ANTI-NGF ANTIBODY AND ANTIGEN-BINDING FRAGMENT THEREOF, PREPARATION METHOD, AND APPLICATION THEREOF

Abstract

Provided are an anti-NGF antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, a preparation method and an application thereof. Also provided is an isolated polynucleotide encoding the anti-NGF antibody or the antigen-binding fragment thereof, as well as a vector containing the isolated polynucleotide. Also provided is use of the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment thereof of the present invention in preparing the medicament for the treatment of NGF-mediated diseases or disorders.

Claims

1-20. (Canceled)

21. An antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof capable of specifically binding to NGF, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chain variable region (VL), the VH of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH CDR1 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 13, VH CDR2 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 14 and VH CDR3 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 15, and the VL of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VL CDR1 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 22, VL CDR2 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 23, and VL CDR3 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 24; or, the VH of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH CDR1 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 16, VH CDR2 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 17 and VH CDR3 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 18, and the VL of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VL CDR1 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 25, VL CDR2 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 26, and VL CDR3 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 27; or, the VH of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH CDR1 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 19, VH CDR2 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 20 and VH CDR3 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 21, and the VL of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VL CDR1 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 28, VL CDR2 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 29, and VL CDR3 as shown in SEQ ID NO: 30.

22. An antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binding to NGF, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein: the heavy chain variable region comprises the three CDRs comprised in the heavy chain variable region as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5 and 9; and the light chain variable region comprises the three CDRs comprised in the light chain variable region as shown in any one of SEQ ID Nos: 3, 7 and 11.

23. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 21, wherein, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and VL having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3; or, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 and VL having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 7; or, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: VH having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 9 and VL having the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 11.

24. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 21, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: (a) a heavy chain constant region (CH) of human immunoglobulin or a variant thereof; or (b) a light chain constant region (CL) of human immunoglobulin or a variant thereof.

25. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 21, wherein the antigen-binding fragment is selected from Fab, Fab', (Fab').sub.2, Fv, disulfide-linked Fv, scFv, diabody and single domain antibody (sdAb); and/or, the antibody is murine antibody, chimeric antibody, humanized antibody, bispecific antibody or multispecific antibody.

26. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 25, wherein the humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprises: a heavy chain of the sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 33, 35, 37, 39, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61 and 63, and/or a light chain of the sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 31 and 41.

27. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 21, or the heavy chain variable region and/or light chain variable region thereof.

28. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 21, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient.

29. A method for treating NGF-mediated diseases or disorders, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof according to claim 21.

30. The method according to claim 29, the diseases or disorders include osteoarthritic pain, postoperative pain, rheumatoid arthritic pain, low back pain, cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain, and visceral pain.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0129] FIG. 1 shows the ELISA results of the anti-NGF antibody of the present invention binds to human NGF protein.

[0130] FIGS. 2A-2C show the effects of the anti-NGF antibody of the present invention on the binding of human NGF to receptors TrkA and p75.

[0131] FIG. 3 shows that the anti-NGF antibody of the present invention inhibits NGF-induced proliferation of TF-1 cell.

[0132] FIG. 4 shows that the anti-NGF antibody of the present invention inhibits NGF-induced proliferation of TrkA/Ba/F3 cell.

[0133] FIG. 5 shows that the anti-NGF antibody of the present invention inhibits the reporter gene expression in TrkA/NFAT-bla/CHO cells.

[0134] FIGS. 6A-6E show that the anti-NGF antibody of the present invention specifically binds to NGF and inhibits NGF-induced signaling pathway.

[0135] FIG. 7 shows competitive binding curve of the anti-NGF antibody 43E5 and 138E12 of the present invention.

[0136] FIGS. 8A-8E show the effects of the anti-NGF antibody 43E5 and 138E12 of the present invention on CFA-induced inflammatory pain in mice, wherein **P<0.01 vs normal saline; ***P<0.001 vs normal saline.

[0137] FIGS. 9A and 9B show that the humanized anti-NGF antibody of the present invention binds to human NGF.

[0138] FIGS. 10A-10H show that the humanized anti-NGF antibody of the present invention binds to NGF homo-family proteins.

[0139] FIGS. 11A and 11B show that the humanized anti-NGF antibody of the present invention inhibits NGF-induced proliferation of TF-1 cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0140] The following description of the application is merely illustrative of various embodiments of the application. Therefore, the specific modifications discussed herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the application. Various equivalents, changes and modifications can be easily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present application, and it should be understood that such equivalent embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention. All documents, including publications, patents, and patent applications, cited in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0141] In some embodiments, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments described herein are capable of specifically binding to NGF with a binding affinity (KD) of less than or close to 10.sup.−12M, as measured by Biolayer Optical Interferometry. The binding affinity value can be expressed as KD value, which is calculated by the ratio of off-rate to on-rate (k.sub.off/k.sub.on) when the binding of an antigen to antibody reaches equilibrium. The antigen binding affinity (e.g. KD) may suitably be determined by suitable methods known in the art, including, for example, Fortebio's Biolayer Optical Interferometry by using an instrument.

[0142] In certain embodiments, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments described herein bind to NGF with an EC50 (i.e., half binding concentration) of 0.1 nM. Binding of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment to NGF can be determined by methods known in the art, such as sandwich assays such as ELISA, Western blot, FACS or other binding assays.

[0143] The antibodies are specific for NGF. In certain embodiments, the antibodies optionally do not bind to NGF homo-family proteins Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Neurotrophic factor-3 (NT-3), Neurotrophic factor-4 (NT-4).

[0144] Example 1: Preparation of murine anti-NGF antibody

[0145] As an immunogen, recombinant human NGF protein (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 11050-HNAC) was mixed and emulsified with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant (Sigma-Alderich, F5881) for initial immunization. Five 6-week-old BALB/c and C57 mice (Jiangsu Huafukang) were prepared, and each animal was injected subcutaneously with 50 μg Immunogen (excluding the weight of the adjuvant, the same hereafter). The immunogen was mixed and emulsified with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (Sigma-Alderich, F5506) for subsequent booster immunizations. Two weeks after the initial immunization, each animal was injected intraperitoneally with 25 μg immunogen for the first booster; 2 weeks later, each animal was injected subcutaneously with 25 μg immunogen for the second booster. 4-5 weeks later, 25 μg of immunogen was injected intraperitoneally for the last immunization shock.

[0146] After the last immunization, Mouse B cells were isolated, mixed with SP2/0 cells (Cell Bank of Chinese Academy of Sciences, TCM18), and fused according to the operation manual of the Electroporator of BTX company. The fusion cells were cultured, and then screened for hybridoma cells that could bind to NGF and inhibit the binding of human NGF to receptor TrkA by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Subcloning was performed by limiting dilution method, and 3 positive hybridoma monoclonal cell lines were obtained by screening with the same ELISA method, which were named 43E5, 137H8 and 138E12 respectively.

[0147] The hybridoma monoclonal cell lines were expanded and cultured with serum-free medium, and the medium was collected and purified by protein G column to obtain murine anti-human NGF monoclonal antibodies 43E5, 137H8, and 138E12.

[0148] Example 2: ELISA detection of the binding of murine anti-NGF antibody to human NGF

[0149] The binding capacity of anti-NGF antibodies was investigated by using human NGF as an antigen (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 11050-HNAC). Each well of a 96-well microtiter plate was coated with 50 ng of human NGF, after washing and blocking, and then added with serially diluted antibodies, and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. After washing three times, HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody (Biolegend, 405306) was added and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. After washing three times, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB, Biolegend, 421101) was added for color development. 1M HC1 was used to terminate the color development, and the absorbance values were read at 450 nm with a microplate reader.

[0150] All the anti-NGF antibodies secreted by the three hybridomas bound to human NGF in a dose-dependent (FIG. 1), and the EC50 of the three antibodies for binding to human NGF were 0.082 nM, 0.112 nM, and 0.1 nM, respectively (Table 1).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 EC50 of anti-NGF antibody binding to human NGF Antibody 43E5 137H8 138E12 EC50 (nM) 0.082 0.112 0.100

[0151] Example 3: Binding Affinity assay of murine anti-NGF antibody to human NGF

[0152] The affinities of the antibodies were detected with Biomolecular Interaction Detection Platform (ForteBio Octet Red96 (PALL)). Biotin-labeled human NGF was immobilized by using SA (Streptavidin) Biosensor (Fortebio, 18-5021), and then conjugated with gradient concentrations of anti-NGF antibodies. Buffer (1X Kinetics Buffer: PBS+0.1% BSA+0.05% Tween20) was added for dissociation, and finally the affinity kinetic constant of antigen-antibody binding was calculated by instrument algorithm (Table 2).

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Binding Affinity of anti-NGF antibody to human NGF Affinity Constant Binding Constant Dissociation Constant Antibody K.sub.D (M) K.sub.on(1/Ms) k.sub.dis (1/s) 43E5 <1.0E−12 3.73E+05 <1.0E−07 137H8 3.81E−10 1.29E+05 4.91E−05 138E12 <1.0E−12 6.34E+05 <1.0E−07

[0153] Example 4: Detection of the blocking effect of murine anti-NGF antibody on the binding of human NGF to receptor TrkA or p75

[0154] A. Blocking effect of anti-NGF antibody on the binding of human NGF to receptor TrkA

[0155] If the method of coated receptor TrkA is used for detection, 50 ng of NGF receptor TrkA protein (fused to human Fc) was coated in each well of a 96-well microtiter plate, washed three times, and then blocked with 3% BSA for 1 hour. 10000 ng/mL (66.67 nM) anti-NGF antibody was 3-fold serially diluted for 10 times to 0.17 ng/mL (0.0011 nM). 100 μl was taken and mixed with an equal volume of 1 μg/mL biotin-labeled human NGF, incubated at room temperature for 0.5 hours, and then added to an ELISA plate which has been washed with blocking solution. Incubated for 1 hour at room temperature and washed three times. Streptavidin-labeled HRP (Biolegend, 405210) was added, and incubated for 0.5 h and then washed three times. The microtiter plate was added with TMB, and read after the color development was terminated.

[0156] If using the coated ligand NGF method for detection, each well of a 96-well microtiter plate was coated with 50 ng of human NGF and washed three times. After blocking with 3% BSA for 1 hour, washed three times, 10000 ng/mL (66.67 nM) anti-human NGF antibody was 3-fold diluted to 0.17 ng/mL (0.0011 nM), 100 μL was added to each well, incubated at room temperature for 1 hour, and then washed three times. 100 μL of 1 μg/mL TrkA fused to human Fc was added to each well, incubated for 1 hour at room temperature, and washed three times. HRP-conjugated donkey anti-human IgG antibody (Biolegend, 410902) was added and reacted for 1-hour at room temperature. After washing, add TMB to develop color, and read after the termination of development.

[0157] The results are shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the anti-NGF antibodies can block the binding of human NGF to the receptor TrkA, and the blocking effect increases significantly with the increase of the antibody concentration. The IC50 values of the three antibodies blocking the binding of human NGF to the receptor TrkA are shown in Table 3 and Table 4:

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Blocking TrkA-NGF binding IC50 Antibody 43E5 137H8 138E12 IC50 (nM) 0.767 0.738 0.677

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Blocking NGF-TrkA binding IC50 Antibody 43E5 137H8 138E12 IC50 (nM) 0.967 0.791 0.865

[0158] B. Blocking effect of anti-NGF antibody on the binding of human NGF to receptor p75

[0159] Each well of a 96-well microtiter plate was coated with 50 ng of human NGF, blocked with 3% BSA for 1 h, washed 3 times, and added with 10 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL, 0.1 μg/mL, 0.01 μg/mL and 0 μg/mL (66.67 nM, 6.67 nM, 0.67 nM, 0.067 nM and 0 nM) anti-NGF antibody 40 μL, and incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes. 40 μL of 2 μg/mL p75 fused to human Fc (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 13184-H02H) was added to each well, incubated for 1 hour and then washed 3 times. 100 μL HRP-conjugated donkey anti-human Fc secondary antibody (Biolegend, 410902) was added and reacted for 1-hour at room temperature. After washing, added TMB to develop color, and read after the termination of development. As shown in FIG. 2C, among the three anti-NGF antibodies selected, 43E5 can not block the binding of human NGF to the receptor p75, whereas 137H8 and 138E12 can block the binding of human NGF to the receptor p75.

[0160] It should be noted that during the clinical trial of Pfizer/Lilly's NGF antibody Tanezumab, the adverse effect of Rapidly Progressive Osteoarthritis (RPOA) was observed. Tanezumab can simultaneously block the binding of NGF to TrkA and p75. Studies have shown that p75 receptor function is associated with neuron development, osteoblast differentiation, proliferation, myoblast differentiation, muscle repair, and the like (Akiyama Yet al. (2014) Differentiation, 87:111-118; Deponti et al. (2009) Molecular Biology of the Cell, 20:3620-3627; Mikami et al. (2012) Differentiation, 84:392-399). In addition, GZ389988A, a small molecule inhibitor of TrkA developed by Sanofi, did not exhibit adverse effect of RPOA during the clinical trial, which was believed to be associated with the selective effect of GZ389988A on TrkA while retaining the complete function of the NGF-p75 pathway (Krupka et al. (2019) Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 27:1599-1607). In the present invention, 43E5 cannot block the binding of human NGF to p′75, thus, it is expected to have a less possibility to exhibit RPOA in clinic, and have a safety superior to other antibodies with p75 blocking effect.

[0161] Example 5: In vitro neutralization activity detection of murine anti-NGF antibody

[0162] A. NGF-induced proliferation of TF-1 cell

[0163] The growth of TF-1 cells (human blood leukemia cells, ATCC, CRL-2003) is highly dependent on GM-CSF (Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor). However, NGF can also induce the growth of TF-1 cells after binding to TrkA on the surface of TF-1 cells, so it does not need to rely on GM-CSF.

[0164] TF-1 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 culture medium (HyClone, SH30027) containing 10% FBS (Gibco, 10091148) and 2 μg/mL GM-CSF (R&D, 215-GM-010), and cells were collected in logarithmic growth phase, and washed thoroughly to remove the GM-CSF in the original medium. Resuspended in medium without GM-CSF, and 5000 cells per well were diluted in 80 μl medium and plated onto the white transparent bottom 96-well cell culture plate (Corning, 3610). Anti-NGF antibody was 4-fold serially diluted, from 400 μg/mL (2666.67 nM) to prepare 10 concentrations, mixed with an equal volume of 50 ng/mL human NGF, incubated for 0.5 hours, and 20 μL was added to cells in the 96-well plate. After incubating in an incubator at 37° C., 5% CO.sub.2 for 72 hours, 100 μL of CellTiter-Glo® Cell Viability Detection Reagent (Promega, G7573) was added, and the cells were shaken and disrupted. Optical luminescence signals were then read by using a Multimode Reader (SpectraMax).

[0165] As shown in FIG. 3, all the three anti-NGF antibodies are capable of inhibiting the proliferation of TF-1 cells induced by human NGF, and the IC50 values are shown in Table 5.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Anti-NGF antibodies inhibiting NGF-induced proliferation of TF-1 cell IC50 Antibody 43E5 137H8 138E12 IC50 (nM) 0.083 0.123 0.077

[0166] B. Assay of NGF-induced proliferation of TrkA/Ba/F3 cells

[0167] The growth of Ba/F3 cells involves two pathways: IL3-dependent and IL3-independent. The IL3-independent growth requires Ba/F3 cells to stably express active kinases. Ba/F3 cells expressing full-length human TrkA (TrkA/Ba/F3) were constructed, and the proliferation of such cells requires the addition of NGF for induction.

[0168] TrkA/Ba/F3 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 culture medium containing 10% FBS and 100 ng/mL NGF. The cells were collected and washed thoroughly to remove NGF in the original growth medium, 3000 cells per well were resuspended in 80 μL of NGF-free medium and plated on the white transparent bottom 96-well cell culture plate (Corning, 3610). The human NGF was mixed with serially diluted antibody and added to the cells in a 96-well plate. The final concentration of NGF was 5 ng/mL, and the final concentration of serially diluted anti-NGF antibody was up to 40 μg/mL (266.67 nM). After incubating cells in an incubator at 37° C., 5% CO.sub.2 for 48 hours, CellTiter-Glo® Cell Viability Detection Reagent (Promega, G7573) was added, and the cells were shaken and disrupted. Optical luminescence signals were then read by using a Multimode Reader (SpectraMax).

[0169] During the process of observing the growth of TrkA/Ba/F3 cells, the cells added with human NGF can proliferate normally; the three anti-NFG antibodies can inhibit the proliferation of TrkA/Ba/F3 cells induced by NGF, and the inhibitory effect was increased with the increase of the concentration (FIG. 4). IC50 values are as shown in Table 6.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Anti-NGF antibodies inhibiting NGF-induced proliferation of TrkA/Ba/F3 cells IC50 Antibody 43E5 137H8 138E12 IC50 (nM) 0.096 0.083 0.098

[0170] C. Detection of reporter gene expression induced by NGF in TrkA/NFAT-bla/CHO cells

[0171] The binding of NGF to the transmembrane receptor TrkA can activate the downstream phospholipase C (PLC), which leads to the increase of intracellular calcium concentration and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) through a series of signaling transduction, and finally promotes the transportation of the nuclear factor and activated T cell nuclear factor (NFAT) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, thereby initiating the expression of NFAT-dependent gene. The gene encoding human TrkA is integrated into the genome of TrkA/NFAT-bla/CHO cells (ThermoFisher, K1516), and an NFAT response element is inserted upstream of the reporter gene β-lactamase (β-bla) gene. When the NGF-TrkA pathway is activated, the cells will express β-lactamase under the control of NFAT, and the activity of β-lactamase can reflect the degree of the activation of the NGF-TrkA pathway.

[0172] TrkA-NFAT-bla/CHO cells were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions, and 10,000 cells per well were plated into a 384-well plate and cultured overnight. The human NGF was mixed with serially diluted antibody, incubate at room temperature for 0.5 h, and then add them to the cells, so that the final action concentration of NGF was 80 ng/mL. The final concentration of serially diluted NGF antibody was up to 40 μg/mL (266.67 nM). After culturing for 5 hours in an incubator at 37° C., 5% CO.sub.2, LiveBLAzer™ FRET-B/G β-lactamase substrate CCF4 (ThermoFisher, K1095) prepared according to the manual was added to the cells, and kept in the dark at room temperature for 2 hours. Read the signal by a Multimode Reader (SpectraMax).

[0173] The results show that all the three anti-NGF antibodies can inhibit the activation of human NGF-triggered signaling pathway (FIG. 5), and the IC50 values are shown in Table 7.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Anti-NGF antibodies inhibiting reporter gene expression in TrkA/NFAT-bla/CHQ cells IC50 Antibody 43E5 137H8 138E12 EC50 (nM) 0.0532 0.0859 0.0442

[0174] Example 6: Detection of anti-NGF antibody specificity

[0175] A. ELISA detection of murine anti-NGF antibody binding to NGF homo-family proteins

[0176] Each well of a 96-well microtiter plate was coated with 50 ng of human NGF (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 11050-HNAC), human BDNF (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 50240-MNAS), human NT-3 (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 10286-HNAE), or human NT-4 (Alomone, N-270). The bindings of the murine anti-NGF antibodies to human NGF and three homo-family proteins were detected according to the method described in Example 2.

[0177] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the three murine anti-NGF antibodies have high affinity to NGF (FIG. 6A), and antibodies 43E5 and 138E12 do not substantially bind to BDNF (FIG. 6B), NT-3 (FIG. 6C), and NT-4 (FIG. 6D). Antibody 137H8 binds weakly to the three NGF homo-family proteins (FIGS. 6B-6D).

[0178] B. Murine anti-NGF antibody specifically inhibits reporter gene expression in TrkA-NFAT-bla/CHO cells

[0179] As in Example 5C, TrkA-NFAT-bla/CHO cells, TrkB-NFAT-bla/CHO cells (ThermoFisher, K1491) and TrkC-NFAT-bla/CHO cells (ThermoFisher, K1515) were prepared according to the manufacturer's instruction.

[0180] The antibodies of the present invention were diluted to 40 μg/mL (266.67 nM), and mixed with human NGF or human BDNF (for TrkB-NFAT-bla/CHO cells), or human NT-3 (for TrkC-NFAT-bla/CHO cells) and incubated at room temperature for 0.5 h before adding to the cells. After 5 hours of incubation, LiveBLAzer™ FRET-BIG β-lactamase substrate CCF4 prepared according to the manual was added to the cells, and kept in the dark at room temperature for 2 hours. The signals were read by a Multimode Reader.

[0181] The three anti-NGF antibodies can inhibit the subsequent signaling caused by the binding of NGF to TrkA, without affecting the signaling of BDNF and TrkB, and NT-3 and TrkC (FIG. 6E);

[0182] It should be noted that, compared to Pfizer/Lilly's NGF antibody Tanezumab, the three anti-NGF antibodies of the present application, especially the antibodies 43E5 and 138E12, do not bind to the NGF homo-family antibodies, i.e., BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4, whereas Tanezumab exhibits obviously cross-binding effect on NT-3 and NT-4, that is, the specificity of 43E5 and 138E12 of the present application is better than that of Tanezumab, and the expected clinical adverse reaction is better than that of Tanezumab.

[0183] Example 7: Epitope grading of anti-NGF antibodies 43E5 and 138E12

[0184] Whether the two anti-NGF antibodies 43E5 and 138E12 competitively bind to NGF was determined by using the biomolecular interaction detection platform Fortebio Ocete RED96. Biotin-labeled human NGF was immobilized by SA (Streptavidin) Biosensor. The first loading step was to monitor the binding of antibody 138E12. The second loading step was to continue to monitor the binding of 138E12 or 43E5. Finally, buffer (1X Kinetics Buffer: PBS+0.1% BSA+0.05% Tween 20) was added for dissociation.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 7, 43E5 and 138E12 can bind to human NGF simultaneously in a non-competitive manner.

[0186] Example 8: Sequencing and sequence analysis of variable region of murine anti-NGF antibody

[0187] Total RNA of hybridoma cells was extracted by using TRIzol kit (Ambion, 15596-026), and was used as a template to synthesize the first-strand cDNA (Takara). The antibody light chain and heavy chain fragments were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and the amplified fragments were cloned into standard vectors respectively. After sequencing, the sequences of the heavy chain and light chain variable regions of the anti-NGF antibodies 43E5, 137H8, and 138E12 obtained are as follows:

TABLE-US-00008 Anti-NGF antibody 43E5: (SEQ ID NO: 1) Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: QVQLQQSGAELVRPGASVTLSCKASGYTFTDYEMHWVRQTPVHGLEWIG AIDPETGGTAYNQKFKGKATLTADKSSSTAYMELRSLTSEDSAVYYCRR GANLNHYGNDEGSYWGQGTLVTVSA Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 2) CAGGTTCAACTGCAGCAGTCTGGGGCTGAGCTGGTGAGGCCTGGGGCTT CAGTGACGCTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCGGGCTACACATTTACTGACTATGA AATGCACTGGGTGAGGCAGACACCTGTGCATGGCCTGGAATGGATTGGA GCTATTGATCCTGAAACTGGTGGTACTGCCTACAATCAGAAGTTCAAGG GCAAGGCCACACTGACTGCAGACAAATCCTCCAGCACAGCCTACATGGA GCTCCGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCCGTCTATTACTGTAGAAGA GGGGCAAATCTTAATCACTATGGTAACGACGAGGGTTCTTACTGGGGCC AAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTCTGCA Amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 3) DVVMTQTPLTLSVTIGQPASISCKSSQSLLHSVGKTYLNWLLQRPGQSP KRLIYLVSKLDSGVPDRFTGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDLGVYFCWQGTH LPQTFGGGTKLEIK Nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 4) GATGTTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCACTCACTTTGTCGGTTACCATTGGAC AACCAGCCTCCATCTCTTGTAAGTCAAGTCAGAGCCTCTTACATAGTGT TGGAAAGACATATTTGAATTGGTTGTTACAGAGGCCAGGCCAGTCTCCA AAGCGCCTAATCTATCTGGTGTCTAAACTGGACTCTGGAGTCCCTGACA GGTTCACTGGCAGTGGATCAGGGACAGATTTCACACTGAAAATCAGCAG AGTGGAGGCTGAGGATTTGGGAGTTTATTTTTGCTGGCAAGGTACACAT CTTCCTCAGACGTTCGGTGGAGGCACCAAGCTGGAAATCAAA Anti-NGF antibody 137H8: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 5) QVQLKESGPGLVAPSQSLSITCTVSGFSLTGYAVNWVRQPPGKGLEWLG MIWFDGSTDYNSALKSRLSISKDNSKSQVFLKMNSLQTDDTARYYCARD YYGSSWYFDVWGAGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 6) CAGGTGCAGCTGAAGGAGTCAGGACCTGGCCTGGTGGCGCCCTCACAGA GCCTGTCCATCACATGCACCGTCTCAGGGTTCTCATTAACCGGCTATGC TGTAAACTGGGTTCGCCAGCCTCCAGGAAAGGGTCTGGAGTGGCTGGGA ATGATATGGTTTGATGGAAGCACAGACTATAATTCAGCTCTCAAATCCA GACTGAGCATCAGCAAGGACAACTCCAAGAGCCAAGTTTTCTTAAAAAT GAACAGTCTGCAAACTGATGACACAGCCAGGTACTACTGTGCCAGAGAC TACTACGGTAGTAGCTGGTACTTCGATGTCTGGGGCGCAGGGACCACGG TCACCGTCTCCTCA Amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 7) DIQMTQTTSSLSASLGDRVTISCRASQDISYYLNWYQQKPDGTVKLLIY YTSRLHSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYSLTISNLEQEDIATYFCQQGNTLPRTF GGGTKLDIK Nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 8) GATATCCAGATGACACAGACTACATCCTCCCTGTCTGCCTCTCTGGGAG ACAGAGTCACCATCAGTTGCAGGGCAAGTCAGGACATTAGCTATTATTT AAACTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGATGGAACTGTTAAACTCCTGATCTAC TACACATCAAGATTACACTCAGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTG GGTCTGGAACAGATTATTCTCTCACCATTAGCAACCTGGAGCAAGAAGA TATTGCCACTTACTTTTGCCAACAGGGTAATACGCTTCCTCGGACGTTC GGTGGAGGCACCAAGCTGGACATCAAA Anti-NGF antibody 138E12: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 9) QVQLKESGPGLVAPSQSLSITCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWVRQPPGKGLEWLG MIWFDGSTDYNSALKSRLSISKDNSKSQVFLKMNSLQTDDTARYYCARE GYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTLTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 10) CAGGTGCAGCTGAAGGAGTCAGGACCTGGCCTGGTGGCGCCCTCACAGA GCCTGTCCATCACATGCACCGTCTCAGGGTTCTCATTAACCGGCTATGG TGTAAACTGGGTTCGCCAGCCTCCAGGAAAGGGTCTGGAGTGGCTGGGA ATGATATGGTTTGATGGAAGCACAGACTATAATTCAGCTCTCAAATCCA GACTGAGCATCAGCAAGGACAACTCCAAGAGCCAAGTTTTCTTAAAAAT GAACAGTCTGCAAACTGATGACACAGCCAGGTACTACTGTGCCAGAGAG GGTTATTACTACGGTACTACCTACTACTTTGACTACTGGGGCCAAGGCA CCACTCTCACAGTCTCCTCA Amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 11) DIQMTQTTSSLSASLGDRVTISCRASQDISNYLNWYQQKPDGTVKLLIY YTSRLHSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDYSLTISNLEQEDIATYFCQQGNTLPRTF GGGTKLEIK Nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 12) GATATCCAGATGACACAGACTACATCCTCCCTGTCTGCCTCTCTGGGAG ACAGAGTCACCATCAGTTGCAGGGCAAGTCAGGACATTAGCAATTATTT AAACTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGATGGAACTGTTAAACTCCTGATCTAC TACACATCAAGATTACACTCAGGAGTCCCATCAAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTG GGTCTGGAACAGATTATTCTCTCACCATTAGCAACCTGGAGCAAGAAGA TATTGCCACTTACTTTTGCCAACAGGGTAATACGCTTCCTCGGACGTTC GGTGGAGGCACCAAGCTGGAAATCAAA

[0188] The CDRs defined by the Kabat and IMGT systems were obtained by sequence analysis. The following table (Table 8) lists the CDRs of the three anti-NGF antibodies based on the definitions by the Kabat and IMGT systems.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Definition of antibody CDR Antibody heavy chain CDR: CDR defined according to Kabat system is shown in black and bold; CDR defined by IMGT is underlined. Clone SEQ SEQ SEQ No. CDR-H1 ID No. CDR-H2 ID No. CDR-H3 ID No. 43E5 GYTFTDYEMH 13 AIDPETGGTAYNOKFKG 14 RRGANLNHYGNDEGSY 15 137H8 GFSLTGYAVN 16 MIWFDGSTDYNSALKS 17 ARDYYGSSWYFDV 18 138E12 GFSLTGYGVN 19 MIWFDGSTDYNSALKS 20 AREGYYYGTTYYFDY 21 Antibody light chain CDR: CDR defined according to Kabat system is shown in black and bold; CDR defined by IMGT is underlined. Clone SEQ SEQ SEQ No. CDR-L1 ID No. CDR-L2 ID No. CDR-L3 ID No. 43E5 KSSQSLLHSVGKTYLN 22 LVSKLDS 23 WQGTHLPQT 24 137H8 RASQDISYYLN 25 YTSRLHS 26 QQGNTLPRT 27 138E12 RASQDISNYLN 28 YTSRLHS 29 QQGNTLPRT 30

[0189] Example 9: The effect of anti-NGF antibody on CFA-induced inflammatory pain in mice

[0190] C57BL/6 mice (Zhejiang Weitong Lihua Laboratory Animal Technology Co., Ltd.), male, SPF grade, 6-8 weeks old, were kept for 5-day adaptive feeding. After the adaptation period, the animals were divided into 3 groups, namely the normal saline group, the anti-NGF antibody 43E5 group, and the anti-NGF antibody 138E12 group, with 10 animals in each group. Before the injection of the modeling agent CFA into the planta of mice, VonFrey was used to measure the pain threshold for 3 times (with an interval of no less than 10 minutes), and the average value of the 3 measurements was taken as the basal pain threshold (FIG. 8A).

[0191] On the next day, mice were injected with 25 νl of CFA into the planta of the left hind foot to induce inflammation (the ratio of CFA and liquid paraffin was 1:1). After the toes were significantly swollen (about 24 hours after modeling), the pain threshold of the left hind foot of the mouse was detected for 3 times in the same way, and the average value was taken as the pain threshold of pre-administration (FIG. 8B).

[0192] Subsequently, each group were subcutaneously injected with normal saline, anti-NGF antibody 43E5, and anti-NGF antibody 138E12 at a dose of 10 mg/kg, and the pain threshold was measured once at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post administration (FIGS. 8C-8E). The effects of the test substances on pain threshold were evaluated.

[0193] The results are shown in FIGS. 8A-8E. Both anti-NGF antibody 43E5 and 138E12 can significantly improve the decrease of the pain threshold induced by CFA at 24 h, 48h and 72 h post administration, and there are statistical differences compared to the normal saline group.

[0194] Example 10: Humanization and characterization of murine anti-NGF antibody

[0195] A. Humanization of Antibodies

[0196] Humanization was carried out according to the light chain variable region (VL) and heavy chain variable region (VH) sequences of the antibodies secreted by the hybridoma cells obtained above. The amino acid sequences of murine antibody VL and VH were aligned and searched in the human embryonic antibody amino acid sequence database, to find human IGHV and IGKV sequences with high homology as humanization templates. The potential steric hindrance and interaction between the amino acids of the variable region and the framework region are analyzed by computer simulation technology, to determine the amino acids in the framework region that are critical for maintaining the activity of the humanized antibody. Such amino acids were retained during the humanization process. Humanization of the light and heavy chain variable regions was accomplished by CDR grafting technology. Then, the following humanized antibodies were obtained with the selected antibody constant region templates. Anti-NGF antibody 43E5 uses human IGHV1-2 as the heavy chain variable region template and human IGKV2-30 as the light chain variable region template, to obtain antibodies 43E5-01 and 43E5-02. Human IGHV1-69 was used as the heavy chain variable region template and human IGKV2-30 was used as the light chain variable region template to obtain antibodies 43E5-05 and 43E5-06. The four antibodies 43E5-01, 43E5-02, 43E5-05 and 43E5-06 share the same light chain variable region sequence. Anti-NGF antibody 138E12 uses human IGHV4-59 as the heavy chain variable region template and human IGKV1-39 as the light chain variable region template, to obtain antibodies 138E12-01 and 138E12-02. The antibodies 138E12-01 and 138E12-02 have the same amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region, and different amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region. In addition, since antibodies 138E12-01 and 138E12-02 comprise isomerization site DG and deamidation site NS in the heavy chain complementarity determining region sequence, the heavy chain variable regions of these antibodies were further engineered in order to remove the potential impact of the above sites on the antibodies. 138E12-01 was used as a template, and in VH, DG.sub.54-55 was mutated to EG.sub.54-55, NS.sub.60-61 was mutated to QS.sub.60-61, or DG.sub.54-55 was mutated to EG.sub.54-55 and NS.sub.60-61 was mutated to QS.sub.60-61, thereby resulting in the antibodies 138E12-08, 138E12-09 and 138E12-10, respectively. 138E12-02 was used as a template, and in VH, DG.sub.54-55 was mutated to EG.sub.54-55, DG.sub.54-55 was mutated to DA.sub.54-55, NS.sub.60-61 was mutated to QS.sub.60-61, NS.sub.60-61 was mutated to NT.sub.60-61, or DG.sub.54-55 was mutated to EG.sub.54-55 and NS.sub.60-61 was mutated to QS.sub.60-61, thereby resulting in antibodies 138E12-03, 138E12-04, 138E12-05, 138E12-06 and 138E12-11. 138E12-07 was obtained by using human IGHV4-59 as the heavy chain variable region and human IGKV1-39 as the light chain variable region, where the framework region sequence of the heavy chain variable region was fully derived from human, without murine amino acids, however, in its heavy chain complementarity determining region, DG.sub.54-55 was mutated to EG.sub.54-55 and NS.sub.60-61 was mutated to QS.sub.60-61.

[0197] The humanized antibody heavy chain and light chain were separately genetically synthesized, and then ligated into the corresponding plasmid after enzyme digestion. The constructed plasmid was transiently transfected into CHO cells for expression. After 7-10 days of expression, the cell culture supernatant was purified using Mab Select column (GE Healthcare) equilibrated with a corresponding buffer (such as phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4)), and then eluted with sodium citrate or other buffers. The resulting antibodies can be identified by SDS-PAGE or SEC-HPLC for purity and other subsequent characterization studies.

[0198] The variable region amino acid sequences of the antibodies described above are shown in Table 9:

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Humanized antibody variable region sequences of anti-NGF antibodies 43E5, 138E12 Heavy chain Light chain Amino acid Nucleic acid Amino acid Nucleic acid sequence sequence sequence sequence Antibody of the of the of the of the number heavy chain: heavy drain: light drain: light drain: 43E5-01 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 33 NO: 34 NO: 31 NO: 32 43E5-02 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 35 NO: 36 43E5-05 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 37 NO: 38 43E5-06 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 39 NO: 40 138E12-01 SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 43 NO: 44 NO: 41 NO: 42 138E12-02 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 45 NO: 46 138E12-03 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 47 NO: 48 138E12-04 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 49 NO: 50 138E12-05 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 51 NO: 52 138E12-06 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 53 NO: 54 138E12-07 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 55 NO: 56 138E12-08 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 57 NO: 58 138E12-09 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 59 NO: 60 138E12-10 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 61 NO: 62 138E12-11 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 63 NO: 64

[0199] Humanized antibody variable region sequences of anti-NGF antibody 43E5

[0200] The humanized antibodies 43E5-01, 43E5-02, 43E5-05 and 43E5-06 from anti-NGF antibody 43E5 comprise the same light chain.

TABLE-US-00011 Amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 31) DVVMTQSPLSLPVTLGQPASISCKSSQSLLHSVGKTYLNWLQQRPGQSPR RLIYLVSKLDSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDVGVYFCWQGTHLP QTFGGGTKVEIK Nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 32) GACGTGGTCATGACACAGAGCCCACTGTCTCTGCCTGTGACCCTGGGACA GCCAGCCTCTATCTCCTGCAAGTCCAGCCAGTCCCTGCTGCACAGCGTGG GCAAGACATACCTGAACTGGCTGCAGCAGAGGCCAGGACAGAGCCCAAGG CGGCTGATCTATCTGGTGTCTAAGCTGGACTCCGGCGTGCCTGATAGATT CAGCGGCTCTGGCTCCGGCACCGACTTTACACTGAAGATCTCTCGCGTGG AGGCTGAGGATGTGGGCGTGTACTTCTGTTGGCAGGGCACCCATCTGCCA CAGACATTTGGCGGCGGCACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAG 43E5-01: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 33) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTDYEMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGA IDPETGGTAYNQKFKGRVTMTADKSISTAYMELSRLRSDDTAVYYCRRGA NLNHYGNDEGSYWGQGTLVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 34) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAGTCCGGAGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCAGGAGCCTC CGTGAAGGTGTCTTGCAAGGCCTCCGGCTACACCTTCACAGACTATGAGA TGCACTGGGTGAGGCAGGCTCCAGGACAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGAGCT ATCGATCCTGAGACCGGAGGAACAGCTTACAACCAGAAGTTTAAGGGCAG AGTGACCATGACAGCCGACAAGTCTATCTCCACCGCTTATATGGAGCTGA GCAGACTGCGCTCTGACGATACAGCCGTGTACTATTGTAGGCGGGGCGCT AACCTGAATCATTACGGCAATGATGAGGGCTCCTATTGGGGCCAGGGCAC CCTGGTGACAGTGTCCAGC 43E5-02: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 35) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTDYEMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGA IDPETGGTAYNQKFKGRATLTADKSISTAYMELSRLRSDDTAVYYCRRGA NLNHYGNDEGSYWGQGTLVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 36) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAGTCCGGAGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCAGGAGCCTC CGTGAAGGTGTCTTGCAAGGCCTCCGGCTACACCTTCACAGACTATGAGA TGCACTGGGTGAGGCAGGCTCCAGGACAGGGACTGGAGTGGATCGGAGCT ATCGATCCTGAGACCGGAGGAACAGCTTACAACCAGAAGTTTAAGGGCAG AGCCACCCTGACAGCTGACAAGTCTATCTCCACCGCCTATATGGAGCTGA GCAGACTGCGCTCTGACGATACAGCCGTGTACTATTGTAGGCGGGGCGCT AACCTGAATCATTACGGCAATGATGAGGGCTCCTATTGGGGCCAGGGCAC CCTGGTGACAGTGTCCAGC 43E5-05: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 37) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYEMHWVRQAPGQGLEWMGA IDPETGGTAYNQKFKGRVTITADKSTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCRRGA NLNHYGNDEGSYWGQGTLVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 38) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAGTCCGGAGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCAGGCTCCAG CGTGAAGGTGTCTTGCAAGGCTTCCGGCTACACCTTCACAGACTATGAGA TGCACTGGGTGAGGCAGGCTCCAGGACAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGAGCT ATCGATCCTGAGACCGGAGGAACAGCTTACAACCAGAAGTTTAAGGGCAG AGTGACCATCACAGCCGACAAGTCCACCAGCACAGCTTATATGGAGCTGT CTTCCCTGCGCAGCGAGGATACCGCCGTGTACTATTGTAGGCGGGGCGCT AACCTGAATCATTACGGCAATGACGAGGGCTCTTATTGGGGCCAGGGCAC CCTGGTGACAGTGAGCTCT 43E5-06: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 39) QVQLVQSGAEVKKPGSSVKVSCKASGYTFTDYEMHWVRQAPGQGLEWIGA IDPETGGTAYNQKFKGRATLTADKSTSTAYMELSSLRSEDTAVYYCRRGA NLNHYGNDEGSYWGQGTLVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 40) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAGTCCGGAGCTGAGGTGAAGAAGCCAGGCTCCAG CGTGAAGGTGTCTTGCAAGGCTTCCGGCTACACCTTCACAGACTATGAGA TGCACTGGGTGAGGCAGGCTCCAGGACAGGGACTGGAGTGGATCGGAGCT ATCGATCCTGAGACCGGAGGAACAGCTTACAACCAGAAGTTTAAGGGCAG AGCCACCCTGACAGCTGACAAGTCCACCAGCACAGCTTATATGGAGCTGT CTTCCCTGCGCAGCGAGGATACCGCCGTGTACTATTGTAGGCGGGGCGCT AACCTGAATCATTACGGCAATGACGAGGGCTCTTATTGGGGCCAGGGCAC CCTGGTGACAGTGAGCTCT

[0201] Humanized antibody variable region sequences of anti-NGF antibody 138E12

[0202] The humanized antibodies 138E12-01, 138E12-02, 138E12-03, 138E12-04, 138E12-05, 138E12-06, 138E12-07, 138E12-08, 138E12-09, 138E12-10 and 138E12-11 of anti-NGF antibody 30 138E12 comprise the same light chain.

TABLE-US-00012 Amino acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 41) DIQMTQSPSSLSASVGDRVTITCRASQDISNYLNWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYYTSRLHSGVPSRFSGSGSGTDY TLTISSLQPEDFATYFCQQGNTLPRTFGGGTKVEIK Nucleic acid sequence of the light chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 42) GACATCCAGATGACCCAGAGCCCCAGCAGCCTGAGCGCCAGCGTGGGCGACAGAGTGACCATCACCTGCAG AGCCAGCCAGGACATCAGCAACTACCTGAACTGGTACCAGCAGAAGCCCGGCAAGGCCCCCAAGCTGCTGA TCTACTACACCAGCAGACTGCACAGCGGCGTGCCCAGCAGATTCAGCGGCAGCGGCAGCGGCACCGACTAC ACCCTGACCATCAGCAGCCTGCAGCCCGAGGACTTCGCCACCTACTTCTGCCAGCAGGGCAACACCCTGCC CAGAACCTTCGGCGGCGGCACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAG 138E12-01: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 43) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWIGMIWFDGSTDYNSALKSRVTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 44) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGA TCGGCATGATCTGGTTCGACGGCAGCACCGACTACAACAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGAGTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-02: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 45) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWLGMIWFDGSTDYNSALKSRLTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 46) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGC TGGGCATGATCTGGTTCGACGGCAGCACCGACTACAACAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGACTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-03: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 47) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWLGMIWFEGSTDYNSALKSRLTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 48) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGC TGGGCATGATCTGGTTCGAGGGCAGCACCGACTACAACAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGACTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-04: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 49) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWLGMIWFDASTDYNSALKSRLTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 50) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGC TGGGCATGATCTGGTTCGACGCCAGCACCGACTACAACAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGACTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-05: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 51) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWLGMIWFDGSTDYQSALKSRLTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 52) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGC TGGGCATGATCTGGTTCGACGGCAGCACCGACTACCAGAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGACTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-06: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 53) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWLGMIWFDGSTDYNTALKSRLTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 54) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGC TGGGCATGATCTGGTTCGACGGCAGCACCGACTACAACACCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGACTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-07: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 55) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWIGMIWFEGSTDYQSALKSRVTISV DTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 56) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGA TCGGCATGATCTGGTTCGAGGGCAGCACCGACTACCAGAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGAGTGACCATCAGCGTG GACACCAGCAAGAACCAGTTCAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-08: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 57) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWIGMIWFEGSTDYNSALKSRVTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 58) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGA TCGGCATGATCTGGTTCGAGGGCAGCACCGACTACAACAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGAGTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-09: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 59) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWIGMIWFDGSTDYQSALKSRVTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 60) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGA TCGGCATGATCTGGTTCGACGGCAGCACCGACTACCAGAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGAGTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-10: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 61) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWIGMIWFEGSTDYQSALKSRVTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 62) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGA TCGGCATGATCTGGTTCGAGGGCAGCACCGACTACCAGAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGAGTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC 138E12-11: Amino acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 63) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSETLSLTCTVSGFSLTGYGVNWIRQPPGKGLEWLGMIWFEGSTDYQSALKSRLTISK DNSKSQVSLKLSSVTAADTAVYYCAREGYYYGTTYYFDYWGQGTTVTVSS Nucleic acid sequence of the heavy chain variable region: (SEQ ID NO: 64) CAGGTGCAGCTGCAGGAGAGCGGCCCCGGCCTGGTGAAGCCCAGCGAGACCCTGAGCCTGACCTGCACCGT GAGCGGCTTCAGCCTGACCGGCTACGGCGTGAACTGGATCAGACAGCCCCCCGGCAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGC TGGGCATGATCTGGTTCGAGGGCAGCACCGACTACCAGAGCGCCCTGAAGAGCAGACTGACCATCAGCAAG GACAACAGCAAGAGCCAGGTGAGCCTGAAGCTGAGCAGCGTGACCGCCGCCGACACCGCCGTGTACTACTG CGCCAGAGAGGGCTACTACTACGGCACCACCTACTACTTCGACTACTGGGGCCAGGGCACCACCGTGACCG TGAGCAGC

[0203] B. Characterization of humanized anti-NGF antibody 1) The binding of humanized antibody to human NGF

[0204] The affinity and specificity of humanized antibody were investigated by using human NGF as an antigen (Beijing Yiqiao Shenzhou Technology Co., Ltd., 11050-HNAC). NGF was diluted with 35 coating solution (PBS), and each well of 96-well microtiter plate was coated with 50 ng, after washing and blocking, and then added with serially diluted antibodies, and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. After washing three times, HRP-conjugated donkey anti-human IgG antibody (Biolegend) was added and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. After washing three times, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB, Biolegend) was added for color development. 1M HC1 was 40 used to terminate the color development, and the absorbance values were read at 450 nm with a microplate reader.

[0205] The binding results are shown in Table 10 and FIGS. 9A-9B. All the humanized antibodies of different sequences have similar binding to human NGF, and the degree of binding is comparable to that of human-mouse chimeric antibody (which contains variable regions of murine anti-NGF 45 antibody and constant regions of human antibody).

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 10 Humanized anti-NGF antibody binding EC50 to human NG Antibody  43E5-01  43E5-02  43E5-05  43E5-06  43E5-chi — EC50 (nM) 0.229 0.222 0.214 0.192 0.104 — Antibody 138E12-01 138E12-02 138E12-03 138E12-04 138E12-05 138E12-06 EC50 (nM) 0.0403 0.0420 0.0392 0.0570 0.0634 0.0500 Antibody 138E12-07 138E12-08 138E12-09 138E12-10 138E12-11 138E12-Chi EC50 (nM) 0.0340 0.0253 0.0270 0.0184 0.0324 0.0454

[0206] 2) Humanized antibody binding to other NGF family proteins

[0207] The binding of the humanized anti-NGF antibody to human NGF and to three homo-family proteins was detected according to the ELISA method described in Example 6A. The results are shown in the FIGS. 10A-10H, the humanized antibodies have high affinity to NGF (FIGS. 10A and 10B), and substantially do not bind to BDNF (FIGS. 10C and 10D), NT-3 (FIGS. 10E and 10F) or NT-4 (FIGS. 10G and 10H).

[0208] 3) NGF induced TF-1 cell proliferation assay

[0209] The neutralizing activity of the humanized anti-NGF antibodies was detected by proliferation of TF-1 cells as described in Example 5A. The results are shown in re 11, all the humanized antibodies can inhibit the proliferation of TF-1 cells induced by NGF, and most of the humanized antibodies have inhibitory ability comparable to that of the human-mouse chimeric antibody. The IC50 values are shown in Table 11.

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 11 IC50 values of the humanized anti-NGF antibodies inhibiting NGF-induced proliferation of TF-1 cell Antibody  43E5-01  43E5-02  43E5-05  43E5-06  43E5-chi — IC50 (nM) 0.582 0.534 0.701 0.568 0.255 — Antibody 138E12-01 138E12-02 138E12-03 138E12-04 138E12-05 138E12-06 IC50 (nM) 0.030 0.064 0.130 0.112 0.136 0.125 Antibody 138E12-07 138E12-08 138E12-09 138E12-10 138E12-11 138E12-Chi IC50 (nM) 0.214 0.067 0.035 0.031 0.062 0.074

[0210] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described. Various improvements, modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and these improvements, modifications and changes are all within the scope of the invention.