The murine antibody, 125-2H, is a potent neutralizer of interleukin (IL-18), which is associated with inflammation. Because of its murine origins it is not a clinical candidate, but its IL-18 neutralizing potency is the standard to which human monoclonal antibodies to IL-18 are held. To determine the amino acid residues most essential to its interaction with IL-18, alanine scan mutagenesis was performed on the third complementarity-determining regions (CDR3) of the light and heavy chains. Following testing in a KG-1 assay for IL-18 neutralizing ability, it was determined that the alanine substitutions at four CDR3 amino acid residues of the heavy chain are most essential for IL-18 binding.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Popinchalk, Samuel Paul

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 02D526M

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2002

Date created

• 2002-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright