clone l3 the signal of 4G8 was five times lower under the same ions. Normally the commercially available 4G8 shows a good binding property to AB proteins (Schupf et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep l6;105(37):l4052—7). However in the case of AB(p?'l—30), 4G8 showed only weak binding signals. The antibody -G8 was generated. by immunization with synthetic peptide corresponding to the first 2— amino acids 0; the AB peptide and recognizes exclusively the sequence 17—24 0: AB e (Kim et al., 1988). Therefore, 4G8 recognized other structures than that of the AB(pEll—30) peptide. Following the reason of low signal detection was the structure 0: used peptide. From. this results could be concluded that the 4G8 antibody wasn’t suitable as e antibody in E) ELISA which ned that only low or inconsistent signals were detected. In , precoated plates with anti—human AB(35—-O) mouse IgG mAb from the company 13L should be tested as capture antibody whereby the standard peptide AB(pEll—40) should be used. 2.5.3 Immunostaining with ABll(pE) antibody The immunostaining of brain sections from AD patients and transgenic APP/PS1 mice was performed with anti ABll(pE) antibody (clone 13). The THC images of human AD cases 1 to 3 are shown in Figure 24.

The staining sections of .AD case 1, 2 and 3 indicate that ABll(pE) was extracellular deposited, whereby in the plaque core region. of .AD case 1 mainly E) was stained. Concluding, ABll(pE) could be stained in the core region as well as in peripheral region of plaques. Furthermore intracellular deposits were clearly visible in AD case 3. The magnification (right bottom ) in AD case 3 showed that ABll(pE) depositions were stained directly beside the cell nucleus, visible as semicircular shape. Noticeable was that more ellular ABll(pE) Staining were detected than ).

The results indicate that the monoclonal antibody clone 13 specifically recognizes both ellular and extracellular ABll(pE) deposits.

Beside the human brain sections also seCtions of APP/P81 transgenic mouse brain. were examined. for .AB;1(pE) depositions (see Figure 25).

The THC images of mice brain show vascular ts of ABll(pE) peptides. Besides the clearly visible brown staining along the blood vessels in the mice brain also intracellular ABll(p?) deposits were visible. In contrast, in. the sections of human brains the vascular deposits were not seen. izing, the results show that ABll(pE) deposits could have been detected intraneuronally, extraneuronally and also vascularly. Clone 13 showed an excellent reactivity against the pyroGlu peptides and could be used for immunostaining. So far, no SOJrCS is known which showed that the deposition of ABll(pE) 75 intracellularly and intercellularly in human AD brains occurs.

The deposition of AB peptides as s is one of the stt prominent pathological features of AD and considered to be closely d to the pathogenesis o: dementia in AD. The composition of plaques is nOt completely inderstood so far. 2.6 Autoantibody levels in AD patients and healthy controls in the present study the level of autoantibodies of the classes and ses gG, gM, lgA, total lmmunglobulins Zg’s, IgG2 and IgG3 directed against the l—x) epitope was Studied. The aim was to find a potential diagnostic AD biomarker wtereby a possible correlation between the AB autoartibody profiles of AD patients was ed. Therefore plasma samples which originate from patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD and from y control group were studied. The 13 plasma samples from AD patients and 30 healthy controls were obtained from the Study P3D—0316 (T0+6 months). For this analysis the auto—Ig—ELISA’s which were ished in the present study (see n 1.4.2.1) were used. The results are presented in Figures 26 and In Figure 26 and Figure 27 the concentration of anti Afill(pE) autoantibodies of Ig’s (total immunglobulins), gG, gG2, "gG3, IgM and IgA. are shown. The mean level of all analyzed anti ABl1(pE) antibody classes and subclasses, except IgG2, was increased. in AD patients compared to the control group. The results of anti ABll(pE) autoantibodies . no significant difference between A3 and healthy controls and a great fluctuation of tibody level in plasma controls and AD 3. Deposits Monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing AB NllpE—x, were generated. Currently the corresponding monoclonal antibodies expressing hybridoma cell line 13—11—6 has been. deposited. in accordance with the Budapest Treaty and is available at the Deutsche Sammlung fUr Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSMZ) in 3raunschweig, 3L,._' with .— a deposit date 0: December 14,2010, and with the respective deposit number (Clone 136) : DSM ACC 3100 Specificity of this antibody for their respective target sequerces has been. confirmed” For AB N11pE—x, high affinity antibody clones could be identified that give strong sigrals in an ELISA set up with an ed detection limit in the low pg range.

THE

Claims (17)

CLAIMS 1. NG THE ION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Monoclonal antibody, characterised in that it binds to A β es ng with amino acid 11 and having a pyroglutamate at the N -terminus (A βpGlu(11)) with high affinity, wherein said high affinity m eans a dissociation nt (K D) value of 10 -7 M or better and wherein said antibody is antibody A β 13 -11 -6, which is produced by hybridoma cell line with Deposit No. DSM ACC 3100 , or a humanized or chimeric antibody or an antibody fragment thereof .

2. Antibody according to claim 1, wherein the variable part of the light chain of said antibody has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51 or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, and wherein the variable part of the heavy chain of said antibody has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53, or the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54.

3. Antibody accor ding to any one of the preceding claims for use in the detection of A βpGlu(11)peptides.

4. Antibody according to claim 3, wherein said A βpGlu(11) peptides are selected from the following group: pGlu -Aβ11 -38 pGlu -Aβ11 -40 pGlu -Aβ11 -42 , and pGlu -Aβ11 -x, wh erein x is an integer between 18 and 42, more preferably 30 and 42.

5. dy according to any one of the preceding claims, which is human ized .

6. Antibody according to any one of the ing claims, which is labeled.

7. Antibody according to any one of the preceding claims, which is immobilised on a solid phase.

8. Composition comprising the antibody as defined i n any one of the preceding claims.

9. Hybridoma cell line DSM ACC 3100.

10 . Use of the antibody as d in any one of claims 1 to 7 or the composition as defined in claim 8 for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment, prevention, delay or diagnosis of an amyloid -associated disease or condition, wherein said amyloid -associated disease or condition is a neurodegenerative disease ed from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's e, a Familial Alzheimer’s dem entia and neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome.

11 . The use according to claim 10 , wherein said amyloidosis is sporadic Alzheimer's disease or a Familial Alzheimer’s dementia.

12 . The use according to claim 10 , wherein said Familial Alzheimer’s de mentia is Familial British Dementia or Familial Danish Dementia.

13 . In vitro diagnostic method for the diagnosis of an amyloid -associated e or condition, wherein said amyloid -associated disease or condition is a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, a Familial Alzheimer’s dementia and neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome, comprising the following steps: contacting an dy according to any one of claims 1 to 7 with a samp le from a subject suspected to be afflicted with said disease or condition, and detecting binding of the antibody to a A βpGlu(11) e, in the sample.

14 . The in vitro diagnostic method according to claim 13 , wherein said amyloidosis is ic Alzheimer's e or a Familial Alzheimer’s dementia.

15 . The in vitro diagn ostic method ing to claim 13 , wherein said al Alzheimer’s dementia is Familial British Dementia or Familial Danish Dementia.

16 . Diagnostic kit, comprising the antibody as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, and instructions for use, and – ally – (a) further biologically active substance(s).

17 . The diagnostic kit of claim 16 , wherein said further biological nce is an inhibitor of glutaminyl cyclase. Probiodrug AG WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEY S P37881NZ00