Appeal No. 2005-1504
Application No. 09/820,099
previously unknown important role in systemic immunity by virtue of its interaction with
Fc"R [IgA Fc receptor] expressed on Kupffer cells and other Fc"R-expressing cells
(e.g., neutrophils) present at the interface of the mucosal and systemic immune systems
(e.g., the sinusoidal lining of the liver).” Specification, p. 2, lines
20-24.
With respect to the Fc"R, the specification discloses that “[a] single class of IgA
receptor, Fc"RI or CD89, which binds to monomeric IgA” had “been identified and
characterized” by prior investigators. Id., p. 1, lines 6-7. It was also known in the art
that (I) “Fc"RI is constitutively expressed primarily of cytotoxic immune effector cells
including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils” and that they are
“capable of promoting effector cell function” (id., lines 8-10 and 28-29); (ii) “[b]inding of
ligand to Fc"R triggers phagocytosis and antibody mediated cell cytotoxicity in
leukocytes and Fc"R-bearing cell lines” (lines 29-30); (iii) “Fc"RI binds both antigen-
complexed and monomeric (serum) IgAI and IgA2”; and (iv) “[c]ross-linking Fc"RI on
myeloid effector cells, by polymeric IgA, IgA immune complexes, or mAb specific for
epitopes within or outside the ligand binding domain, stimulates degranulation,
superoxide release, secretion of inflammatory cytokines, endocytosis and phagocytosis”
(line 35 - p. 2, line 4).
3
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