Patent ID: 7923212

Claim:
An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid number 20 (Cys) to amino acid number 538 (Ser), wherein said antibody specifically binds to a fragment of said polypeptide, said fragment consisting of a sequence of amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid number 101 (Leu) to amino acid number 122 (Gly); (b) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ TD NO:2 from amino acid number 141 (Asn) to amino acid number 174 (Ala); (c) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid number 193 (Cys) to amino acid number 261 (Val); (d) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid number 51 (Trp) to amino acid number 61 (Glu); (e) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid 136 (Ile) to amino acid number 143 (Glu); (f) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid 187 (Pro) to amino acid number 195 (Ser); (g) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid number 223 (Phe) to amino acid number 232 (Glu); and (h) the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 from amino acid number 360 (Glu) to amino acid number 368 (Asp); wherein said antibody is selected from (i) a genetically engineered intact antibody or fragment and (ii) a humanized antibody.