HUMAN IGM ANTIBODIES WITH THE CAPABILITY OF INDUCING REMYELINATION, AND DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF PARTICULARLY IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Methods are described for treating demyelinating diseases in mammals, such asmultiple sclerosis in humans, and viral diseases of the central nervous systemof humans and domestic animals, such as post-infectious encephalomyelitis, orprophylactically inhibiting the initiation or progression of demyelination inthese disease states, using human monoclonal autoantibodies characterized bytheir ability to bind structures and cells within the central nervous system.In particular, the methods utilize human monoclonal antibodies selected fromthe group of sHIgM22 (LIM 22), sHIgM46 ebvHIgM MSI19D10, CB2bG8, AKJR4,CB2iE12, CB2iE7 and MSI 19E5, monomers thereof, active fragments thereof andisolated or synthetic human or humanized autoantibodies having thecharacteristics of the foregoing. Nucleic acids and DNA molecules encoding thehuman monoclonal antibodies, or portions thereof, are provided. The inventionalso extends to the preparation and use of human polyclonal and monoclonalautoantibodies, monomers thereof, active fragments, peptide derivatives andfragments, and analogs, cognates, agonists and the like correspondingmaterials, and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Forexample, the autoantibodies, monomers, fragments, haptens, and peptideequivalents, are useful in the promotion of neural regeneration andneuroprotection, and therapeutic compositions and vaccines containing peptidesor antibodies are included and presented.
