Hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies that inhibit anti-CD3-stimulated T cell proliferation

摘要

The present invention relates to antibodies that are immunologically reactive with a T cell surface antigen, CD44. Specifically, the invention relates to monoclonal antibodies, including mAb 212.3, that are immunologically reactive with CD44 and that are able to inhibit OKT3-induced T cell proliferation. The invention also relates to the therapeutic use of such antibodies, including mAb 212.3, and to hybridoma cell lines that produce such antibodies. The invention also relates to an epitope that is comprised of sequences and/or a conformation of sequences present in the CD44 molecule. This epitope is immunologically reactive to mAb 212.3.