ANTI-SIGLEC-7 ANTIBODIES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present disclosure relates to anti-Siglec-7 antibodies and therapeutic uses of such antibodies.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin-7 (Siglec-7), is a type 1, immunoglobulin-like, transmembrane protein expressed on immune and hematopoietic cells, including immature and mature myeloid cells, such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, mast cells, and microglial cells, as well as lymphoid cells, such as natural killer cells, and subsets of T cells (Crocker et al. (2007) Nat Rev Immunol. 7:255-266; Angata and Varki (2000) Glycobiology 10:4: 431-438, Nicoll et al (1999) JBC 274:48: 34089-34095; Falco et al. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 190: 793-802). Siglec-7 is a member of the Siglec family of lectins that bind sialic acid residues of glycoproteins and glycolipids. One potential binding target for Siglec proteins are gangliosides; that is, glycolipids that consist of a ceramide linked to a sialylated glycan. Most gangliosides share a common lacto-ceramide core and one or more sialic acid residues. Diversity in the Siglec ligands is generated by the addition of other neutral sugars and sialic acid in different linkages, and modification of sialic acid itself.

[0003] Fourteen Siglec proteins have been identified in humans and nine in mice that are comprised of 2-17 extracellular Ig domains including an amino-terminal V-set domain that contains the sialic acid-binding site. The sialic acid-binding region is located on the V-set Ig-like domain, which contains a two aromatic residues and one arginine motif highly conserved in all Siglecs (Crocker et al. (2007) Nat Rev Immunol. 7:255-266; McMillan and Crocker (2008) Carbohydr Res. 343:2050-2056; Von Gunten and Bochner (2008) Ann NY Acad Sci. 1143:61-82; May et al. (1998) Mol Cell. 1:719-728; Crocker et al. (1999) Biochem J. 341:355-361; and Crocker and Varki (2001) Trends Immunol. 2:337-342). The binding sites to sialylated ligands have been mapped by crystal structures with and without ligand bound (Alphey et al., (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278:5: 3372-3377; Attrill et al., (2006) J. Biol. Chem.281 32774-32783; and Varki et al., Glycobiology, 16 pp. 1R-27R). Since cell membranes are rich in sialic acids, ligand binding by Siglecs can occur in cis and in trans, both affecting their functional properties. Each Siglec has a distinct preference for binding the diverse types of sialylated glycans that are found on the surface of mammalian cells (Crocker et al. (2007) Nat Rev Immunol. 7:255-266; and Crocker et al. (2007) Nat Rev Immunol. 7:255-266). Most Siglec proteins, including Siglec-7, contain one or more immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) sequences in their cytoplasmic tails, which enable them as inhibitory receptors and negative regulators of immune functions through recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2 (Crocker et al. (2007) Nat Rev Immunol. 7:255-266; McMillan and Crocker (2008) Carbohydr Res. 343:2050-2056; and Von Gunten and Bochner (2008) Ann NY Acad Sci. 1143:61-82). Certain Siglecs contain immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motif (ITAM) sequences in their cytoplasmic tails, which enable them to act as activating receptors and positive regulators of immune function through predicted recruitment of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) (Macauley SM. et al., (2014) Nature Reviews Immunology 14, 653-666). The Siglec protein family is associated with multiple human disease including, autoimmunity, susceptibility to infection, multiple types of cancer including lymphoma, leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative disorders, asthma, allergy, sepsis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, graft-versus-host disease, eosinophilia, and osteoporosis (Macauley SM. et al., (2014) Nature Reviews Immunology 14, 653-666).

[0004] Siglec-7 was cloned in 1999 (Falco et al. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 190: 793-802; Nicoll et al (1999) JBC 274:48: 34089-34095; Angata and Varki (2000) Glycobiology 10:4: 431-438), and selective expression was detected on granulocytes, monocytes, resting and activated natural killer cells and a subset of resting CD8 +< T cells in human peripheral blood (Nicoll et al (1999) JBC 274:48: 34089-34095; Falco et al. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 190: 793-802).

[0005] Siglec-7 contains an extracellular N-terminal Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) V-type domain, two Ig-like C2-set domains as well as one consensus ITIM motif and a non-conforming membrane-distal ITIM-like motif in its cytoplasmic domain. Siglec-7 was shown to bind red blood cells in a sialic acid dependent manner due to loss of binding upon sialidase treatment. The binding is thought to be mediated by α2-3 or α2-6 sialic acid linkages (Nicoll et al (1999) JBC 274:48: 34089-34095; Angata and Varki (2000) Glycobiology 10:4: 431-438). Further investigation revealed that Siglec-7 more potently binds α2-8 disialyl residues with 10nM affinity and demonstrates higher affinity for branched α2-6 sialyl residues compared to terminal α2-3 or α2-6 sialic acids (Yamaji (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277:8 6324-6332). In vivo Siglec-7 ligands are expressed on b-series gangliosides such as GD2, GD3, and GT1b, which can be found on cells of the central nervous system, melanoma cells, and subsets of T cells (Urmacher et al. (1989) Am. J. Dermatopathol. 11: 577-581, Kniep et al. (1993) Blood 82: 1776-1786). High resolution crystal structure of the N-terminal V-set Ig-like domain of Siglec-7 suggests that ligand binding specificity of Siglec family members resides in the variable C-C' loop (Alphey et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem 278:5 3372-3377).

[0006] Siglec-7 undergoes phosphorylation of Tyr-437, and Tyr-460 by tyrosine kinases, likely c-Src or Lck (Avril et al., (2004) J. Imm. 173: 6841-6849). Following phosphorylation predominantly on the proximal Tyr-437, but also on distal Tyr-460 of its ITIM domains, Siglec-7 binds SHP-2 / PTPN11 and SHP-1 / PTPN6 (Avril et al., (2004) J. Imm. 173: 6841-6849). Phosphatase activity is associated with decreased intracellular calcium mobilization, and decreased tyrosine phosphorylation on multiple proteins (Ulyanova, T., et al., (1999) Eur J Immunol 29, 3440-3449; Paul, S.P., et al., (2000). Blood 96, 483-490) as well as with blockade of signal transduction and immune response, in part, through dephosphorylation of signaling molecules on adjacent activating receptors, including those that contain ITAM motifs, pattern recognition receptors, Toll-like receptors and damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) receptors.

[0007] Some, but not all, Siglec ligands induce receptor downregulation (Macauley SM. et al., (2014) Nature Reviews Immunology 14, 653-666). Ligand-induced receptor degradation has been reported for tyrosine kinase receptors (Monsonego-Oran et al., (2002) Febs letters 528, 83-89; and Fasen et al., (2008) Cell & Molecular Biology 9. 251-266), as well as steroid receptors (Callige et al., (2005) Mol. Cell. Biol. 25. 4349-4358; and Pollenz et al., (2006) Chemico-Biological Interactions. 164. 49-59). Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) has been shown to compete with SHP-1 / 2 and binds Siglec-7 upon ITIM phosphorylation in the presence of Siglec-7 crosslinking (Orr et al. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282: 3418-3422). SOCS3 binding results in ECS E3 ligase targeting of Siglec-7 for proteasomeal degradation (Willams and Palmer (2012) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 40: 215-218; Orr et al. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282: 3418-3422).

[0008] Activation of Siglec-7 signaling has also been shown to be associated with an increase in production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1alpha, MIP-1beta, IL-8 and TNFalpha, as well as upregulation of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and CD49e selectively in human monocytes (Varchetta et al. (2012) PLOS One 7: 9: e45821). These activities of Siglec-7 appear to be mediated through the phosphorylation of ERK (Varchetta et al. (2012) PLOS One 7: 9: e45821). It has been proposed that the association between ITIM-containing Siglec receptors and activating receptors may be mediated by extracellular ligands that bind and bridge these receptors (Macauley SM. et al., (2014) Nature Reviews Immunology 14, 653-666).

[0009] Multiple studies indicate an inhibitory role for Siglec-7 in function of natural killer cells, regulation of T cell receptor signaling, and attenuation of signaling in DCs (Crocker et al., (2012) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 1253, 102-111; Pillai et al., (2012) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 30, 357-392; von Gunten and Bochner (2008) Ann. N Y Acad. Sci. 1143, 61-82; Ikehara et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279:41 43117-43125; Nicoll et al. (2003) Eur. J. Imm. 33:6:1642-1648; Hudak et al. (2013) Nat. Chem. Biol.; Bax et al. (2007) J. Imm 179: 12: 8216-8224; Lock et al. (2004) Immunobiology 209: 1-2:199-207). Functional studies in natural killer cells have demonstrated that tumor cells expressing Siglec-7 binding sialic acid ligands inhibit NK cell activation and tumor cell killing. Many human tumors robustly upregulate sialic acid ligands, which enables immune evasion and cancer progression (Jandus et al. (2014) J. Clinic. Invest. 124:4: 1810-1820). Moreover, Hudak et al. performed glycocalyx engineering and showed that cells coated with synthetic sialoside glycopolymers were protected from NK cytotoxicity. It is proposed that sialic acid upregulation on tumors facilitates a state of "super self" that strongly inhibits natural killer cell immunosurveillance (Macauley and Paulson (2014) Nat. Chem. Biol. 10:1: 7-8).

[0010] There is no apparent mouse homolog of Siglec-7; however mouse Siglec-E is 53% similar, therefore the closest related Siglec. In mice, genetic inactivation of Siglec-E does not lead to obvious developmental, histological, or behavioral abnormalities; and Siglec-E-deficient mice breed normally, indicating that Siglec-E is not an essential gene and that its function may be limited to innate immunity (McMillan et al. (2013) Blood 121:11: 2084-2094). Upon challenge of Siglec-E deficient mice with aerosol LPS, increased neutrophil recruitment in the lung was demonstrated, which could be reversed by blockade of the β2-integrin CD11b. The Siglec-E deficient neutrophils were shown to have increased phosphorylation of Syk and p38 MAPK in a CD11b-dependent manner. This data suggests that Siglec-E functions to suppress neutrophil recruitment in a model of acute lung inflammation (McMillan et al. (2013) Blood 121:11: 2084-2094).

[0011] In oncology, Siglec-7 has been suggested as a therapeutic target for chronic and acute myeloid leukemic as crosslinking Siglec-7 inhibited cellular proliferation (Vitale et al. (1999) PNAS 96: 15091-15096; Vitale et al. (2001) PNAS 98:10: 5764-5769). Siglec-7 activity has also been shown to inhibit cytokine-induced cellular proliferation (Orr et al. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282: 3418-3422).

[0012] Antibodies to Siglec-7 have been described in, for example, WO2011038301, Jandus et al. (2014) J. Clinical Invest. 124:4: 1810-1820, Varchetta et al. (2012) PLOS One 7: 9: e45821et al. (2012). Falco et al. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 190: 793-802, Nicoll et al (1999) JBC 274:48: 34089-34095, Nicoll et al. (2003) Eur. J. Imm. 33: 1642-1648. However, these antibodies do not display the functional characteristics required for a therapeutic antibody.

[0013] Accordingly, there is a need for therapeutic antibodies that specifically bind Siglec-7 and reduce Siglec-7 expression on the cell surface, reduce interactions between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and / or reduce one or more Siglec-7 activities in order to treat one or more diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with undesired Siglec-7 activity.

[0014] WO 01 / 44808 A1 relates to P75 / AIRM1 (Siglec-7) antibodies, for example the QA79 monoclonal antibody, and their use in diagnosis and treatment. Orr et al. (Journal of Biological Chemistry (2006) 282(6); 3418-3422) relates to the mechanism by which Siglec-7 is targeted for proteasomal degradation. WO 01 / 90193 A1 relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind to sialoadhesin factor-3. Varchetta et al. (Retrovirology (2013) 10:154) relates to the role of Siglec-7 in HIV-1 pathogenesis. Varchetta et al. (PLoS One (2012) 7(9): e45821) relates to the role of Siglec-7 in inflammatory responses in primary human monocytes.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present disclosure is generally directed to Siglec-7 agents, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, and methods of using such Siglec-7 agents. The methods provided herein find use in preventing, reducing risk, or treating an individual having dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, mixed dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, taupathy disease, Nasu-Hakola disease, stroke, acute trauma, chronic trauma, lupus, acute and chronic colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, wound healing, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, obesity, malaria, essential tremor, central nervous system lupus, Behcet's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, cortical basal ganglionic degeneration, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, granulomartous disorders, sarcoidosis, diseases of aging, seizures, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal degeneration, respiratory tract infection, sepsis, eye infection, systemic infection, lupus, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, low bone density, osteoporosis, osteogenesis, osteopetrotic disease, Paget's disease of bone, solid and blood cancer, bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, primary or idiopathic myelofibrosis, primary or idiopathic myelosclerosis, myeloid-derived tumors, tumors that express Siglec-7 and / or Siglec-7 ligands, thyroid cancer, infections, CNS herpes, parasitic infections, Trypanosome infection, Cruzi infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, Leishmania donovani infection, group B Streptococcus infection, Campylobacter jejuni infection, Neisseria meningiditis infection, type I HIV, and Haemophilus influenza. The methods provided herein also find use in inducing or promoting the survival, maturation, functionality, migration, or proliferation of one or more immune cells in an individual in need thereof. The methods provided herein find further use in decreasing the activity, functionality, or survival of regulatory T cells, tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor dendritic cells, tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell, or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell in an individual in need thereof.

[0016] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are based, at least in part, on the identification of anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that are capable of decreasing cell surface levels of Siglec-7 on human primary immune cells and Siglec-7-expressing cell lines and / or that are capable of inhibiting the binding of Siglec-7 ligands to Siglec-7 (see, e.g., Examples 3-5).

[0017] The present invention is as set out in the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1A depicts an amino acid sequence alignment between human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), chimpanzee Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 2), pygmy chimpanzee Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 3), orangutan Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 4), gorilla Siglec-7(SEQ ID NO: 5), and gibbon Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 6). An asterisk ("*") indicates positions which have a single, fully conserved residue; A colon (":") indicates conservation between groups of strongly similar properties - scoring > 0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix; and a period (".") indicates conservation between groups of weakly similar properties - scoring =< 0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix. FIG. 1B depicts the 3D structure of Siglec-7. Amino acid residues 19-150 of the Siglec-7 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 are depicted in a cartoon representation. Also depicted is a cartoon rendering of an epitope for antibody 4A1. The binding region 113< ARMSDAGRYFFRM 125< (SEQ ID NO: 1) is listed in the figure. The protein surface of Siglec-7 is shown as mesh. FIG. 1C depicts a cartoon rendering of binding sites of a discontinuous epitope for antibodies 2G4, 3E11, 10B5, 2G1, and 7F12.The discontinuous binding regions 60< PVHGYWFRAG 69< (SEQ ID NO: 1) and 117< DAGRYFFRMEK 127< (SEQ ID NO: 1) are listed in the figure. FIG. 1D depicts a cartoon rendering of binding sites of a discontinuous epitope for antibody 10G8 antibodies 2G4, 3E11, 10B5, 2G1, and 7F12.The discontinuous binding regions 60< PVHGYWFRAG 69< (SEQ ID NO: 1) and 84< AWAVQEETRDRF 95< (SEQ ID NO: 1) are listed in the figure. FIG. 1E depicts a cartoon rendering of an epitope for antibody 4A1. The binding region 113< ARMSDAGRYFFRM 125< (SEQ ID NO: 1) is listed in the figure. Binding sites of a conformational epitope for antibody 7E11 is also depicted. The binding regions 68< AGNDISWKAPV 78< (SEQ ID NO: 1) is listed in the figure. FIG. 1F depicts binding reactivity in percentage to wild-type Siglec-7 (% WT) of antibodies of the present disclosure to the indicated Siglec-7 mutants. FIG. 1G depicts models of Siglec-7 indicating amino acid residues involved in antibody binding. Critical residues for binding are indicated with red spheres; secondary residues for binding are indicated with pink spheres. FIG. 2 shows glycan-binding specificities of human Siglec proteins, such as Siglec-7. This figure shows a summary of the most commonly reported specificities for the most commonly studied sialylated glycans. Relative binding within studies of each Siglec is indicated as ++, strong binding; +, detectable binding; and -, very weak or undetectable binding. Not shown is the recently reported strong-binding preference of hSiglec-8 and mSiglec-F for 6'-sulfated-sialyl-Lewis x (sLex) and of hSiglec-9 for 6-sulfated-sLex. With a few exceptions (CD22 and MAG), results of binding specificity studies of human Siglecs by different investigators using different assays have varied significantly. In addition to assay formats and glycan linker issues, the density and arrangement of the ligands studied could be responsible for this variation (Varki et al., (2006) Glycobiol. 16:1R-27R). FIG. 3 shows the structure and metabolism of disialogangliosides in mammalian brain. The nomenclature of disialogangliosides in the figure follows the system of Svennerholm (1964) J. Lipid Res. 5:145-155 (Ariga T et al. (2008) J. Lipid Res. 49:1157-1175). FIG. 4 depicts results of FACS analysis demonstrating Siglec-7 expression in human primary immune cells. FIG. 5A depicts FACS analysis of Siglec-7 antibodies binding to human primary dendritic cells compared to isotype controls. FIG. 5B depicts a 12-point titration curve to assess binding and calculate the half-maximal effective concentration values (EC 50 ) for binding of Siglec-7 antibodies 4E3 and 10B5 to the surface of primary human dendritic cells. FIG. 6A depicts Biacore sensorgrams showing binding affinity of Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure to purified Siglec-7-his tagged protein. FIG. 6B shows a schematic for combining antibody light chain variable region (VL) sequences of humanized versions of anti-Siglec-7 antibody 4E3 (mAb S7-4E3). Additioanl variations are listed below each sequence. The figure includes sequences for versions of humanized antibody 4E3. IGKV3-11 *01 (SEQ ID NO: 497); Joining region (SEQ ID NO: 498); S7-4E3 (SEQ ID NO: 499); 3-11*01 (SEQ ID NO: 500); h4E3-L1 (SEQ ID NO: 501); h4E3-L2 (SEQ ID NO: 502); h4E3-L3 (SEQ ID NO: 503). FIG. 6C shows a schematic for combining antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) sequences of humanized versions of anti-Siglec-7 antibody 4E3 (mAb S7-4E3). Additioanl variations are listed below each sequence. The figure includes sequences for versions of humanized antibody 4E3. IGHV3-21*01 (SEQ ID NO: 504); Joining region (SEQ ID NO: 505); S7-4E3 (SEQ ID NO: 506); 3-21*01 (SEQ ID NO: 507); h4E3-H1 (SEQ ID NO: 508); h4E3-H2 (SEQ ID NO: 509); h4E3-H3 (SEQ ID NO: 510). FIG. 6D shows a schematic for combining antibody light chain variable region (VL) sequences of humanized versions of anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5 (mAb S7-10B5). Additioanl variations are listed below each sequence. The figure includes sequences for versions of humanized antibody 10B5. IGKV1-39*01 (SEQ ID NO: 511); Joining region (SEQ ID NO: 512); S7-10B5.1 (SEQ ID NO: 513); 1-39*01 (SEQ ID NO: 514); h10B5-L1 (SEQ ID NO: 515); h10B5-L2 (SEQ ID NO: 516); h10B5-L3 (SEQ ID NO: 517). FIG. 6E shows a schematic for combining antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) sequences of humanized versions of anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5 (mAb S7-10B5). Additioanl variations are listed below each sequence. The figure includes sequences for versions of humanized antibody 10B5. IGHV1-46*01 (SEQ ID NO: 518); Joining region (SEQ ID NO: 519); S7-10B5.1 (SEQ ID NO: 520); 1-46*01 (SEQ ID NO: 521); h10B5-H1 (SEQ ID NO: 522); h10B5-H2 (SEQ ID NO: 523); h10B5-H3 (SEQ ID NO: 524); h10B5-H4 (SEQ ID NO: 525). For FIG. 6B-6E, CDR sequences are depicted in bold; residue numbering shown as sequential (seq) or according to Chothia; "b" refers to buried sidechain; "p" refers to partially buried; "i" refers to sidechain at interface between VH and VL domains; sequence differences between human and murine germlines are noted by an asterisk (*); potential additional mutations in frameworks are noted below the sequence; potential changes in CDR sequences are noted below each CDR sequence (such changes may prevent asparagine (N) deamidation, tryptophan (W) oxidation, or isoaspartate (DG) formation). FIG. 7A-7N depict Siglec-7 antibody-dependent downregulation of cell surface Siglec-7 receptor in vitro and in vivo. FIG. 7A depicts U937 histiocytic lymphoma. FIG. 7B depicts human primary monocytes. FIG. 7C depicts human primary dendritic cells. FIG. 7D depicts human primary macrophages. FIG. 7E depicts human primary natural killer (NK) cells. FIG. 7F depicts human primary monocyte-derived microglia. FIG. 7G depicts levels of Siglec-7 surface expression and TREM2 surface expression on human dendritic cells after treatment with an anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5 or an isotype control antibody, as compared to a no antibody control. FIG. 7H depicts levels of CD11c surface expression, Siglec-7 surface expression, and TREM2 surface expression on human dendritic cells after treatment with an anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. FIG. 7I depicts Siglec-7 and CD33 expression in peripheral blood samples from humanized NOG mice 14 days after treatment with anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure. FIG. 7J shows in vivo reduction in cell surface levels of Siglec-7 following antibody treatment in vivo. FIG. 7K shows expression of unrelated receptor CD33. CD33 was used as a control. Cell surface levels of CD33 were not significantly reduced following antibody treatment in vivo. FIG. 7L shows FACS gating strategy for blood samples from humanized NOG mice 14 days after treatment with anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure. FIG. 7M depicts a 12-point titration curve showing the half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) of Siglec-7 antibodies 4E3 and 10B5 for reducing cell surface expression of Siglec-7. FIG. 7N depicts a 12-point titration curve showing the half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) of Siglec-7 antibodies 4E3 and 10B5 for reducing cell surface expression of CD11c. FIG. 8 depicts results demonstrating that Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure can block binding of Siglec-7 ligand that is expressed on red blood cells to plate immobilized Siglec-7-Fc protein. FIG. 9 depicts FACS analysis showing that sialic acid ligands on dendritic cells restrict T cell proliferation during mixed lymphocyte reaction with human primary cells. FIG. 10 depicts results showing that sialic acid Siglec-7 ligands on dendritic cells restrict T cell proliferation during mixed lymphocyte reaction. FIG. 11A-11H depict results showing Siglec-7 receptor and increased Siglec-7 ligand expression on human myeloid cells induced by various stimuli. FIG. 11A and 11B depict results showing Siglec-7 receptor and increased Siglec-7 ligand expression on human primary dendritic cells after treatment with tumor supernatant. FIG. 11C and 11D depict results showing increased Siglec-7 ligand expression on human primary dendritic cells after treatment with tumor supernatant. FIG. 11E and 11F depict results showing Siglec-7 receptor expression on human dendritic cells during LPS-induced inflammation. FIG. 11G and 11H depict results showing an increase in sialic acid expression on human myeloid cells during LPS-induced inflammation. These finding indicate that tumors can evade immune surveillance by upregulating the level of inhibitory ligands to Siglec-7 on the tumor cells and on immune cells. FIG. 12 depicts results showing that sialidase treatment to remove Siglec-7 ligands from E. coli increases phagocytosis by human primary dendritic cells. FIG. 13A and 13B depict Siglec-7 ligand expression in brain sections from an Alzheimer's disease brain (AD) and a healthy brain (non-AD). FIG. 13A depicts immunohistochemistry staining of Siglec-7-Fc in AD and non-AD brain samples from two donors (Donor 1 and Donor 2). FIG 13B depicts results of one-way ANOVA statistical analysis of Siglec-7-Fc staining from 5 AD and 5 non-AD brain samples, indicating that inhibitory Siglec-7 ligand is upregulated and contributes to AD pathology. FIG. 14 depicts results showing that expression of inhibitory Siglec-7 ligands is increased in lung tumor cells, melanoma cells, and colon cancer cells. The results indicate that inhibitory Siglec-7 ligands contribute to cancer pathology in these tumor types. FIG. 15 depicts expression of Siglec-7 in cells of NOG mice injected with human peripheral blood cells. 12 weeks after engraftment with human fetal liver CD34 +< cells, humanized mice were transplanted with patient-derived melanoma. Peripheral blood, spleen, and tumor tissues were dissociated and analyzed for immune cell markers and Siglec-7 expression. For FACS analysis, human hematopoietic cells were identified by CD45 expression, then gated CD14+, CD3+ populations. The results indicate that inhibitory Siglec-7 ligands contribute to cancer pathology in this tumor type. FIG. 16A depicts a PD-1 / Siglec-7 combination antibody treatment protocol for a mouse model of patient-derived cancer in immunologically humanized mice. FIG. 16B depicts tumor volume after antibody treatment in individual mice that were engrafted with human immune stem cells. Mice were treated either with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. FIG. 16C depicts mean tumor volume after treatment for 28 days with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5 in mice that were engrafted with human immune stem cells. *: p<0.05; **: p<0.01; ***: p<0.001 for Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) + 10B5 vs Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab). Means per treatment groups are presented. Error bars represent SEM. FIG. 16D depicts the mean tumor volume after treatment for 28 days with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5 in mice that were engrafted with human immune stem cells from the human donor 984480112. Means per treatment groups are presented. Error bars represent SEM. FIG. 16E depicts the mean tumor volume after treatment for 28 days with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5 in mice that were engrafted with human immune stem cells from either of the human donors 165547112 or 17509112. **: p<0.01 for Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) + 10B5 vs Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab). Means per treatment groups are presented. Error bars represent SEM. FIG. 16F depicts in vivo reduction in cell surface levels of Siglec-7 in peripheral blood human (h) CD45 +< CD14 +< myeloid cells from mice treated with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. ***: p<0.001 for Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) + 10B5 vs Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab), correcting for donor and day of animal sacrifice. +: mean; boxplot midline: median; upper and lower boundaries of the boxes correspond to the first and third quartiles (25th and 75th percentiles). FIG. 16G depicts in vivo reduction in tumor infiltrating human (h) CD45 +< CD14 +< myeloid cells from mice treated with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. ***: p<0.001 for Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) + 10B5 vs Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab), correcting for donor. +: mean; boxplot midline: median; upper and lower boundaries of the boxes correspond to the first and third quartiles (25th and 75th percentiles). FIG. 16H depicts in vivo increase in tumor infiltrating human (h) CD45 +< CD3+ T cells from mice treated with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. ***: p<0.001 for Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) + 10B5 vs Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab), correcting for donor. +: mean; boxplot midline: median; upper and lower boundaries of the boxes correspond to the first and third quartiles (25th and 75th percentiles). FIG. 16I depicts in vivo reduction in peripheral blood human (h) CD45 +< CD14 +< myeloid cells from mice treated with Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. **: p<0.01 for Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab) + 10B5 vs Keytruda ®< (pembrolizumab), correcting for donor. +: mean; boxplot midline: median; upper and lower boundaries of the boxes correspond to the first and third quartiles (25th and 75th percentiles). FIG. 17A depicts change in expression quantified by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PD-L1, PD-L2, CD200R, B7-H3, Siglec-7, and CD206 between myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) treated with isotype control antibody (mIgG1) compared to cells treated with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 10B5. FIG. 17B depicts change in expression quantified by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD200R, CD163, PD-L2, B7-H3, PD-L1, CD11b, and Siglec-7 between myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) treated with isotype control antibody (mIgG1) compared to cells treated with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 4E3. FIG. 17C depicts the percentage of activated T cell proliferation in the absence and presence of co-cultured myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Additionally, co-cultured T cells / MDSCs were left untreated, or were treated with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 4E3, a mouse isotype control antibody (mIgG1), or an anti-PD-L1 antibody (PDL1). ****: p<0.00001. FIG. 17D depicts the percentage of activated T cell proliferation for T cells treated with glioblastoma-conditioned media, cultured in the absence and presence of co-cultured myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Additionally, co-cultured T cells / MDSCs were left untreated, or were treated with anti-Siglec-7 antibody 4E3, a mouse isotype control antibody (mIgG1), or an anti-PD-L1 antibody (PDL1). **: p<0.01; ***: p<0.001. FIG. 18 depicts results showing anti-Siglec-7 antibodies 4E3 and 10B5 selectively kill a subset of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Top row: Live / Dead Gates by cell morphology: increase in dead cell gate with S7-4E3 and S7-10B5. Middle row: Gating on Live / Dead cells using dye: Dye HIGH positive cells are DEAD, dye low cells are alive. Histograms: showing Live / Dead cell dye in histogram format. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONGeneral techniques

[0019] The techniques and procedures described or referenced herein are generally well understood and commonly employed using conventional methodology by those skilled in the art, such as, for example, the widely utilized methodologies described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 3d edition (2001) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (F.M. Ausubel, et al. eds., (2003)); the series Methods in Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc.): PCR 2: A Practical Approach (M.J. MacPherson, B.D. Hames and G.R. Taylor eds. (1995)), Harlow and Lane, eds. (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, and Animal Cell Culture (R.I. Freshney, ed. (1987)); Oligonucleotide Synthesis (M.J. Gait, ed., 1984); Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana Press; Cell Biology: A Laboratory Notebook (J.E. Cellis, ed., 1998) Academic Press; Animal Cell Culture (R.I. Freshney), ed., 1987); Introduction to Cell and Tissue Culture (J.P. Mather and P.E. Roberts, 1998) Plenum Press; Cell and Tissue Culture: Laboratory Procedures (A. Doyle, J.B. Griffiths, and D.G. Newell, eds., 1993-8) J. Wiley and Sons; Handbook of Experimental Immunology (D.M. Weir and C.C. Blackwell, eds.); Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (J.M. Miller and M.P. Calos, eds., 1987); PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction, (Mullis et al., eds., 1994); Current Protocols in Immunology (J.E. Coligan et al., eds., 1991); Short Protocols in Molecular Biology (Wiley and Sons, 1999); Immunobiology (C.A. Janeway and P. Travers, 1997); Antibodies (P. Finch, 1997); Antibodies: A Practical Approach (D. Catty., ed., IRL Press, 1988-1989); Monoclonal Antibodies: A Practical Approach (P. Shepherd and C. Dean, eds., Oxford University Press, 2000); Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (E. Harlow and D. Lane (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1999); The Antibodies (M. Zanetti and J. D. Capra, eds., Harwood Academic Publishers, 1995); and Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology (V.T. DeVita et al., eds., J.B. Lippincott Company, 1993).Definitions

[0020] As used herein, the term "preventing" includes providing prophylaxis with respect to occurrence or recurrence of a particular disease, disorder, or condition in an individual. An individual may be predisposed to, susceptible to a particular disease, disorder, or condition, or at risk of developing such a disease, disorder, or condition, but has not yet been diagnosed with the disease, disorder, or condition.

[0021] As used herein, an individual "at risk" of developing a particular disease, disorder, or condition may or may not have detectable disease or symptoms of disease, and may or may not have displayed detectable disease or symptoms of disease prior to the treatment methods described herein. "At risk" denotes that an individual has one or more risk factors, which are measurable parameters that correlate with development of a particular disease, disorder, or condition, as known in the art. An individual having one or more of these risk factors has a higher probability of developing a particular disease, disorder, or condition than an individual without one or more of these risk factors.

[0022] As used herein, the term "treatment" refers to clinical intervention designed to alter the natural course of the individual being treated during the course of clinical pathology. Desirable effects of treatment include decreasing the rate of progression, ameliorating or palliating the pathological state, and remission or improved prognosis of a particular disease, disorder, or condition. An individual is successfully "treated", for example, if one or more symptoms associated with a particular disease, disorder, or condition are mitigated or eliminated.

[0023] An "effective amount" refers to at least an amount effective, at dosages and for periods of time necessary, to achieve the desired therapeutic or prophylactic result. An effective amount can be provided in one or more administrations. An effective amount herein may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the individual, and the ability of the treatment to elicit a desired response in the individual. An effective amount is also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the treatment are outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects. For prophylactic use, beneficial or desired results include results such as eliminating or reducing the risk, lessening the severity, or delaying the onset of the disease, including biochemical, histological and / or behavioral symptoms of the disease, its complications and intermediate pathological phenotypes presenting during development of the disease. For therapeutic use, beneficial or desired results include clinical results such as decreasing one or more symptoms resulting from the disease, increasing the quality of life of those suffering from the disease, decreasing the dose of other medications required to treat the disease, enhancing effect of another medication such as via targeting, delaying the progression of the disease, and / or prolonging survival. An effective amount of drug, compound, or pharmaceutical composition is an amount sufficient to accomplish prophylactic or therapeutic treatment either directly or indirectly. As is understood in the clinical context, an effective amount of a drug, compound, or pharmaceutical composition may or may not be achieved in conjunction with another drug, compound, or pharmaceutical composition. Thus, an "effective amount" may be considered in the context of administering one or more therapeutic agents, and a single agent may be considered to be given in an effective amount if, in conjunction with one or more other agents, a desirable result may be or is achieved

[0024] A "therapeutically effective amount" is at least the minimum concentration required to effect a measurable improvement of a particular disease, disorder, or condition. A therapeutically effective amount herein may vary according to factors such as the disease state, age, sex, and weight of the patient, and the ability of the Siglec-7 protein antagonist to elicit a desired response in the individual. A therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any toxic or detrimental effects of the Siglec-7 protein antagonist are outweighed by the therapeutically beneficial effects.

[0025] As used herein, administration "in conjunction" with another compound or composition includes simultaneous administration and / or administration at different times. Administration in conjunction also encompasses administration as a co-formulation or administration as separate compositions, including at different dosing frequencies or intervals, and using the same route of administration or different routes of administration.

[0026] An "individual" for purposes of treatment, prevention, or reduction of risk refers to any animal classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sport, or pet animals, such as dogs, horses, rabbits, cattle, pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets, rats, cats, and the like. Preferably, the individual is human.

[0027] The term "immunoglobulin" (Ig) is used interchangeably with "antibody" herein. The term "antibody" herein is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g. bispecific antibodies) formed from at least two intact antibodies, and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.

[0028] The basic 4-chain antibody unit is a heterotetrameric glycoprotein composed of two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains. The pairing of a V H and V L together forms a single antigen-binding site. For the structure and properties of the different classes of antibodies, see, e.g., Basic and Clinical Immunology, 8th Ed., Daniel P. Stites, Abba I. Terr and Tristram G. Parslow (eds.), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1994, page 71 and Chapter 6.

[0029] The L chain from any vertebrate species can be assigned to one of two clearly distinct types, called kappa ("κ") and lambda ("λ"), based on the amino acid sequences of their constant domains. Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy chains (CH), immunoglobulins can be assigned to different classes or isotypes. There are five classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, having heavy chains designated alpha ("α"), delta ("δ"), epsilon ("ε"), gamma ("y") and mu ("µ"), respectively. The γ and α classes are further divided into subclasses (isotypes) on the basis of relatively minor differences in the CH sequence and function, e.g., humans express the following subclasses: IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2. The subunit structures and three dimensional configurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known and described generally in, for example, Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 4th ed. (W.B. Saunders Co., 2000).

[0030] "Native antibodies" are usually heterotetrameric glycoproteins of about 150,000 daltons, composed of two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains. Each light chain is linked to a heavy chain by one covalent disulfide bond, while the number of disulfide linkages varies among the heavy chains of different immunoglobulin isotypes. Each heavy and light chain also has regularly spaced intrachain disulfide bridges. Each heavy chain has at one end a variable domain (V H ) followed by a number of constant domains. Each light chain has a variable domain at one end (V L ) and a constant domain at its other end; the constant domain of the light chain is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain, and the light chain variable domain is aligned with the variable domain of the heavy chain. Particular amino acid residues are believed to form an interface between the light chain and heavy chain variable domains.

[0031] An "isolated" antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, is one that has been identified, separated and / or recovered from a component of its production environment (e.g., naturally or recombinantly). Preferably, the isolated polypeptide is free of association with all other contaminant components from its production environment. Contaminant components from its production environment, such as those resulting from recombinant transfected cells, are materials that would typically interfere with research, diagnostic or therapeutic uses for the antibody, and may include enzymes, hormones, and other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes. In preferred embodiments, the polypeptide will be purified: (1) to greater than 95% by weight of antibody as determined by, for example, the Lowry method, and in some embodiments, to greater than 99% by weight; (2) to a degree sufficient to obtain at least 15 residues of N-terminal or internal amino acid sequence by use of a spinning cup sequenator, or (3) to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE under nonreducing or reducing conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain. Isolated antibody includes the antibody in situ within recombinant T cells since at least one component of the antibody's natural environment will not be present. Ordinarily, however, an isolated polypeptide or antibody will be prepared by at least one purification step.

[0032] The "variable region" or "variable domain" of an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, refers to the amino-terminal domains of the heavy or light chain of the antibody. The variable domains of the heavy chain and light chain may be referred to as "V H " and "V L ", respectively. These domains are generally the most variable parts of the antibody (relative to other antibodies of the same class) and contain the antigen binding sites.

[0033] The term "variable" refers to the fact that certain segments of the variable domains differ extensively in sequence among antibodies, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure,. The V domain mediates antigen binding and defines the specificity of a particular antibody for its particular antigen. However, the variability is not evenly distributed across the entire span of the variable domains. Instead, it is concentrated in three segments called hypervariable regions (HVRs) both in the light-chain and the heavy chain variable domains. The more highly conserved portions of variable domains are called the framework regions (FR). The variable domains of native heavy and light chains each comprise four FR regions, largely adopting a beta-sheet configuration, connected by three HVRs, which form loops connecting, and in some cases forming part of, the beta-sheet structure. The HVRs in each chain are held together in close proximity by the FR regions and, with the HVRs from the other chain, contribute to the formation of the antigen binding site of antibodies (see Kabat et al., Sequences of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD (1991)). The constant domains are not involved directly in the binding of antibody to an antigen, but exhibit various effector functions, such as participation of the antibody in antibody-dependent-cellular toxicity.

[0034] The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations and / or post-translation modifications (e.g., isomerizations, amidations) that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against one or more antigenic sites. In some embodiments, a monoclonal antibody of the present disclosure can be a bispecific antibody. In contrast to polyclonal antibody preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the one or more antigenic sites. The modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present disclosure may be made by a variety of techniques, including, for example, phage-display technologies (see, e.g., Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-597 (1992); Sidhu et al., J. Mol. Biol. 338(2): 299-310 (2004); Lee et al., J. Mol. Biol. 340(5):1073-1093 (2004); Fellouse, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 101(34): 12467-472 (2004); and Lee et al., J. Immunol. Methods 284(1-2):119-132 (2004), the hybridoma method (e.g., Kohler and Milstein., Nature, 256:495-97 (1975); Hongo et al., Hybridoma, 14 (3):253-260 (1995), Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2d ed. 1988); Hammerling et al., in: Monoclonal Antibodies and T-Cell Hybridomas 563-681 (Elsevier, N.Y., 1981)), recombinant DNA methods (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567), and technologies for producing human or human-like antibodies in animals that have parts or all of the human immunoglobulin loci or genes encoding human immunoglobulin sequences (see, e.g., WO 1998 / 24893; WO 1996 / 34096; WO 1996 / 33735; WO 1991 / 10741; Jakobovits et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits et al., Nature 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggemann et al., Year in Immunol. 7:33 (1993); U.S. Patent Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425; and 5,661,016; Marks et al., Bio / Technology 10:779-783 (1992); Lonberg et al., Nature 368:856-859 (1994); Morrison, Nature 368:812-813 (1994); Fishwild et al., Nature Biotechnol. 14:845-851 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnol. 14:826 (1996); and Lonberg and Huszar, Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13:65-93 (1995).

[0035] The terms "full-length antibody," "intact antibody" or "whole antibody" are used interchangeably to refer to an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, in its substantially intact form, as opposed to an antibody fragment. Specifically whole antibodies include those with heavy and light chains including an Fc region. The constant domains may be native sequence constant domains (e.g., human native sequence constant domains) or amino acid sequence variants thereof. In some cases, the intact antibody may have one or more effector functions.

[0036] An "antibody fragment" comprises a portion of an intact antibody, preferably the antigen binding and / or the variable region of the intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab', F(ab') 2 and Fv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies (see U.S. Patent 5,641,870, Example 2; Zapata et al., Protein Eng. 8(10):1057-1062 (1995)); single-chain antibody molecules and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

[0037] Papain digestion of antibodies, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, produces two identical antigen-binding fragments, called "Fab" fragments, and a residual "Fc" fragment, a designation reflecting the ability to crystallize readily. The Fab fragment consists of an entire L chain along with the variable region domain of the H chain (V H ), and the first constant domain of one heavy chain (C H 1). Each Fab fragment is monovalent with respect to antigen binding, i.e., it has a single antigen-binding site. Pepsin treatment of an antibody yields a single large F(ab') 2 fragment which roughly corresponds to two disulfide linked Fab fragments having different antigen-binding activity and is still capable of cross-linking antigen. Fab' fragments differ from Fab fragments by having a few additional residues at the carboxy terminus of the C H 1 domain including one or more cysteines from the antibody hinge region. Fab'-SH is the designation herein for Fab' in which the cysteine residue(s) of the constant domains bear a free thiol group. F(ab') 2 antibody fragments originally were produced as pairs of Fab' fragments which have hinge cysteines between them. Other chemical couplings of antibody fragments are also known.

[0038] The Fc fragment comprises the carboxy-terminal portions of both H chains held together by disulfides. The effector functions of antibodies are determined by sequences in the Fc region, the region which is also recognized by Fc receptors (FcR) found on certain types of cells.

[0039] "Fv" is the minimum antibody fragment which contains a complete antigen-recognition and -binding site. This fragment consists of a dimer of one heavy- and one light-chain variable region domain in tight, non-covalent association. From the folding of these two domains emanate six hypervariable loops (3 loops each from the H and L chain) that contribute the amino acid residues for antigen binding and confer antigen binding specificity to the antibody. However, even a single variable domain (or half of an Fv comprising only three HVRs specific for an antigen) has the ability to recognize and bind antigen, although at a lower affinity than the entire binding site.

[0040] "Single-chain Fv" also abbreviated as "sFv" or "scFv" are antibody fragments that comprise the VH and VL antibody domains connected into a single polypeptide chain. Preferably, the sFv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the V H and V L domains which enables the sFv to form the desired structure for antigen binding. For a review of the sFv, see Pluckthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds., Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315 (1994).

[0041] "Functional fragments" of antibodies, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, comprise a portion of an intact antibody, generally including the antigen binding or variable region of the intact antibody or the F region of an antibody which retains or has modified FcR binding capability. Examples of antibody fragments include linear antibody, single-chain antibody molecules and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

[0042] The term "diabodies" refers to small antibody fragments prepared by constructing sFv fragments (see preceding paragraph) with short linkers (about 5-10) residues) between the V H and V L domains such that inter-chain but not intra-chain pairing of the V domains is achieved, thereby resulting in a bivalent fragment, i.e., a fragment having two antigen-binding sites. Bispecific diabodies are heterodimers of two "crossover" sFv fragments in which the V H and V L domains of the two antibodies are present on different polypeptide chains. Diabodies are described in greater detail in, for example, EP 404,097; WO 93 / 11161; Hollinger et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-48 (1993).

[0043] As used herein, a "chimeric antibody" refers to an antibody (immunoglobulin), such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, in which a portion of the heavy and / or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is(are) identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567; Morrison et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-55 (1984)). Chimeric antibodies of interest herein include PRIMATIZED ®< antibodies wherein the antigen-binding region of the antibody is derived from an antibody produced by, e.g., immunizing macaque monkeys with an antigen of interest. As used herein, "humanized antibody" is used a subset of "chimeric antibodies."

[0044] "Humanized" forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. In one embodiment, a humanized antibody is a human immunoglobulin (recipient antibody) in which residues from an HVR of the recipient are replaced by residues from an HVR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, rabbit or non-human primate having the desired specificity, affinity, and / or capacity. In some instances, FR residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore, humanized antibodies may comprise residues that are not found in the recipient antibody or in the donor antibody. These modifications may be made to further refine antibody performance, such as binding affinity. In general, a humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the hypervariable loops correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin sequence, and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence, although the FR regions may include one or more individual FR residue substitutions that improve antibody performance, such as binding affinity, isomerization, immunogenicity, and the like. The number of these amino acid substitutions in the FR is typically no more than 6 in the H chain, and in the L chain, no more than 3. The humanized antibody optionally will also comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. For further details, see, e.g., Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2:593-596 (1992). See also, for example, Vaswani and Hamilton, Ann. Allergy, Asthma & Immunol. 1:105-115 (1998); Harris, Biochem. Soc. Transactions 23:1035-1038 (1995); Hurle and Gross, Curr. Op. Biotech. 5:428-433 (1994); and U.S. Patent Nos. 6,982,321 and 7,087,409.

[0045] A "human antibody" is one that possesses an amino-acid sequence corresponding to that of an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, produced by a human and / or has been made using any of the techniques for making human antibodies as disclosed herein. This definition of a human antibody specifically excludes a humanized antibody comprising non-human antigen-binding residues. Human antibodies can be produced using various techniques known in the art, including phage-display libraries. Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol., 227:381 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581 (1991). Also available for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies are methods described in Cole et al., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77 (1985); Boerner et al., J. Immunol., 147(1):86-95 (1991). See also van Dijk and van de Winkel, Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 5:368-74 (2001). Human antibodies can be prepared by administering the antigen to a transgenic animal that has been modified to produce such antibodies in response to antigenic challenge, but whose endogenous loci have been disabled, e.g., immunized xenomice (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,075,181 and 6,150,584 regarding XENOMOUSE ™< technology). See also, for example, Li et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 103:3557-3562 (2006) regarding human antibodies generated via a human B-cell hybridoma technology.

[0046] The term "hypervariable region," "HVR," or "HV," when used herein refers to the regions of an antibody-variable domain, such as that of an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, that are hypervariable in sequence and / or form structurally defined loops. Generally, antibodies comprise six HVRs; three in the VH (H1, H2, H3), and three in the VL (L1, L2, L3). In native antibodies, H3 and L3 display the most diversity of the six HVRs, and H3 in particular is believed to play a unique role in conferring fine specificity to antibodies. See, e.g., Xu et al., Immunity 13:37-45 (2000); Johnson and Wu in Methods in Molecular Biology 248:1-25 (Lo, ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, 2003)). Indeed, naturally occurring camelid antibodies consisting of a heavy chain only are functional and stable in the absence of light chain. See, e.g., Hamers-Casterman et al., Nature 363:446-448 (1993) and Sheriff et al., Nature Struct. Biol. 3:733-736 (1996).

[0047] A number of HVR delineations are in use and are encompassed herein. The HVRs that are EU or Kabat complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) are based on sequence variability and are the most commonly used (Kabat et al., supra). Chothia refers instead to the location of the structural loops (Chothia and Lesk J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917 (1987)). The AbM HVRs represent a compromise between the EU or Kabat CDRs and Chothia structural loops, and are used by Oxford Molecular's AbM antibody-modeling software. The "contact" HVRs are based on an analysis of the available complex crystal structures. The residues from each of these HVRs are noted below. LoopKabatAbMChothiaContactL1L24-L34L24-L34L26-L32L30-L36L2L50-L56L50-L56L50-L52L46-L55L3L89-L97L89-L97L91-L96L89-L96H1H31-H35BH26-H35BH26-H32H30-H35B (Kabat numbering)H1H31-H35H26-H35H26-H32H30-H35 (Chothia numbering)H2H50-H65H50-H58H53-H55H47-H58H3H95-H102H95-H102H96-H101H93-H101

[0048] HVRs may comprise "extended HVRs" as follows: 24-36 or 24-34 (L1), 46-56 or 50-56 (L2), and 89-97 or 89-96 (L3) in the VL, and 26-35 (H1), 50-65 or 49-65 (a preferred embodiment) (H2), and 93-102, 94-102, or 95-102 (H3) in the VH. The variable-domain residues are numbered according to EU or Kabat et al., supra, for each of these extended-HVR definitions.

[0049] "Framework" or "FR" residues are those variable-domain residues other than the HVR residues as herein defined.

[0050] The phrase "variable-domain residue-numbering as in EU or Kabat" or "amino-acid-position numbering as in EU or Kabat," and variations thereof, refers to the numbering system used for heavy-chain variable domains or light-chain variable domains of the compilation of antibodies in EU or Kabat et al., supra. Using this numbering system, the actual linear amino acid sequence may contain fewer or additional amino acids corresponding to a shortening of, or insertion into, a FR or HVR of the variable domain. For example, a heavy-chain variable domain may include a single amino acid insert (residue 52a according to Kabat) after residue 52 of H2 and inserted residues (e.g., residues 82a, 82b, and 82c, etc. according to Kabat) after heavy-chain FR residue 82. The EU or Kabat numbering of residues may be determined for a given antibody by alignment at regions of homology of the sequence of the antibody with a "standard" Kabat numbered sequence.

[0051] The EU or Kabat numbering system is generally used when referring to a residue in the variable domain (approximately residues 1-107 of the light chain and residues 1-113 of the heavy chain) (e.g., Kabat et al., Sequences of Immunological Interest. 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)). The "EU or Kabat numbering system" or "EU index" is generally used when referring to a residue in an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region (e.g., the EU index reported in Kabat et al., supra). The "EU index as in Kabat" refers to the residue numbering of the human IgG1 EU antibody. Unless stated otherwise herein, references to residue numbers in the variable domain of antibodies means residue numbering by the Kabat numbering system. Unless stated otherwise herein, references to residue numbers in the constant domain of antibodies means residue numbering by the EU or Kabat numbering system (e.g., see United States Patent Publication No. 2010-280227).

[0052] An "acceptor human framework" as used herein is a framework comprising the amino acid sequence of a VL or VH framework derived from a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework. An acceptor human framework "derived from" a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework may comprise the same amino acid sequence thereof, or it may contain pre-existing amino acid sequence changes. In some embodiments, the number of pre-existing amino acid changes are 10 or less, 9 or less, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less, 4 or less, 3 or less, or 2 or less. Where pre-existing amino acid changes are present in a VH, preferable those changes occur at only three, two, or one of positions 71H, 73H and 78H; for instance, the amino acid residues at those positions may by 71A, 73T and / or 78A. In one embodiment, the VL acceptor human framework is identical in sequence to the VL human immunoglobulin framework sequence or human consensus framework sequence.

[0053] A "human consensus framework" is a framework that represents the most commonly occurring amino acid residues in a selection of human immunoglobulin VL or VH framework sequences. Generally, the selection of human immunoglobulin VL or VH sequences is from a subgroup of variable domain sequences. Generally, the subgroup of sequences is a subgroup as in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (1991). Examples include for the VL, the subgroup may be subgroup kappa I, kappa II, kappa III or kappa IV as in Kabat et al., supra. Additionally, for the VH, the subgroup may be subgroup I, subgroup II, or subgroup III as in Kabat et al., supra.

[0054] An "amino-acid modification" at a specified position, e.g., of an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, refers to the substitution or deletion of the specified residue, or the insertion of at least one amino acid residue adjacent the specified residue. Insertion "adjacent" to a specified residue means insertion within one to two residues thereof. The insertion may be N-terminal or C-terminal to the specified residue. The preferred amino acid modification herein is a substitution.

[0055] An "affinity-matured" antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, is one with one or more alterations in one or more HVRs thereof that result in an improvement in the affinity of the antibody for antigen, compared to a parent antibody that does not possess those alteration(s). In one embodiment, an affinity-matured antibody has nanomolar or even picomolar affinities for the target antigen. Affinity-matured antibodies are produced by procedures known in the art. For example, Marks et al., Bio / Technology 10:779-783 (1992) describes affinity maturation by VH- and VL-domain shuffling. Random mutagenesis of HVR and / or framework residues is described by, for example: Barbas et al. Proc Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3809-3813 (1994); Schier et al. Gene 169:147-155 (1995); Yelton et al. J. Immunol. 155:1994-2004 (1995); Jackson et al., J. Immunol. 154(7):3310-9 (1995); and Hawkins et al, J. Mol. Biol. 226:889-896 (1992).

[0056] As use herein, the term "specifically recognizes" or "specifically binds" refers to measurable and reproducible interactions such as attraction or binding between a target and an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, that is determinative of the presence of the target in the presence of a heterogeneous population of molecules including biological molecules. For example, an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, that specifically or preferentially binds to a target or an epitope is an antibody that binds this target or epitope with greater affinity, avidity, more readily, and / or with greater duration than it binds to other targets or other epitopes of the target. It is also understood by reading this definition that, for example, an antibody (or a moiety) that specifically or preferentially binds to a first target may or may not specifically or preferentially bind to a second target. As such, "specific binding" or "preferential binding" does not necessarily require (although it can include) exclusive binding. An antibody that specifically binds to a target may have an association constant of at least about 10 3< M -1< or 10 4< M -1< , sometimes about 10 5< M -1< or 10 6< M -1< , in other instances about 10 6< M -1< or 10 7< M -1< , about 10 8< M -1< to 10 9< M -1< , or about 10 10< M -1< to 10 11< M -1< or higher. A variety of immunoassay formats can be used to select antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a particular protein. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select monoclonal antibodies specifically immunoreactive with a protein. See, e.g., Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Publications, New York, for a description of immunoassay formats and conditions that can be used to determine specific immunoreactivity.

[0057] As used herein, an "interaction" between a Siglec-7 protein and a second protein encompasses, without limitation, protein-protein interaction, a physical interaction, a chemical interaction, binding, covalent binding, and ionic binding. As used herein, an antibody "inhibits interaction" between two proteins when the antibody disrupts, reduces, or completely eliminates an interaction between the two proteins. An antibody of the present disclosure, or fragment thereof, "inhibits interaction" between two proteins when the antibody or fragment thereof binds to one of the two proteins.

[0058] An "agonist" antibody or an "activating" antibody is an antibody, such as an agonist anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, that induces (e.g., increases) one or more activities or functions of the antigen after the antibody binds the antigen.

[0059] A "blocking" antibody, an "antagonist" antibody, or an "inhibitory" antibody is an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, that inhibits or reduces (e.g., decreases) antigen binding to one or more ligand after the antibody binds the antigen, and / or that inhibits or reduces (e.g., decreases) one or more activities or functions of the antigen after the antibody binds the antigen. Blocking antibodies, antagonist antibodies, or inhibitory antibodies may substantially or completely inhibit antigen binding to one or more ligand and / or one or more activities or functions of the antigen.

[0060] Antibody "effector functions" refer to those biological activities attributable to the Fc region (a native sequence Fc region or amino acid sequence variant Fc region) of an antibody, and vary with the antibody isotype.

[0061] The term "Fc region" herein is used to define a C-terminal region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain, including native-sequence Fc regions and variant Fc regions. Although the boundaries of the Fc region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain might vary, the human IgG heavy-chain Fc region is usually defined to stretch from an amino acid residue at position Cys226, or from Pro230, to the carboxyl-terminus thereof. The C-terminal lysine (residue 447 according to the EU or Kabat numbering system) of the Fc region may be removed, for example, during production or purification of the antibody, or by recombinantly engineering the nucleic acid encoding a heavy chain of the antibody. Accordingly, a composition of intact antibodies may comprise antibody populations with all K447 residues removed, antibody populations with no K447 residues removed, and antibody populations having a mixture of antibodies with and without the K447 residue. Suitable native-sequence Fc regions for use in the antibodies of the present disclosure include human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4.

[0062] A "native sequence Fc region" comprises an amino acid sequence identical to the amino acid sequence of an Fc region found in nature. Native sequence human Fc regions include a native sequence human IgG1 Fc region (non-A and A allotypes); native sequence human IgG2 Fc region; native sequence human IgG3 Fc region; and native sequence human IgG4 Fc region as well as naturally occurring variants thereof.

[0063] A "variant Fc region" comprises an amino acid sequence which differs from that of a native sequence Fc region by virtue of at least one amino acid modification, preferably one or more amino acid substitution(s). Preferably, the variant Fc region has at least one amino acid substitution compared to a native sequence Fc region or to the Fc region of a parent polypeptide, e.g. from about one to about ten amino acid substitutions, and preferably from about one to about five amino acid substitutions in a native sequence Fc region or in the Fc region of the parent polypeptide. The variant Fc region herein will preferably possess at least about 80% homology with a native sequence Fc region and / or with an Fc region of a parent polypeptide, and most preferably at least about 90% homology therewith, more preferably at least about 95% homology therewith.

[0064] "Fc receptor" or "FcR" describes a receptor that binds to the Fc region of an antibody. The preferred FcR is a native sequence human FcR. Moreover, a preferred FcR is one which binds an IgG antibody (a gamma receptor) and includes receptors of the FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII subclasses, including allelic variants and alternatively spliced forms of these receptors, FcγRII receptors include FcγRIIA (an "activating receptor") and FcγRIIB (an "inhibiting receptor"), which have similar amino acid sequences that differ primarily in the cytoplasmic domains thereof. Activating receptor FcγRIIA contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif ("ITAM") in its cytoplasmic domain. Inhibiting receptor FcγRIIB contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif ("ITIM") in its cytoplasmic domain. (see, e.g., M. Daëron, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 15:203-234 (1997)). FcRs are reviewed in Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:457-92 (1991); Capel et al., Immunomethods 4:25-34 (1994); and de Haas et al., J. Lab. Clin. Med. 126: 330-41 (1995). Other FcRs, including those to be identified in the future, are encompassed by the term "FcR" herein. FcRs can also increase the serum half-life of antibodies.

[0065] Binding to FcRn in vivo and serum half-life of human FcRn high-affinity binding polypeptides can be assayed, e.g., in transgenic mice or transfected human cell lines expressing human FcRn, or in primates to which the polypeptides having a variant Fc region are administered. WO 2004 / 42072 (Presta) describes antibody variants with improved or diminished binding to FcRs. See also, e.g., Shields et al., J. Biol. Chem. 9(2):6591-6604 (2001).

[0066] As used herein, "percent (%) amino acid sequence identity" and "homology" with respect to a peptide, polypeptide or antibody sequence refers to the percentage of amino acid residues in a candidate sequence that are identical with the amino acid residues in the specific peptide or polypeptide sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment for purposes of determining percent amino acid sequence identity can be achieved in various ways that are within the skill in the art, for instance, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or MEGALIGN ™< (DNASTAR) software. Those skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms known in the art needed to achieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences being compared.

[0067] An "isolated" cell is a molecule or a cell that is identified and separated from at least one contaminant cell with which it is ordinarily associated in the environment in which it was produced. In some embodiments, the isolated cell is free of association with all components associated with the production environment. The isolated cell is in a form other than in the form or setting in which it is found in nature. Isolated cells are distinguished from cells existing naturally in tissues, organs, or individuals. In some embodiments, the isolated cell is a host cell of the present disclosure.

[0068] An "isolated" nucleic acid molecule encoding an antibody, such as an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, is a nucleic acid molecule that is identified and separated from at least one contaminant nucleic acid molecule with which it is ordinarily associated in the environment in which it was produced. Preferably, the isolated nucleic acid is free of association with all components associated with the production environment. The isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides and antibodies herein is in a form other than in the form or setting in which it is found in nature. Isolated nucleic acid molecules therefore are distinguished from nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides and antibodies herein existing naturally in cells.

[0069] The term "vector," as used herein, is intended to refer to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. One type of vector is a "plasmid," which refers to a circular double stranded DNA into which additional DNA segments may be ligated. Another type of vector is a phage vector. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein additional DNA segments may be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g., bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g., non-episomal mammalian vectors) can be integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome. Moreover, certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as "recombinant expression vectors," or simply, "expression vectors." In general, expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids. In the present specification, "plasmid" and "vector" may be used interchangeably as the plasmid is the most commonly used form of vector.

[0070] "Polynucleotide," or "nucleic acid," as used interchangeably herein, refer to polymers of nucleotides of any length, and include DNA and RNA. The nucleotides can be deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, modified nucleotides or bases, and / or their analogs, or any substrate that can be incorporated into a polymer by DNA or RNA polymerase or by a synthetic reaction. A polynucleotide may comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and their analogs. If present, modification to the nucleotide structure may be imparted before or after assembly of the polymer. The sequence of nucleotides may be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide may comprise modification(s) made after synthesis, such as conjugation to a label. Other types of modifications include, for example, "caps," substitution of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotides with an analog, internucleotide modifications such as, for example, those with uncharged linkages (e.g., methyl phosphonates, phosphotriesters, phosphoamidates, carbamates, etc.) and with charged linkages (e.g., phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, etc.), those containing pendant moieties, such as, for example, proteins (e.g., nucleases, toxins, antibodies, signal peptides, ply-L-lysine, etc.), those with intercalators (e.g., acridine, psoralen, etc.), those containing chelators (e.g., metals, radioactive metals, boron, oxidative metals, etc.), those containing alkylators, those with modified linkages (e.g., alpha anomeric nucleic acids, etc.), as well as unmodified forms of the polynucleotides(s). Further, any of the hydroxyl groups ordinarily present in the sugars may be replaced, for example, by phosphonate groups, phosphate groups, protected by standard protecting groups, or activated to prepare additional linkages to additional nucleotides, or may be conjugated to solid or semi-solid supports. The 5' and 3' terminal OH can be phosphorylated or substituted with amines or organic capping group moieties of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Other hydroxyls may also be derivatized to standard protecting groups. Polynucleotides can also contain analogous forms of ribose or deoxyribose sugars that are generally known in the art, including, for example, 2'-O-methyl-, 2'-O-allyl-, 2'-fluoro- or 2'-azido-ribose, carbocyclic sugar analogs, α-anomeric sugars, epimeric sugars such as arabinose, xyloses or lyxoses, pyranose sugars, furanose sugars, sedoheptuloses, acyclic analogs, and basic nucleoside analogs such as methyl riboside. One or more phosphodiester linkages may be replaced by alternative linking groups. These alternative linking groups include, but are not limited to, embodiments wherein phosphate is replaced by P(O)S ("thioate"), P(S)S ("dithioate"), (O)NR2 ("amidate"), P(O)R, P(O)OR', CO, or CH2 ("formacetal"), in which each R or R' is independently H or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl (1-20 C) optionally containing an ether (-O-) linkage, aryl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or araldyl. Not all linkages in a polynucleotide need be identical. The preceding description applies to all polynucleotides referred to herein, including RNA and DNA.

[0071] A "host cell" includes an individual cell or cell culture that can be or has been a recipient for vector(s) for incorporation of polynucleotide inserts. Host cells include progeny of a single host cell, and the progeny may not necessarily be completely identical (in morphology or in genomic DNA complement) to the original parent cell due to natural, accidental, or deliberate mutation. A host cell includes cells transfected in vivo with a polynucleotide(s) of the present disclosure.

[0072] "Carriers" as used herein include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers that are nontoxic to the cell or mammal being exposed thereto at the dosages and concentrations employed. Often the physiologically acceptable carrier is an aqueous pH buffered solution. Examples of physiologically acceptable carriers include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptide; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such as sodium; and / or nonionic surfactants such as TWEEN ™< , polyethylene glycol (PEG), and PLURONICS ™< .

[0073] As used herein, the term "apoptosis" refers to gene-directed process of intracellular cell destruction. Apoptosis is distinct from necrosis; it includes cytoskeletal disruption, cytoplasmic shrinkage and condensation, expression of phosphatidylserine on the outer surface of the cell membrane and blebbing, resulting in the formation of cell membrane bound vesicles or apoptotic bodies. The process is also referred to as "programmed cell death." During apoptosis, characteristic phenomena such as curved cell surfaces, condensation of nuclear chromatin, fragmentation of chromosomal DNA, and loss of mitochondrial function are observed. Various known technologies may be used to detect apoptosis, such as staining cells with Annexin V, propidium iodide, DNA fragmentation assay and YO-PRO-1 (Invitrogen). Staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide may be used, and the combined percentages of the Annexin V+ / PI+, Annexin V+ / PI- and Annexin V- / PI+ populations are considered as dead cells.

[0074] As used herein, the term "agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7, inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or both" refers to a molecule that reduces (including significantly), decreases, blocks, inhibits, or interferes with a Siglec-7 (mammalian, such as a human Siglec-7) biological activity in vitro, in situ, and / or in vivo. The term "agent" implies no specific mechanism of biological action whatsoever, and expressly includes and encompasses all possible pharmacological, physiological, and biochemical interactions with a Siglec-7 whether direct or indirect, and whether interacting with a Siglec-7, one or more of its ligands, or through another mechanism, and its consequences which can be achieved by a variety of different, and chemically divergent, compositions. Exemplary agents include, without limitation, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody that specifically binds to a Siglec-7, a soluble Siglec-7 receptor protein, a soluble Siglec-7-Fc fusion protein (e.g., Siglec-7 immunoadhesin), a soluble Siglec receptor that binds to a Siglec-7 ligand, a Siglec-Fc fusion protein (e.g., Siglec immunoadheisn) that binds to a Siglec-7 ligand, an anti-sense molecule directed to a nucleic acid encoding a Siglec-7, a short interfering RNA ("siRNA") molecule directed to a nucleic acid encoding a Siglec-7, a Siglec-7 inhibitory compound, an RNA or DNA aptamer that binds to a Siglec-7, and a Siglec-7 structural analog. A Siglec-7 inhibitor (e.g., an antibody) may bind (physically interacts with) an agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7, inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or both, binds to a Siglec-7 ligand, and / or inhibits (reduces) Siglec-7 synthesis or production. An agent of the present disclosure inhibitor may bind a Siglec-7 and prevents its binding to one or more of its ligands. An agent of the present disclosure may reduce or eliminate expression (i.e., transcription or translation) of a Siglec-7. Examples of types of agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7, inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or both are provided herein.

[0075] As used herein, the term "agent that binds or interacts with Siglec-7" refers to a molecule that either directly or indirectly interacts with a Siglec-7 protein. The term "agent" implies no specific mechanism of biological action whatsoever, and expressly includes and encompasses all possible pharmacological, physiological, and biochemical interactions with a Siglec-7 whether direct or indirect, and whether interacting with a Siglec-7or through another mechanism, and its consequences which can be achieved by a variety of different, and chemically divergent, compositions. Exemplary agents include, without limitation, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody that specifically binds to a Siglec-7.

[0076] As used herein, the term "RNA interference" or "RNAi" refers generally to a process in which a double-stranded RNA molecule or a short hairpin RNA molecule reducing or inhibiting the expression of a nucleic acid sequence with which the double-stranded or short hairpin RNA molecule shares substantial or total homology. The term "short interfering RNA" or "siRNA" or "RNAi agent" refers to an RNA sequence that elicits RNA interference. See Kreutzer et al., WO 00 / 44895; Zernicka-Goetz et al., WO 01 / 36646; Fire, WO 99 / 32619; Mello and Fire, WO 01 / 29058. As used herein, siRNA molecules include RNA molecules encompassing chemically modified nucleotides and non-nucleotides. The term "ddRNAi agent" refers to a DNA-directed RNAi agent that is transcribed from an exogenous vector. The terms "short hairpin RNA" or "shRNA" refer to an RNA structure having a duplex region and a loop region. ddRNAi agents may be expressed initially as shRNAs.

[0077] As used herein, the term "aptamer" refers to a heterologous oligonucleotide capable of binding tightly and specifically to a desired molecular target, such as, for example, common metabolic cofactors (e.g., Coenzyme A, S-adenosyl methionine, and the like), proteins (e.g., complement protein C5, antibodies, and the like), or conserved structural elements in nucleic acid molecules (e.g., structures important for binding of transcription factors and the like). Aptamers typically comprise DNA or RNA nucleotide sequences ranging from about 10 to about 100 nucleotides in length, from about 10 to about 75 nucleotides in length, from about 10 to about 50 nucleotides in length, from about 10 to about 35 nucleotides in length, and from about 10 to about 25 nucleotides in length. Synthetic DNA or RNA oligonucleotides can be made using standard solid phase phosphoramidite methods and equipment, such as by using a 3900 High Throughput DNA Synthesizer ™< , available from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, CA). Aptamers frequently incorporate derivatives or analogs of the commonly occurring nucleotides found in DNA and RNA (e.g., A, G, C, and T / U), including backbone or linkage modifications (e.g., peptide nucleic acid (PNA) or phosphothioate linkages) to increase resistance to nucleases, binding avidity, or to otherwise alter their pharmacokinetic properties. Exemplary modifications are set forth in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,455,308; 4,469,863; 5,536,821; 5,541,306; 5,637,683; 5,637,684; 5,700,922; 5,717,083; 5,719,262; 5,739,308; 5,773,601; 5,886,165; 5,929,226; 5,977,296; 6,140,482; and in WIPO publications WO 00 / 56746 and WO 01 / 14398. Methods for synthesizing oligonucleotides comprising such analogs or derivatives are disclosed, for example, in the patent publications cited above, and in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,455,308; 5,614,622; 5,739,314; 5,955,599; 5,962,674; 6,117,992; and in WO 00 / 75372.

[0078] The term "about" as used herein refers to the usual error range for the respective value readily known to the skilled person in this technical field. Reference to "about" a value or parameter herein includes (and describes) embodiments that are directed to that value or parameter per se.

[0079] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to an "antibody" is a reference to from one to many antibodies, such as molar amounts, and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0080] It is understood that aspect and embodiments of the present disclosure described herein include "comprising," "consisting," and "consisting essentially of" aspects and embodiments.Overview

[0081] The present disclosure relates to agents (e.g., anti-Siglec-7 antibodies) that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, methods of making and using such agents (e.g., anti-Siglec-7 antibodies); pharmaceutical compositions containing such agents (e.g., anti-Siglec-7 antibodies); nucleic acids encoding such agents (e.g., anti-Siglec-7 antibodies); and host cells containing nucleic acids encoding such agents (e.g., anti-Siglec-7 antibodies).

[0082] The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may have one or more antagonistic activities that are due, at least in part, to the ability of the antibodies inhibit the interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more natural glycan ligands. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies have one or more antagonistic activities that are due, at least in part, to the ability of the antibodies to reduce cellular expression (e.g., cell surface expression) of Siglec-7 by inducing degradation, down regulation, cleavage, receptor desensitization, and / or lysosomal targeting of Siglec-7.

[0083] Antibody-induced Siglec-7 activity can be determined or tested in vitro by any of the techniques disclosed herein (see, e.g., Examples 1-5), including, without limitation, testing plate-binding of full-length anti-Siglec-7 antibodies to increase the density of antibodies exposed to Siglec-7, cross-linking anti-Siglec-7 antibodies with a secondary antibody, cross-linking anti-Siglec-7 antibodies with cells that express one or more Fcg receptors (e.g., FcgRIIB), using Siglec-7 antibodies in solution, and using Fab fragments of Siglec-7 antibodies.

[0084] The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may have one or more antagonistic activities that are due, at least in part, to the ability of the antibodies inhibit the interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more natural glycan ligands. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies have one or more antagonistic activities that are due, at least in part, to the ability of the antibodies to reduce cellular expression (e.g., cell surface expression) of Siglec-7 by inducing degradation, down regulation, cleavage, receptor desensitization, and / or lysosomal targeting of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies exhibit one or more of the following properties: a. decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that is lower than that of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody Mab1138 (R&D Systems; Cat. No. MAB 1138); b. decrease red blood cell binding to Siglec-7-Fc up to 10 fold more effectively than the anti-Siglec-7 antibody Mab1138 (R&D Systems; Cat. No. MAB 1138); c. have a dissociation constant (K D ) for human Siglec-7 that may range from 10 nM to 10 pM, for example when the K D is determined at a temperature of approximately 25°C; d. have a dissociation constant (K D ) for human cells, such as human dendritic cells, that may range from 2 nM to 100 pM, for example when the K D is determined at a temperature of approximately 4°C; e. bind to human cells, such as human dendritic cells with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that may range from 2 nM to 100 pM, for example when the EC 50 is determined at a temperature of approximately 4°C; or f. decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that may range from 350 pM to 33 pM. As disclosed herein half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) refers to the concentration at which an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure reduces cellular levels of Siglec-7 on a cell or in a cell, or the concentration at which the antibody achieves half-maximal binding to Siglec-7 on a cell.

[0085] Advantageously, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure have an improved EC 50 for binding Siglec-7 as compared to commercial anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, such as Mab1138 (R&D Systems; Cat. No. MAB 1138), reduce cell surface expression more potently (e.g., lower EC 50 ) than commercial anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, such as Mab1138 (R&D Systems; Cat. No. MAB 1138), and decreases red blood cell binding to Siglec-7-Fc more effectively (up to 10 fold) as compared to commercial anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, such as Mab1138 (R&D Systems; Cat. No. MAB 1138) (see, e.g., Examples 3 and 4 ).

[0086] The present disclosure is based, at least in part, on the identification of agents, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, that exhibit the ability to compete with one or more Siglec-7 ligands for binding to Siglec-7 and / or the ability to decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 on cells, resulting in the reduction, neutralization, prevention, or curbing of one or more Siglec-7 activities. Exemplary Siglec-7 activities include, without limitation, phosphorylation of Tyr-437 and Tyr-460 by a Src family tyrosine kinase, such as Syk, LCK, FYM, and / or ZAP70; recruitment of and binding to the tyrosine-specific protein phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2; recruitment of and binding to PLC-gamma1, which acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Dynamini-1; recruitment of and binding to SH2-domain containing protein (e.g., Crkl); recruitment of and binding to the spleen tyrosine kinase Syk; recruitment of and binding to SH3-SH2-SH3 growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2); recruitment of and binding to multiple SH2-containing proteins; modulated expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IF IFN-a4, IFN-beta, IL-1β, IL-1alpha, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, CRP, IL-20 family members, LIF, IFN-gamma, OSM, CNTF, GM-CSF, IL-11, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-33, MCP-1, and MIP-1-beta; modulated expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; increased expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-35, IL-16, TGF-beta, IL-1Ra, G-CSF, and soluble receptors for TNF, IFN-betala, IFN-beta1b, or IL-6; modulated expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; modulate expression of one or more proteins selected from C1qa, C1qB, C1qC, C1s, C1R, C4, C2, C3, ITGB2, HMOX1, LAT2, CASP1, CSTA, VSIG4, MS4A4A, C3AR1, GPX1, TyroBP, ALOX5AP, ITGAM, SLC7A7, CD4, ITGAX, and PYCARD; inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation on one or more cellular proteins, optionally, wherein the one or more cellular proteins comprise ZAP-70 and the tyrosine phosphorylation occurs on Tyr-319 of ZAP-70; modulated expression of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7); inhibition of microglial cell chemotaxis toward CCL19-expressing and CCL21-expressing cells; decreasing T cell proliferation induced by one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, M2 microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, and M2 NK cells; inhibition of osteoclast production, decreased rate of osteoclastogenesis, or both; decreasing survival of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; decreasing proliferation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting migration of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting one or more functions of one or more cells selected from-dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting maturation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibition of one or more types of clearance selected from apoptotic neuron clearance, nerve tissue debris clearance, dysfunctional synapse clearance, non-nerve tissue debris clearance, bacteria clearance, other foreign body clearance, disease-causing protein clearance, disease-causing peptide clearance, disease-causing nucleic acid clearance, and tumor cell clearance; optionally wherein the disease-causing protein is selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, the disease-causing nucleic acid is an antisense GGCCCC (G2C4) repeat-expansion RNA, and the tumor cell is from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, and thyroid cancer; inhibition of phagocytosis of one or more of apoptotic neurons, nerve tissue debris, dysfunctional synapses, non-nerve tissue debris, bacteria, other foreign bodies, disease-causing proteins, disease-causing peptides, disease-causing nucleic acids, or tumor cells; optionally wherein the disease-causing nucleic acids are antisense GGCCCC (G2C4) repeat-expansion RNA, the disease-causing proteins are selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, and the tumor cells are from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, or thyroid cancer; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on tumor cells; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on cells selected from neutrophils, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, macrophages, and NK cells; inhibition of tumor cell killing by one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibiting anti-tumor cell proliferation activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibition of anti-tumor cell metastasis activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibition of one or more ITAM motif containing receptors, optionally wherein the one or more ITAM motif containing receptors are selected from TREM1, TREM2, Sirp beta, FcgR, DAP10, and DAP12; inhibition of signaling by one or more pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), optionally wherein the one or more PRRs are selected from receptors that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), receptors that identify damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and any combination thereof; inhibition of one or more receptors comprising the motif D / Ex 0-2 YxxL / IX 6-8 YxxL / I (SEQ ID NO: 537); inhibition of signaling by one or more Toll-like receptors; inhibition of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway; inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFêB); de-phosphorylation of an ITAM motif containing receptor; modulated expression of one or more inflammatory receptors, optionally wherein the one or more inflammatory receptors comprise CD86 and the one or more inflammatory receptors are expressed on one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; increasing expression of one or more Siglec-7-dependent genes; normalization of disrupted Siglec-7-dependent gene expression; decreasing expression of one or more ITAM-dependent genes, optionally wherein the one more ITAM-dependent genes are activated by nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors; promoting or rescuing functionality of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells; increasing infiltration of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells into tumors; increasing the number of tumor-promoting myeloid / granulocytic immune-suppressive cells in a tumor, in peripheral blood, or other lymphoid organ; enhancing tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells; increasing expression of tumor-promoting cytokines in a tumor or in peripheral blood, optionally wherein the tumor-promoting cytokines are TGF-beta or IL-10; increasing tumor infiltration of tumor-promoting FoxP3+ regulatory T lymphocytes; enhancing tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); decreasing activation of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific NK cells with tumor killing potential; decreasing the tumor killing potential of NK cells; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific B lymphocytes with potential to enhance immune response; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; increasing tumor volume; increasing tumor growth rate; increasing metastasis; increasing rate of tumor recurrence; decreasing efficacy of one or more immune-therapies that modulate anti-tumor T cell responses, optionally wherein the one or more immune-therapies are immune-therapies that target one or more target proteins selected from PD1 / PDL1, CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, TREM1, TREM2, CSF-1 receptor, and any combination thereof, or of one or more cancer vaccines; inhibition of PLCã / PKC / calcium mobilization; and inhibition of PI3K / Akt, Ras / MAPK signaling.

[0087] Treatment of cancer with agents, such as Siglec-7 blocking antibodies may: (i) directly or indirectly decrease the survival, proliferation, maturation, differentiation, and / or functionality of tumor-promoting myeloid / granulocytic immune-suppressive cells that accumulate in the tumor, in peripheral blood, and in lymphoid organs of cancer patients; (ii) decrease the number of tumor-promoting myeloid / granulocytic immune-suppressive cells in the tumor, in the peripheral blood, and in other lymphoid organs of a cancer patient; (iii) block tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); (iv) decrease expression of tumor-promoting cytokines, such as TGF-beta and IL-10, in the tumor and in the peripheral blood of a cancer patient; (v) decrease tumor-promoting FoxP3+ regulatory T lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor; (vi) increase infiltration and activation of T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; (vii) increase infiltration of tumor-specific NK cells with tumor killing potential; (viii) increase the tumor killing potential of NK cells; (ix) increase infiltration of tumor-specific B lymphocytes with potential to enhance immune response; (x) decrease tumor volume; (xi) reduce tumor growth rate; (xii) reduce and / or inhibit metastasis; (xiii) reduce rate of tumor recurrence; (xiv) increase efficacy of immune-therapy that modulates anti-tumor T cell responses, such as PD1 / PDL1, CTLA4, CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, and cancer vaccines, (xv) induce, activate, or otherwise increase PLCã / PKC / calcium mobilization; and (xvi) induce, activate, or otherwise increase PI3K / Akt, Ras / MAPK signaling.

[0088] Immunosuppressor cells are sometimes also referred to as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In humans, MDSCs can be defined by one of the following combination of markers: (1) CD14 +< HLA-DR low / -< , (2) CD14 +< IL4Rα +< , (3) CD14 +< HLA-DR IL4Rα +< , (4) CD34 +< CD14 +< CD11b +< Siglec-7 +< , (5) CD11b +< CD14 +< Siglec-7 +< , (6) Siglec-7 +< HLA-DR -< , (7) Lin -< HLA-DR -< , (8) Lin -< HLA-DR -< Siglec-7 +< , (9) Lin -< HLA-DR -< Siglec-7 +< CD11b +< , (10) Lin -< Siglec-7 +< CD11b +< CD15 +< , (11) Lin -< HLA-DR -< Siglec-7 +< CD11b +< CD14 -< CD15 +< , (12) CD11b +< CD14 -< Siglec-7 +< , (13) CD11b +< CD14 -< HLA-DR -< Siglec-7 +< CD15 +< , (14) Siglec-7 +< HLA-DR -< CD15 +< , (15) CD15 +< IL4Rα +< , (16) CD11b +< CD15 +< CD66b +< , (17) CD15 +< FSC low< SSC high< , (18) CD15 high< Siglec-7 +< , (19) CD11b +< CD14 -< CD15 +< , (20) CD66b +< SSC high< , and (21) CD11b +< CD15 +< (see also Solito S et al. Annals of the NY Academy of Sciences, 2014). In mice, MDSCs can be defined by the expression of the surface markers CD45 +< , CD11b +< , Gr1 +< , and / or Il4Ra +< . Additional exemplary immunosuppressive monocytic lineages are CD45 +< , CD11b +< , Gr1 low< ; and CD45 +< , CD11c +< .

[0089] The present disclosure further relates to agents that bind or interact with Siglec-7, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies. In certain embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies do not inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands.Siglec-7 proteins

[0090] The present disclosure provides agents, such as isolated (e.g., monoclonal) antibodies, that interact with or otherwise bind to regions, such as epitopes, within a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure. Agents of the present disclosure, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, may bind to a Siglec-7 protein and modulate one or more Siglec-7 activities after binding to the Siglec-7 protein, for example, an activity associated with Siglec-7 expression in a cell. Siglec-7 proteins of the present disclosure include, without limitation, a mammalian Siglec-7 protein, human Siglec-7 protein, mouse Siglec-7 protein, and rat Siglec-7 protein.

[0091] Siglec-7 is variously referred to as a Siglec-7 molecule, Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 7, AIRM1, CD328, CDw328, D-Siglec, QA79, SIGLEC19P, SIGLECP2, p75, and p75 / AIRM1.

[0092] Siglec-7 is an immunoglobulin-like receptor primarily expressed on immune and hematopoietic cells, including without limitation monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, mast cells, microglial cells, lymphoid cells, natural killer cells, and subsets of T cells.

[0093] Various Siglec-7 homologs are known, including without limitation, human Siglec-7, chimpanzee Siglec-7, pygmy chimpanzee Siglec-7, orangutan Siglec-7, gorilla Siglec-7, and gibbon Siglec-7. The amino acid sequence of human Siglec-7 is set forth below as SEQ ID NO: 1:

[0094] In some embodiments, the Siglec-7 is a preprotein that includes a signal sequence. In some embodiments, the Siglec-7 is a mature protein. In some embodiments, the mature Siglec-7 protein does not include a signal sequence. In some embodiments, the mature Siglec-7 protein is expressed on a cell. In some embodiments, the mature Siglec-7 protein is expressed on a cell, such as the surface of a cell, including, without limitation, human dendritic cells, human macrophages, human monocytes, human osteoclasts, human neutrophils, human T cells, human helper T cell, human cytotoxic T cells, human granulocytes, and human microglia. Agents of the present disclosure, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, may bind any of the Siglec-7 proteins of the present disclosure expressed on any cell disclosed herein.

[0095] Siglec-7 proteins of the present disclosure, such as human Siglec-7, contain several domains, including without limitation, a signal sequence located at amino acid residues 1-18 of SEQ ID NO: 1, an extracellular immunoglobulin-like variable-type (IgV) domain located at amino acid residues 39-122 of SEQ ID NO: 1, two Ig-like C2-type domains located at amino acid residues 150-233 and 240-336 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a transmembrane domain located at amino acid residues 354-376 of SEQ ID NO: 1, an ITIM motif 1 located at amino acid residues 435-440 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and an ITIM motif 2 located at amino acid residues 459-463 of SEQ ID NO: 1. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the beginning and ending residues of the domains of the present disclosure may vary depending upon the computer modeling program used or the method used for determining the domain.

[0096] The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that bind to a human Siglec-7, or a homolog thereof, including without limitation a mammalian Siglec-7 protein and Siglec-7 orthologs from other species. Exemplary Siglec-7 homologs and orthologs are listed in Table A. Table A: Siglec-7 homologs and orthologs Organism Siglec-7 Accession Number Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)NCBI Accession No. XP 009434417.1Pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus)NCBI Accession No. XP 008964443.1Orangutan (Pongo abelii)NCBI Accession No. XP 009231247Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)NCBI Accession No. XP 004061321.1Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)NCBI Accession No. XP 003269883.1

[0097] Accordingly, as used herein a "Siglec-7" protein of the present disclosure includes, without limitation, a mammalian Siglec-7 protein, human Siglec-7 protein, and primate Siglec-7 protein. Additionally, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may bind an epitope within one or more of a mammalian Siglec-7 protein, human Siglec-7 protein, and primate Siglec-7. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies bind specifically to a mammalian Siglec-7 protein, human Siglec-7 protein, or both. In certain embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies bind specifically to human Siglec-7, primate Siglec-7, or both.

[0098] Agents of the present disclosure that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or that bind or interact with Siglec-7, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, may bind Siglec-7 in a pH dependent manner. Agents of the present disclosure, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, may bind to Siglec-7 at a neutral pH and be internalized without dissociating from the Siglec-7 protein. Alternatively, at an acidic pH agents of the present disclosure, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, may dissociate from Siglec-7 once they are internalized and are then degraded by endosome / lysosome pathway. In certain embodiments, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds Siglec-7 at a pH that ranges from 5.5 to 8.0, from 5.5 to 7.5, from 5.5 to 7.0, from 5.5 to 6.5, from 5.5 to 6.0, from 6.0 to 8.0, from 6.5 to 8.0, from 7.0 to 8.0, from 7.5 to 8.0, from 6.0 to 7.5, from 6.0 to 7.0, from 6.5 to 7.5. In certain embodiments, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody dissociates from Siglec-7 at a pH of less than 6.0, less than 5.5, less than 5.0, less than 4.5, less than 4.0, less than 3.5, less than 3.0, less than 2.5, or less than 2.0.

[0099] Agents of the present disclosure that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or that bind or interact with Siglec-7, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, may bind to a wild-type Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure, naturally occurring variants thereof, and / or disease variants thereof.

[0100] Agents of the present disclosure that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or that bind or interact with Siglec-7, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, may bind a variant of human Siglec-7.

[0101] Agents of the present disclosure that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or that bind or interact with Siglec-7, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, may bind to a Siglec-7 protein expressed on the surface of a cell including, without limitation, human dendritic cells, human macrophages, human NK cells, human monocytes, human osteoclasts, human neutrophils, human T cells, human T helper cell, human cytotoxic T cells, human granulocytes, and human microglia. IAgents of the present disclosure that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or that bind or interact with Siglec-7, such as anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure, bind to a Siglec-7 protein expressed on the surface of a cell and modulate (e.g., induce or inhibit) at least one Siglec-7 activity of the present disclosure after binding to the surface expressed Siglec-7 protein. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds specifically to a Siglec-7 protein. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody further binds to at least one additional Siglec protein. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody modulates one or more activities of the at least one additional Siglec protein or of a cell expressing the at least one additional Siglec protein.Siglec-7 ligands

[0102] Siglec-7 proteins of the present disclosure can interact with (e.g., bind to) one or more Siglec-7 ligands.

[0103] Exemplary Siglec-7 ligands include, without limitation, sialic acid, sialic acid-containing glycolipids, sialic acid-containing glycoproteins, alpha-2,8-disialyl containing glycolipids, branched alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid-containing glycoproteins, terminal alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid-containing glycolipids, terminal alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid-containing glycoproteins, disialogangliosides (e.g., gangliosides or glycolipids containing a ceramide linked to a sialylated glycan), secreted mucins, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on red blood cells,Siglec-7 ligands expressed on bacterial cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on apoptotic cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on nerve cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on glial cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on microglia, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on astrocytes, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on viruses, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on dendritic cells, Siglec-7 ligands bound to beta amyloid plaques, Siglec-7 ligands bound to Tau tangles, Siglec-7 ligands on disease-causing proteins, Siglec-7 ligands on disease-causing peptides, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on macrophages, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on neutrophils, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on monocytes, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on natural killer cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on T cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on T helper cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on cytotoxic T cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on B cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor dendritic cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor macrophages, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor neutrophils, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor NK cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and Siglec-7 ligands expressed on regulatory T cells. Siglec-7 ligands of the present disclosure may be ganglioside (e.g., disialogangliosides). Disialogangliosides generally share a common lacto-ceramide core and one or more sialic acid residues.

[0104] Further examples of suitable Siglec-7 ligands are depicted in FIG. 2.

[0105] Further examples of suitable ganglioside (e.g., disialogangliosides) ligands are depicted in FIG. 3 and listed in Table B. Generally, a ganglioside (e.g., disialogangliosides) is a molecule composed of a glycosphingolipid with one or more sialic acids (e.g., n-acetyl-neuraminic acid, NANA) linked on the sugar chain. Table B: Structures of exemplary ganglioside Siglec-7 ligands GM2-1 = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-?)bDGalNAc(1-?)bDGalNAc(1-?)bDGlep(1-1)CerGM3 = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGM2,GM2a(?) = bDGalpNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGM2b(?) = aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGM1,GM1a = bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc[aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)Cerasialo-GM1,GA1 = bDGalp(1-3)bDGalpNAc(1-4)bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)Cerasialo-GM2,GA2 = bDGalpNAc(1-4)bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGM1b = aNeuSAc(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(l-4)bDGalp(1-4)bDGlcp(1-1)CerGD3 = aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGD2 = bDGalpNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlcp(1-1)CerGD1a = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGD1alpha = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-6)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGD1b = bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGT1a = aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGT1,GT1b = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerOAc-GT1b = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)aXNeu5Ac9Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGT1c = bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlep(1-1)CerGT3 = aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGal(1-4)bDGlc(1-1)CerGQ1b = aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-3)bDGalNAc(1-4)[aNeu5Ac(2-8)aNeu5Ac(2-3)]bDGalp(1-4)bDGlcp(1-1)CerGGal = aNeu5Ac(2-3)bDGalp(1-1)Cerwhere:aNeu5Ac = 5-acetyl-alpha-neuraminic acidaNeu5Ac9Ac = 5,9-diacetyl-alpha-neuraminic acidbDGalp = beta-D-galactopyranosebDGalpNAc = N-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosebDGlep = beta-D-glucopyranoseCer = ceramide (general N-acylated sphingoid) Siglec-7 agents

[0106] The present disclosure relates to agents (e.g., Siglec-7 agents) that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. The present disclosure also relates to agents (e.g., Siglec-7 agents) that bind or interact with Siglec-7. Agents of the present disclosure may block, inhibit, reduce, or interfere with one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein in vitro, in situ, and / or in vivo. Agents of the present disclosure may not block, inhibit, reduce, or interfere with one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein in vitro, in situ, and / or in vivo. Agents of the present disclosure may increase, activate or induce one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein in vitro, in situ, and / or in vivo.

[0107] Agents of the present disclosure may be agents (e.g., Siglec-7 agents) that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligand. An agent of the present disclosure that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands is a molecule having one or more of the following characteristics: (1) inhibits or reduces one or more Siglec-7activities; (2) the ability to inhibit or reduce binding of a Siglec-7 to one or more of its ligands; (3) the ability to reduce Siglec-7 expression (such as at the mRNA level and / or at protein level) in Siglec-7-expressing cells; (4) the ability to interact, bind, or recognize a Siglec-7 protein; (5) the ability to specifically interact with or bind to a Siglec-7 protein; and (6) the ability to treat, ameliorate, or prevent any aspect of a disease or disorder described or contemplated herein.

[0108] Exemplary agents that inhibit the production of Siglec-7 include, without limitation, compounds that specifically inhibit Siglec-7 synthesis and / or release, antisense molecules directed to a Siglec-7, or a short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule directed to a nucleic acid encoding a Siglec-7. Additional exemplary agents that inhibit one or more Siglec-7 activities include, without limitation, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that specifically bind to a Siglec-7 protein, compounds that specifically inhibit one or more Siglec-7 activities such as small molecule inhibitors and / or peptide inhibitors, compounds that specifically inhibit Siglec-7 binding to one or more ligands, a Siglec-7 structural analog, or an RNA or DNA aptamer that binds a Siglec-7. An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may be an allosteric inhibitor. An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may be an orthosteric inhibitor.

[0109] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may be a small molecule inhibitor, including, without limitation, small peptides or peptide-like molecules, soluble peptides, and synthetic non-peptidyl organic or inorganic compounds. A small molecule inhibitor may have a molecular weight of any of about 100 to about 20,000 daltons (Da), about 500 to about 15,000 Da, about 1000 to about 10,000 Da. Methods for making and testing the inhibitory effect a small molecule has on one or more Siglec-7 activities are well known in the art and such methods can be used to assess the effect of the small molecule inhibitor on Siglec-7 activity. For example, any of the methods and assays disclosed herein may be used to screen for small molecule inhibitors that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligand.

[0110] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may be an anti-Siglec-7 antibody that binds or physically interacts with a Siglec-7. The antibody may have nanomolar or even picomolar affinities for the target antigen (e.g., Siglec-7). In certain embodiments, the Kd of the antibody is about 0.002 to about 100 nM. In certain embodiments, the Kd of the antibody is about 0.05 to about 100 nM. In certain embodiments, the Kd of the antibody is about 0.05 to about 50 nM. In certain embodiments, the Kd of the antibody is about 0.05 to about 10 nM. In certain embodiments, the Kd of the antibody is about 0.05 to about 2 nM. In certain embodiments, the Kd of the antibody is about 0.1 to about 2 nM. For example, Kd of the antibody is any of about 100 nM, about 90 nM, about 80 nM, about 70 nM, about 60 nM, about 50 nM, about 45 nM, about 40 nM, about 35 nM, about 30 nM, about 25 nM, about 20 nM, about 15 nM, about 10 nM, about 9 nM, about 8 nM, about 7 nM, about 6 nM, about 5 nM, about 4 nM, about 3 nM, about 2 nM, about 1 nM, about 900 pM, about 800 pM, about 700 pM, about 600 pM, about 500 pM, about 400 pM, about 300 pM, about 200 pM, about 100 pM, about 75 pM, or about 50 pM to any of about 2 pM, about 5 pM, about 10 pM, about 15 pM, about 20 pM, about 25 pM about 50 pM, about 75 pM, about 100 pM, about 200 pM, about 300 pM, about 400 pM, about 500 pM, about 600 pM, about 700 pM, about 800 pM, about 900 pM, about 1 nM, or about 2 nM. In some embodiments, the dissociation constant (K D ) for Siglec-7 is determined at a temperature of approximately 25°C. In some embodiments, the K D is determined using a monovalent antibody (e.g., a Fab) or a full-length antibody in a monovalent form. Methods for the preparation and selection of antibodies that interact and / or bind with specificity to a Siglec-7 are described herein. (e.g., see Example 1).

[0111] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may comprise at least one antisense molecule capable of blocking or decreasing the expression of a functional Siglec-7 by targeting nucleic acids encoding a Siglec-7. Nucleic acid sequences of Siglec-7 are known in the art. For example, a human Siglec-7 can have a nucleic acid sequence as shown in NCBI Accession number NM_014385.3 and a chimpanzee Siglec-7 can have a nucleic acid sequence as shown in NCBI Accession number XM_009436142.1. Methods are known for the preparation of antisense oligonucleotide molecules and such methods can be used to prepare antisense oligonucleotides that will specifically bind one or more of a Siglec-7 mRNA without cross-reacting with other polynucleotides. Exemplary sites of targeting include, but are not limited to, the initiation codon, the 5' regulatory regions, the coding sequence, including any conserved consensus regions, and the 3' untranslated region. The antisense oligonucleotides may be about 10 to about 100 nucleotides in length, about 15 to about 50 nucleotides in length, about 18 to about 25 nucleotides in length, or more. The oligonucleotides may further comprise chemical modifications to increase nuclease resistance and the like, such as, for example, phosphorothioate linkages and 2'-O-sugar modifications known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0112] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may comprise at least one siRNA molecule capable of blocking or decreasing the expression of a functional Siglec-7 by targeting nucleic acids encoding a Siglec-7. Methods for preparation of siRNA molecules are well known in the art and such methods can be used to prepare siRNA molecules that will specifically target a Siglec-7 mRNA without cross-reacting with other polynucleotides. siRNA molecules may be generated by methods such as by typical solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis, and often will incorporate chemical modifications to increase half-life and / or efficacy of the siRNA agent, and / or to allow for a more robust delivery formulation. Alternatively, siRNA molecules are delivered using a vector encoding an expression cassette for intracellular transcription of siRNA.

[0113] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may be an RNA or DNA aptamer that binds or physically interacts with a Siglec-7, and blocks interactions between a Siglec-7 and one or more of its ligands. The aptamer may comprise at least one RNA or DNA aptamer that binds to a mature form of Siglec-7.

[0114] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may comprise at least one Siglec-7 structural analog. The term Siglec-7 structural analog refers to compounds that have a similar three dimensional structure as part of that of a Siglec-7 and which bind to one or more CD3 ligands under physiological conditions in vitro or in vivo, wherein the binding at least partially inhibits a Siglec-7 biological activity. Suitable Siglec-7 structural analogs can be designed and synthesized through molecular modeling of Siglec-7 binding to a ligand, such as a Siglec-7 ligand of the present disclosure. The Siglec-7 structural analogs can be monomers, dimers, or higher order multimers in any desired combination of the same or different structures to obtain improved affinities and biological effects. The agent may bind to or interact with an amino acid sequence of a Siglec-7.

[0115] An agent that decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibits interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may comprise a soluble Siglec-7 receptor protein, a soluble Siglec-7-Fc fusion protein (e.g., Siglec-7 immunoadhesin), a soluble Siglec receptor that binds to a Siglec-7 ligand, a Siglec-Fc fusion protein (e.g., Siglec immunoadhesin) that binds to a Siglec-7 ligand. Such agents may bind one or more Siglec-7 ligands and thereby prevent the interaction between a given Siglec-7 ligand and a functional Siglec-7 receptor.

[0116] Agents of the present disclosure may be agents (e.g., Siglec-7 agents) that bind or interact with Siglec-7. Exemplary agents that bind or interact with Siglec-7 include, without limitation, inert anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, agonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, Siglec-7 ligands, Siglec-7 ligand agonist fragments, Siglec-7 immunoadhesins, Siglec-7 soluble receptors, Siglec-Fc fusion proteins (e.g., Siglec immunoadhesins), soluble Siglec receptors, Siglec-7 ligand mimetics, and small molecule compounds. A small molecule compound may have a molecular weight of any of about 100 to about 20,000 daltons (Da), about 500 to about 15,000 Da, about 1000 to about 10,000 Da. Methods for making and testing the effect an agent has on one or more Siglec-7 activities are well known in the art and such methods can be used to assess the effect of the small molecule inhibitor on Siglec-7 activity. For example, any of the methods and assays disclosed herein may be used to screen for small molecule inhibitors that bind or interact with Siglec-7.Assays

[0117] Agents that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands may be identified and / or characterized using methods well known in the art, such as, for example, radiolabeled inhibitor assays, optical assays, protein binding assays, biochemical screening assays, immunoassays, mass shift measurement assays, fluorescence assays, and / or fluorogenic peptide cleavage assays.Binding assays and other assays

[0118] Agents that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands can be identified by techniques well known in the art for detecting the presence of a Siglec-7 agent candidate's interaction and / or binding affinity to a Siglec-7.

[0119] Agents that interact with a Siglec-7 can be identified using a radiolabeled inhibitor assay. For example, a known amount of a radiolabeled agent candidate may be incubated with a known amount of immobilized Siglec-7 and a buffer. Subsequently, the immobilized Siglec-7 may be washed with a buffer and the immobilized Siglec-7 may be measured for the remaining presence of the radiolabeled Siglec-7 agent candidate using techniques known in the art, such as, for example, a gamma counter. A measurement indicating the presence of a radiolabeled substance may indicate the radiolabeled agent candidate is capable of interacting with and / or binding to Siglec-7.

[0120] An agent that interacts with a Siglec-7 may be identified using an optical technique. An exemplary optical technique to detect a Siglec-7 agent may include, e.g., attaching Siglec-7 to a colorimetric resonant grafting surface, thereby shifting the wavelength of reflected light due to changes in the optical path the light must take, and subsequently measuring additional changes in the wavelength of reflected light when a candidate agent is allowed to interact with Siglec-7. For example, no change in the measured wavelength of reflected light when an agent is incubated with Siglec-7 may indicate that the agent candidate is unable to interact with Siglec-7. Changes in the measured wavelength of reflected light when an agent candidate is incubated with Siglec-7 may indicate that the agent candidate is capable of binding and / or interacting with Siglec-7.

[0121] An agent that interacts with a Siglec-7 may be identified using a protein-binding assay. An exemplary protein-binding assay to detect a Siglec-7 agent may include, e.g., co-immunoprecipitation of a Siglec-7 in the presence of the agent candidate. For example, a Siglec-7 may be incubated with the agent candidate in buffer, and subsequently an immobilized molecule specific to capture a Siglec-7, such as, for example, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody, may be used to capture Siglec-7 in the presence of the agent candidate and bind the Siglec-7, potentially with an interacting agent candidate, during wash procedures known in the art. Subsequently, Siglec-7, potentially with an interacting agent candidate, can be released and the presence of an agent candidate may be detected, based on the agent candidate characteristics, by techniques, such as, for example, mass spectrometry and / or Western blot.

[0122] An agent that interacts with a Siglec-7 may be identified using a biochemical and / or an immunoassay assay well known in the art. An exemplary technique may include, e.g., an assay to quantitatively measure changes in Siglec-7 concentration and / or protein half-life using techniques, such as, for example, Western blot, immunostaining, and co-immunoprecipitation. For example, an agent candidate may be incubated with a sample containing a Siglec-7, such as a cell expressing Siglec-7 and subsequently Siglec-7 protein quantity and / or cellular levels may be measured at points during a time course study. Changes in protein quantity, cellular levels, and / or protein half-life in comparison to a control treatment may indicate that the Siglec-7 agent candidate may be capable of altering Siglec-7 half-life and / or activity.

[0123] A mass shift measurement assay may be used to identify an agent that interacts with a Siglec-7. An exemplary mass shift measurement assay may include, e.g., detecting the presence of a strongly and / or covalently bound Siglec-7 agent by measuring a change in Siglec-7 mass when the agent candidate is interacting with Siglec-7 by using instruments, such as, but not limited to, a mass spectrometer. For example, a mass shift assay may be performed on a whole protein and / or a peptide-based analysis, depending on the nature of the agent candidate interaction. Detection of a mass shift correlating with the addition of said agent candidate to Siglec-7 may indicate that the agent candidate may be capable of interacting with or otherwise inhibiting a Siglec-7. Additionally, an exemplary mass shift measurement assay may include, e.g., detecting the addition of mass to Siglec-7 correlating with the respective agent candidate mass when the agent candidate is interacting with Siglec-7 using techniques, such as, for example, surface plasmon resonance. For example, the change in the refractive index of light may be measured and correlated with a change in mass of Siglec-7 attached to a sensor surface.

[0124] A chemical cross-linking assay may be used to identify a Siglec-7 agent that interacts with a Siglec-7. For example, an agent candidate may be incubated with a Siglec-7, in vivo or in vitro, with a molecule cross-linker capable of covalently linking an agent candidate interacting with Siglec-7 to said Siglec-7 molecule. Subsequently, techniques, such as, but not limited to, mass spectrometry and / or Western blot, may be used to identify an agent candidate that may be capable of interacting with or otherwise inhibiting Siglec-7. For example, detection of Siglec-7covalently cross-linked with the agent candidate may indicate that the agent candidate may be capable of interacting with or otherwise inhibiting Siglec-7.

[0125] Agents that interact with a Siglec-7 may be identified using a fluorescence assay. For example, a known amount of a fluorescent agent candidate may be incubated with a known amount of immobilized Siglec-7 and a buffer. Subsequently, the immobilized Siglec-7 may be washed with a buffer and the immobilized Siglec-7 may be measured for the remaining presence of a fluorescent Siglec-7 agent candidate using techniques known in the art, such as, but not limited to, fluorescence detection. A measurement indicating the presence of a fluorescent substance may indicate the fluorescent agent candidate is capable of interacting with and / or binding to Siglec-7.Activity assays

[0126] Assays known in the art and described herein (e.g., Examples 1-10) can be used for identifying and testing biological activities of Siglec-7 agents of the present disclosure. Assays for testing the ability of Siglec-7 agents for modulating one or more Siglec-7 activities are provided.Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies

[0127] The present disclosure relates to anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 without inhibiting the interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may inhibit the interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and inhibit the interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands.

[0128] Cellular levels of Siglec-7 may refer to, without limitation, cell surface levels of Siglec-7, intracellular levels of Siglec-7, and total levels of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, a decrease in cellular levels of Siglec-7 comprises decrease in cell surface levels of Siglec-7. As used herein, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody decreases cell surface levels of Siglec-7 if it induces a decrease of 21% or more in cell surface levels of Siglec-7 as measured by any in vitro cell-based assays or suitable in vivo model described herein or known in the art, for example, utilizing flow cytometry, such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), to measure cell surface levels of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, a decrease in cellular levels of Siglec-7 comprises a decrease in intracellular levels of Siglec-7. As used herein, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody decreases intracellular levels of Siglec-7 if it induces a decrease of 21% or more in intracellular levels of Siglec-7 as measured by any in vitro cell-based assays or suitable in vivo model described herein or known in the art, for example immunostaining, Western blot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and cell cytometry. In some embodiments, a decrease in cellular levels of Siglec-7 comprises a decrease in total levels of Siglec-7. As used herein, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody decreases total levels of Siglec-7 if it induces a decrease of 21% or more in total levels of Siglec-7 as measured by any in vitro cell-based assays or suitable in vivo model described herein or known in the art, for example immunostaining, Western blot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and cell cytometry. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies induce Siglec-7 degradation, Siglec-7 cleavage, Siglec-7 internalization, Siglec-7 shedding, and / or downregulation of Siglec-7 expression. In some embodiments, cellular levels of Siglec-7 are measured on primary cells (e.g., dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, and macrophages) or on cell lines utilizing an in vitro cell assay.

[0129] In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 by at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or more as compared to cellular levels of Siglec-7 in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody.

[0130] In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that may be less than 10 nM, less than 9.5 nM, less than 9 nM, less than 8.5 nM, less than 8 nM, less than 7.5 nM, less than 7 nM, less than 6.5 nM, less than 6 nM, less than 5.5 nM, less than 5 nM, less than 4.5 nM, less than 4 nM, less than 3.5 nM, less than 3 nM, less than 2.5 nM, less than 2 nM, less than 1.5 nM, less than 1.4 nM, less than 1.3 nM, less than 1.2 nM, less than 1.1 nM, less than 1 nM, less than 500 pM, less than 450 pM, less than 400 pM, less than 350 pM, less than 300 pM, less than 250 pM, less than 200 pM, less than 175 pM, less than 170 pM, less than 169 pM, less than 168 pM, less than 167 pM, less than 166 pM, less than 166.2 pM, less than 165 pM, less than 164 pM, less than 163 pM, less than 162 pM, less than 161 pM, less than 160 pM, less than 150 pM, less than 145 pM, less than 140 pM, less than 139 pM, less than 138 pM, less than 138.2 pM, less than 137 pM, less than 136 pM, less than 135 pM, less than 134 pM, less than 133 pM, less than 132 pM, less than 131 pM, less than 130 pM, less than 120 pM, less than 110 pM, less than 100 pM, less than 90 pM, less than 80 pM, less than 70 pM, less than 60 pM, less than 50 pM, less than 40 pM, less than 35 pM, less than 33 pM, less than 30 pM, less than 20 pM, less than 19 pM, less than 18 pM, less than 17 pM, less than 16 pM, less than 15 pM, less than 14 pM, less than 13 pM, less than 12 pM, less than 11 pM, or less than 10 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 10 nM to about 10 pM, or less than 10 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 10 nM to about 100 pM, or less than 100 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 10 nM to about 300 pM, or less than 300 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 2 nM to about 10 pM, or less than 10 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 2 nM to about 100 pM, or less than 100 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 2 nM to about 300 pM, or less than 300 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 1.4 nM to about 10 pM, or less than 10 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 1.4 nM to about 100 pM, or less than 100 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 1.4 nM to about 300 pM, or less than 300 pM. Any suitable methods described herein (e.g., see Examples 1-3) may be used to calculate the half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) for anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure binding to human cells, such as primary dendritic cells. In some embodiments, the half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) is determined at a temperature of approximately 4°C.

[0131] In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that may be less than 500 pM, less than 450 pM, less than 400 pM, less than 350 pM, less than 300 pM, less than 250 pM, less than 200 pM, less than 175 pM, less than 170 pM, less than 169 pM, less than 168 pM, less than 167 pM, less than 166 pM, less than 166.2 pM, less than 165 pM, less than 164 pM, less than 163 pM, less than 162 pM, less than 161 pM, less than 160 pM, less than 150 pM, less than 145 pM, less than 140 pM, less than 139 pM, less than 138 pM, less than 138.2 pM, less than 137 pM, less than 136 pM, less than 135 pM, less than 134 pM, less than 133 pM, less than 132 pM, less than 131 pM, less than 130 pM, less than 120 pM, less than 110 pM, less than 100 pM, less than 90 pM, less than 80 pM, less than 70 pM, less than 60 pM, less than 50 pM, less than 40 pM, less than 35 pM, less than 33 pM, less than 30 pM, less than 20 pM, less than 19 pM, less than 18 pM, less than 17 pM, less than 16 pM, less than 15 pM, less than 14 pM, less than 13 pM, less than 12 pM, less than 11 pM, or less than 10 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 500 pM to about 18 pM, or less than 18 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 500 pM to about 33 pM, or less than 33 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 350 pM to about 18 pM, or less than 18 pM. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) that ranges from about 350 pM to about 33 pM, or less than 33 pM. Any suitable method (e.g., see Examples 1-3) may be used to measure the half-maximal effective concentration (EC 50 ) of the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the EC 50 is determined at a temperature of approximately 37°C.

[0132] Any in vitro cell-based assays or suitable in vivo model described herein or known in the art may be used to measure inhibition of interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands by at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or more at saturating antibody concentrations (e.g., 67 nM) utilizing any in vitro assay or cell-based culture assay described herein or known in the art.

[0133] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies inhibit cell surface clustering of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodiesinhibit one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein, including, without limitation, phosphorylation of Tyr-437 and Tyr-460 by a Src family tyrosine kinase, such as Syk, LCK, FYM, and / or ZAP70; recruitment of and binding to the tyrosine-specific protein phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2; recruitment of and binding to PLC-gamma1, which acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Dynamini-1; recruitment of and binding to SH2-domain containing protein (e.g., Crkl); recruitment of and binding to the spleen tyrosine kinase Syk; recruitment of and binding to SH3-SH2-SH3 growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2); recruitment of and binding to multiple SH2-containing proteins; modulated expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines, optionally wherein the one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines are selected from a group consisting IFN-a4, IFN-beta, IL-1â, IL-1alpha, TNF-á, IL-6, IL-8, CRP, IL-20 family members, LIF, IFN-gamma, OSM, CNTF, GM-CSF, IL-11, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-33, MCP-1, and MIP-1-beta; modulated expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; modulated expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines, optionally wherein the one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines are selected from IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-35, IL-16, TGF-beta, IL-1Ra, G-CSF, and soluble receptors for TNF, IFN-betala, IFN-betalb, or IL-6; modulated expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; modulate expression of one or more proteins selected from C1qa, C1qB, C1qC, C1s, C1R, C4, C2, C3, ITGB2, HMOX1, LAT2, CASP1, CSTA, VSIG4, MS4A4A, C3AR1, GPX1, TyroBP, ALOX5AP, ITGAM, SLC7A7, CD4, ITGAX, and PYCARD; inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation on one or more cellular proteins, optionally, wherein the one or more cellular proteins comprise ZAP-70 and the tyrosine phosphorylation occurs on Tyr-319 of ZAP-70; modulated expression of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7); inhibition of microglial cell chemotaxis toward CCL19-expressing and CCL21-expressing cells; decreasing T cell proliferation induced by one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, M2 microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, and M2 NK cells; inhibition of osteoclast production, decreased rate of osteoclastogenesis, or both; decreasing survival of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; decreasing proliferation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting migration of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting one or more functions of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting maturation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibition of one or more types of clearance selected from apoptotic neuron clearance, nerve tissue debris clearance, dysfunctional synapse clearance, non-nerve tissue debris clearance, bacteria clearance, other foreign body clearance, disease-causing protein clearance, disease-causing peptide clearance, disease-causing nucleic acid clearance, and tumor cell clearance; optionally wherein the disease-causing protein is selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, the disease-causing nucleic acid is an antisense GGCCCC (G2C4) repeat-expansion RNA, and the tumor cell is from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, and thyroid cancer; inhibition of phagocytosis of one or more of apoptotic neurons, nerve tissue debris, dysfunctional synapses, non-nerve tissue debris, bacteria, other foreign bodies, disease-causing proteins, disease-causing peptides, disease-causing nucleic acids, or tumor cells; optionally wherein the disease-causing nucleic acids are antisense GGCCCC (G2C4) repeat-expansion RNA, the disease-causing proteins are selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, and the tumor cells are from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, or thyroid cancer; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on tumor cells; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on cells selected from neutrophils, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, macrophages, and NK cells; inhibition of tumor cell killing by one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibiting anti-tumor cell proliferation activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibition of anti-tumor cell metastasis activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibition of one or more ITAM motif containing receptors, optionally wherein the one or more ITAM motif containing receptors are selected from TREM1, TREM2, Sirp beta, FcgR, DAP10, and DAP12; inhibition of signaling by one or more pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), optionally wherein the one or more PRRs are selected from receptors that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), receptors that identify damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and any combination thereof; inhibition of one or more receptors comprising the motif D / Ex 0-2 YxxL / IX 6-8 YxxL / I (SEQ ID NO: 537); inhibition of signaling by one or more Toll-like receptors; inhibition of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway; inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFêB); de-phosphorylation of an ITAM motif containing receptor; modulated expression of one or more inflammatory receptors, optionally wherein the one or more inflammatory receptors comprise CD86 and the one or more inflammatory receptors are expressed on one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; increasing expression of one or more Siglec-7-dependent genes; normalization of disrupted Siglec-7-dependent gene expression; decreasing expression of one or more ITAM-dependent genes, optionally wherein the one more ITAM-dependent genes are activated by nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors; promoting or rescuing functionality of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells; increasing infiltration of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells into tumors; increasing the number of tumor-promoting myeloid / granulocytic immune-suppressive cells in a tumor, in peripheral blood, or other lymphoid organ; enhancing tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells; increasing expression of tumor-promoting cytokines, such as TGF-beta or IL-10, in a tumor or in peripheral blood; increasing tumor infiltration of tumor-promoting FoxP3+ regulatory T lymphocytes; enhancing tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); decreasing activation of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific NK cells with tumor killing potential; decreasing the tumor killing potential of NK cells; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific B lymphocytes with potential to enhance immune response; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; increasing tumor volume; increasing tumor growth rate; increasing metastasis; increasing rate of tumor recurrence; decreasing efficacy of one or more immune-therapies that modulate anti-tumor T cell responses, such as immune-therapies are immune-therapies that target one or more target proteins selected from PD1 / PDL1, CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, TREM1, TREM2, CSF-1 receptor, and any combination thereof, or of one or more cancer vaccines; inhibition of PLCã / PKC / calcium mobilization; and inhibition of PI3K / Akt, Ras / MAPK signaling.

[0134] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies exhibit one or more activities, including, without limitation, increasing the number of tumor infiltrating CD3 +< T cells; inhibiting Siglec-7 binding to one or more Siglec-7 ligands; decreasing cellular levels of Siglec-7 in peripheral immune cells; reducing the number of non-tumorigenic CD14 +< myeloid cells, optionally wherein the non-tumorigenic CD14 +< myeloid cells are tumor infiltrating cells or optionally wherein the non-tumorigenic CD14 +< myeloid cells are present in blood; reducing the number of non-tumorigenic CD14 +< myeloid cells, optionally wherein the non-tumorigenic CD14 +< myeloid cells are tumor infiltrating cells or optionally wherein the non-tumorigenic CD14 +< myeloid cells are present in the tumor; reducing PD-L1 levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); reducing PD-L2 levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); reducing CD11b levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); reducing B7-H3 levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); reducing CD200R levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); reducing CD163 levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); reducing CD206 levels in one or more cells, optionally wherein the one or more cells are non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); decreasing tumor growth rate of solid tumors; reducing tumor volume; increasing efficacy of one or more PD-1 inhibitors; increasing efficacy of one or more checkpoint inhibitor therapies and / or immune-modulating therapies, optionally wherein the one or more checkpoint inhibitor therapies and / or immune-modulating therapies target one or more of CTL4, the adenosine pathway, PD-L1, PD-L2, OX40, TIM3, LAG3, or any combination thereof; inhibiting differentiation, survival, and / or one or more functions of non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); inducing cell death of one or more myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); and increasing proliferation of T cells in the presence of non-tumorigenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC).

[0135] The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure and one or more Siglec-7 ligands including, without limitation, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on red blood cells,Siglec-7 ligands expressed on bacterial cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on apoptotic cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on nerve cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on glial cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on microglia, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on astrocytes, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on viruses, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on dendritic cells, Siglec-7 ligands bound to beta amyloid plaques, Siglec-7 ligands bound to Tau tangles, Siglec-7 ligands on disease-causing proteins, Siglec-7 ligands on disease-causing peptides, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on macrophages, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on neutrophils, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on monocytes, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on natural killer cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on T cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on T helper cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on cytotoxic T cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on B cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor dendritic cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor macrophages, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor neutrophils, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor NK cells, Siglec-7 ligands expressed on myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and Siglec-7 ligands expressed on regulatory T cells. Siglec-7 ligands of the present disclosure may be gangliosides (e.g., disialogangliosides).

[0136] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may bind to a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure expressed on the surface of cell and the naked antibodies inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between the Siglec-7 protein and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure that bind to a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between the Siglec-7 protein and one or more Siglec-7 ligands by reducing the effective levels of Siglec-7 that is available to interact with these proteins either on the cell surface or inside the cell. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure that bind to a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between the Siglec-7 protein and one or more Siglec-7 ligands by inducing degradation of Siglec-7.

[0137] The present disclosure also relates to anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands.

[0138] As used herein, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody does not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 if it decreases cell surface levels of Siglec-7 by less than 20% as compared to cellular levels of Siglec-7 in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody utilizing any in vitro cell-based assays or suitable in vivo model described herein or known in the art. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 by less than 20%, less than 19%, less than 18%, less than 17%, less than 16%, less than 15%, less than 14%, less than 13%, less than 12%, less than 11%, less than 10%, less than 9%, less than 8%, less than 7%, less than 6%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% as compared to cellular levels of Siglec-7 in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody.

[0139] As used herein, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody does not inhibit the interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands if it decreases ligand binding to Siglec-7 by less than 20% at saturating antibody concentrations (e.g., 67 nM) utilizing any in vitro assay or cell-based culture assay described herein or known in the art. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands by less than 20%, less than 19%, less than 18%, less than 17%, less than 16%, less than 15%, less than 14%, less than 13%, less than 12%, less than 11%, less than 10%, less than 9%, less than 8%, less than 7%, less than 6%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% at saturating antibody concentrations (e.g., 67 nM) utilizing any in vitro assay or cell-based culture assay described herein or known in the art.

[0140] As used herein, levels of Siglec-7 may refer to expression levels of the gene encoding Siglec-7; to expression levels of one or more transcripts encoding Siglec-7; to expression levels of Siglec-7 protein; and / or to the amount of Siglec-7 protein present within cells and / or on the cell surface. Any methods known in the art for measuring levels of gene expression, transcription, translation, and / or protein abundance or localization may be used to determine the levels of Siglec-7.

[0141] Additionally, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure can be used to prevent, reduce risk of, or treat dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, mixed dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, taupathy disease, Nasu-Hakola disease, stroke, acute trauma, chronic trauma, lupus, acute and chronic colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, wound healing, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, obesity, malaria, essential tremor, central nervous system lupus, Behcet's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, cortical basal ganglionic degeneration, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, granulomartous disorders, sarcoidosis, diseases of aging, seizures, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal degeneration, respiratory tract infection, sepsis, eye infection, systemic infection, lupus, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, low bone density, osteoporosis, osteogenesis, osteopetrotic disease, Paget's disease of bone, and cancer including bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, primary or idiopathic myelofibrosis, primary or idiopathic myelosclerosis, myeloid-derived tumors, tumors that express Siglec-7, thyroid cancer, infections, CNS herpes, parasitic infections, Trypanosome infection, Cruzi infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, Leishmania donovani infection, group B Streptococcus infection, Campylobacter jejuni infection, Neisseria meningiditis infection, type I HIV, and / or Haemophilus influenza. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure can be used for inducing or promoting the survival, maturation, functionality, migration, or proliferation of one or more immune cells in an individual in need thereof; or for decreasing the activity, functionality, or survival of regulatory T cells, tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor dendritic cells, tumor-imbedded immunosuppressor macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell, and / or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell in an individual in need thereof. The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present invention are monoclonal antibodies.

[0142] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody decreases cellular levels of Siglec-7 (e.g., cell surface levels, intracellular levels, and / or total levels). In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody induces downregulation of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody induces cleavage of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody induces internalization of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody induces shedding of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody induces degradation of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure induces desensitization of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic to transiently activate Siglec-7. An isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure may act as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing a decrease in cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibition of interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing degradation of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing cleavage of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing internalization of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing shedding of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing downregulation of Siglec-7 expression. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody acts as a ligand mimetic and transiently activates Siglec-7 before inducing desensitization of Siglec-7.

[0143] In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure is a murine antibody. In some embodiments, an isolated anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure is a human antibody, a humanized antibody, a bispecific antibody, a multivalent antibody, or a chimeric antibody. Exemplary descriptions of such antibodies are found throughout the present disclosure.

[0144] In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure bind to a human Siglec-7, or a homolog thereof, including without limitation, a mammalian Siglec-7 protein, chimpanzee Siglec-7 protein (NCBI Accession No. XP_009434417.1),pygmy chimpanzee Siglec-7 protein (XP_008964443.1), orangutan Siglec-7 protein (NCBI Accession No. XP_009231247), gorilla Siglec-7 protein (NCBI Accession No. XP_004061321.1), or gibbon Siglec-7 protein (NCBI Accession No. XP_003269883.1). In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure specifically bind to human Siglec-7. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure specifically bind to primate Siglec-7. In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure specifically bind to both human Siglec-7 and primate Siglec-7.

[0145] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may be agonist antibodies or antagonist antibodies that bind to a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure expressed on the surface of a cell and modulate (e.g., induce or inhibit) one or more Siglec-7 activities of the present disclosure after binding to the surface-expressed Siglec-7 protein. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may be inert antibodies.

[0146] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies do not significantly reduce TREM2 expression, including, without limitation, cell surface levels of TREM2, intracellular levels of TREM2, and / or total levels of TREM2. In some embodiments, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody does not reduce cellular levels of TREM2 in vivo. The cellular levels of TREM2 may be measured on primary cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells, or on cell lines, and wherein the cellular levels of TREM2 are measured utilizing an in vitro cell assay. As used herein, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody does not significantly reduce cTREM2 expression if it reduced TREM2 by less than 20% as compared toTREM2 expression in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody utilizing any in vitro cell-based assays or suitable in vivo model described herein or known in the art. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may decrease TREM2 expression by less than 20%, less than 19%, less than 18%, less than 17%, less than 16%, less than 15%, less than 14%, less than 13%, less than 12%, less than 11%, less than 10%, less than 9%, less than 8%, less than 7%, less than 6%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% as compared to TREM2 expression in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody.Anti-Siglec-7 antibody-binding regions

[0147] The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 9-353, 39-149, 93-104, 95-105, 39-122, 123-149, 150-233, 240-336, 264-273, 295-306, 327-341, or 337-353 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 9-353, 39-149, 93-104, 95-105, 39-122, 123-149, 150-233, 240-336, 264-273, 295-306, 327-341, or 337-353 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 and 84-95 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 and 84-95 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 and 117-127 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 and 117-127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 68-78 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 68-78 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 84-95 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 84-95 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 111-122 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 111-122 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 111-122 and 282-291 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 111-122 and 282-291 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 113-123 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 113-123 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 113-125 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 113-125 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 117-127 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 117-127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 282-291 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 282-29 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0148] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody binds to one or more amino acid residues selected from M30, Q31, V44, R45, S47, F48, Y50, , T103, K104, and T107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or one or more amino acid residues on a mammalian Siglec-7 protein corresponding to an amino acid residue selected from M30, Q31, V44, R45, S47, F48, Y50, T103, K104, and T107 of SEQ ID NO: 1. An anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure may bind to one or more, two or more, three or more, or all four amino acid residues selected from I72, W74, N81, and R124 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or one or more, two or more, three or more, or all four amino acid residues on a mammalian Siglec-7 protein corresponding to an amino acid residue selected from I72, W74, N81, and R124 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure binds to one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or all five amino acid residues selected from R45, S47, T103, K104, and T107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or all five amino acid residues on a mammalian Siglec-7 protein corresponding to an amino acid residue selected from R45, S47, T103, K104, and T107 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure binds to one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or all ten amino acid residues selected from M30, Q31, V44, R45, S47, F48, Y50, T103, K104, and T107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or all ten amino acid residues on a mammalian Siglec-7 protein corresponding to an amino acid residue selected from M30, Q31, V44, R45, S47, F48, Y50, T103, K104, and T107 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0149] As indicated in Table 7B, the critical Siglec-7 residues involved in binding by antibody 4E3 corresponded to amino acid residues I 72 , W 74 , N 81 , and R 124 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The critical Siglec-7 residues involved in binding by antibody 10B5 corresponded to amino acid residues R 45 , S 47 , T 103 , K 104 , and T 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1; and the secondary residues involved in binding by antibody 10B5 corresponded to amino acid residues M 30 , Q 31 , V 44 , F 48 , and Y 50 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0150] The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 and 84-95 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 and 84-95 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 and 117-127 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 and 117-127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 68-78 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 68-78 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 84-95 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 84-95 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 111-122 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 111-122 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 111-122 and 282-291 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 111-122 and 282-291 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 113-123 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 113-123 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 113-125 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 113-125 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 117-127 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 117-127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 282-291 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 282-29 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0151] The present disclosure also provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 and 84-95 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 and 84-95 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 60-69 and 117-127 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 60-69 and 117-127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 68-78 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 68-78 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 84-95 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 84-95 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 111-122 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 111-122 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 111-122 and 282-291 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 111-122 and 282-291 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 113-123 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 113-123 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 113-125 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 113-125 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 117-127 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 117-127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present disclosure provides anti-Siglec-7 antibodies that do not significantly decrease cell surface levels of Siglec-7 and / or do not inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and that bind to one or more amino acids within amino acid residues 282-291 of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or within amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 homolog or ortholog corresponding to amino acid residues 282-29 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0152] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies bind a conformational epitope. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies bind a discontinuous Siglec-7 epitope. In some embodiments, the discontinuous Siglec-7 epitope may have two or more peptides, three or more peptides, four or more peptides, five or more peptides, six or more peptides, seven or more peptide, eight or more peptides, nine or more peptides, or 10 or more peptides. As disclosed herein, Siglec-7 epitopes may comprise one or more peptides comprising five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, 10 or more, 11 or more, 12 or more, 13 or more 14 or more, 15 or more, 16 or more, 17 or more, 18 or more, 19 or more, or 20 or more amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, 10 or more, 11 or more, 12 or more, 13 or more 14 or more, 15 or more, 16 or more, 17 or more, 18 or more, 19 or more, or 20 or more amino acid residues on a mammalian Siglec-7 protein corresponding to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0153] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may competitively inhibit binding of at least one antibody selected from any of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may competitively inhibit binding of at least one antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8.

[0154] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may bind to an epitope of human Siglec-7 that is the same as or overlaps with the Siglec-7 epitope bound by at least one antibody selected from any of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may bind to an epitope of human Siglec-7 that is the same as or overlaps with the Siglec-7 epitope bound by at least one antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8.

[0155] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may bind essentially the same Siglec-7 epitope bound by at least one antibody selected from any of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may bind essentially the same Siglec-7 epitope bound by at least one antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8. Detailed exemplary methods for mapping an epitope to which an antibody binds are provided in Morris (1996) "Epitope Mapping Protocols," in Methods in Molecular Biology vol. 66 (Humana Press, Totowa, NJ).

[0156] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may compete with one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof for binding to Siglec-7.

[0157] An anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure may compete with one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof, for binding to Siglec-7 when the anti-Siglec-7 antibody reduces the binding of one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof to Siglec-7 by an amount the ranges from about 50% to 100%, as compared to binding to Siglec-7 in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody. An anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure may compete with one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof for binding to Siglec-7 when the anti-Siglec-7 antibody reduces the binding of one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof to Siglec-7 by at least 50%, at least 55%, by at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or 100%, as compared to binding to Siglec-7 in the absence of the anti-Siglec-7 antibody. An anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure that reduces the binding of one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof to Siglec-7 by 100% may indicate that the anti-Siglec-7 antibody essential completely blocks the binding of one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof to Siglec-7. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody and the one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof may be present in an amount that corresponds to a 10:1 ratio, 9:1 ratio, 8:1 ratio, 7:1 ratio, 6:1 ratio, 5:1 ratio, 4:1 ratio, 3:1 ratio, 2:1 ratio, 1:1 ratio, 0.75:1 ratio, 0.5:1 ratio, 0.25:1 ratio, 0.1:1 ratio, 0.075:1 ratio, 0.050:1 ratio, 0.025:1 ratio, 0.01:1 ratio, 0.0075: ratio, 0.0050:1 ratio, 0.0025:1 ratio, 0.001: ratio, 0.00075:1 ratio, 0.00050:1 ratio, 0.00025:1 ratio, 0.0001: ratio, 1:10 ratio, 1:9 ratio, 1:8 ratio, 1:7 ratio, 1:6 ratio, 1:5 ratio, 1:4 ratio, 1:3 ratio, 1:2 ratio, 1:0.75 ratio, 1:0.5 ratio, 1:0.25 ratio, 1:0.1 ratio, 1:0.075 ratio, 1:0.050 ratio, 1:0.025 ratio, 1:0.01 ratio, 1:0.0075 ratio, 1:0.0050 ratio, 1:0.0025 ratio, 1:0.001 ratio, 1:0.00075 ratio, 1:0.00050 ratio, 1:0.00025 ratio, or 1:0.0001ratio of anti-Siglec-7 antibody to one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may be present in excess by an amount that ranges from about 1.5-fold to 100-fold, or greater than 100-fold compared to the amount of the one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody may be present in an amount that is about a 2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold, 5-fold, 6-fold, 7-fold, 8-fold, 9-fold, 10-fold, 15-fold, 20-fold, 25-fold, 30-fold, 35-fold, 40-fold, 45-fold, 50-fold, 55-fold, 60-fold, 65-fold, 70-fold, 75-fold, 80-fold, 85-fold, 90-fold, 95-fold, or 100-fold excess compared to the amount of the one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof.

[0158] Any suitable competition assay or Siglec-7 binding assay known in the art, such as BIAcore analysis, ELISA assays, or flow cytometry, may be utilized to determine whether an anti-Siglec-7 antibody competes with one or more antibodies selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof for binding to Siglec-7. In an exemplary competition assay, immobilized Siglec-7 or cells expressing Siglec-7 on the cell surface are incubated in a solution comprising a first labeled antibody that binds to Siglec-7 (e.g., human or non-human primate) and a second unlabeled antibody that is being tested for its ability to compete with the first antibody for binding to Siglec-7. The second antibody may be present in a hybridoma supernatant. As a control, immobilized Siglec-7 or cells expressing Siglec-7 is incubated in a solution comprising the first labeled antibody but not the second unlabeled antibody. After incubation under conditions permissive for binding of the first antibody to Siglec-7, excess unbound antibody is removed, and the amount of label associated with immobilized Siglec-7 or cells expressing Siglec-7 is measured. If the amount of label associated with immobilized Siglec-7 or cells expressing Siglec-7 is substantially reduced in the test sample relative to the control sample, then that indicates that the second antibody is competing with the first antibody for binding to Siglec-7. See, Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual ch.14 (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY).Anti-Siglec-7 antibody light chain and heavy chain variable regions

[0159] The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may comprise (a) a light chain variable region comprising at least one, two, or three HVRs selected from HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 of any one of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof; and / or (b) a heavy chain variable region comprising at least one, two, or three HVRs selected from HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 of any one of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof. The HVR-L1, HVR-L2, HVR-L3, HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 may comprise EU or Kabat CDR, Chothia CDR, or Contact CDR sequences as shown in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, 10G8, and any combination thereof.

[0160] The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may comprise at least one, two, three, four, five, or six HVRs selected from (i) HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any of the HVR-L1 sequences listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8; (ii) HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any of the HVR-L2 sequences listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8; (iii) HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any of the HVR-L3 sequences listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8; (iv) HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of any of the HVR-H1 sequences listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8; (v) HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of any of the HVR-H2 sequences listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8; and (vi) HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of any of the HVR-H3 sequences listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or from an antibody selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies comprise a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain, wherein (a) the HVR-L1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, the HVR-L2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26, the HVR-L3comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, the HVR-H1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, the HVR-H2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65, and the HVR-H3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78; (b) the HVR-L1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, the HVR-L2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28, the HVR-L3comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, the HVR-H1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, the HVR-H2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and the HVR-H3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80; (c) the HVR-L1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, the HVR-L2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, the HVR-L3comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, the HVR-H1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, the HVR-H2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, and the HVR-H3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; (d) the HVR-L1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, the HVR-L2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, the HVR-L3comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, the HVR-H1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57, the HVR-H2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70, and the HVR-H3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; or (e) the HVR-L1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, the HVR-L2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, the HVR-L3comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, the HVR-H1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, the HVR-H2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, and the HVR-H3 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.

[0161] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may comprise a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain, wherein the light chain variable domain comprises one or more of: (a) an HVR-L1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 7-19 and 476, or an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% homology to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 7-19 and 476; (b) an HVR-L2 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 20-32 and 477, or an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% homology to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 20-32 and 477; and (c) an HVR-L3 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 33-45 and 478, or an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% homology to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 33-45 and 478; and / or wherein the heavy chain variable domain comprises one or more of: (a) a an HVR-H1 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 46-58 and 479, or an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% homology to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 46-58 and 479; (b) an HVR-H2 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 59-71 and 480-482, or an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% homology to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 59-71 and 480-482; and (c) an HVR-H3 comprising an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 72-84 and 483, or an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% homology to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 72-84 and 483.

[0162] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may comprise a light chain variable region of any one of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8; and / or a heavy chain variable region of any one of the antibodies listed in Tables 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, or selected from 1A12, 1E8, 2G1, 2G4, 3E11, 4A1, 4D7, 4E3, 4E3H1, 4E3H2, 7A3, 7E11, 7F12, 10B5, 10B5L1, 10B5H1, and 10G8. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may comprise a light chain variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from any of SEQ ID NOs: 189-318, 449-461, and 484-489; and / or a heavy chain variable domain comprising an amino acid sequence selected from any of SEQ ID NOs: 319-448, 462-474, and 490-496.

[0163] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibody 4D7. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an isolated antibody comprising the HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 of the heavy chain variable domain and the HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 of the light chain variable domain of monoclonal antibody 4D7.

[0164] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibody 7A3. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an isolated antibody comprising the HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 of the heavy chain variable domain and the HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 of the light chain variable domain of monoclonal antibody 7A3.

[0165] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibody 7E11. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an isolated antibody comprising the HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 of the heavy chain variable domain and the HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 of the light chain variable domain of monoclonal antibody 7E11.

[0166] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibody 10B5. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an isolated antibody comprising the HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 of the heavy chain variable domain and the HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 of the light chain variable domain of monoclonal antibody 10B5.

[0167] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibody 10G8. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an isolated antibody comprising the HVR-H1, HVR-H2, and HVR-H3 of the heavy chain variable domain and the HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3 of the light chain variable domain of monoclonal antibody 10G8.

[0168] Any of the antibodies of the present disclosure may be produced by a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell line may be a mammalian cell line. In certain embodiments, the cell line may be a hybridoma cell line. In other embodiments, the cell line may be a yeast cell line. Any cell line known in the art suitable for antibody production may be used to produce an antibody of the present disclosure. Exemplary cell lines for antibody production are described throughout the present disclosure.

[0169] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibody selected from 4D7, 7A3, 7E11, 10B5, and 10G8. In certain embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an antagonist antibody.Anti-Siglec-7 antibody binding affinity

[0170] The dissociation constants (K D ) of anti-Siglec-7 antibodies for human Siglec-7, mammalian Siglec-7, or both, may be less than 100nM, less than 90 nM, less than 80 nM, less than 70 nM, less than 60 nM, less than 50 nM, less than 40 nM, less than 30 nM, less than 20 nM, less than 10 nM, less than 9.5 nM, less than 9 nM, less than 8.5 nM, less than 8 nM, less than 7.5 nM, less than 7 nM, less than 6.5 nM, less than 6 nM, less than 5.5 nM, less than 5 nM, less than 4.5 nM, less than 4 nM, less than 3.5 nM, less than 3 nM, less than 2.5 nM, less than 2 nM, less than 1.5 nM, less than 1 nM, less than 0.5 nM, less than 0.4 nM, less than 0.3 nM, less than 0.2 nM, less than 0.1 nM, less than 0.05 nM (i.e., 50 pM), less than 40 pM, less than 30 pM, less than 20 pM, less than 19 pM, less than 18 pM, less than 17 pM, less than 16 pM, less than 15 pM, less than 14 pM, less than 13 pM, less than 12 pM, less than 11 pM, less than 10 pM, or less than 5 pM. In some embodiments, the antibody has a dissociation constant (K D ) for human Siglec-7, mammalian Siglec-7, or both, that ranges from about 10 nM to about 10 pM (i.e., 0.01 nM), or less than 10 pM. In some embodiments, the antibody has a dissociation constant (K D ) for human Siglec-7 that ranges from about 9.5 nM to about 17 pM, or less than 17 pM. In some embodiments, the antibody has a dissociation constant (K D ) for human Siglec-7 that ranges from about 2 nM to about 100 pM. Dissociation constants may be determined through any analytical technique, including any biochemical or biophysical technique such as ELISA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), bio-layer interferometry (see, e.g., Octet System by ForteBio), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), stopped-flow analysis, and colorimetric or fluorescent protein melting analyses. In some embodiments, the dissociation constant (K D ) for Siglec-7 is determined at a temperature of approximately 25°C. In some embodiments, the K D is determined using a monovalent antibody (e.g., a Fab) or a full-length antibody. In some embodiments, the K D is determined using a full-length antibody in a monovalent form. In some embodiments, the K D is determined utilizing, for example, a surface plasmon resonance assay as described herein (see, e.g., Example 1).

[0171] Additional anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, e.g., antibodies that specifically bind to a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure, may be identified, screened, and / or characterized for their physical / chemical properties and / or biological activities by various assays known in the art.Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies capable of binding Fc gamma receptors

[0172] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies retain the ability to bind Fc gamma receptors. In some embodiments, such antibodies when they have the correct epitope specificity that is compatible with receptor activation may have features that enable them to cluster and transiently stimulate, for example, the Siglec-7 receptor. In some embodiments, such antibodies may subsequently act as longer-term inhibitors of Siglec-7 expression and / or one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein by inducing Siglec-7 degradation, Siglec-7 desensitization, Siglec-7 cleavage, Siglec-7 internalization, Siglec-7 shedding, downregulation of Siglec-7 expression, and / or lysosomal degradation of Siglec-7.

[0173] In vivo, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may cluster receptors and transiently activate Siglec-7 by any one or more of multiple potential mechanisms. Some isotypes of human antibodies such as IgG2 have, due to their unique structure, an intrinsic ability to cluster receptors, or retain receptors in a clustered configuration, thereby transiently activating receptors such as Siglec-7 without binding to an Fc receptor (e.g., White et al., (2015) Cancer Cell 27, 138-148).

[0174] In some embodiments, other antibodies may cluster receptors (e.g., Siglec-7) by binding to Fcg receptors on adjacent cells. In some embodiments, binding of the constant IgG Fc region of the antibody to Fcg receptors may lead to aggregation of the antibodies, and the antibodies in turn may aggregate the receptors to which they bind through their variable region (Chu et al (2008) Mol Immunol , 45:3926-3933; and Wilson et al., (2011) Cancer Cell 19, 101-113). In some embodiments, binding to the inhibitory Fcg receptor FcgR (FcgRIIB) that does not elicit cytokine secretion, oxidative burst, increased phagocytosis, and enhanced antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a preferred way to cluster antibodies in vivo, since binding to FcgRIIB is not associated with adverse immune response effects.

[0175] There are other mechanisms by which anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure can cluster receptors. For example, antibody fragments (e.g., Fab fragments) that are cross-linked together may be used to cluster receptors (e.g., Siglec-7) in a manner similar to antibodies with Fc regions that bind Fcg receptors, as described above. In some embodiments, cross-linked antibody fragments (e.g., Fab fragments) may transiently function as agonist antibodies if they induce receptor clustering on the cell surface and bind an appropriate epitope on the target (e.g., Siglec-7).

[0176] Therefore, antibodies of the present disclosure that bind a Siglec-7 protein may include agonist antibodies that due to their epitope specificity bind Siglec-7 and transiently activate one or more Siglec-7 activities before they, for example, decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7, inhibit one or more Siglec-7 activities, and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. Such antibodies may bind to the ligand-binding site on Siglec-7 and transiently mimic the action of a natural ligand, or stimulate the target antigen to transduce signal by binding to one or more domains that are not the ligand-binding sites. In some embodiments, such antibodies would not interfere with ligand binding. Regardless of whether antibodies bind or do not bind to the ligand-binding site on Siglec-7, the antibodies may subsequently act as longer term inhibitors of Siglec-7 expression and / or one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein by inducing Siglec-7 degradation, Siglec-7 desensitization, Siglec-7 cleavage, Siglec-7 internalization, Siglec-7 shedding, downregulation of Siglec-7 expression, and / or lysosomal degradation of Siglec-7.

[0177] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is a transient agonist antibody that transiently induces one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein. In some embodiments, the antibody transiently induces the one or more activities after binding to a Siglec-7 protein that is expressed in a cell. In some embodiments, the Siglec-7 protein is expressed on a cell surface. In some embodiments, the one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein that are transiently induced by transient agonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may include, without limitation, phosphorylation of Tyr-437 and Tyr-460 by a Src family tyrosine kinase, such as Syk, LCK, FYM, and / or ZAP70; recruitment of and binding to the tyrosine-specific protein phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2; recruitment of and binding to PLC-gamma1, which acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Dynamini-1; recruitment of and binding to SH2-domain containing protein (e.g., Crkl); recruitment of and binding to the spleen tyrosine kinase Syk; recruitment of and binding to SH3-SH2-SH3 growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2); recruitment of and binding to multiple SH2-containing proteins; modulated expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-a4, IFN-beta, IL-1â, IL-1alpha, TNF-á, IL-6, IL-8, CRP, IL-20 family members, LIF, IFN-gamma, OSM, CNTF, GM-CSF, IL-11, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, CRP, MCP-1, and MIP-1-beta; modulated expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; increased expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-35, IL-16, TGF-beta, IL-1Ra, G-CSF, and soluble receptors for TNF, IFN-beta1a, IFN-betalb, or IL-6; modulated expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; modulate expression of one or more proteins selected from C1qa, C1qB, C1qC, C1s, C1R, C4, C2, C3, ITGB2, HMOX1, LAT2, CASP1, CSTA, VSIG4, MS4A4A, C3AR1, GPX1, TyroBP, ALOX5AP, ITGAM, SLC7A7, CD4, ITGAX, and PYCARD; inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation on one or more cellular proteins, optionally, wherein the one or more cellular proteins comprise ZAP-70 and the tyrosine phosphorylation occurs on Tyr-319 of ZAP-70; modulated expression of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7); inhibition of microglial cell chemotaxis toward CCL19-expressing and CCL21-expressing cells; decreasing T cell proliferation induced by one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, M2 microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, and M2 NK cells; inhibition of osteoclast production, decreased rate of osteoclastogenesis, or both; decreasing survival of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; decreasing proliferation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting migration of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting one or more functions of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibiting maturation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; inhibition of one or more types of clearance selected from apoptotic neuron clearance, nerve tissue debris clearance, dysfunctional synapse clearance, non-nerve tissue debris clearance, bacteria clearance, other foreign body clearance, disease-causing protein clearance, disease-causing peptide clearance, and tumor cell clearance; optionally wherein the disease-causing protein is selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides and the tumor cell is from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, and thyroid cancer; inhibition of phagocytosis of one or more of apoptotic neurons, nerve tissue debris, dysfunctional synapses, non-nerve tissue debris, bacteria, other foreign bodies, disease-causing proteins, disease-causing peptides, disease-causing nucleic acids, or tumor cells; optionally wherein the disease-causing nucleic acids are antisense GGCCCC (G2C4) repeat-expansion RNA, the disease-causing proteins are selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, and the tumor cells are from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, or thyroid cancer; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on tumor cells; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on cells selected from neutrophils, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, macrophages, and NK cells; inhibition of tumor cell killing by one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibiting anti-tumor cell proliferation activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibition of anti-tumor cell metastasis activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; inhibition of one or more ITAM motif containing receptors, optionally wherein the one or more ITAM motif containing receptors are selected from TREM1, TREM2, Sirp beta, FcgR, DAP10, and DAP12; inhibition of signaling by one or more pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), optionally wherein the one or more PRRs are selected from receptors that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), receptors that identify damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and any combination thereof; inhibition of one or more receptors comprising the motif D / Ex 0-2 YxxL / IX 6-8 YxxL / I (SEQ ID NO: 537); inhibition of signaling by one or more Toll-like receptors; inhibition of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway; inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFêB); de-phosphorylation of an ITAM motif containing receptor; modulated expression of one or more inflammatory receptors, optionally wherein the one or more inflammatory receptors comprise CD86 and the one or more inflammatory receptors are expressed on one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; increasing expression of one or more Siglec-7-dependent genes; normalization of disrupted Siglec-7-dependent gene expression; decreasing expression of one or more ITAM-dependent genes, optionally wherein the one more ITAM-dependent genes are activated by nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors; promoting or rescuing functionality of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells; increasing infiltration of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells into tumors; increasing the number of tumor-promoting myeloid / granulocytic immune-suppressive cells in a tumor, in peripheral blood, or other lymphoid organ; enhancing tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells; increasing expression of tumor-promoting cytokines in a tumor or in peripheral blood, optionally wherein the tumor-promoting cytokines are TGF-beta or IL-10; increasing tumor infiltration of tumor-promoting FoxP3+ regulatory T lymphocytes; enhancing tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); decreasing activation of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific NK cells with tumor killing potential; decreasing the tumor killing potential of NK cells; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific B lymphocytes with potential to enhance immune response; decreasing infiltration of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; increasing tumor volume; increasing tumor growth rate; increasing metastasis; increasing rate of tumor recurrence; decreasing efficacy of one or more immune-therapies that modulate anti-tumor T cell responses, optionally wherein the one or more immune-therapies are immune-therapies that target one or more target proteins selected from PD1 / PDL1, CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, TREM1, TREM2, CSF-1 receptor, and any combination thereof, or of one or more cancer vaccines; inhibition of PLCã / PKC / calcium mobilization; and inhibition of PI3K / Akt, Ras / MAPK signaling. Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may be tested for their ability to transiently induce one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein utilizing any suitable technique or assay known in the art and disclosed herein. Regardless of the activities that such antibodies transiently induce, such antibodies may subsequently act as longer-term inhibitors of Siglec-7 expression and / or one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein by inducing Siglec-7 degradation, Siglec-7 desensitization, Siglec-7 cleavage, Siglec-7 internalization, Siglec-7 shedding, downregulation of Siglec-7 expression, and / or lysosomal degradation of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, the Siglec-7 antibody transiently induces one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein independently of binding to an Fc receptor.

[0178] Exemplary antibody Fc isotypes and modifications are provided in Table C below. In some embodiments, an anti-Siglec-7 antibody that is capable of binding an Fc gamma receptor has an Fc isotype listed in Table C below. Table C: Exemplary anti-Siglec-7 antibody Fc isotypes that are capable of binding Fc gamma receptor Fc Isotype Mutation (EU numbering scheme) IgG1N297AIgG1D265A and N297AIgG1D270AIgG1L234A and L235AL234A and G237AL234A and L235A and G237AIgG1D270A, and / or P238D, and / or L328E, and / or S267E / L328F, and / or E233, and or / G237D, and / or H268D, and / or P271G, and / or A330RIgG1P238D and L328E and E233D and G237D and H268D and P271G and A330RIgG1P238D and L328E and G237D and H268D and P271G and A330RIgG1P238D and S267E and L328F and E233D and G237D and H268D and P271G and A330RIgG1P238D and S267E and L328F and G237D and H268D and P271G and A330RIgG2V234A and G237AIgG4L235A and G237A and E318AIgG4S228P and L236EIgG2 / 4 hybridIgG2 aa 118 to 260 and IgG4 aa 261 to 447H268Q and V309L; and A330S and P331SIgG1C226S and C229S and E233P and L234V and L235AIgG1L234F and L235E and P331SIgG2C232S or C233SIgG2A330S and P331SIgG1S267E, and L328FS267E aloneIgG2S267E and L328FIgG4S267E and L328FIgG2WT HC with Kappa (light chain) LCHC C127S with Kappa LCKappa LC C214SKappa LC C214S and HC C233SKappa LC C214S and HC C232SAny of the above listed mutations together with P330S and P331S mutationsF(ab')2 fragment of WT IgG1 and any of the above listed mutationsIgG1Substitute the Constant Heavy 1 (CH1) and hinge region of IgG1 With CH1 and hinge region of IGg2ASTKGPSVFP LAPCSRSTSE STAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVS WNSGALTSGV HTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVT VPSSNFGTQT YTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTVER KCCVECPPCP (SEQ ID NO: 475)With a Kappa LCIgG1Any of the above listed mutations together with A330L and / or L234F and / or L235E and / or P331SIgG1, IgG2, or IgG4Any of the above listed mutations together with M252Y and / or S254T and / or T256EMouse IgG1For mouse disease modelsIgG4WT

[0179] In addition to the isotypes described in Table C, and without wishing to be bound to theory, it is thought that antibodies with human IgG1 or IgG3 isotypes and mutants thereof (e.g. Strohl (2009) Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2009, 20:685-691) that bind the Fcg Receptors I, IIA, IIC, IIIA, IIIB in human and / or Fcg Receptors I, III and IV in mouse, may also act as transient agonist antibodies.

[0180] In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody is of the IgG class, the IgM class, or the IgA class. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 isotype.

[0181] In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has an IgG2 isotype. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody contains a human IgG2 constant region. In some embodiments, the human IgG2 constant region includes an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody binds an inhibitory Fc receptor. In certain embodiments, the inhibitory Fc receptor is inhibitory Fc-gamma receptor IIB (FcγIIB). In some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more modifications. For example, in some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more amino acid substitutions (e.g., relative to a wild-type Fc region of the same isotype). In some embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions are selected from V234A (Alegre et al., (1994) Transplantation 57:1537-1543. 31; Xu et al., (2000) Cell Immunol, 200:16-26), G237A (Cole et al. (1999) Transplantation, 68:563-571), H268Q, V309L, A330S, P331S (US 2007 / 0148167; Armour et al. (1999) Eur J Immunol 29: 2613-2624; Armour et al. (2000) The Haematology Journal 1(Suppl.1):27; Armour et al. (2000) The Haematology Journal 1(Suppl.1):27), C232S, and / or C233S (White et al.(2015) Cancer Cell 27, 138-148), S267E, L328F (Chu et al., (2008) Mol Immunol, 45:3926-3933), M252Y, S254T, and / or T256E, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.

[0182] In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has an IgG2 isotype with a heavy chain constant domain that contains a C127S amino acid substitution, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention (White et al.,(2015) Cancer Cell 27, 138-148; Lightle et al., (2010) PROTEIN SCIENCE 19:753-762; and WO2008079246).

[0183] In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has an IgG2 isotype with a Kappa light chain constant domain that contains a C214S amino acid substitution, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention (White et al.,(2015) Cancer Cell 27, 138-148; Lightle et al., (2010) PROTEIN SCIENCE 19:753-762; and WO2008079246).

[0184] In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has an IgG1 isotype. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody contains a mouse IgG1 constant region. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody contains a human IgG1 constant region. In some embodiments, the human IgG1 constant region includes an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody binds an inhibitory Fc receptor. In certain embodiments, the inhibitory Fc receptor is inhibitory Fc-gamma receptor IIB (FcγIIB). In some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more modifications. For example, in some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more amino acid substitutions (e.g., relative to a wild-type Fc region of the same isotype). In some embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions are selected from N297A (Bolt S et al. (1993) Eur J Immunol 23:403-411), D265A (Shields et al. (2001) R. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 6591-6604), D270A, L234A, L235A (Hutchins et al. (1995) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 92:11980-11984; Alegre et al., (1994) Transplantation 57:1537-1543. 31; Xu et al., (2000) Cell Immunol, 200:16-26), G237A (Alegre et al. (1994) Transplantation 57:1537-1543. 31; Xu et al. (2000) Cell Immunol, 200:16-26), P238D, L328E, E233D, G237D, H268D, P271G, A330R, C226S, C229S, E233P, L234V, L234F, L235E (McEarchern et al., (2007) Blood, 109:1185-1192), P331S (Sazinsky et al., (2008) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2008, 105:20167-20172), S267E, L328F, A330L, M252Y, S254T, T256E, N297Q, P238S, P238A, A327Q, A327G, P329A, K322A, and / or T394D where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.

[0185] In some embodiments, the antibody includes an IgG2 isotype heavy chain constant domain 1(CH1) and hinge region (White et al., (2015) Cancer Cell 27, 138-148). In certain embodiments, the IgG2 isotype CH1 and hinge region contain the amino acid sequence of ASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLY SLSSVVTVPSSNFGTQTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTVERKCCVECPPCP (SEQ ID NO: 475). In some embodiments, the antibody Fc region contains a S267E amino acid substitution, a L328F amino acid substitution, or both, and / or a N297A or N297Q amino acid substitution, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.

[0186] In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has an IgG4 isotype. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody contains a human IgG4 constant region. In some embodiments, the human IgG4 constant region includes an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody binds an inhibitory Fc receptor. In certain embodiments, the inhibitory Fc receptor is inhibitory Fc-gamma receptor IIB (FcγIIB). In some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more modifications. For example, in some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more amino acid substitutions (e.g., relative to a wild-type Fc region of the same isotype). In some embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions are selected from L235A, G237A, S228P, L236E (Reddy et al., (2000) J Immunol, 164:1925-1933), S267E, E318A, L328F, M252Y, S254T, and / or T256E, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.

[0187] In certain embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody has a hybrid IgG2 / 4 isotype. In some embodiments, the Fc gamma receptor-binding antibody includes an amino acid sequence containing amino acids 118 to 260 according to EU or, Kabat numbering of human IgG2 and amino acids 261-447 according to EU or, Kabat numbering of human IgG4 (WO 1997 / 11971; WO 2007 / 106585).

[0188] In certain embodiments, the antibody contains a mouse IgG4 constant region (Bartholomaeus, et al. (2014). J. Immunol. 192, 2091-2098).

[0189] In some embodiments, the Fc region further contains one or more additional amino acid substitutions selected from A330L, L234F; L235E, or P331S according to EU or, Kabat numbering; and any combination thereof.Inert antibodies

[0190] Another class of anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure includes inert antibodies. As used herein, "inert" antibodies refer to antibodies that specifically bind their target antigen (e.g., Siglec-7) but do not modulate (e.g., decrease / inhibit or activate / induce) antigen function. For example, in the case of Siglec-7, inert antibodies do not modulate cellular levels of Siglec-7, do not modulate interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or do not modulate one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein. Antibodies that do not have the ability to cluster Siglec-7 on the cell surface may be inert antibodies even if they have an epitope specificity that is compatible with receptor activation.

[0191] Antibodies that bind a Siglec-7 protein may include antibodies that bind Siglec-7 but, due to their epitope specificity, or characteristics, do not decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 and / or inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands. Such antibodies can be used as cargo to, for example, transport toxins (e.g., chemotherapeutics) into tumor cells. Such antibodies may be superior to current commercially available anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, such as antibody Mab1138 (R&D Systems; Cat. No. MAB 1138). Inert anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure may be superior to commercial antibodies, such as antibody Mab1138, because antibodies that do not decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 will leave Siglec-7 intact on the surface of tumor cells for targeting by additional toxin-conjugated antibodies. In contrast, antibodies that decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 will remove Siglec-7 from the cell surface and will lead to protection of the tumor cells from further targeting by toxin-conjugated antibodies. Therefore, antibodies of the present disclosure include inert antibodies that bind Siglec-7 but are incapable of decreasing cellular levels of Siglec-7, inhibiting interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands, or inducing one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein.

[0192] Antibodies that either decrease or do not decrease cellular levels of Siglec-7 on cells can be combined with an inert Fc region that displays reduced binding to one or more Fcg Receptor. Examples of such Fc regions and modifications are provided in Table D below. In some embodiments, the antibody with an inert Fc region has an Fc isotype listed in Table D below.Antagonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies

[0193] A third class of anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure includes antagonist antibodies. Antibodies that bind a Siglec-7 protein may include antagonist antibodies that reduce cellular levels of Siglec-7, inhibit interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and / or one or more Siglec-7 ligands, and inhibit one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein. Such antibodies inhibit one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein either by preventing interaction (e.g., binding) between Siglec-7 and one or more Siglec-7 ligands or by preventing signal transduction from the extracellular domain of Siglec-7 into the cell cytoplasm in the presence of one or more Siglec-7 ligands. Antagonist antibodies also can inhibit one or more activities of a Siglec-7 protein by decreasing cell surface levels of Siglec-7 by inducing Siglec-7 degradation, Siglec-7 desensitization, Siglec-7 cleavage, Siglec-7 internalization, Siglec-7 shedding, downregulation of Siglec-7 expression, and / or lysosomal degradation of Siglec-7. In some embodiments, such antagonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies may not transiently activate Siglec-7.

[0194] In some embodiments, antagonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies may have the epitope specificity of a transient agonist anti-Siglec-7 antibody of the present disclosure, but have an Fc domain that is not capable of binding Fcg receptors and thus is unable to, for example, transiently clustering and activating Siglec-7.

[0195] In some embodiments, antagonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies have, without limitation, one or more of the following activities: the ability to decrease binding of a Siglec-7 protein to one or more Siglec-7 ligands, such as sialic acid-containing glycolipids or sialic acid-containing glycoproteins, the ability to decrease the binding of a suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) protein (e.g., SOCS3 protein) to a Siglec-7 protein, the ability to increase the proteasomal degradation of a Siglec-7 protein, the ability to reduce functional expression of Siglec-7 on the surface of circulating dendritic cells, macrophages, monocytes, T cells, and / or microglia, the ability to decrease or inhibit phosphorylation of Tyr-437 and Tyr-460 by a Src family tyrosine kinase, such as Syk, LCK, FYM, and / orZAP70; the ability to inhibit recruitment of and binding to the tyrosine-specific protein phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2; the ability to inhibit recruitment of and binding to PLC-gamma1, which acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Dynamini-1; the ability to inhibit recruitment of and binding to SH2-domain containing protein (e.g., Crkl); the ability to inhibit recruitment of and binding to the spleen tyrosine kinase Syk; the ability to inhibit recruitment of and binding to SH3-SH2-SH3 growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2); the ability to inhibit recruitment of and binding to multiple SH2-containing proteins; the ability to modulate expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines, optionally wherein the one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines are selected from IFN-a4, IFN-beta, IL-1β, IL-1alpha, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, CRP, IL-20 family members, LIF, IFN-gamma, OSM, CNTF, GM-CSF, IL-11, IL-12, IL-17, IL-18, IL-33, MCP-1, and MIP-1-beta; the ability to modulate expression of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; the ability to modulate expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines, optionally wherein the one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines are selected from IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-35, IL-16, TGF-beta, IL-1Ra, G-CSF, and soluble receptors for TNF, IFN-betala, IFN-betalb, or IL-6; the ability to modulate expression of one or more anti-inflammatory cytokines in one or more cells selected from macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, and microglial cells; the ability to modulate expression of one or more proteins selected from C1qa, C1qB, C1qC, C1s, C1R, C4, C2, C3, ITGB2, HMOX1, LAT2, CASP1, CSTA, VSIG4, MS4A4A, C3AR1, GPX1, TyroBP, ALOX5AP, ITGAM, SLC7A7, CD4, ITGAX, and PYCARD; the ability to counteract inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; the ability to prevent decreased tyrosine phosphorylation on one or more cellular proteins, optionally, wherein the one or more cellular proteins comprise ZAP-70 and the tyrosine phosphorylation occurs on Tyr-319 of ZAP-70; the ability to modulate expression of C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7); the ability to prevent inhibition of microglial cell chemotaxis toward CCL19-expressing and CCL21-expressing cells; the ability to prevent decreasing T cell proliferation induced by one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, M2 microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, and M2 NK cells; the ability to prevent inhibition of osteoclast production, the ability to prevent decreased rate of osteoclastogenesis, or both; the ability to prevent decreased survival of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; the ability to prevent decreased proliferation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; the ability to enhance migration of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; the ability to prevent a decrease in one or more functions of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; the ability to enhance maturation of one or more cells selected from dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, M1 macrophages, M1 neutrophils, M1 NK cells, activated M1 macrophages, activated M1 neutrophils, activated M1 NK cells, M2 macrophages, M2 neutrophils, M2 NK cells, monocytes, osteoclasts, T cells, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, granulocytes, neutrophils, microglia, M1 microglia, activated M1 microglia, and M2 microglia; the ability to enhance one or more types of clearance selected from apoptotic neuron clearance, nerve tissue debris clearance, dysfunctional synapse clearance, non-nerve tissue debris clearance, bacteria clearance, other foreign body clearance, disease-causing protein clearance, disease-causing peptide clearance, and tumor cell clearance; optionally wherein the disease-causing protein is selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides and the tumor cell is from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, and thyroid cancer; inhibition of phagocytosis of one or more of apoptotic neurons, nerve tissue debris, dysfunctional synapses, non-nerve tissue debris, bacteria, other foreign bodies, disease-causing proteins, disease-causing peptides, disease-causing nucleic acids, or tumor cells; optionally wherein the disease-causing nucleic acids are antisense GGCCCC (G2C4) repeat-expansion RNA, the disease-causing proteins are selected from amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, and the tumor cells are from a cancer selected from bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, renal cell cancer, renal pelvis cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, fibrosarcoma, or thyroid cancer; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on tumor cells; binding to Siglec-7 ligand on cells selected from neutrophils, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, monocytes, microglia, macrophages, and NK cells; inhibition of tumor cell killing by one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; activating anti-tumor cell proliferation activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; the ability to enhance anti-tumor cell metastasis activity of one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; the ability to enhance the activity of one or more ITAM motif containing receptors, optionally wherein the one or more ITAM motif containing receptors are selected from TREM1, TREM2, SIRP beta, FcgR, DAP10, and DAP12; the ability to enhance signaling by one or more pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), optionally wherein the one or more PRRs are selected from receptors that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), receptors that identify damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and any combination thereof; the ability to enhance activity of one or more receptors comprising the motif D / Ex 0-2 YxxL / IX 6-8 YxxL / I (SEQ ID NO: 537); the ability to enhance signaling by one or more Toll-like receptors; the ability to enhance the JAK-STAT signaling pathway; the ability to enhance the activity of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFêB); the ability to increase phosphorylation of an ITAM motif containing receptor; the ability to increase expression of one or more inflammatory receptors, optionally wherein the one or more inflammatory receptors comprise CD86 and the one or more inflammatory receptors are expressed on one or more of microglia, macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, T helper cells, or cytotoxic T cells; the ability to decrease expression of one or more Siglec-7-dependent genes; the ability to enhance expression of one or more ITAM-dependent genes, optionally wherein the one more ITAM-dependent genes are activated by nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit differentiation of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit functionality of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit infiltration of one or more of immunosuppressor dendritic cells, immunosuppressor macrophages, immunosuppressor neutrophils, immunosuppressor NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-associated neutrophils, tumor-associated NK cells, and regulatory T cells into tumors; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit the number of tumor-promoting myeloid / granulocytic immune-suppressive cells in a tumor, in peripheral blood, or other lymphoid organ; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit expression of tumor-promoting cytokines, such as TGF-beta or IL-10, in a tumor or in peripheral blood; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit tumor infiltration of tumor-promoting FoxP3+ regulatory T lymphocytes; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit tumor-promoting activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC); the ability to increase or otherwise enhance tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; the ability to increase or otherwise enhance infiltration of tumor-specific NK cells with tumor killing potential; the ability to increase or otherwise enhance the tumor killing potential of NK cells; the ability to increase or otherwise enhance infiltration of tumor-specific B lymphocytes with potential to enhance immune response; the ability to increase or otherwise enhance infiltration of tumor-specific T lymphocytes with tumor killing potential; the ability to decrease tumor volume; the ability to decrease tumor growth rate; the ability to decrease or otherwise inhibit metastasis; the ability to decrease rate of tumor recurrence; the ability to increase or otherwise enhance efficacy of one or more immune-therapies that modulate anti-tumor T cell responses, optionally wherein the one or more immune-therapies are immune-therapies that target one or more target proteins selected from PD1 / PDL1, CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, TREM1, TREM2, CSF-1 receptor, and any combination thereof, or of one or more cancer vaccines; the ability to increase or otherwise enhance PLCã / PKC / calcium mobilization; and the ability to increase or otherwise enhance PI3K / Akt, Ras / MAPK signaling.

[0196] In some embodiments, antagonist anti-Siglec-7 antibodies have an Fc region that displays reduced binding to one or more Fcg Receptor. Examples of such Fc regions and modifications are provided in Table D below. In some embodiments, the antibody has an Fc isotype listed in Table D below.Antibody Fc isotypes with reduced binding to Fc gamma receptors

[0197] In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies with reduced binding to Fc gamma receptors have an Fc isotype listed in Table D below. Table D: Exemplary anti-Siglec-7 antibody Fc isotypes with reduced binding to Fc gamma receptor Fc Isotype Mutation (EU numbering scheme) IgG1N297Aor N297QIgG1D265A, D270A, and N297AIgG1L234A and L235AIgG2V234A and G237AIgG4F235A and G237A and E318AE233P and / or F234VN297Aor N297QIgG4S228P and L236ES241PS241P and L248ES228P and F234A and L235AIgG2H268Q and V309L and A330S and P331SIgG1C220S and C226S and C229S and P238SIgG1C226S and C229S and E233P and L234V, and L235AIgG1E233P and L234V and L235A and G236-deletedP238AD265AN297AA327Q or A327GP329AIgG1K322A and L234A and L235AIgG1L234Fand L235E and P331SIgG1 or IgG4T394DIgG2C232S or C233SN297Aor N297QIgG2V234A and G237A and P238S and H268A and V309L and A330S and P331SIgG1, IgG2, or IgG4delta a,b , c, ab, ac, g modificationsIgG1Any of the above listed mutations together with A330L or L234F and / or L235E and / or P331SIgG1, IgG2, or IgG4Any of the above listed mutations together with M252Y and / or S254T and / or T256E

[0198] In certain embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7antibody has an IgG1 isotype. In some embodiments, the antibody contains a mouse IgG1 constant region. In some embodiments, the antibody contains a human IgG1 constant region. In some embodiments, the human IgG1 constant region includes an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more modifications. For example, in some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more amino acid substitutions (e.g., relative to a wild-type Fc region of the same isotype).

[0199] In some embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions are selected from N297A, N297Q (Bolt S et al. (1993) Eur J Immunol 23:403-411), D270A, D265A, L234A, L235A (McEarchern et al., (2007) Blood, 109:1185-1192), C226S, C229S (McEarchern et al., (2007) Blood, 109:1185-1192), P238S (Davis et al., (2007) J Rheumatol, 34:2204-2210), E233P, L234V (McEarchern et al., (2007) Blood, 109:1185-1192), P238A, A327Q, A327G, P329A (Shields RL. et al., (2001) J Biol Chem. 276(9):6591-604), K322A, L234F, L235E (Hezareh,et al., (2001) J Virol 75, 12161-12168; Oganesyan et al., (2008). Acta Crystallographica 64, 700-704), P331S (Oganesyan et al., (2008) Acta Crystallographica 64, 700-704), T394D (Wilkinson et al. (2013) MAbs 5(3): 406-417), A330L, M252Y, S254T, and / or T256E, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention. In certain embodiments, the Fc region further includes an amino acid deletion at a position corresponding to glycine 236 according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.

[0200] In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has an IgG1 isotype with a heavy chain constant region that contains a C220S amino acid substitution according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention. In some embodiments, the Fc region further contains one or more additional amino acid substitutions selected from t A330L, L234F; L235E, and / or P331S according to EU or Kabat numbering convention. In certain embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has an IgG2 isotype. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody contains a human IgG2 constant region. In some embodiments, the human IgG2 constant region includes an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more modifications. For example, in some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more amino acid substitutions (e.g., relative to a wild-type Fc region of the same isotype). In some embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions are selected from P238S, V234A, G237A, H268A, H268Q, H268E, V309L, N297A, N297Q, V309L, A330S, P331S, C232S, C233S, M252Y, S254T, and / or T256E, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention (Vafa O. et al., (2014) Methods 65:114-126).

[0201] In certain embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has an IgG4 isotype. In some embodiments, the anti-Siglec-7 antibody contains a human IgG4 constant region. In some embodiments, the human IgG4 constant region includes an Fc region. In some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more modifications. For example, in some embodiments, the Fc region contains one or more amino acid substitutions (e.g., relative to a wild-type Fc region of the same isotype). In some embodiments, the one or more amino acid substitutions are selected from E233P, F234V, L235A, G237A, E318A (Hutchins et al. (1995) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 92:11980-11984), S228P, L234A / F234A,, L236E, S241P, L248E (Reddy et al., (2000) J Immunol,164:1925-1933; Angal et al., (1993) Mol Immunol. 30(1):105-8; US 8614299 B2; Vafa O. et al., (2014) Methods 65:114-126), T394D, M252Y, S254T, T256E, N297A, and / or N297Q, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.

[0202] In some embodiments, the Fc region further contains one or more additional amino acid substitutions selected from a M252Y, S254T, and / or T256E, where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention.Further IgG mutations

[0203] In some embodiments, one or more of the IgG1 variants described herein may be combined with an A330L mutation (Lazar et al., (2006) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 103:4005-4010), or one or more of L234F, L235E, and / or P331S mutations (Sazinsky et al., (2008) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 105:20167-20172), where the amino acid position is according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention, to eliminate complement activation. In some embodiments, the IgG variants described herein may be combined with one or more mutations to enhance the anti-Siglec-7 antibody half-life in human serum (e.g. M252Y, S254T, T256E mutations according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention) (Dall' Acqua et al., (2006) J Biol Chem, 281:23514-23524; and Strohl e al., (2009) Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 20:685-691).

[0204] In some embodiments, an IgG4 variant of the present disclosure may be combined with an S228P mutation according to the EU or Kabat numbering convention (Angal et al., (1993) Mol Immunol, 30:105-108), an F234A mutation, an L235A mutation, and / or with one or more mutations described in Peters et al., (2012) J Biol Chem. 13;287(29):24525-33) to enhance antibody stabilization.

[0205] In some embodiments, anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure have an IgG4 isotype. In some embodiments, the antibody Fc region contains an S228P amino acid substitution at residue position 228, an F234A amino acid substitution at residue position 234, and an L235A amino acid substitution at residue position 235, according to EU numbering.Bispecific antibodies

[0206] The present disclosure also relates to bispecific antibodies that bind to one or more domains on a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure and a second antigen. Methods of generating bispecific antibodies are well known in the art and described herein. In some embodiments, bispecific antibodies bind to one or more amino acid residues of a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure, such as one or more amino acid residues of human Siglec-7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), or amino acid residues on a Siglec-7 protein corresponding to amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO: 1. Bispecific antibodies of the present disclosure may recognize a first antigen and a second antigen. In some embodiments, the first antigen is a Siglec-7 protein or a naturally occurring variant thereof. In some embodiments, the second antigen is also a Siglec-7 protein, or a naturally occurring variant thereof. In some embodiments, the second antigen is an antigen facilitating transport across the blood-brain-barrier (see, e.g., Gabathuler R., Neurobiol. Dis. 37 (2010) 48-57). Such second antigens include, without limitation, transferrin receptor (TR), insulin receptor (HIR), insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), low-density lipoprotein receptor related proteins 1 and 2 (LPR-1 and 2), diphtheria toxin receptor, CRM197, a llama single domain antibody, TMEM 30(A), a protein transduction domain, TAT, Syn-B, penetratin, a poly-arginine peptide, Angiopep peptides such as ANG1005 (see, e.g., Gabathuler, 2010), and other cell surface proteins that are enriched on blood-brain barrier endothelial cells (see, e.g., Daneman et al., PLoS One. 2010 Oct 29;5(10):e13741). In some embodiments, the second antigen is a disease-causing protein including, without limitation, amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides. In some embodiments, the second antigen is one or more ligands and / or proteins expressed on immune cells, including without limitation, CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, CD3, and phosphatidylserine. In some embodiments, the second antigen is a protein, lipid, polysaccharide, or glycolipid expressed on one or more tumor cells.Antibody fragments

[0207] The present disclosure also relates to antibody fragments that bind to one or more of a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure, a naturally occurring variant of a Siglec-7 protein, and a disease variant of a Siglec-7 protein. In some embodiments, the antibody fragment is an Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab')2, Fv or scFv fragment.

[0208] In some embodiments, the antibody fragment is used in combination with a second Siglec-7 antibody and / or with one or more antibodies that specifically bind a disease-causing protein selected from: amyloid beta, oligomeric amyloid beta, amyloid beta plaques, amyloid precursor protein or fragments thereof, Tau, IAPP, alpha-synuclein, TDP-43, FUS protein, C9orf72 (chromosome 9 open reading frame 72), c9RAN protein, prion protein, PrPSc, huntingtin, calcitonin, superoxide dismutase, ataxin, ataxin 1, ataxin 2, ataxin 3, ataxin 7, ataxin 8, ataxin 10, Lewy body, atrial natriuretic factor, islet amyloid polypeptide, insulin, apolipoprotein AI, serum amyloid A, medin, prolactin, transthyretin, lysozyme, beta 2 microglobulin, gelsolin, keratoepithelin, cystatin, immunoglobulin light chain AL, S-IBM protein, Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation products, DiPeptide repeat (DPR) peptides, glycine-alanine (GA) repeat peptides, glycine-proline (GP) repeat peptides, glycine-arginine (GR) repeat peptides, proline-alanine (PA) repeat peptides, ubiquitin, and proline-arginine (PR) repeat peptides, and any combination thereof; or with one or more antibodies that bind an immunomodulatory protein selected from: CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, CD137 / 4-1BB, CD27, GITR, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, PD-1, B7-H3, B7-H4, HVEM, BTLA, KIR, GAL9, TIM3, A2AR, LAG, DR-5, TREM1, TREM2, CSF-1 receptor, CD33, Siglec-5, Siglec-9, Siglec-11, phosphatidylserine, and any combination thereof.

[0209] Antibody fragments of the present disclosure may be functional fragments that bind the same epitope as any of the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure. The antibody fragments may be miniaturized versions of the anti-Siglec-7 antibodies or antibody fragments of the present disclosure that have the same epitope of the corresponding full-length antibody, but have much smaller molecule weight. Such miniaturized anti-Siglec-7 antibody fragments may have better brain penetration ability and a shorter half-life, which is advantageous for imaging and diagnostic utilities (see e.g., Lütje S et al., Bioconjug Chem. 2014 Feb 19;25(2):335-41; Tavaré R et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jan 21;111(3):1108-13; and Wiehr S et al., Prostate. 2014 May;74(7):743-55). Accordingly, anti-Siglec-7 antibody fragments of the present disclosure may have better brain penetration as compared to their corresponding full-length antibodies and / or have a shorter half-life as compared to their corresponding full-length antibodies.Antibody frameworks

[0210] Any of the antibodies described herein further include a framework. In some embodiments, the framework is a human immunoglobulin framework. For example, in some embodiments, an antibody (e.g., an anti-Siglec-7 antibody) comprises HVRs as in any of the above embodiments and further comprises an acceptor human framework, e.g., a human immunoglobulin framework or a human consensus framework. Human immunoglobulin frameworks may be part of the human antibody, or a non-human antibody may be humanized by replacing one or more endogenous frameworks with human framework region(s). Human framework regions that may be used for humanization include but are not limited to: framework regions selected using the "best-fit" method (see, e.g., Sims et al. J. Immunol. 151:2296 (1993)); framework regions derived from the consensus sequence of human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chain variable regions (see, e.g., Carter et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:4285 (1992); and Presta et al. J. Immunol., 151:2623 (1993)); human mature (somatically mutated) framework regions or human germline framework regions (see, e.g., Almagro and Fransson, Front. Biosci. 13:1619-1633 (2008)); and framework regions derived from screening FR libraries (see, e.g., Baca et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272:10678-10684 (1997) and Rosok et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271:22611-22618 (1996)).

[0211] An antibody may comprise a light chain variable region comprising an HVR-L1, an HVR-L2, and an HVR-L3 of the present disclosure and one, two, three or four of the light chain framework regions as shown in Table 3A. An antibody may comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising an HVR-H1, an HVR-H2, and an HVR-H3 of the present disclosure and one, two, three or four of the heavy chain framework regions as shown in Table 3B. An antibody may comprise a light chain variable region comprising an HVR-L1, an HVR-L2, and an HVR-L3 of the present disclosure and one, two, three or four of the light chain framework regions as shown in Table 3A, and further comprise a heavy chain variable region comprising an HVR-H1, an HVR-H2, and an HVR-H3 of the present disclosure and one, two, three or four of the heavy chain framework regions as shown in Table 3B.Antibody preparation

[0212] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure can encompass polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, humanized and chimeric antibodies, human antibodies, antibody fragments (e.g., Fab, Fab'-SH, Fv, scFv, and F(ab') 2 ), bispecific and polyspecific antibodies, multivalent antibodies, heteroconjugate antibodies, conjugated antibodies, library derived antibodies, antibodies having modified effector functions, fusion proteins containing an antibody portion, and any other modified configuration of the immunoglobulin molecule that includes an antigen recognition site, such as an epitope having amino acid residues of a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure, including glycosylation variants of antibodies, amino acid sequence variants of antibodies, and covalently modified antibodies. The anti-Siglec-7 antibodies may be human, murine, rat, or of any other origin (including chimeric or humanized antibodies).(1) Polyclonal antibodies

[0213] Polyclonal antibodies, such as polyclonal anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, are generally raised in animals by multiple subcutaneous (sc) or intraperitoneal (ip) injections of the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. It may be useful to conjugate the relevant antigen (e.g., a purified or recombinant Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure) to a protein that is immunogenic in the species to be immunized, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor, using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent, e.g., maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through cysteine residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysine residues), glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl 2 , or R 1< N=C=NR, where R and R 1< are independently lower alkyl groups. Examples of adjuvants which may be employed include Freund's complete adjuvant and MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate). The immunization protocol may be selected by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation.

[0214] The animals are immunized against the desired antigen, immunogenic conjugates, or derivatives by combining, e.g., 100 µg (for rabbits) or 5 µg (for mice) of the protein or conjugate with 3 volumes of Freund's complete adjuvant and injecting the solution intradermally at multiple sites. One month later, the animals are boosted with 1 / 5 to 1 / 10 the original amount of peptide or conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant by subcutaneous injection at multiple sites. Seven to fourteen days later, the animals are bled and the serum is assayed for antibody titer. Animals are boosted until the titer plateaus. Conjugates also can be made in recombinant cell culture as protein fusions. Also, aggregating agents such as alum are suitable to enhance the immune response.(2) Monoclonal antibodies

[0215] Monoclonal antibodies, such as monoclonal anti-Siglec-7 antibodies, are obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations and / or post-translational modifications (e.g., isomerizations, amidations) that may be present in minor amounts. Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as not being a mixture of discrete antibodies.

[0216] For example, the monoclonal anti-Siglec-7 antibodies may be made using the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567).

[0217] In the hybridoma method, a mouse or other appropriate host animal, such as a hamster, is immunized as hereinabove described to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the protein used for immunization (e.g., a purified or recombinant Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure). Alternatively, lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro. Lymphocytes then are fused with myeloma cells using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp.59-103 (Academic Press, 1986)).

[0218] The immunizing agent will typically include the antigenic protein (e.g., a purified or recombinant Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure) or a fusion variant thereof. Generally peripheral blood lymphocytes ("PBLs") are used if cells of human origin are desired, while spleen or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired. The lymphoctyes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell. Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press (1986), pp. 59-103.

[0219] Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine or human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed. The hybridoma cells thus prepared are seeded and grown in a suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, parental myeloma cells. For example, if the parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (HAT medium), which are substances that prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

[0220] Preferred immortalized myeloma cells are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high-level production of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. Among these, preferred are murine myeloma lines, such as those derived from MOPC-21 and MPC-11 mouse tumors (available from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, California USA), as well as SP-2 cells and derivatives thereof (e.g., X63-Ag8-653) (available from the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia USA). Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines have also been described for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, J. Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, pp. 51-63 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1987)).

[0221] Culture medium in which hybridoma cells are growing is assayed for production of monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen (e.g., a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure). Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

[0222] The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured can be assayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed against the desired antigen (e.g., a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure). Preferably, the binding affinity and specificity of the monoclonal antibody can be determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked assay (ELISA). Such techniques and assays are known in the in art. For example, binding affinity may be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson et al., Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).

[0223] After hybridoma cells are identified that produce antibodies of the desired specificity, affinity, and / or activity, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods (Goding, supra). Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. In addition, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as tumors in a mammal.

[0224] The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are suitably separated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, affinity chromatography, and other methods as described above.

[0225] Anti-Siglec-7 monoclonal antibodies may also be made by recombinant DNA methods, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567, and as described above. DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that specifically bind to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies). The hybridoma cells serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as E. coli cells, simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, in order to synthesize monoclonal antibodies in such recombinant host cells. Review articles on recombinant expression in bacteria of DNA encoding the antibody include Skerra et al., Curr. Opin. Immunol., 5:256-262 (1993) and Plückthun, Immunol. Rev. 130:151-188 (1992).

[0226] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies can be isolated from antibody phage libraries generated using the techniques described in McCafferty et al., Nature, 348:552-554 (1990). Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991) described the isolation of murine and human antibodies, respectively, from phage libraries. Subsequent publications describe the production of high affinity (nanomolar ("nM") range) human antibodies by chain shuffling (Marks et al., Bio / Technology, 10:779-783 (1992)), as well as combinatorial infection and in vivo recombination as a strategy for constructing very large phage libraries (Waterhouse et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 21:2265-2266 (1993)). Thus, these techniques are viable alternatives to traditional monoclonal antibody hybridoma techniques for isolation of monoclonal antibodies of desired specificity (e.g., those that bind a Siglec-7 protein of the present disclosure).

[0227] The DNA encoding antibodies or fragments thereof may also be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy- and light-chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567; Morrison, et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851 (1984)), or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Typically such non-immunoglobulin polypeptides are substituted for the constant domains of an antibody, or they are substituted for the variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody to create a chimeric bivalent antibody comprising one antigen-combining site having specificity for an antigen and another antigen-combining site having specificity for a different antigen.

[0228] The monoclonal antibodies described herein (e.g., anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure or fragments thereof) may by monovalent, the preparation of which is well known in the art. For example, one method involves recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light chain and a modified heavy chain. The heavy chain is truncated generally at any point in the Fc region so as to prevent heavy chain crosslinking. Alternatively, the relevant cysteine residues may be substituted with another amino acid residue or are deleted so as to prevent crosslinking. In vitro methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies. Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly Fab fragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known in the art.

[0229] Chimeric or hybrid anti-Siglec-7 antibodies also may be prepared in vitro using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may be constructed using a disulfide-exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate.(3) Humanized antibodies

[0230] Anti-Siglec-7 antibodies of the present disclosure or antibody fragments thereof may further include humanized or human antibodies. Humanized forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fab, Fab'-SH, Fv, scFv, F(ab') 2 or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodies include human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a complementarity determining region (CDR) of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. The humanized antibody optimally will also comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. Jones et al., Nature 321: 522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332: 323-329 (1988) and Presta, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 2: 593-596 (1992).

[0231] Methods for humanizing non-human anti-Siglec-7 antibodies are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as "import" residues, which are typically taken from an "import" variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers, Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science 239:1534-1536 (1988), or through substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such "humanized" antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.

[0232] The choice of human variable domains, both light and heavy, to be used in making the humanized antibodies is very important to reduce antigenicity. According to the so-called "best-fit" method, the sequence of the variable domain of a rodent antibody is screened against the entire library of known human variable-domain sequences. The human sequence which is closest to that of the rodent is then accepted as the human framework (FR) for the humanized antibody. Sims et al., J. Immunol., 151:2296 (1993); Chothia et al., J. Mol. Biol., 196:901 (1987). Another method uses a particular framework derived from the consensus sequence of all human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chains. The same framework may be used for several different humanized antibodies. Carter et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:4285 (1992); Presta et al., J. Immunol. 151:2623 (1993).

[0233] Furthermore, it is important that antibodies be humanized with retention of high affinity for the antigen and other favorable biological properties. To achieve this goal, according to a preferred method, humanized antibodies are prepared by a process of analyzing the parental sequences and various conceptual humanized products using three-dimensional models of the parental and humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models are commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Computer programs are available which illustrate and display probable three-dimensional conformational structures of selected candidate immunoglobulin sequences. Inspection of these displays permits analysis of the likely role of the residues in the functioning of the candidate immunoglobulin sequence, i.e., the analysis of residues that influence the ability of the candidate immunoglobulin to bind its antigen. In this way, FR residues can be selected and combined from the recipient and import sequences so that the desired antibody characteristic, such as increased affinity for the target antigen or antigens (e.g., Siglec-7 proteins of the present disclosure), is achieved. In general, the CDR residues are directly and most substantially involved in influencing antigen binding.

[0234] Various forms of the humanized anti-Siglec-7 antibody are contemplated. For example, the humanized anti-Siglec-7 antibody may be an antibody fragment, such as an Fab, which is optionally conjugated with one or more cytotoxic agent(s) in order to generate an immunoconjugate. Alternatively, the humanized anti-Siglec-7 antibody may be an intact antibody, such as an intact IgG1 antibody.(4) Human antibodies

[0235] Alternatively, human anti-Siglec-7 antibodies can be generated. For example, it is now possible to produce transgenic animals (e.g., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production. The homozygous deletion of the antibody heavy-chain joining region (J H ) gene in chimeric and germ-line mutant mice results in complete inhibition of endogenous antibody production. Transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array in such germ-line mutant mice will result in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge. See, e.g., Jakobovits et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits et al., Nature, 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggermann et al., Year in Immunol., 7:33 (1993); U.S. Patent Nos. 5,591,669 and WO 97 / 17852.

[0236] Alternatively, phage display technology can be used to produce human anti-Siglec-7 antibodies and antibody fragments in vitro, from immunoglobulin variable (V) domain gene repertoires from unimmunized donors. McCafferty et al., Nature 348:552-553 (1990); Hoogenboom and Winter, J. Mol. Biol. 227: 381 (1991). According to this technique, antibody V domain genes are cloned in-frame into either a major or minor coat protein gene of a filamentous bacteriophage, such as M13 or fd, and displayed as functional antibody fragments on the surface of the phage particle. Because the filamentous particle contains a single-...

Claims

1. An isolated monoclonal anti-Siglec-7 antibody, wherein the anti-Siglec-7 antibody comprises a light chain variable domain and a heavy chain variable domain, wherein: (a) the light chain variable domain comprises an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44, an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 57, an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70, and an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; (b) the light chain variable domain comprises an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13, an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 26, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39, and the heavy chain variable domain comprises an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 52, an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65, and an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 78; (c) the light chain variable domain comprises an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41, and the heavy chain variable domain comprises an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 54, an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67, and an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80; (d) the light chain variable domain comprises an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16, an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42, and the heavy chain variable domain comprises an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 55, an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68, and an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; or (e) the light chain variable domain comprises an HVR-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, an HVR-L2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32, an HVR-L3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45, and the heavy chain variable domain comprises an HVR-H1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58, an HVR-H2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71, and an HVR-H3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84.

2. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is of the IgG class, the IgM class, or the IgA class, wherein optionally the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4 isotype.

3. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody of claim 2, wherein: (a) the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has a human or mouse IgG1 isotype and comprises one or more amino acid substitutions in the Fc region at a residue position selected from the group consisting of: N297A, D265A, D270A, L234A, L235A, G237A, P238D, L328E, E233D, G237D, H268D, P271G, A330R, C226S, C229S, E233P, L234V, L234F, L235E, P331S, S267E, L328F, A330L, M252Y, S254T, T256E, N297Q, P238S, P238A, A327Q, A327G, P329A, K322A, T394D, and any combination thereof, wherein the numbering of the residues is according to EU numbering, or comprises an amino acid deletion in the Fc region at a position corresponding to glycine 236; (b) the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has an IgG1 isotype and comprises an IgG2 isotype heavy chain constant domain 1(CH1) and hinge region, optionally wherein the IgG2 isotype CH1 and hinge region comprises the amino acid sequence of and optionally wherein the antibody Fc region comprises a S267E amino acid substitution, a L328F amino acid substitution, or both, and / or a N297A or N297Q amino acid substitution, wherein the numbering of the residues is according to EU numbering; (c) the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has an IgG2 isotype and comprises one or more amino acid substitutions in the Fc region at a residue position selected from the group consisting of: P238S, V234A, G237A, H268A, H268Q, V309L, A330S, P331S, C214S, C232S, C233S, S267E, L328F, M252Y, S254T, T256E, H268E, N297A, N297Q, A330L, and any combination thereof, wherein the numbering of the residues is according to EU numbering; (d) the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has a human or mouse IgG4 isotype and comprises one or more amino acid substitutions in the Fc region at a residue position selected from the group consisting of: L235A, G237A, S228P, L236E, S267E, E318A, L328F, M252Y, S254T, T256E, E233P, F234V, L234A / F234A, S228P, S241P, L248E, T394D, N297A, N297Q, L235E, and any combination thereof, wherein the numbering of the residues is according to EU numbering; or (e) the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has a hybrid IgG2 / 4 isotype, and optionally wherein the antibody comprises an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 118 to 260 of human IgG2 and amino acids 261 to 447 of human IgG4, wherein the numbering of the residues is according to EU or, Kabat numbering.

4. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is an antibody fragment, optionally wherein the fragment is an Fab, Fab', Fab'-SH, F(ab')2, Fv, or scFv fragment.

5. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is a murine antibody, a humanized antibody, a bispecific antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a multivalent antibody, a conjugated antibody, or a chimeric antibody.

6. The anti-Siglec-7 antibody of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the anti-Siglec-7 antibody has a dissociation constant (KD) for human Siglec-7 that ranges from about 9.5 nM to about 17 pM, or less than 17 pM, wherein the KD is determined by surface plasmon resonance at a temperature of approximately 25°C.

7. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the anti-Siglec-7 antibody of any one of the preceding claims.

8. A vector comprising the nucleic acid of claim 7.

9. An isolated host cell comprising the vector of claim 8.

10. A method of producing an anti-Siglec-7 antibody, comprising culturing the host cell of claim 9 so that the anti-Siglec-7 antibody is produced.

11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-Siglec-7 antibody of any one of claims 1-6, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

12. The antibody according to any one of claims 1-6, for use in a method of preventing, reducing risk, or treating a disease, disorder, or injury selected from the group consisting of dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, mixed dementia, taupathy disease, infections, and cancer.

13. The antibody according to any one of claims 1-6 for use in treating cancer.