| abstract |
An object of the present invention is to provide a monoclonal antibody which is effective for diagnosing IgA nephropathy and specifically recognizes and binds to a hinge region of a polypeptide encoded by a heavy chain gene of immunoglobulin A1 that comprises a serine/threonine-linked sugar chain to which galactose is not bound. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that specifically recognizes and binds to a hinge region of a polypeptide encoded by a heavy chain gene of immunoglobulin A1 that comprises a serine/threonine-linked sugar chain to which galactose is not bound, to provide a diagnostic agent using the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof, and to provide a therapeutic agent comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof as an active ingredient. |