Patent ID: 7790159

Claim:
A method of inhibiting virus replication or spread to additional host cells or tissues, comprising contacting a mammalian cell with an immunoconjugate comprising at least a first anti-viral agent operatively attached to a first antibody in an amount effective to inhibit virus replication in said cell or to inhibit spread to additional host cells or tissues from said cell; wherein said first antibody effectively competes with the monoclonal antibody 3G4 (ATCC PTA 4545) in binding to activated endothelial cells in a competition ELISA conducted in the presence of serum, wherein said competition ELISA comprises: (a) adding activated endothelial cells to a solid support; (b) blocking with a blocking buffer comprising 10% serum; (c) adding said monoclonal antibody 3G4 (ATCC PTA 4545) diluted in said blocking buffer under conditions effective to allow the formation of immune complexes; (d) detecting said immune complexes using a secondary antibody that binds to said monoclonal antibody 3G4 (ATCC PTA 4545); and (e) identifying a first antibody that effectively competes with the monoclonal antibody 3G4 (ATCC PTA 4545) in binding to activated endothelial cells by selecting a first antibody that substantially reduces the formation of said immune complexes.