Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Diabetic Nephropathy

We will produce a genetically engineered MAb appropriate for use as a therapeutic for diabetic nepdirect relationship between hyperglycemia and non-enzymatic glycation of proteins has implicated exas a cause of diabetic complications. There is convincing experimental evidence that glycated albumrenal glomerular structure, function and metabolism; in ways analogous to diabetic nephropathy. Fuprevented by the A717 MAb which is specific for glycated albumin. Pre-clinical studies have showntherapeutically efficacious in preventing diabetic nephropathy. However, murine antibodies elicit aantibody response in patients, severely limiting their therapeutic usefulness. An attractive and viatherapeutic effectiveness is to produce a totally "humanized" version of A7l7. The resulting antibowith the affinity and specificity of the original A7l7 antibody. Given the magnitude of the problemno treatment to prevent diabetic nephropathy, this project iseminently justified.