Humanized Mik beta 1, a humanized antibody to the IL-2 receptor beta-chain that acts synergistically with humanized anti-TAC

Mik beta 1 is a mouse mAb directed at the beta-subunit of the human IL-2R (Tac) that inhibits IL-2 binding and inhibits IL-2 induction of large granular lymphocytes (LGL). Mik beta 1 alone does not inhibit IL-2-induced T-cell proliferation, but acts synergistically with anti-Tac to inhibit IL-2-induced proliferation of activated T cells. To evaluate these effects for possible therapy in humans, we constructed two humanized Mik beta 1 antibodies by combining the complementarity-determining regions of the murine antibody with human framework and constant regions. Compared with murine Mik beta 1, the two humanized Mik beta 1 antibodies, which differ in their degree of humanization, had similar affinities for IL-2R beta. The murine Mik beta 1 and one of the humanized Mik beta 1 antibodies were equivalent in competing for IL-2 binding to IL-2R beta and inhibiting IL-2 induction of LGL cytotoxicity. The activity of the second humanized antibody was significantly reduced. The three Mik beta 1 antibodies act synergistically to varying degrees with humanized anti-Tac to prevent IL-2-induced proliferation of activated T cells. This capacity to synergize paralleled their abilities to inhibit IL-2 binding. In addition, both humanized antibodies directed antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We hope that humanized Mik beta 1 in combination with humanized anti-Tac will provide a new immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, graft-versus-host disease, and prevention of allograft rejection.