| abstract |
The present invention relates to a human antibody, preferably a recombinant human antibody, which specifically binds human interleukin-12 (hIL-12). A method of improving the activity of an antibody is also provided. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and neutralize hIL-12 activity in vivo and in vitro. The antibody of the present invention may be a full length antibody or antigen binding portion thereof. The antibody or a portion thereof of the present invention is useful for detecting hIL-12 and for inhibiting hIL-12 activity in, for example, a human patient suffering from a disease for which hIL-12 activity is detrimental. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods for synthesizing recombinant human antibodies. |