Appeal No. 2005-1504
Application No. 09/820,099
The references relied upon by the examiner are:
Shen et al. (Shen) WO 98/23646 Jun. 4, 1998
Monteiro et al., “Cellular Distribution, Regulation, and Biochemical Nature of An Fc"
Receptor in Humans,” J. Exp. Med, vol. 171, pp. 597-613 (March 1990).
Claims 1 and 6-12 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being
unpatentable over Shen,2 Monteiro and the teachings of the specification.
Background
Antibodies are part of a class of proteins known as immunoglobulins.
Immunoglobulins are produced by the immune system in response to antigens; i.e.,
substances which are recognized as foreign by the body. Consequently, they are one
of the body’s most important defenses against disease.
There are five immunoglobulin isotypes- IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM and IgE. IgG is the
predominant isotype in human serum, but most of the immunoglobulin-producing cells in
the various mucosal and exocrine sites and along the intestinal tract make IgA
antibodies. IgA occurs in different molecular forms (monomeric, polymeric and
secretory) and subclasses (IgA1 and IgA2). Prior to the present invention, secretory IgA
(dimeric IgA) was known to interfere with microbial adherence to epithelial cells in the
intestines by forming a coat around the microorganism. According to the specification,
“the present invention is based on the discovery that monomeric (serum) IgA plays a
2 We point out that the author’s last name in the publication which both the
examiner and the appellant refer to as “Shen” is “Li.” That is, the first author’s name is
Shen Li. Nevertheless, for purposes of consistency, we have also referred to the
publication as “Shen.”
2
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