Field of the invention

The present invention is in the field of transactive response DNA binding protein with a molecular weight of 43 kDa (TARDB or also TDP-43). The invention relates to TDP-43 specific binding molecules, in particular to anti-TDP-43 antibodies or an antigen-binding fragment or a derivative thereof and uses thereof. The present invention provides means and methods to diagnose, prevent, alleviate and/or treat a disease, a disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy, including but not limited to Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE).

BACKGROUND

Age-associated brain disorders characterized by pathological aggregation of proteins in the central nervous system (CNS) (proteinopathies) and peripheral organs represent one of the leading causes of disability and mortality in the world. The best characterized protein that forms aggregates is amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Other disease-associated, aggregation-prone proteins leading to neurodegeneration include but are not limited to Tau, alpha-synuclein (aSyn, a-syn), huntingtin, fused in sarcoma (FUS), dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) produced by unconventional translation of the C9orf72 repeat expansion, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and TDP-43. Diseases involving TDP-43 aggregates are generally listed as TDP-43 proteinopathies including, but not limited to, ALS and FTD.

I. TDP-43 introduction

Transactive response (TAR) DNA binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a 414-amino acid protein encoded by the TARDBP gene on chromosome lp36.2 (ALS10). TARDBP is comprised of six exons (exon 1 is non-coding; exons 2-6 are protein-coding). TDP-43 belongs to the family of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) RNA binding proteins (Wang et ak, Trends in Molecular Medicine Vol.14 No.11, 2008, 479-485; Lagier-Tourenne et ak, Human Molecular Genetics, 2010, Vok 19, Review Issue 1 R46-R64). TDP-43 contains five functional domains (Figure 1 in Warraich et ak, The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 42 (2010) 1606-1609): two RNA recognition motifs (RRMl and RRM2), which have two highly conserved hexameric ribonucleoprotein 2 (RNP2) and octameric ribonucleioprotein 1 (RNP1) regions, a nuclear export signal (NES) and a nuclear localization signal (NLS) enabling it to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm transporting bound mRNA, and a glycine rich domain at the C-terminal, which mediates protein-protein interactions. TDP-43 is involved in multiple aspects of RNA processing, including transcription, splicing, transport, and stabilization (Buratti and Baralle, FEBS Journal 277 (2010) 2268-2281). It is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed protein with a tightly autoregulated expression level that shuttles continuously between the nucleus and cytoplasm, but is predominantly localized to the nucleus. In 2006, TDP-43 was identified as the protein that accumulates in the vast majority of cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with tau-negative, ubiquitin-positive inclusions (then referred to as FTLD-TDP), and in most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Arai et al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 351 (2006) 602-611; Neumann et al., Science 314, (2006), 130-133).

Thirty-eight negative -dominant mutations in TDP-43 have been identified in sporadic and familial ALS patients as well as in patients with inherited FTD mainly located in the glycine rich domain (Figure 1 in Lagier-Tourenne and Cleveland, Cell 136, 2009, 1001-1004). TDP-43 is inherently aggregation-prone, as shown by sedimentation assays, and this propensity is further increased by some of the ALS- associated TARDBP mutations (Ticozzi et al., CNS Neurol. Disord. Drug Targets. 2010, 9(3), 285- 296.) connecting TDP-43 aggregation with clinical disease manifestation.

II. TDP-43 in neurodegeneration

TDP-43 aggregates have been identified in a growing list of neurodegenerative conditions (Lagier- Tourenne et al., Human Molecular Genetics, 2010, Vol. 19, Review Issue 1 R46-R64), including but not limited to: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor- neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Argyrophilic grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfvPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, such as Sporadic ALS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE), Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known as Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP; also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo-pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES)), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Aggregated TDP-43 from patient brains shows a number of abnormal modifications, including hyperphosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation and C-terminal fragments through proteolytic cleavage (Arai et al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 351 (2006) 602-611; Neumann et al., Science 314, (2006), 130-133; Neumann et al., Acta Neuropathol. (2009) 117: 137- 149; Hasegawa et al., (2008) Annals of Neurology Vol 64 No 1, 60-70; Cohen et al., Nat Commun. 6: 5845, 2015). Another characteristic feature of TDP-43 pathology is redistribution and accumulation of TDP-43 from nucleus to cytoplasm. The hallmark lesions of FTLD-TDP are neuronal and glial cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI and GCI, respectively) and dystrophic neurites (DN) that are immunoreactive for TDP-43, as well as ubiquitin and p62, but negative for other neurodegenerative disease-related proteins. Differences in inclusion morphology and tissue distribution thereof are associated with specific mutations and/or clinical representations. Four types of TDP-43 pathology are described so far by histological classification (Mackenzie and Neumann, J. Neurochem. (2016) 138 (Suppl. 1), 54-70). FTLD-TDP type A cases are characterized by abundant short dystrophic neuritis (DN) and compact oval or crescentic NCI, predominantly in layer II of the neocortex (Fig. 2f in Mackenzie et al., 2016 J. Neurochem. 138 (Suppl. 1), 54-70). Cases with this pathology usually present clinically with either behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) or nonfluent/agrammatic variants of Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfvPPA) and are associated with progranulin (GRN) mutations. Type B cases show moderate numbers of compact or granular NCI in both superficial and deep cortical layers with relatively few DN and Nil (neuronal intranuclear inclusions; Fig. 2g in Mackenzie et al., 2016 J. Neurochem. 138 (Suppl. 1), 54-70). Most cases with co-appearance of FTD and ALS symptoms are found to have FTLD-TDP type B pathology. Type C cases have an abundance of long, tortuous neurites, predominantly in the superficial cortical laminae, with few or no NCI (Fig. 2j in Mackenzie et al., 2016 J. Neurochem. 138 (Suppl. 1), 54-70). This pathology is particularly found in cases presenting with semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA). FTLD-TDP type D displays with abundant lentiform neuronal intranuclear inclusions (Nil) and short DN in the neocortex with only rare NCI (Fig. 2k in Mackenzie et al., 2016 J. Neurochem. 138 (Suppl. 1), 54-70). Type E is characterized by granulofilamentous neuronal inclusions (GFNIs) and very fine, dot-like neuropil aggregates affecting all neocortical layers in addition to curvilinear oligodendroglial inclusions in the white matter (Edward B. Lee et al, Acta Neuropathol. 2017 July ; 134(1): 65-78.). This pattern of pathology is only found in cases with VCP in association with inclusion body myositis.

III. TDP-43 in FTD

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinical term that covers a wide spectrum of disorders based on the degeneration of frontal and temporal lobes - a pathological feature termed frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). FTD is the second most abundant cause of early degenerative dementias in the age group below 65 years (Le Ber, Revue Neurologique 169 (2013) 811-819). FTD is presented by several syndromes including bvFTD which is characterized by changes in personality and behavior; semantic dementia (SD) and progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA) characterized by changes in the language function; corticobasal syndrome (CBS), progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome and motor neuron disease (FTD-MND) characterized by movement dysfunction. Clinical diagnosis of these syndromes is complicated and final conclusion can only be achieved through postmortem histopathological analysis to detect aggregated protein and define affected brain regions. In terms of pathological, proteinaceous inclusions, about 45% of cases show pathological accumulation of misfolded Tau, 45% of cases have pathological TDP-43 and a smaller subgroup has aggregates of FUS and other proteins.

IV. TDP-43 in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the premature loss of upper and lower motor neurons. The progression of ALS is marked by fatal paralysis and respiratory failure with a disease course from diagnosis to death of 1 to 5 years. In most cases of sporadic ALS, the neuropathology is characterized by abnormal cytoplasmic accumulations of TDP-43 in neurons and glia of the primary motor cortex, brainstem motor nuclei, spinal cord and the associated white matter tracts. ALS with dementia involves accumulation of TDP-43 in extramotor neocortex and hippocampus. The role of phosphorylation of TDP-43 in ALS patients has been explored with the help of antibodies that specifically bind to phosphorylated TDP-43 in nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions with amino acids S379, S403, S404, S409, S410 as the major sites of phosphorylation of TDP-43 (Hasegawa et al., Ann Neurol 2008; 64: 60-70; Neumann et al., Acta Neuropathol (2009) 117: 137- 149).

V. TDP-43 in AD and other diseases

TDP-43 pathology occurs in up to 57% of brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (Josephs KA et al., Acta Neuropathol. 2014; 127(6): 811-824; Josephs KA et al., Acta Neuropathol. 2014; 127(3): 441- 450; McAleese et al., Brain Pathol. 2017 Jul; 27(4): 472-479). TDP-43 aggregation is associated with patient’s age and correlates with cognitive decline, memory loss and medial temporal atrophy in AD. It appears that in AD TDP-43 represents a secondary or independent pathology that shares overlapping brain distribution with amyloid beta and tau pathologies in the medial temporal lobe. Pathologic TDP- 43 follows a stereotypical pattern of progressive deposition that has been described by the so-called TDP-43 in AD (TAD) staging scheme: TDP-43 first deposits in the amygdala (stage I) followed by hippocampus, limbic, temporal, and finally the frontostriatum (stage V) (Josephs KA et al., Acta Neuropathol. 2014; 127(6): 811-824; Josephs KA et al., Acta Neuropathol. 2014; 127(3): 441-450).

VI. TDP-43 spreading

Although ALS and FTD onset and first symptoms vary significantly between patients, the common feature of disease progression is spreading of pathology from an initial focal area to most neurons. The continuous worsening of symptoms might be explained by the progressive spread of TDP-43 pathology. TDP-43 pathology in an ALS patient’s brain appears to be spreading in a four-stage process and it is believed that propagation occurs transynaptically via corticofugal axonal projections using anterograde axonal transport (Brettschneider et al., Ann Neurol. 2013 July; 74(1): 20-38.). Recent experimental evidence supports the hypothesis of protein propagation in neuronal tissue for amyloid-beta, Tau, alpha- synuclein and TDP-43 by a prion-like mechanism (Hasegawa et al., 2017), with starting points and the topographical spreading patterns being distinct for the four proteins (Brettschneider J et al., Nature Rev. Neuroscience, 2015, 109). The common, disease unifying mechanism is believed to be based on the cell-to-cell spreading of pathological protein aggregates. This mechanism consists of the release of aggregates from a diseased cell, uptake by a naive cell and seeding of the pathological protein conformation by atemplated conformational change of endogenous proteins.

TDP-43 cell-to cell spreading has been studied at a molecular level in few in vitro models, where insoluble TDP-43 preparations from patient brain are able to induce intracellular aggregate formation in receptor cells (Nonaka et al., Cell Reports 4 (2013), 124-134; Feiler et al., 2015; Porta et al., Nat. Comm., 2018). Further it has been observed that intracellular TDP-43 aggregates are released in association with exosome prior to spreading to the next cell (Nonaka et al., Cell Reports 4 (2013, 124- 134)). Similarly, adenovirus-transduced TDP-43 expression lead to cytoplasmic aggregates which were phosphorylated, ubiquitinated and more importantly acted as seeds initiating cell to cell spreading (Ishii et al., PLoS ONE 12(6): e0179375, 2017). The patient-derived pathological TDP-43 can lead to widespread deposition of endogenous TDP-43 following intracerebral inoculation into transgenic and wildtype mice (Porta et al., Nat. Comm., 2018).

VII. Prevention and Treatment of TDP-43 proteinopathies

TDP-43 aggregation and spreading of pathology are major hallmarks of ALS and FTD - fatal diseases for which currently no cure is available. Mutations in TDP-43 are associated with familial cases of ALS and FTD providing causative link between TDP-43 misfolding and disease progression.

VIII. Diagnostics of TDP-43 proteinopathies

The diagnosis of FTD based on clinical manifestations is insufficient since the clinical representation can overlap with other diseases in particular in the earlier stages.

A number of approaches aim at development of biochemical biomarkers to distinguish different types of FTD pathology. Development of antibodies against different conformations of TDP-43 may permit generating more sensitive and specific diagnostic tools. In parallel to biochemical biomarkers the development of imaging biomarkers may enable early and specific detection of the pathology in TDP- 43 proteinopathies. The ability to image TDP-43 deposition in the brain may be a substantial achievement for diagnosis and drug development for TDP-43 proteinopathies. Using cell permeable antibody fragments could enable such detection.

The earliest event in neurodegenerative diseases based on misfolding of different proteins is the acquisition of an alternative conformation that renders the protein toxic. Moreover, this misfolded conformation can self-propagate by recruiting the endogenous, normal protein into the misfolded conformation as mechanistic basis for the observed spread through affected tissue.

To develop antibodies against different conformational states of a given protein, supramolecular antigenic constructs were designed in which the conformation of the presented antigen was controlled to raise conformational-specific antibodies against a given target in a specific conformational state (WO2012/055933 and WO2012/020124). Conformational-specific antibodies offer many advantages since they can discriminate between the disease-associated and the functional, endogenous conformation of these proteins. This approach offers many advantages in the therapeutic application since such antibodies are less likely to be adsorbed by the normal conformation of proteins while targeting the misfolded, disease associated isoform thereof. Similar to this for diagnostic application such antibodies only recognize the disease-associated, structural state of a protein, which is paramount for the development of the sensitive and specific diagnostics.

The use of a TDP-43 -based biomarker in TDP-43 proteinopathies still remains to be established. Such evaluation has been hindered in part due to the lack of high affinity antibodies that can be employed in a suitable immunoassay for quantification of pathological TDP-43 in biofluids (Feneberg et ah, Molecular Neurobiology, 2018).

Therefore, there is a clear need for biomarkers able to detect misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non- aggregated physiological TDP-43, in particular in a human sample, for diagnosing different types of TDP-43 proteinopathies and/or for monitoring efficacy of therapeutic drugs used for treatment of diseases, disorders and abnormalities associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates or TDP-43 proteinopathy.

The TDP-43 proteinopathies are defined as a set of neurodegenerative disorders characterised by pathological TDP-43.

IX. Prior art

Patent application WO 2008/151055 discloses methods and materials for using the levels of TDP-43 polypeptides and/or TDP-43 polypeptide cleavage products (e.g. 25 kD and 35 kD TDP-43 polypeptide cleavage products) in a biological fluid to determine whether or not a mammal has a neurodegenerative disease.

Patent application WO 2013/061163 discloses TDP-43 specific binding molecules including polypeptides such as human antibodies as well as fragments, derivatives and variants thereof.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for anti TDP-43 binding molecules which bind misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non-aggregated physiological TDP-43, particularly human TDP-43. Moreover, the development of sensitive and specific biomarkers allowing the differentiation between types of pathology within the FTD spectrum is an urgent task.

The technical problem is solved by the embodiments provided herein.

Accordingly, the invention relates to binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, which specifically recognize misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non-aggregated physiological TDP-43. Within the invention, misfolded TDP-43 includes misfolded monomeric and/or misfolded oligomeric and/or misfolded aggregated and/or post-translationally modified and/or misfolded truncated TDP-43. Post-translationally modified TDP-43 comprises phosphorylated, ubiquitylated, acetylated, sumoylated, and/or methylated TDP-43. Physiological TDP-43 includes soluble nuclear TDP-43. It is demonstrated herein that the binding molecules of the invention are capable of binding pathological TDP-43, including TDP-43 aggregates and phosphorylated TDP-43 (see Example 13). Thus, the invention provides binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof, which specifically recognize misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non- aggregated physiological TDP-43. Such binding molecules are referred to herein as "pan-TDP-43” binding molecules, in particular pan-TDP-43 antibodies. As explained herein, the TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention may bind misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non-aggregated physiological TDP-43 equally, or to one preferentially to the other whilst binding to both categories of TDP-43 specifically. The invention also provides the binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof, for the prevention, alleviation, treatment and/or diagnosis of diseases, disorders and abnormalities associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy. The invention also provides the binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, for detecting and/or understanding (i.e. identifying) the specific type of pathology causing neurodegeneration. Envisaged are uses as diagnostic biomarkers enabling more efficient and precise subject selection for longitudinal monitoring in clinical studies, supporting the development of novel therapeutics for TDP-43 proteinopathies.

The invention also provides the TDP-43 binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, as medicine (therapeutic agent).

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the present invention was developed based on the assumption that modified conformation-specific antigenic peptides and peptide fragments derived from TDP-43 protein or the whole TDP-43 protein and the antibodies obtainable or obtained by said peptides or fragments or the whole TDP-43 protein block TDP-43 cell-to-cell propagation, and/or disaggregate TDP-43 aggregates and/or block TDP-43 seeding and/or inhibit the aggregation of TDP-43 protein or fragments thereof. The binding molecules of the invention, in particular polypeptides, more particularly antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, bind to misfolded aggregated TDP-43, particularly to cytoplasmic and extracellular misfolded TDP-43. The binding molecules of the invention, in particular polypeptides, more particularly antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, bind to full-length TDP-43 and/or truncated TDP-43. In one embodiment, the binding molecules of the invention, in particular polypeptides, more particularly antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, specifically bind to cytoplasmic misfolded TDP-43.

Misfolded aggregated, or pathology-associated, TDP-43 is composed of TDP-43 proteins that lose its normal folding (i.e. are misfolded) and localization. Misfolded aggregated TDP-43 can be found in preinclusions and in neuronal and glial cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI and GCI, respectively), neuronal intranuclear inclusions (Nil) and dystrophic neurites (DN) that are immunoreactive for TDP-43.

Non-aggregated physiological TDP-43 is physiologically functional TDP-43 protein predominantly located in the nucleus and shuttling to the cytoplasm, being in a status able to exhibit its desired function in an in vivo cellular environment. The binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, surprisingly have at least one, preferably two, more preferably three, even more preferably all four of the following characteristics:

- blocking TDP-43 cell-to-cell propagation;

- disaggregating TDP-43 aggregates;

- inhibiting the aggregation of TDP-43 protein or fragments thereof;

- blocking TDP-43 seeding.

Independent of the combination of one, two, three or four above listed characteristics, the binding molecules, preferably antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, of the invention may ameliorate/inhibit/reduce the formation of TDP-43 pathology in an in vivo model of TDP-43 proteinopathies and more importantly in patients with TDP-43 pathology.

The TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may recruit and/or activate microglia. More specifically, it is shown herein (see Example 10 and Figure 5) that TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention may affect microglial morphology in terms of cell size and activation state. This may contribute to the reduction of TDP-43 pathology demonstrated by the TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention.

In the present invention, the binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, specifically recognize TDP-43. Binding molecules of the invention include polypeptides and/or antibodies and/or antigen-binding fragments thereof specific to/for the TDP-43 protein.“Specifically recognize TDP-43” means that the binding molecules of the invention specifically, generally, and collectively, bind to TDP-43, in particular some epitopes within TDP-43, in particular an epitope exposed/accessible in one or more pathological conformation(s) of TDP-43 protein, with greater affinity than for other epitopes. The binding molecules of the invention, in particular polypeptides, more particularly antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to TDP-43, specifically recognize misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non-aggregated physiological TDP-43. In a preferred embodiment, full-length human TDP-43 comprises, preferably has, the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, specifically bind to defined binding regions within full-length and/or truncated TDP-43, wherein the binding region preferably is comprised within amino acids 181- 195, 199-213, 307-321, 352-366, 389-411, 397-411 or 140-200, more preferably the binding regions is comprised within amino acids 183-188, 203-213, 204-208, 204-211, 205-210, 316-323, 358-361, 400- 405, 400-406 or 400-412, of the full-length human TDP-43 having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: l. Accordingly, the binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, preferably specifically bind to peptides comprising, preferably consisting of, binding regions consisting of amino acids 181-195, 199-213, 307-321, 352-366, 389-411, 397-411 or 140-200 of the full-length human TDP-43 having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: l. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, preferably specifically bind to peptides comprising, preferably consisting of, binding regions consisting of amino acids 183-188, 203-213, 204-208, 204-211, 205-210, 316-323, 358-361, 400-405, 400-406 or 400-412 of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some embodiments, the TDP-43 binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, bind within the C-terminal region of TDP- 43. This may be advantageous, for example because C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 are found in the insoluble fraction and may therefore be pathologically relevant. More specifically, the TDP-43 binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may bind to an epitope within amino acids residues 400-405, 400-406 or 400-412 of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1). In some embodiments of the invention, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody is a murine, murinized, human, humanized, or chimeric antibody. It will be appreciated that equivalent binding regions exist in non-human TDP-43. Thus, for example, the mouse TDP-43 amino acid sequence (see Uniprot accession Q921F2) is also 414 amino acids in length and is 96% (398/414 residues) identical with the human sequence. The invention encompasses binding molecules, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to equivalent regions/peptides to those specified above with reference to SEQ ID NO: 1 in non-human TDP-43, especially murine TDP- 43.

In particular, the present invention is summarized in the following embodiments:

1. A TDP-43 binding molecule, which binds misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non-aggregated physiological TDP-43, particularly human TDP-43.

2. The TDP-43 binding molecule of the preceding embodiment, which binds to an epitope within amino acids residues 181-195 , 199-213 , 307-321 , 352-366, 389-411, 397-411 or 140-200, of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

3. The TDP-43 binding molecule of the preceding embodiment, which binds to an epitope within amino acids residues 183-188, 203-213, 204-208, 204-211, 205-210, 316-323, 358-361, 400- 405, 400-406 or 400-412 of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

4. The binding molecule of any one of the preceding embodiments, which is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. The binding molecule of any one of the preceding embodiments, or a TDP-43 binding molecule, which comprises

a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; or

b) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or

c) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; or d) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; or e) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; or f) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence 73; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL- CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77; or

g) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87; or h) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107; or

i) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; or j) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 146; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 147; or

k) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157.

The binding molecule of any one of the preceding embodiments, or a TDP-43 binding molecule, which is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14; or

b. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; or

c. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 92%, 93 %, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or

d. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; or

e. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; or

f. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74; or

g. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84; or

h. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104; or

i. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124; or

j . a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144; or k. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 150 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 150; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154. The binding molecule of any one of the preceding embodiments, or a TDP-43 binding molecule, which is an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising:

a. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14; or c. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; or d. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or e. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; or f. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; or g. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74;or h. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84; or i. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104; or j . a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124; or k. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144; or 1. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 150 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises:

a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; or

b) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or

c) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; or

d) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; or

e) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; or

f) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77; or

g) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87; or

h) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107; or

i) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; or

j) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 146; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 147; or

k) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises:

a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); or

b) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); or

c) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; or

d) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; or e) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; or

f) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73; or

g) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; or

h) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; or

i) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; or

j) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; or

k) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises:

a) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; or

b) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or

c) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; or

d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; or

e) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77; or f) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87; or

g) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107; or

h) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; or

i) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises:

a) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 11; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 12; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; or

b) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 21; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 22; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or

c) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 31; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 32; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 33; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; or

d) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 41; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 42; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 43; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; or

e) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 61; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 62; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 63; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; or

f) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 71; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 72; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 73; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77; or

g) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 81; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 82; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 83; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87; or

h) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 101; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 102; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 103; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107; or

i) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 121; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 122; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 123; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; or

j) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 141; a VH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 142; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 143; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 146; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 147; or

k) VH-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 151; aVH-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 152; a VH-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 153; a VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155; a VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156; and a VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157; or

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises:

a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 15; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 17; or

b) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 25; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 27; or

c) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 35; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 36; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 37; or d) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 45; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 46; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 47; or

e) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 65; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 66; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 67; or

f) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 75; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 77; or

g) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 85; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 86; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 87; or

h) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 105; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 106; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 107; or

i) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 125; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 16; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 127; or

j) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 145; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 146; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 147; or

k) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; a VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; a VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153; a VL-CDR1 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 155; a VL-CDR2 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 156; and a VL-CDR3 comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 157.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37. In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 73; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, or three CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 146; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 147.

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, three, four, five, or six CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153; (d) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155; (e) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156; and (f) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157.

In another embodiment, the TDP-43 antibody comprises a Heavy Chain Variable Domain (VH) selected from SEQ ID NO: 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 100, 120, 140, 150 including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a particular embodiment, the Heavy Chain Variable Domain (VH) comprises at least one, two, or three CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 11, 21, 31, 41, 61, 71, 81, 101, 121, 141, 151, (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 12, 22, 32, 42, , 62, 72, 82, , 102, 122, 142, 152 (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO : 33, 43, 63, 73, 89, 103, 123, 143, 153, and ES (Glu-Ser).

In another embodiment, the TDP-43 antibody comprises a Light Chain Variable Domain (VL) selected from SEQ ID NO: 14, 24, 34, 64, 74, 84, 104, 124, 154 including post-translational modifications of that sequence. In a particular embodiment, the Light Chain Variable Domain (VL) comprises at least one, two, or three CDRs selected from (a) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 15, 25, 35, 65, 75, 85, 105, 125, 155 and (b) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 16, 36, 66, 86, 106, 156, (c) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO : 17, 27, 37, 67, 77, 87, 107, 127„ 157, and ES (Glu-Ser).

In some embodiments, a TDP-43antibody comprises at least one, two, or three CDRs selected from (a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 11, 21, 31, 41, 61, 71, 81, 101, 111, 121, 141, 151, (b) VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 12, 22, 32, 42, 62, 72, 82, 102, 122, 142, 152 (c) VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO :33, 43, 63, 73, 83, 103, 123, 143, 153, and ES (Glu-Ser).

In some embodiments, a TDP-43 antibody comprises at least one, two, or three CDRs selected from (a) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 15, 25, 35, 65, 75, 85, 105, 125, 155 (b) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 16, 36, 66, 86, 106, 156, (c) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO : 17, 27, 37, 67, 77, 87, 107, 127, 157.

In some embodiments, the Light Chain Variable Domain (VL) comprises at least one, two, or three CDRs selected from (a) VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 15, 25, 35, 45, 65, 75, 85, 105, 125, 145, 155 and (b) VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 16, 36, 66, 86, 106, 156, (c) VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO : 17, 27, 37, 67, 77, 87, 107, 127, 157.

In some embodiments, the invention relates to an antibody derived from hybridoma clones 631B2A2, 633B12C8, 634H10H7, 636E5B8, 641H1E7, 642A10B 11, 642D12B4, 646B7F7, 712A6B 10, 809D9C2 or 809F12D8.

In some embodiments, the invention relates to an antibody selected from ACI-7069-631B2-AM, ACI- 7069-633B 12-AM, ACI-7069-634H10-Ab2, ACI-7069-636E5-AM, ACI-7069-641Hl-Ab2, ACI- 7069-642A10-AM, ACI-7069-642D12-AM, ACI-7069-646B7-AM, ACI-7071-712A6-AM, ACI- 7071-809D9-Ab2 and ACI-7071-809F12-Abl .

In certain embodiments, a binding molecule or an antibody provided herein has a dissociation constant (KD) of < ImM, < 100 nM, < 10 nM, < 1 nM, < 0.1 nM, < 0.01 nM, or < 0.001 nM (e.g. 10 ⁸ M or less, e.g. from 10 ⁸ M to 10 ¹³ M, e.g., from 10 ⁹ M to 10 ¹³ M), in particular with respect to binding TDP-43, in particular soluble TDP-43, aggregated TDP-43 and/or oligomeric TDP-43. In some embodiments, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may have a lower KD for aggregated TDP-43 than for soluble TDP-43. For example, the TDP- 43 binding molecules of the invention may have a KD for aggregated TDP-43 of 30 nM or less, in specific embodiments 1 nM or less, and a KD for soluble TDP-43 of 500 nM or less. This is demonstrated for TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention in Example 8 A with reference to Table 8.

In one embodiment, binding affinity to soluble or aggregated FL TDP-43 may be evaluated by determing the dissociation constants (KD) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR; Biacore T200, GE Healthcare Life Sciences). Reference may be made to Examples 8A and 8B for a detailed description of suitable SPR methods that may be employed. TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, typically bind TDP-43 with high affinity. For example, they may demonstrate an EC50 value of 200 pM or less, more preferably 20 pM or less and even more preferably 10 pM or less as determined by Luminex Assay. Reference may be made to example 3 for further details of a suitable assay. Similarly, they may demonstrate an EC50 value of 1600 ng/ml or less, more preferably 120 ng/ml or less and even more preferably 60 ng/ml or less as determined by an indirect ELISA. Reference may be made to example 4 for further details of a suitable assay.

The TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, bind to both non-aggregated physiological TDP-43 and aggregated TDP-43. Thus, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may bind approximately equally well to soluble and aggregated TDP-43. TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may bind approximately equally to aggregated TDP-43 as compared with non-aggregated TDP-43. More particularly, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may bind approximately equally to aggregated TDP-43 in the cytoplasm as compared with non-aggregated TDP-43 in the nucleus. In other embodiments, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may preferentially bind to aggregated TDP-43 as compared with non-aggregated TDP-43, whilst binding to both species. More particularly, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may preferentially bind to aggregated TDP-43 in the cytoplasm as compared with non-aggregated TDP-43 in the nucleus, whilst binding to both species. Alternatively, in other embodiments, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may preferentially bind to non-aggregated TDP-43 as compared with aggregated TDP-43, whilst binding to both species. More particularly, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention , in particular the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, may preferentially bind to non-aggregated TDP-43 in the nucleus as compared with aggregated TDP-43 in the cytoplasm, whilst binding to both species. These binding properties may be demonstrated for example using immunohistochemistry. Suitable methodology is described herein with reference to Example 6 where relevant controls are provided. Results are shown in Table 7.

The invention also relates to compositions comprising a binding molecule, particularly an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, of the invention (including TDP-43 -binding antibody fragments and derivatives) as described herein . The invention furthermore relates to immunotherapeutic and/or immunodiagnostic methods using such compositions in the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of a TDP-43 proteinopathy, wherein an effective amount of the composition is administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the invention encompasses binding molecules, particularly antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof of the invention as described herein that specifically bind TDP-43 and the use of these binding molecules to diagnose, prevent, alleviate and/or treat a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP- 43 proteinopathy including, but not limited to, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE)and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE). The methods and compositions disclosed herein have applications in diagnosing, preventing, alleviating and/or treating a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy including but not limited to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Preferably, the use of these binding molecules to diagnose, prevent, alleviate and/or treat a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy is directed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). More preferably, the use is directed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More preferably, the use is directed to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). More preferably, the use is directed to Frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

In another embodiment, a binding molecule, particularly an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention as described herein specific for TDP-43 is contacted with a sample to detect, diagnose and/or monitor a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy, selected from Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor-neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Argyrophilic grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfVPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, such as Sporadic ALS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known under Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP); also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo-pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In one embodiment, the invention encompasses binding molecules, particularly antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof of the invention as described herein that specifically bind TDP-43 and the use of these molecules, particularly of these antibodies, to detect the presence of TDP-43 in a sample. Accordingly, TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention, such as, anti-TDP43 antibodies as described herein, can be used, inter alia, to screen a clinical sample, in particular human blood, CSF, interstitial fluid (ISF) and/or urine for the presence of TDP-43 in samples, for example, by using an EFISA-based or surface adapted assay. Tissue samples may be used in some circumstances, such as brain tissue samples. The methods and compositions of the invention also have applications in diagnosing presymptomatic disease and/or in monitoring disease progression and/or therapeutic efficacy. According to some embodiments, an antibody specific for TDP-43 (e.g., a full-length antibody or a TDP-43 binding fragment or derivative of an antibody) is contacted with a sample (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), interstitial fluid (ISF) or brain tissue) to detect, diagnose and/or monitor Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor-neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTFD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTFD-TDP), Argyrophilic grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfVPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AFS, such as Sporadic AFS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (FATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known under Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP); also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo-pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Fewy Bodies (DEB) or Parkinson’s disease (PD). The TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention may be used to quantify TDP-43 in suitable samples, in particular clinical samples such as blood, CSF, ISF or urine, with relatively high TDP-43 levels, as compared to a suitable control, indicating disease and/or more advanced disease. Many suitable immunoassay formats are known. Thus, the methods (such as EFISA, MSD (Meso Scale Discovery), HTRF (Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence) and AlphaFISA) may be performed for diagnostic purposes with high levels of TDP-43 indicating disease. Alternatively, the methods may be performed for monitoring purposes. Increased levels over time may indicate progression of the disease. Decreased levels over time may indicate regression of the disease. The methods may also be used to monitor therapy, in particular to monitor the efficacy of a particular treatment. Successful therapy may be measured with reference to stable or decreasing levels of TDP-43 following treatment. It is demonstrated herein (Example 12) that TDP-43 levels were higher in CSF samples from TDP-43 proteinopathy patients than in control samples taken from healthy subjects (healthy control) when measured using antibodies of the invention. The control samples may or may not be run in parallel with the test samples. In some embodiments control levels are determined from a series of control samples taken from healthy subjects under similar or the same experimental conditions and used as a comparator for levels determined in the test sample. Methods of quantifying TDP-43 in suitable samples using binding molecules of the invention may also be used to select a therapy (for further treatment of the subject). Thus, personalized treatment methods are envisaged. A sample is taken before and after treatment. If treatment using the therapy results in stable or, preferably, decreasing levels of TDP-43 following treatment the therapy may be selected for that subject. If the therapy does not result in stable or, preferably, decreasing levels of TDP-43 following treatment the therapy is not selected for the subject. The therapy may be any suitable candidate therapeutic agent for treatment of TDP-43 proteinopathies. In preferred embodiments, the therapy comprises a TDP-43 binding molecule of the invention, typically in the form of a pharmaceutical composition as described herein.

The TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention may also be used for disease classification into particular types or subtypes. Thus, there is provided a method for classifying a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates or for classifying a TDP-43 proteinopathy comprising:

a. performing the methods of the invention in which levels of TDP-43 are quantified, as compared to suitable controls,

b. optionally identifying mutations in a sample from the subject including but not limited to progranulin (GRN) mutation, C9orf72 mutations, TARDBP mutation, with valosine- containing protein (VCP) mutation, TARDBP mutation, angiogenin (ANG) mutation), mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP), mutation in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES), and

c. classifying the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy.

Similarly, there is provided a method for classifying a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or for classifying a TDP-43 proteinopathy comprising: performing the methods of the invention in which levels of TDP-43 are quantified in a sample obtained from a subject with a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, or TDP-43 proteinopathy, wherein the levels are compared with control samples taken from subjects with different types or subtypes of disease, disorder and/or abnormality (i.e. a representative set of control levels are determined for the types or subtypes of interest) associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy; and classifying the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy based on the comparison. Thus, the classification is based on determining the closest match between the test sample and one or more of the control samples. These methods may futher comprise identifying mutations in the sample including but not limited to progranulin (GRN) mutation, C9orf72 mutations, TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, TARDBP mutation, angiogenin (ANG) mutation), mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP), mutation in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES), wherein the identified mutations are also used to classify the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy. For the avoidance of doubt, the identification of mutations in a sample may be performed by any suitable method; for example based on nucleic acid sequencing of nucleic acid molecules within the sample. The sample may be separate and distinct from the sample in which TDP- 43 levels are determined, but is from the same subject.

In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for preventing, alleviating and/or treating a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy. According to one embodiment, the methods of the invention comprise administering an effective concentration of a binding molecule, particularly an antibody of the invention specific for TDP-43 (e.g., a full-length antibody or a TDP-43 binding fragment or derivative of an antibody) as described herein to a subject. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for preventing, alleviating and/or treating a TDP-43 proteinopathy. According to some embodiments, a binding molecule, particularly an antibody of the invention or an antigen-binding fragment thereof as described herein specific for TDP-43 is administered to treat, alleviate and/or prevent frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AFS). In another embodiment, a binding molecule, particularly an antibody of the invention or an antigen-binding fragment thereof as described herein specific for TDP-43 is administered to prevent, alleviate and/or treat a neurodegenerative disease selected from frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AFS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE), , limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (FATE).

In another embodiment, a binding molecule, particularly an antibody of the invention or an antigen binding fragment thereof as described herein specific for TDP-43 is administered to prevent, alleviate and/or treat a disease selected from: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor-neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Argyrophilic grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfvPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, such as Sporadic ALS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic- predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known under Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP); also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

X. DEFINITIONS

An“antigen binding molecule,” as used herein, is any molecule that can specifically or selectively bind to an antigen, in particular TDP-43. A binding molecule may include or be an antibody or a fragment thereof. An anti- TDP-43 binding molecule is a molecule that binds to the TDP-43 protein, such as an anti -TDP-43 antibody or fragment thereof, at a specific recognition site, epitope. That is, antigen binding molecules of the invention bind to an epitope within the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The antigen-binding molecues, in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, provided herein recognize full-length TDP-43. Other anti- TDP-43 binding molecules may also include multivalent molecules, multi-specific molecules (e.g., diabodies), fusion molecules, aptamers, avimers, or other naturally occurring or recombinantly created molecules. Illustrative antigen-binding molecules useful in the present invention include antibody-like molecules. An antibody-like molecule is a molecule that can exhibit functions by binding to a target molecule (See, e.g., Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2006, 17:653-658; Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2007, 18: 1-10; Current Opinion in Structural Biology 1997, 7:463-469; Protein Science 2006, 15: 14-27), and includes, for example, DARPins (WO 2002/020565), Affibody (WO 1995/001937), Avimer (WO 2004/044011; WO 2005/040229), Adnectin (WO 2002/032925) and fynomers (WO 2013/135588).

The terms "anti TDP-43 antibody" and "an antibody that binds to TDP-43" or simply“antibody” as used herein refer to an antibody that is capable of binding TDP-43 with sufficient affinity such that the antibody is useful as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent in targeting TDP-43. In general, the term "antibody" is used herein in the broadest sense and encompasses various antibody structures, including but not limited to monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific or biparatopic antibodies), fully-human antibodies and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired antigen-binding activity. Antibodies within the present invention may also be chimeric antibodies, recombinant antibodies, antigen-binding fragments of recombinant antibodies, humanized antibodies or antibodies displayed upon the surface of a phage or displayed upon the surface of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell.

An "antigen-binding fragment" of an antibody refers to a molecule other than an intact antibody that comprises a portion of an intact antibody and that binds the antigen to which the intact antibody binds. Examples of antibody fragments include but are not limited to Fv, Fab, Fab', Fab' -SH, F(ab')2; diabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules (e.g. scFv); and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

An "antibody that binds to an epitope" within a defined region of a protein is an antibody that requires the presence of one or more of the amino acids within that region for binding to the protein.

In certain embodiments, an "antibody that binds to an epitope" within a defined region of a protein is identified by mutation analysis, in which amino acids of the protein are mutated, and binding of the antibody to the resulting altered protein (e.g., an altered protein comprising the epitope) is determined to be at least 20% of the binding to unaltered protein. In some embodiments, an "antibody that binds to an epitope" within a defined region of a protein is identified by mutation analysis, in which amino acids of the protein are mutated, and binding of the antibody to the resulting altered protein (e.g., an altered protein comprising the epitope) is determined to be at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the binding to unaltered protein. In certain embodiments, binding of the antibody is determined by FACS, WB or by a suitable binding assay such as EFISA.

The term“binding to” as used in the context of the present invention defines a binding (interaction) of at least two“antigen-interaction-sites” with each other. The term“antigen-interaction-site” defines, in accordance with the present invention, a motif of a polypeptide, i.e., a part of the antibody or antigen binding fragment of the present invention, which shows the capacity of specific interaction with a specific antigen or a specific group of antigens of TDP-43. Said binding/interaction is also understood to define a“specific recognition”. The term“specifically recognizing” means in accordance with this invention that the antibody is capable of specifically interacting with and/or binding to at least two amino acids of TDP-43 as defined herein, in particular interacting with/binding to at least two amino acids within amino acids residues 181-195, 199-213, 307-321, 352-366, 389-411, 397-411 and 140-200 of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1), even more particularly interacting with binding to at least two amino acids within amino acids residues 183-188, 203-213, 204-208, 204-211, 205-210, 316-323, 358- 361, 400-405, 400-406 or 400-412 of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The term“pan TDP-43 antibody” refers to an antibody that binds to misfolded aggregated TDP-43 and non-aggregated physiological TDP-43, including monomeric TDP-43, oligomeric TDP-43, post- translationally modified TDP-43 (such as phosphorylated, ubiquitinated, acetylated, sumoylated, and/or methylated), aggregated TDP-43 and truncated TDP-43.

The term“specific interaction” as used in accordance with the present invention means that the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention does not or does not essentially cross- react with (poly)peptides of similar structures. Accordingly, the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof of the invention specifically binds to/interacts with structures of TDP-43 formed by particular amino acid sequences within amino acids residues 181-195, 199-213, 307-321, 352-366, 389-411, 397- 411 and 140-200 of human TDP-43 (SEQ ID NO: 1), more particularly binds to/interacts with structures of TDP-43 formed by particular amino acid sequences within amino acids residues 183-188, 203-213, 204-208, 204-211, 205-210, 316-323, 358-361, 400-405, 400-406 or 400-412 of human TDP- 43 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Cross-reactivity of antigen-binding molecules, in particular a panel of antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof under investigation may be tested, for example, by assessing binding of said panel of antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof under conventional conditions (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, (1988) and Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, (1999)) to the (poly)peptide of interest as well as to a number of more or less (structurally and/or functionally) closely related (poly)peptides. Only those constructs (i.e. antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof and the like) that bind to the certain structure of TDP-43 as defined herein, e.g., a specific epitope or (poly)peptide/protein of TDP-43 as defined herein but do not or do not essentially bind to any of the other epitope or (poly)peptides of the same TDP-43, are considered specific for the epitope or (poly)peptide/protein of interest and selected for further studies in accordance with the method provided herein. These methods may comprise, inter alia, binding studies, blocking and competition studies with structurally and/or functionally closely related molecules. These binding studies also comprise LACS analysis, surface plasmon resonance (SPR, e.g. with BIACORE™), analytical ultracentrifugation, isothermal titration calorimetry, fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence spectroscopy or by radiolabeled ligand binding assays.

Accordingly, specificity can be determined experimentally by methods known in the art and methods as described herein. Such methods comprise, but are not limited to Western Blots, ELISA-, RIA-, ECL-, IRMA-tests and peptide scans. The term“monoclonal antibody” as used herein, refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in that they may be synthesized by a hybridoma culture, essentially uncontaminated by other immunoglobulins. The modified "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as being amongst a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. As mentioned above, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method described by Kohler, Nature 256 (1975), 495.

The term“polyclonal antibody” as used herein, refers to an antibody which was produced among or in the presence of one or more other, non-identical antibodies. In general, polyclonal antibodies are produced from a B-lymphocyte in the presence of several other B-lymphocytes which produced non identical antibodies. Usually, polyclonal antibodies are obtained directly from an immunized animal.

The term“fully-human antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody which comprises human immunoglobulin protein sequences only. A fully human antibody may contain murine carbohydrate chains if produced in a mouse, in a mouse cell or in a hybridoma derived from a mouse cell. Similarly, “mouse antibody” or “murine antibody” refers to an antibody which comprises mouse/murine immunoglobulin protein sequences only. Alternatively, a“fully-human antibody” may contain rat carbohydrate chains if produced in a rat, in a rat cell, in a hybridoma derived from a rat cell. Similarly, the term“rat antibody” refers to an antibody that comprises rat immunoglobulin sequences only. Fully- human antibodies may also be produced, for example, by phage display which is a widely used screening technology which enables production and screening of fully human antibodies. Also phage antibodies can be used in context of this invention. Phage display methods are described, for example, in US 5,403,484, US 5,969,108 and US 5,885,793. Another technology which enables development of fully-human antibodies involves a modification of mouse hybridoma technology. Mice are made transgenic to contain the human immunoglobulin locus in exchange for their own mouse genes (see, for example, US 5,877,397).

The term“chimeric antibodies”, refers to an antibody which comprises a variable region of the present invention fused or chimerized with an antibody region (e.g., constant region) from another, human or non-human species (e.g., mouse, horse, rabbit, dog, cow, chicken).

The term antibody also relates to recombinant human antibodies, heterologous antibodies and heterohybrid antibodies. The term "recombinant (human) antibody" includes all human sequence antibodies that are prepared, expressed, created or isolated by recombinant means, such as antibodies isolated from an animal (e.g., a mouse) that is transgenic for human immunoglobulin genes; antibodies expressed using a recombinant expression vector transfected into a host cell, antibodies isolated from a recombinant, combinatorial human antibody library, or antibodies prepared, expressed, created or isolated by any other means that involves splicing of human immunoglobulin gene sequences to other DNA sequences. Such recombinant human antibodies have variable and constant regions (if present) derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. Such antibodies can, however, be subjected to in vitro mutagenesis (or, when an animal transgenic for human Ig sequences is used, in vivo somatic mutagenesis) and thus the amino acid sequences of the VH and VL regions of the recombinant antibodies are sequences that, while derived from and related to human germline VH and VL sequences, may not naturally exist within the human antibody germline repertoire in vivo.

A "heterologous antibody" is defined in relation to the transgenic non-human organism producing such an antibody. This term refers to an antibody having an amino acid sequence or an encoding nucleic acid sequence corresponding to that found in an organism not consisting of the transgenic non-human animal, and generally from a species other than that of the transgenic non -human animal.

The term "heterohybrid antibody" refers to an antibody having light and heavy chains of different organismal origins. For example, an antibody having a human heavy chain associated with a murine light chain is a heterohybrid antibody. Examples of heterohybrid antibodies include chimeric and humanized antibodies.

The term antibody also relates to humanized antibodies. "Humanized" forms of non-human (e.g. murine or rabbit) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab')2 or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Often, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a complementary 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. Furthermore, humanized antibody may comprise residues, which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. These modifications are made to further refine and optimize antibody performance. 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 may also comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. For further details, see: Jones et al., Nature 321 (1986), 522-525; Reichmann Nature 332 (1998), 323-327 and Presta Curr Op Struct Biol 2 (1992), 593-596.

A popular method for humanization of antibodies involves CDR grafting, where a functional antigen binding site from a non-human‘donor’ antibody is grafted onto a human‘acceptor’ antibody. CDR grafting methods are known in the art and described, for example, in US 5,225,539, US 5,693,761 and US 6,407,213. Another related method is the production of humanized antibodies from transgenic animals that are genetically engineered to contain one or more humanized immunoglobulin loci which are capable of undergoing gene rearrangement and gene conversion (see, for example, US 7,129,084).

Accordingly, in context of the present invention, the term“antibody” relates to full immunoglobulin molecules as well as to parts of such immunoglobulin molecules (i.e.,“antigen-binding fragment thereof’). Furthermore, the term relates, as discussed above, to modified and/or altered antibody molecules. The term also relates to recombinantly or synthetically generated/synthesized antibodies. The term also relates to intact antibodies as well as to antibody fragments thereof, like, separated light and heavy chains, Fab, Fv, Fab’, Fab’-SH, F(ab’)2. The term antibody also comprises but is not limited to fully-human antibodies, chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, CDR-grafted antibodies and antibody constructs, like single chain Fvs (scFv) or antibody-fusion proteins.

“Single-chain Fv” or“scFv” antibody fragments have, in the context of the invention, the V _H and V _L domains of an antibody, wherein these domains are present in a single polypeptide chain. Generally, the scFv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the V _H and V _L domains which enables the scFv to form the desired structure for antigen binding. Techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies are described, e.g., in Pliickthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, Rosenburg and Moore eds. Springer-Verlag, N.Y. (1994), 269-315.

A“Fab fragment” as used herein is comprised of one light chain and the C _H I and variable regions of one heavy chain. The heavy chain of a Fab molecule cannot form a disulfide bond with another heavy chain molecule.

An "Fc" region contains two heavy chain fragments comprising the C _H 2 and C _H 3 domains of an antibody. The two heavy chain fragments are held together by two or more disulfide bonds and by hydrophobic interactions of the C _H 3 domains.

A "Fab ¹ fragment" contains one light chain and a portion of one heavy chain that contains the V _H domain and the C _H I domain and also the region between the C _H I and C _H 2 domains, such that an interchain disulfide bond can be formed between the two heavy chains of two Fab' fragments to form a F(ab') 2 molecule.

A "F(ab')2 fragment" contains two light chains and two heavy chains containing a portion of the constant region between the C _H I and C _H 2 domains, such that an interchain disulfide bond is formed between the two heavy chains. A F(ab')2 fragment thus is composed of two Fab' fragments that are held together by a disulfide bond between the two heavy chains.

The "Fv region" comprises the variable regions from both the heavy and light chains, but lacks the constant regions.

Antibodies, antibody constructs, antibody fragments, antibody derivatives (all being Ig-derived) to be employed in accordance with the invention or their corresponding immunoglobulin chain(s) can be further modified using conventional techniques known in the art, for example, by using amino acid deletion(s), insertion(s), substitution(s), addition(s), and/or recombination(s) and/or any other modification(s) known in the art either alone or in combination. Methods for introducing such modifications in the DNA sequence underlying the amino acid sequence of an immunoglobulin chain are well known to the person skilled in the art; see, e.g., Sambrook et ah, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2 ^nd edition (1989) and 3 ^rd edition (2001). The term“Ig-derived domain” particularly relates to (poly)peptide constructs comprising at least one CDR. Fragments or derivatives of the recited Ig-derived domains define (poly)peptides which are parts of the above antibody molecules and/or which are modified by chemical/biochemical or molecular biological methods. Corresponding methods are known in the art and described inter alia in laboratory manuals (see Sambrook et ah, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2nd edition (1989) and 3rd edition (2001); Gerhardt et ah, Methods for General and Molecular Bacteriology ASM Press (1994); Lefkovits, Immunology Methods Manual: The Comprehensive Sourcebook of Techniques; Academic Press (1997); Golemis, Protein -Protein Interactions: A Molecular Cloning Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2002)).

The term“CDR” as employed herein relates to“complementary determining region”, which is well known in the art. The CDRs are parts of immunoglobulins that determine the specificity of said molecules and make contact with a specific ligand. The CDRs are the most variable part of the molecule and contribute to the diversity of these molecules. There are three CDR regions CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 in each V domain. CDR-H depicts a CDR region of a variable heavy chain and CDR-L relates to a CDR region of a variable light chain. VH means the variable heavy chain and VL means the variable light chain. The CDR regions of an Ig-derived region may be determined as described in Rabat “Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest”, 5th edit. NIH Publication no. 91-3242 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1991). CDR sequences provided herein are defined according to Kabat. However, it will be understood by the skilled person that the invention is intended to encompass binding molecules in which the CDR sequences are defined according to any useful identification/numbering scheme. For example, Chothia (Canonical structures for the hypervariable regions of immunoglobulins. Chothia C, Lesk AM. J Mol Biol. 1987 Aug 20; 196(4):901-17), IMGT (IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics database. Giudicelli V, Chaume D, Bodmer J, Miiller W, Busin C, Marsh S, Bontrop R, Marc L, Malik A, Lefranc MP. Nucleic Acids Res. 1997 Jan 1; 25(1):206-11 and Unique database numbering system for immunogenetic analysis. Lefranc MP. Immunol Today. 1997 Nov; 18(11):509), MacCallum (MacCallum RM, Martin AC, Thornton JM, J Mol Biol. 1996 Oct 11; 262(5):732-45) and Martin (Abhinandan KR, Martin ACR. Analysis and improvements to Kabat and structurally correct numbering of antibody variable domains. Mol Immunol. (2008) 45:3832-9. 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.05.022) numbering schemes may be adopted in order to define the CDRs.

Accordingly, in the context of the present invention, the antibody molecule described herein above is selected from the group consisting of a full antibody (immunoglobulin, like an IgGl, an IgG2, an IgG2a, an IgG2b, an IgAl, an IgGA2, an IgG3, an IgG4, an IgA, an IgM, an IgD or an IgE), F(ab)-, Fab’-SH-, Fv-, Fab’-, F(ab’)2- fragment, a chimeric antibody, a CDR-grafted antibody, a fully human antibody, a bivalent antibody-construct, an antibody-fusion protein, a synthetic antibody, bivalent single chain antibody, a trivalent single chain antibody and a multivalent single chain antibody.

“Humanization approaches” are well known in the art and in particular described for antibody molecules, e.g. Ig-derived molecules. The term“humanized” refers to humanized forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab’, F(ab’), scFvs, or other antigen binding partial sequences of antibodies) which contain some portion of the sequence derived from non human antibody. Humanized antibodies include human immunoglobulins in which residues from a complementary determining region (CDR) of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired binding specificity, affinity and capacity. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and generally 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 also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin ; see, inter alia, Jones et ah, Nature 321 (1986), 522-525, Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2 (1992), 593-596. Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acids introduced into it from a source which is non-human still retain the original binding activity of the antibody. Methods for humanization of antibodies/antibody molecules are further detailed in Jones et al., Nature 321 (1986), 522-525; Reichmann et al., Nature 332 (1988), 323-327; and Verhoeyen et al., Science 239 (1988), 1534-1536. Specific examples of humanized antibodies, e.g. antibodies directed against EpCAM, are known in the art (see e.g. LoBuglio, Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Abstract (1997), 1562 and Khor, Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Abstract (1997), 847).

Accordingly, in the context of this invention, antibody molecules or antigen-binding fragments thereof are provided, which are humanized and can successfully be employed in pharmaceutical compositions.

The specificity of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment of the present invention may not only be expressed by the nature of the amino acid sequence of the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment as defined above but also by the epitope to which the antibody is capable of binding. Thus, the present invention relates, in one embodiment, to an anti-misfolded TDP-43 antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof which recognizes the same epitope as an antibody of the invention.

It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the epitopes may be comprised in the TDP-43 protein, but may also be comprised in a degradation product thereof or may be a chemically synthesized peptide. The amino acid positions are only indicated to demonstrate the position of the corresponding amino acid sequence in the sequence of the TDP-43 protein. The invention encompasses all peptides comprising the epitope. The peptide may be a part of a polypeptide of more than 100 amino acids in length or may be a small peptide of less than 100, preferably less than 50, more preferably less than 25 amino acids, even more preferably less than 16 amino acids. The amino acids of such peptide may be natural amino acids or nonnatural amino acids (e.g., beta-amino acids, gamma-amino acids, D-amino acids) or a combination thereof. Further, the present invention may encompass the respective retro- inverso peptides of the epitopes. The peptide may be unbound or bound. It may be bound, e.g., to a small molecule (e.g., a drug or a fluorophor), to a high-molecular weight polymer (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylene imine (PEI), hydroxypropylmethacrylate (HPMA), etc.) or to a protein, a fatty acid, a sugar moiety or may be inserted in a membrane.

In order to test whether an antibody in question and the antibody of the present invention recognize the same epitope, the following competition study may be carried out: Vero cells infected with 3 MOI (multiplicity of infection) are incubated after 20 h with varying concentrations of the antibody in question as the competitor for 1 hour. In a second incubation step, the antibody of the present invention is applied in a constant concentration of 100 nM and its binding is flow-cytometrically detected using a fluorescence-labelled antibody directed against the constant domains of the antibody of the invention. Binding that conducts anti-proportional (inversely proportional) to the concentration of the antibody in question is indicative that both antibodies recognize the same epitope. However, many other assays are known in the art which may be used. The present invention also relates to the production of specific antibodies against native polypeptides and recombinant polypeptides of TDP-43. This production is based, for example, on the immunization of animals, like mice. However, also other animals for the production of antibody/antisera are envisaged within the present invention. For example, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies can be produced by rabbit, mice, goats, donkeys and the like. The polynucleotide encoding a correspondingly chosen polypeptide of TDP-43 can be subcloned into an appropriate vector, wherein the recombinant polypeptide is to be expressed in an organism capable of expression, for example in bacteria. Thus, the expressed recombinant protein can be intra-peritoneally injected into a mice and the resulting specific antibody can be, for example, obtained from the mice serum being provided by intra-cardiac blood puncture. The present invention also envisages the production of specific antibodies against native polypeptides and recombinant polypeptides by using a DNA vaccine strategy as exemplified in the appended examples. DNA vaccine strategies are well-known in the art and encompass liposome- mediated delivery, by gene gun or jet injection and intramuscular or intradermal injection. Thus, antibodies directed against a polypeptide or a protein or an epitope of TDP-43, in particular the epitope of the antibodies provided herein, can be obtained by directly immunizing the animal by directly injecting intramuscularly the vector expressing the desired polypeptide or a protein or an epitope of TDP-43, in particular the epitope of the antibodies of the invention, which lies within amino acid residues 181-195, 199-213, 307-321, 352-366, 389-411, 397-411 and 140-200 of SEQ ID NO: l, more particularly the epitope of the antibodies of the invention, which lies within amino acid residues aa 183- 188, 203-213, 204-208, 204-211, 205-210, 316-323, 358-361, 400-405, 400-406, 400-412 of SEQ ID NO: l. The amount of obtained specific antibody can be quantified using an ELISA, which is also described herein below. Further methods for the production of antibodies are well known in the art, see, e.g. Harlow and Lane, "Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual", CSH Press, Cold Spring Harbor, 1988.

Thus, under designated assay conditions, the specified antibodies and the corresponding epitope of TDP-43 bind to one another and do not bind in a significant amount to other components present in a sample. Specific binding to a target analyte under such conditions may require a binding moiety that is selected for its specificity for a particular target analyte. A variety of immunoassay formats may be used to select antibodies specifically reactive with a particular antigen. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select monoclonal antibodies specifically immunoreactive with an analyte. See Shepherd and Dean (2000), Monoclonal Antibodies: A Practical Approach, Oxford University Press and/ or Howard and Bethell, for a description of immunoassay formats and conditions that can be used to determine specific immunoreactivity. Typically a specific or selective reaction will be at least twice background signal to noise and more typically more than 10 to 100 times greater than background. The person skilled in the art is in a position to provide for and generate specific binding molecules directed against the novel polypeptides. For specific binding-assays it can be readily employed to avoid undesired cross-reactivity, for example polyclonal antibodies can easily be purified and selected by known methods (see Shepherd and Dean, loc. cit.).

The "class" of an antibody refers to the type of constant domain or constant region possessed by its heavy chain. There are five major classes of antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgGl, IgG2, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgG4, IgAl, and IgA2. The heavy chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of immunoglobulins are called a, d, e, g, and m, respectively.

In certain embodiments, amino acid sequence variants of the antibodies provided herein are contemplated. For example, it may be desirable to improve the binding affinity and/or other biological properties of the antibody. Amino acid sequence variants of an antibody may be prepared by introducing appropriate modifications into the nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody, or by peptide synthesis. Such modifications include, for example, deletions from, and/or insertions into and/or substitutions of residues within the amino acid sequences of the antibody. Any combination of deletion, insertion, and substitution can be made to arrive at the final construct, provided that the final construct possesses the desired characteristics, e.g., antigen-binding.

In certain embodiments, antibody variants having one or more amino acid substitutions are provided. Sites of interest for substitutional mutagenesis include the CDRs and FRs. Conservative substitutions are shown in Table 1 under the heading of "preferred substitutions." More substantial changes are provided in Table 1 under the heading of "exemplary substitutions," and as further described below in reference to amino acid side chain classes. Amino acid substitutions may be introduced into an antibody of interest and the products screened for a desired activity, e.g., retained/improved antigen binding, decreased immunogenicity, or improved ADCC or CDC.

TABLE 1

Amino acids may be grouped according to common side-chain properties:

(1) hydrophobic: Norleucine, Met, Ala, Val, Leu, lie;

(2) neutral hydrophilic: Cys, Ser, Thr, Asn, Gin;

(3) acidic: Asp, Glu;

(4) basic: His, Lys, Arg;

(5) residues that influence chain orientation: Gly, Pro;

(6) aromatic: Trp, Tyr, Phe.

Non-conservative substitutions will entail exchanging a member of one of these classes for another class.

One type of substitutional variant involves substituting one or more hypervariable region residues of a parent antibody (e.g. a humanized or human antibody). Generally, the resulting variant(s) selected for further study will have modifications (e.g., improvements) in certain biological properties (e.g., increased affinity, reduced immunogenicity) relative to the parent antibody and/or will have substantially retained certain biological properties of the parent antibody. An exemplary substitutional variant is an affinity matured antibody, which may be conveniently generated, e.g., using phage display- based affinity maturation techniques such as those described herein. Briefly, one or more CDR residues are mutated and the variant antibodies displayed on phage and screened for a particular biological activity ( e.g. binding affinity).

Alterations (e.g., substitutions) may be made in CDRs, e.g., to improve antibody affinity. Such alterations may be made in CDR "hotspots," i.e., residues encoded by codons that undergo mutation at high frequency during the somatic maturation process (see, e.g., Chowdhury, Methods Mol. Biol. 207: 179-196 (2008)), and/or SDRs (a-CDRs), with the resulting variant VH or VL being tested for binding affinity. Affinity maturation by constructing and reselecting from secondary libraries has been described, e.g., in Hoogenboom et al., in Methods in Molecular Biology 178: 1-37 (O'Brien et al., ed., Human Press, Totowa, NJ, (2001).) In some embodiments of affinity maturation, diversity is introduced into the variable genes chosen for maturation by any of a variety of methods (e.g., error-prone PCR, chain shuffling, or oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis). A secondary library is then created. The library is then screened to identify any antibody variants with the desired affinity. Another method to introduce diversity involves CDR-directed approaches, in which several CDR residues (e.g., 4-6 residues at a time) are randomized. CDR residues involved in antigen binding may be specifically identified, e.g., using alanine scanning mutagenesis or modeling. CDR H3 and CDR-L3 in particular are often targeted.

In certain embodiments, substitutions, insertions, or deletions may occur within one or more CDRs so long as such alterations do not substantially reduce the ability of the antibody to bind antigen. For example, conservative alterations (e.g., conservative substitutions as provided herein) that do not substantially reduce binding affinity may be made in CDRs. Such alterations may be outside of CDR "hotspots" or SDRs. In certain embodiments of the variant VH and VL sequences provided above, each CDR either is unaltered, or contains no more than one, two or three amino acid substitutions.

A useful method for identification of residues or regions of an antibody that may be targeted for mutagenesis is called“alanine scanning mutagenesis” as described by Cunningham and Wells (1989) Science , 244: 1081-1085. In this method, a residue or group of target residues (e.g., charged residues such as Arg, Asp, His, Lys, and Glu) are identified and replaced by a neutral or negatively charged amino acid (e.g., alanine or polyalanine) to determine whether the interaction of the antibody with antigen is affected. Further substitutions may be introduced at the amino acid locations demonstrating functional sensitivity to the initial substitutions. Alternatively, or additionally, a crystal structure of an antigen-antibody complex is used to identify contact points between the antibody and antigen. Such contact residues and neighboring residues may be targeted or eliminated as candidates for substitution. Variants may be screened to determine whether they contain the desired properties.

Amino acid sequence insertions include amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal fusions ranging in length from one residue to polypeptides containing a hundred or more residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid residues. Examples of terminal insertions include an antibody with an N-terminal methionyl residue. Other insertional variants of the antibody molecule include the fusion to the N- or C-terminus of the antibody to an enzyme (e.g. for ADEPT) or a polypeptide which increases the serum half-life of the antibody.

In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein is altered to increase or decrease the extent to which the antibody is glycosylated. Addition or deletion of glycosylation sites to an antibody may be conveniently accomplished by altering the amino acid sequence such that one or more glycosylation sites is created or removed.

Where the antibody comprises an Fc region, the carbohydrate attached thereto may be altered. Native antibodies produced by mammalian cells typically comprise a branched, biantennary oligosaccharide that is generally attached by an N-linkage to Asn297 of the CH2 domain of the Fc region. See, e.g., Wright et al., TIBTECH 15:26-32 (1997). The oligosaccharide may include various carbohydrates, e.g., mannose, N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc), galactose, and sialic acid, as well as a fucose attached to a GlcNAc in the "stem" of the biantennary oligosaccharide structure. In some embodiments, modifications of the oligosaccharide in an antibody of the invention may be made in order to create antibody variants with certain improved properties.

In one embodiment, antibody variants are provided having a carbohydrate structure that lacks fucose attached (directly or indirectly) to an Fc region. For example, the amount of fucose in such antibody may be from 1% to 80%, from 1% to 65%, from 5% to 65% or from 20% to 40%. The amount of fucose is determined by calculating the average amount of fucose within the sugar chain at Asn297, relative to the sum of all glycostructures attached to Asn 297 (e. g. complex, hybrid and high mannose structures) as measured by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, as described in WO 2008/077546, for example. Asn297 refers to the asparagine residue located at about position 297 in the Fc region (Eu numbering of Fc region residues; see Edelman, G.M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. USA, 63, 78-85 (1969)); however, Asn297 may also be located about ± 3 amino acids upstream or downstream of position 297, i.e., between positions 294 and 300, due to minor sequence variations in antibodies. Such fucosylation variants may have improved ADCC function. See, e.g., US Patent Publication Nos. US 2003/0157108 (Presta, L.); US 2004/0093621 (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd). Examples of publications related to "defucosylated" or "fucose deficient" antibody variants include: US 2003/0157108; WO 2000/61739; WO 2001/29246; US 2003/0115614; US 2002/0164328; US 2004/0093621; US 2004/0132140; US 2004/0110704; US 2004/0110282; US 2004/0109865; WO 2003/085119; WO 2003/084570; WO 2005/035586; WO 2005/035778; W02005/053742; W02002/031140; Okazaki et al., J. Mol. Biol. 336: 1239-1249 (2004); Yamane-Ohnuki et al., Biotech. Bioeng. 87: 614 (2004). Examples of cell lines capable of producing defucosylated antibodies include Lee 13 CHO cells deficient in protein fucosylation (Ripka et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 249:533-545 (1986); US Pat Appl No US 2003/0157108 Al, Presta, L; and WO 2004/056312 Al, Adams et al, especially at Example 11), and knockout cell lines, such as alpha-1, 6-fucosyltransferase gene, FUT8, knockout CHO cells ( see, e.g., Yamane-Ohnuki et al., Bioteeh. Bioeng. 87: 614 (2004); Kanda, Y. et al., Bioteehnol. Bioeng., 94(4):680-688 (2006); and W02003/085 107).

Antibody variants are further provided with bisected oligosaccharides, e.g., in which a biantennary oligosaccharide attached to the Fc region of the antibody is bisected by GlcNAc. Such antibody variants may have reduced fucosylation and/or improved ADCC function. Examples of such antibody variants are described, e.g., in WO 2003/011878 (Jean-Mairet et al.); US Patent No. 6,602,684 (Umana et al.); and US 2005/0123546 (Umana et al). Antibody variants with at least one galactose residue in the oligosaccharide attached to the Fc region are also provided. Such antibody variants may have improved CDC function. Such antibody variants are described, e.g., in WO 1997/30087 (Patel et al.); WO 1998/58964 (Raju, S.); and WO 1999/22764 (Raju, S.).

In certain embodiments, one or more amino acid modifications may be introduced into the Fc region of an antibody provided herein, thereby generating an Fc region variant. The Fc region variant may comprise a human Fc region sequence (e.g., a human IgGl, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4 Fc region) comprising an amino acid modification (e.g. a substitution) at one or more amino acid positions.

In certain embodiments, the invention contemplates an antibody variant that possesses some but not all effector functions, which make it a desirable candidate for applications in which the half life of the antibody in vivo is important yet certain effector functions (such as complement activation and ADCC) are unnecessary or deleterious. In vitro and/or in vivo cytotoxicity assays can be conducted to confirm the reduction/depletion of CDC and/or ADCC activities. For example, Fc receptor (FcR) binding assays can be conducted to ensure that the antibody lacks FcyR binding (hence likely lacking ADCC activity), but retains FcRn binding ability. The primary cells for mediating ADCC, NK cells, express FcyRIII only, whereas monocytes and microglia express FcyRI. FcyRII and FcyRIII. FcR expression on hematopoietic cells is summarized in Table 3 on page 464 of Ravetch and Kinet, Annu. Rev. Immunol. 9:457-492 (1991). Non-limiting examples of in vitro assays to assess ADCC activity of a molecule of interest is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,500,362 ( see, e.g. Hellstrom, I. et ah, Proc. Nat’l Acad. Sci. USA 83:7059-7063 (1986)) and Hellstrom, I et ak, Proc. Nat’l Acad. Sci. USA 82: 1499- 1502 (1985); 5,821,337 (see Bruggemann, M. et ak, J. Exp. Med. 166: 1351-1361 (1987)).

Alternatively, non-radioactive assays methods may be employed (see. for example, ACTI™ non radioactive cytotoxicity assay for flow cytometry (CellTechnology, Inc. Mountain View, CA; and CytoTox 96® non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay (Promega, Madison, WI). Useful effector cells for such assays include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and Natural Killer (NK) cells.

Alternatively, or additionally, ADCC activity of the molecule of interest may be assessed in vivo, e.g., in a animal model such as that disclosed in Clynes et ak, Proc. Nat'l Acad. sci. USA 95:652-656 (1998). Clq binding assays may also be carried out to confirm that the antibody is unable to bind Clq and hence lacks CDC activity. See, e.g., Clq and C3c binding ELISA in WO 2006/029879 and WO 2005/100402. To assess complement activation, a CDC assay may be performed ( see, for example, Gazzano-Santoro et al, J. Immunol. Methods 202: 163 (1996); Cragg, M.S. et ak, Blood 101: 1045-1052 (2003); and Cragg, M.S. and M.J. Glennie, Blood 103:2738-2743 (2004)). FcRn binding and in vivo clearance/half life determinations can also be performed using methods known in the art (see, e.g., Petkova, S.B. et ak, Int'l. Immunol. 18(12): 1759-1769 (2006)).

Antibodies with reduced effector function include those with substitution of one or more of Fc region residues 238, 265, 269, 270, 297, 327 and 329 (U.S. Patent No. 6,737,056). Such Fc mutants include Fc mutants with substitutions at two or more of amino acid positions 265, 269, 270, 297 and 327, including the so-called "DANA" Fc mutant with substitution of residues 265 and 297 to alanine (US Patent No. 7,332,581). Alternatively, antibodies with reduced effector function include those with substitution of one or more of Fc region residues 234, 235 and 329, so-called“PG-LALA” Fc mutant with substitution of residues 234 and 235 to alanine and 329 to glycine (Lo, M. et al., Journal of Biochemistry, 292, 3900-3908).

Certain antibody variants with improved or diminished binding to FcRs are described. (See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,737,056; WO 2004/056312, and Shields et al., J Biol. Chem. 9(2): 6591-6604 (2001)).

In certain embodiments, an antibody variant comprises a Fc region with one or more amino acid substitutions which improve ADCC, e.g., substitutions at positions 298, 333, and/or 334 of the Fc region (EU numbering of residues).

In some embodiments, alterations are made in the Fc region that result in altered (i.e., either improved or diminished) Clq binding and/or Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity (CDC), e.g., as described in US Patent No. 6,194,551, WO 99/51642, and Idusogie et al., J Immunol. 164: 4178-4184 (2000).

Antibodies with increased half lives and improved binding to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which is responsible for the transfer of maternal IgGs to the fetus (Guyer et al., J. Immunol. 117:587 (1976) and Kim et al., J. Immunol. 24:249 (1994)), are described in US2005/0014934A1 (Hinton et al.). Those antibodies comprise an Fc region with one or more substitutions therein which improve binding of the Fc region to FcRn. Such Fc variants include those with substitutions at one or more of Fc region residues: 238, 256, 265, 272, 286, 303, 305, 307, 311, 312, 317, 340, 356, 360, 362, 376, 378, 380, 382, 413, 424 or 434, e.g., substitution of Fc region residue 434 (US Patent No. 7, 371, 826). See also Duncan & Winter, Nature 322:738-40 (1988); U.S. Patent No. 5,648,260; U.S. Patent No. 5,624,821; and WO 94/29351 concerning other examples of Fc region variants.

In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to create cysteine engineered antibodies, e.g., "thioMAbs," in which one or more residues of an antibody are substituted with cysteine residues. In particular embodiments, the substituted residues occur at accessible sites of the antibody. By substituting those residues with cysteine, reactive thiol groups are thereby positioned at accessible sites of the antibody and may be used to conjugate the antibody to other moieties, such as drug moieties or linker-drug moieties, to create an immunoconjugate, as described further herein. In certain embodiments, any one or more of the following residues may be substituted with cysteine: V205 (Kabat numbering) of the light chain; A118 (EU numbering) of the heavy chain; and S400 (EU numbering) of the heavy chain Fc region. Cysteine engineered antibodies may be generated as described, e.g., in U.S. Patent No. 7,521,541.

In certain embodiments, an antibody provided herein may be further modified to contain additional nonproteinaceous moieties that are known in the art and readily available. The moieties suitable for derivatization of the antibody include but are not limited to water soluble polymers. Nonlimiting examples of water soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol (PEG), copolymers of ethylene glycol/propylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly-1, 3-dioxolane, poly-l,3,6-trioxane, ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymer, polyaminoacids (either homopolymers or random copolymers), and dextran or poly(n vinyl pyrrolidone)polyethylene glycol, propropylene glycol homopolymers, prolypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide co-polymers, polyoxyethylated polyols (e.g., glycerol), polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde may have advantages in manufacturing due to its stability in water. The polymer may be of any molecular weight, and may be branched or unbranched. The number of polymers attached to the antibody may vary, and if more than one polymer are attached, they can be the same or different molecules. In general, the number and/or type of polymers used for derivatization can be determined based on considerations including, but not limited to, the particular properties or functions of the antibody to be improved, whether the antibody derivative will be used in a therapy under defined conditions, etc.

In another embodiment, conjugates of an antibody and nonproteinaceous moiety that may be selectively heated by exposure to radiation are provided. In one embodiment, the nonproteinaceous moiety is a carbon nanotube (Kam et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102: 11600-11605 (2005)). The radiation may be of any wavelength, and includes, but is not limited to, wavelengths that do not harm ordinary cells, but which heat the nonproteinaceous moiety to a temperature at which cells proximal to the antibody- nonproteinaceous moiety are killed.

Antibodies may be produced using recombinant methods and compositions, e.g., as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567. In one embodiment, isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-misfolded TDP-43 antibody described herein is provided. Such nucleic acid may encode an amino acid sequence comprising the VL and/or an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody (e.g., the Light and/or Heavy Chains of the antibody). In a further embodiment, one or more vectors (e.g., expression vectors) comprising such nucleic acid are provided. In a further embodiment, a host cell comprising such nucleic acid is provided. In one such embodiment, a host cell comprises (e.g, has been transformed with): (1) a vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VL of the antibody and an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody, or (2) a first vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VL of the antibody and a second vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising the VH of the antibody. In one embodiment, the host cell is eukaryotic, e.g. a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell or lymphoid cell (e.g., YO, NSO, Sp20). In one embodiment, a method of making an anti-misfolded TDP-43 antibody is provided, wherein the method comprises culturing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the antibody, as provided above, under conditions suitable for expression of the antibody, and optionally recovering the antibody from the host cell (or host cell culture medium). For recombinant production of an anti-misfolded TDP-43 antibody, nucleic acid encoding an antibody, e.g., as described above, is isolated and inserted into one or more vectors for further cloning and/or expression in a host cell or a cell-free expression system. Such nucleic acid may be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the Heavy and Light Chains of the antibody).

Suitable host cells for cloning or expression of antibody-encoding vectors include prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells described herein. For example, antibodies may be produced in bacteria, in particular when glycosylation and Fc effector function are not needed. For expression of antibody fragments and polypeptides in bacteria, see, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,648,237, 5,789,199, and 5,840,523. (See also Charlton , Methods in Molecular Biology, Val. 248 (B.K.C. Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, 2003), pp. 245-254, describing expression of antibody fragments in E. coli.) After expression, the antibody may be isolated from the bacterial cell paste in a soluble fraction and can be further purified.

In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous fungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts for antibody-encoding vectors, including fungi and yeast strains whose glycosylation pathways have been "humanized," resulting in the production of an antibody with a partially or fully human glycosylation pattern. See Gemgross, Nat. Biotech. 22: 1409-1414 (2004), and Li et ah, Nat. Biotech. 24:210-215 (2006).

Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated antibody are also derived from multicellular organisms (invertebrates and vertebrates). Examples of invertebrate cells include plant and insect cells. Numerous baculoviral strains have been identified which may be used in conjunction with insect cells, particularly for transfection of Spodoptera frugiperda cells.

Plant cell cultures can also be utilized as hosts. See, e.g., US Patent Nos. 5,959,177, 6,040,498, 6,420,548, 7,125,978, and 6,417,429 (describing PLANTIBODIES™ technology for producing antibodies in transgenic plants).

Vertebrate cells may also be used as hosts. For example, mammalian cell lines that are adapted to grow in suspension may be useful. Other examples of useful mammalian host cell lines are macaque kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells as described, e.g., in Graham et ah, J. Gen Viral. 36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK); mouse sertoli cells (TM4 cells as described, e.g., in Mather, Biol. Reprod. 23:243-251 (1980)); macaque kidney cells (CV 1); African green macaque kidney cells (VERO-76); human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa); canine kidney cells (MDCK; buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A); human lung cells (W138); human liver cells (Hep G2); mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562); TRI cells, as described, e.g., in Mather et al., Annals N. Y Aead. Sei. 383:44-68 (1982); MRC 5 cells; and FS4 cells. Other useful mammalian host cell lines include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, including DHFR CHO cells (Urlaub et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. cii. USA 77:4216 (1980)); and myeloma cell lines such as YO, NSO and Sp2/0. For a review of certain mammalian host cell lines suitable for antibody production, see, e.g., Yazaki and Wu, Methods in Molecular Biology, Val. 248 (B.K.C. Lo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ), pp. 255-268 (2003).

Methods for producing a TDP-43 binding molecule of the invention, in particular an antibody, may comprise the steps of:

a. culturing a suitable host cell or cell-free expression system under conditions suitable for producing the binding molecule, in particular the antibody; and

b. isolating the binding molecule, in particular the antibody. Suitable culturing and isolation techniques are available to the skilled person.

Anti-TDP-43 antibodies provided herein may be identified, screened for, or characterized for their physical/chemical properties and/or biological activities by various assays known in the art.

In one aspect, an antibody of the invention is tested for its antigen binding activity, e.g., by known methods such as ELISA, BIACore®, FACS, immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry.

In another aspect, competition assays may be used to identify an antibody that competes with any of the antibodies described herein for binding to TDP-43. In certain embodiments, such a competing antibody binds to the same epitope (e.g., a linear or a conformational epitope) that is bound by an antibody described herein. 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).

In an exemplary competition assay, immobilized TDP-43 is incubated in a solution comprising a first labeled antibody that binds to TDP-43 (e.g, any of the antibodies described herein) and a second unlabeled antibody that is being tested for its ability to compete with the first antibody for binding to TDP-43. As a control, immobilized TDP-43 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 TDP-43, excess unbound antibody is removed, and the amount of label associated with immobilized TDP-43 is measured. If the amount of label associated with immobilized TDP-43 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 TDP-43. See Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual ch.14 (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY).

The invention also provides immunoconjugates comprising an anti-TDP-43 antibody provided herein conjugated to one or more therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents or drugs, growth inhibitory agents, toxins (e.g., protein toxins, enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant, or animal origin, or fragments thereof), radioactive isotopes (i.e., a radioconjugate), blood brain barrier penetration moieties or detectable labels.

In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture containing materials useful for the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of the diseases, disorders, abnormailites associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy described above is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, intravenous (IV) solution bags, etc. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition which is by itself or combined with another composition effective for treating, preventing and/or diagnosing the condition and may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). At least one active agent in the composition is an antibody of the invention. The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition of choice. Moreover, the article of manufacture may comprise (a) a first container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises an antibody of the invention; and (b) a second container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a further therapeutic agent. The article of manufacture in this embodiment of the invention may further comprise a package insert indicating that the compositions can be used to treat a particular condition. Alternatively, or additionally, the article of manufacture may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a pharmaceutically -acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate- buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.

It is understood that any of the above articles of manufacture may include an immunoconjugate of the invention in place of or in addition to an anti-TDP-43 antibody.

XI. EXEMPLARY TDP-43 SPECIFIC BINDING MOLECULES OR ANTIBODIES

In some embodiments of the invention, the antibody comprises:

a) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; or

b) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence ES (Glu-Ser); VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; or

c) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 32; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 36; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37; or

d) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 41; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 42; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 46; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47; or

e) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; or

f) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 71; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 72; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence 73; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 75; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 77; or

g) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 81; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 82; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85; VL-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 86; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87; or

h) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 101; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 102; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 103; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 105; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 106; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 107; or i) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 121; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 122; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 123; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 125; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 127; or

j) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 141; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 142; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 143; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 145; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 146; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 147; or

k) VH-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 151; VH-CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 152; and VH-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 153; VL-CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 155; VL- CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 156; and VL-CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 157.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises:

a. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14; or b. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; or c. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or d. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; or e. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; or f. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74; or g. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84; or h. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104; or i. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124; or j. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144; or k. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 150 and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

In some embodiments, the antibody comprises :

a. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14; or

b. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24; or

c. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 92%, 93 %, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 30; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 34; or

d. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 44; or

e. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; or

f. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 74; or

g. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 80; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84; or

h. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 100; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 104; or

i. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 120; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 124; or j. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 140; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 144; or k. a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 150 or a Heavy Chain Variable Region (VH) having at least 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 150; and a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154 or a Light Chain Variable Region (VL) having at least 99% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 154.

In some embodiments, the invention relates to an antibody derived from hybridoma clones 631B2A2, 633B12C8, 634H10H7, 636E5B8, 641H1E7, 642A10B 11, 642D12B4, 646B7F7, 712A6B10, 809D9C2 or 809F12D8, as described further herein.

In some embodiments, the invention relates to an antibody selected from ACI-7069-631B2-AM, ACI- 7069-633B 12-AM, ACI-7069-634H10-Ab2, ACI-7069-636E5-AM, ACI-7069-641Hl-Ab2, ACI- 7069-642A10-AM, ACI-7069-642D12-AM, ACI-7069-646B7-Abl, ACI-7071-712A6-Abl, ACI- 7071-809D9-Ab2 and ACI-7071-809F12-AM, as described further herein.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid encodes an antibody described herein.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 18 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 19 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:28 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:29 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:38 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:39 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:48 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:49 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:68 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:69 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:78 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:79 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:88 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 89 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 108 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 109 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody. In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 128 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 129 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 148 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 149 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 158 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

In some embodiments, a(n isolated) nucleic acid is provided, wherein the (isolated) nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO: 159 encoding an anti-TPD-43 antibody.

XII. COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS

In some embodiments, an immunoconjugate is provided, wherein the immunoconjugate comprises an (isolated) antibody described herein and a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a labeled antibody is provided, comprising an antibody described herein and a detectable label.

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition is provided, comprising an (isolated) antibody described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule of the present invention is linked to a detectable label.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is part of an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule or the immunoconjugate comprising it is present as a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is part of pharmaceutical composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is part of a detection and/or diagnostic kit comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same. Kits containing the binding molecules of the invention are also provided. In particular, such kits may be useful for performing the diagnostic methods of the invention (which include classification, monitoring and therapy selection methods). Thus, a kit for diagnosis of a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or a TDP-43 proteinopathy, or for use in a method of the invention is provided comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule of the invention.. Such kits may comprise all necessary components for performing the herein provided methods. Typically each component is stored separately in a single overall packaging. Suitable additional components for inclusion in the kits are, for example, buffers, detectable dyes, laboratory equipment, reaction containers, instructions and the like. Instructions for use may be tailored to the specific method for which the kit is to be employed. Suitably labelled TDP-43 binding molecules of the invention are also provided, which may be included in such kits.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is used in an immunodiagnostic method for use in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a TDP-43 proteinopathy.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is part of an immunotherapeutic method for the prevention, or treatment of a TDP-43 proteinopathy, wherein an effective amount of the TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same is administered to a subject in need thereof.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same is administered to a subject in need thereof is used to diagnose, prevent, alleviate or treat a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy including but not limited to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE), , limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE).

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same is administered to a subject in need thereof is used in a method for diagnosing or monitoring a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy selected from Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor-neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Argyrophibc grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfVPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, such as Sporadic ALS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known under Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP; also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo-pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES)), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In other embodiment, the invention relates to any methods for detecting, diagnosing or monitoring a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy that is selected from frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE).

Preferably, the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathyis selected from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). More preferably, the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP- 43 proteinopathy is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More preferably, the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). More preferably, the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy is Frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is used in a method for diagnosing presymptomatic disease or for monitoring disease progression and therapeutic efficacy, or for predicting responsiveness, or for selecting subjects which are likely to respond to the treatment with a TDP-43 specific binding molecule. Said method is preferably performed using a sample of human blood or urine. Most preferably the method involves an ELISA -based or surface adapted assay.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is used in a method wherein a TDP-43 specific binding molecule of the present invention is contacted with a sample (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or brain tissue) to detect, diagnose or monitor frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) and/or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is used in a method wherein a TDP-43 specific binding molecule of the present invention is contacted with a sample (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or brain tissue) to detect, diagnose or a disease selected from Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor-neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Argyrophilic grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfvPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, such as Sporadic ALS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known under Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP; also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo-pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MY OT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES)), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same is administered to a subject in need thereof is used for preventing, alleviating or treating a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathies, or frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome and limbic- predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) and/or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same is administered to a subject in need thereof is used for treating a disease selected from: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD, such as Sporadic or familial with or without motor-neuron disease (MND), with progranulin (GRN) mutation, with C9orf72 mutations, with TARDBP mutation, with valosine-containing protein (VCP) mutation, linked to chromosome 9p, corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with ubiquitin-positive TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Argyrophilic grain disease, Pick's disease, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), Nonfluent Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia (nfvPPA) and the like), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, such as Sporadic ALS, with TARDBP mutation, with angiogenin (ANG) mutation), Alexander disease (AxD), limbic- predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Down syndrome, Familial British dementia, Polyglutamine diseases (Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; also known under Machado Joseph Disease)), Hippocampal sclerosis dementia and Myopathies (Sporadic inclusion body myositis, Inclusion body myopathy with a mutation in the valosin-containing protein (VCP; also Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia), Oculo pharyngeal muscular dystrophy with rimmed vacuoles, Myofibrillar myopathies with mutations in the myotilin (MYOT) gene or mutations in the gene coding for desmin (DES)), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) or Parkinson’s disease (PD). Preferably said disease treatment helps to retain or increase mental recognition and or reduces the level of TDP-43 aggregates in the brain.

In some embodiments the TDP-43 specific binding molecule, or an immunoconjugate wherein the TDP-43 specific binding molecule is covalently linked to another suitable therapeutic agent, or a composition comprising a TDP-43 specific binding molecule and a TDP-43 agonists and cognate molecules, or alternately, antagonists of the same is administered to a subject in need thereof is used for manufacturing a medicament for treating a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP- 43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathies or frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD, including sporadic and familial forms of AD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy, Perry syndrome and limbic- predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), and/or Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Pharmaceutical formulations of an anti-TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate as described herein are prepared by mixing such antibody or immunoconjugate having the desired degree of purity with one or more optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980)), in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are generally nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include, but are not limited to: buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3- pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers herein further include insterstitial drug dispersion agents such as soluble neutral-active hyaluronidase glycoproteins (sHASEGP), for example, human soluble PH-20 hyaluronidase glycoproteins, such as rHuPH20 (HYLENEX®, Baxter International, Inc.). Certain exemplary sHASEGPs and methods of use, including rHuPH20, are described in US Patent Publication Nos. 2005/0260186 and 2006/0104968. In one aspect, a sHASEGP is combined with one or more additional glycosaminoglycanases such as chondroitinases.

Exemplary lyophilized antibody or immunoconjugate formulations are described in US Patent No. 6,267,958. Aqueous antibody or immunoconjugate formulations include those described in US Patent No. 6,171,586 and W02006/044908, the latter formulations including a histidine-acetate buffer.

The formulation herein may also contain more than one active ingredient as necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other.

Active ingredients may be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin- microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate) microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980).

Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody or immunoconjugate, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g. fdms, or microcapsules. The formulations to be used for in vivo administration are generally sterile. Sterility may be readily accomplished, e.g., by fdtration through sterile fdtration membranes.

Any of the antigen-binding molecules, anti- TDP-43 antibodies or immunoconjugate s provided herein may be used in methods, e.g., therapeutic methods. hi another aspect, an anti-TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate for use as a medicament is provided. In further aspects, an anti-misfolded TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate for use in a method of treatment is provided. In certain embodiments, an anti-TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate for use in the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of a TDP-43 proteinopathy is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an anti- TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate is provided for use in the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of a disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy including but not limited to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Chronic Traumatic Encelopathy (CTE), and/or limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE).

In a further aspect, the invention provides for the use of an anti-TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises administering to the individual an effective amount of at least one additional therapeutic agent, e.g., as described below.

A“subject” or an "individual" according to any of the above embodiments may be an animal, a mammal, preferably a human.

In a further aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising any of the anti- TDP-43 antibodies (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate provided herein, e.g., for use in any of the above therapeutic methods. In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises any of the anti-TDP-43 antibodies (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugates provided herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical formulation comprises any of the anti-TDP-43 antibodies (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugates provided herein and at least one additional therapeutic agent, e.g., as described below.

Antibodies or immunoconjugates of the invention can be used either alone or in combination with other agents in a therapy. For instance, an antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate of the invention may be co-administered with at least one additional therapeutic agent.

Such combination therapies noted above encompass combined administration (where two or more therapeutic agents are included in the same or separate formulations), and separate administration, in which case, administration of the antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate of the invention can occur prior to, simultaneously, and/or following, administration of the additional therapeutic agent and/or adjuvant. Antibodies (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugates of the invention can also be used in combination with radiation therapy.

An antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate of the invention (and any additional therapeutic agent) can be administered by any suitable means, including parenteral, intrapulmonary, and intranasal, and, if desired for local treatment, intralesional, intrauterine or intravesical administration. Parenteral infusions include intramuscular, intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. Dosing can be by any suitable route, e.g. by injections, such as intravenous or subcutaneous injections, depending in part on whether the administration is brief or chronic. Various dosing schedules including but not limited to single or multiple administrations over various time-points, bolus administration, and pulse infusion are contemplated herein.

Antibodies (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugates of the invention would be formulated, dosed, and administered in a fashion consistent with good medical practice. Factors for consideration in this context include the particular disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy being treated, the particular mammal being treated, the clinical condition of the individual subject, the cause of the disease, a disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy , the site of delivery of the agent, the method of administration, the scheduling of administration, and other factors known to medical practitioners. The antibody or immunoconjugate need not be, but is optionally formulated with one or more agents currently used to prevent or treat the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy in question. The effective amount of such other agents depends on the amount of antibody or immunoconjugate present in the formulation, the type of disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates or TDP-43 proteinopathy or treatment, and other factors discussed above. These are generally used in the same dosages and with administration routes as described herein, or about from 1 to 99% of the dosages described herein, or in any dosage and by any route that is empirically/clinically determined to be appropriate.

For the prevention or treatment of disease, the appropriate dosage of an antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate of the invention (when used alone or in combination with one or more other additional therapeutic agents) will depend on the type of disease to be treated, the type of antibody or immunoconjugate, the severity and course of the disease, whether the antibody or immunoconjugate is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the subject's clinical history and response to the antibody or immunoconjugate, and the discretion of the attending physician. The antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate is suitably administered to the subject at one time or over a series of treatments. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, about 1 pg/kg to 15 mg/kg (e.g. 0.1 mg/kg-10 mg/kg) of antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate can be an initial candidate dosage for administration to the subject, whether, for example, by one or more separate administrations, or by continuous infusion. One typical daily dosage might range from about 1 pg/kg to 100 mg/kg or more, , depending on the factors mentioned above. For repeated administrations over several days or longer, depending on the condition, the treatment would generally be sustained until a desired suppression of disease symptoms occurs. One exemplary dosage of the antibody or immunoconjugate would be in the range from about 0.05 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg. Thus, one or more doses of about 0.5 mg/kg, 2.0 mg/kg, 4.0 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg (or any combination thereof) may be administered to the subject. Such doses may be administered intermittently, e.g. every week or every three weeks (e.g. such that the subject receives from about two to about twenty, or e.g. about six doses of the antibody). An initial higher loading dose, followed by one or more lower doses may be administered. However, other dosage regimens may be useful. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques and assays.

It is understood that any of the above formulations or therapeutic methods may be carried out using both an immunoconjugate of the invention and an anti-TDP-43 antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule).

In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture containing materials useful for the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of the diseases, disorders or abnormalities associated with TDP- 43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy, described above is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, IV solution bags, etc. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition which is by itself or combined with another composition effective for treating, preventing and/or diagnosing the disease, disorder and/or abnormality associated with TDP-43, in particular associated with TDP-43 aggregates, or TDP-43 proteinopathy, and may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). At least one active agent in the composition is an antibody or immunoconjugate of the invention. The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition of choice. Moreover, the article of manufacture may comprise (a) a first container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises an antibody (the preferred type of TDP-43 specific binding molecule) or immunoconjugate of the invention; and (b) a second container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a further therapeutic agent. The article of manufacture in this embodiment of the invention may further comprise a package insert indicating that the compositions can be used to treat a particular condition. Alternatively, or additionally, the article of manufacture may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a pharmaceutically- acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution or dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of retaining or increasing cognitive memory capacity, movement and language function or preventing and/or slowing decline of cognitive memory capacity, movement and language function in a subject, comprising administering the binding molecule of the invention, the immunoconjugate of the invention, the composition of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of reducing the level of TDP-43, comprising administering the binding molecule of the invention, the immunoconjugate of the invention, the composition of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

The methods of the invention may comprise administering at least one additional therapy, preferably wherein the additional therapy is selected from, but not limited to, neurological drugs, anti-abeta antibodies, anti-Tau antibodies, Tau aggregation inhibitors, beta-amyloid aggregation inhibitors, anti- BACE1 antibodies, and BACE1 inhibitors.

The invention furthermore relates to a method of detecting TDP-43, comprising contacting a sample with the binding molecule of the invention, preferably wherein the sample is a brain sample, a cerebrospinal fluid sample, urine sample or a blood sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1. Detection of TDP-43 in tissues sections from a subject with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with type A pathology. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 10 pm thick frozen sections from the frontal cortex of an FTD subject with type A pathology using a fluorescently labeled secondary antibody for detection. The following antibodies were used as controls: rabbit polyclonal pan TDP-43 antibody (Proteintech, 10782-2-AP) to detect pathological inclusions and physiological nuclear TDP- 43; rabbit monoclonal phospho TDP-43 p409/410 antibody (Cosmobio, TIP-PTD-P02) to detect pathological aggregated and phosphorylated TDP-43. Arrows indicate TDP-43 aggregates; thick arrowheads indicate physiological TDP-43 in nuclei (nuclei are visualized by DAPI stain). Hybridoma name or commercial antibody source are indicated in the top left comer of each image.

Figure 2. TDP-43 detection in detergent (sarkosyl) soluble and insoluble fractions obtained from FTD type A postmortem brain tissue (frontal cortex). Immunoblots with commercial antibodies binding to either to N-terminal region (A, B) or the C-terminal region (C) show the presence of TDP-43 in sarkosyl soluble (lane 1) and insoluble (lane 2) fractions. Immunoblots with mAbs against TDP-43 generated in this study with epitopes in the N-terminal region of TDP-43 (D-I). Immunoblots with mAbs against TDP-43 that bind in the C-terminal region of TDP-43 (J-N). All mAbs against TDP-43 recognize full-length TDP-43 specifically. Additionally some mAbs (K, M, N) recognize pathological signatures of disease state such as C-terminal fragments in the insoluble fraction.

Figure 3. Density of pTDP-43 immunoreactive objects measured for the vehicle (n = 30, grey bars) and ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treated mice (n = 25, dotted grey bars) are shown for two brain regions: Striatum (A) and Cerebral cortex (B). (C) Insoluble fractions obtained from cortex of left brain hemispheres were quantified for total TDP-43 in vehicle (n = 30) and ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) (n = 25) treated groups (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001).

Figure 4. TDP-43 aggregation induced by TEV cleavage in the presence of ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) or isotype control is measured by turbidity at 600 nm after 30 h. Endpoints after 30h were normalized to isotype control (grey bar) and % aggregated TDP-43 was calculated for ACI-7069- 633B12-AM (dotted grey bar). Mean values ± SD are shown for three independent experiments and statistical differences between isotype control and ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) were analyzed by Welch’s t-tests (***p < 0.001).

Figure 5. (A) Ibal positive immunoreactive area measured for vehicle (n = 16, grey bars) and ACI- 7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treated mice (n = 16, dotted grey bars) is shown for brain cortex. Error bars represent standard error of mean (SEM). (B-C) Mean microgial cell size measured for vehicle (n = 16, grey bars) and ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treated mice (n = 16, dotted grey bars) is shown for brain cortex. Microglia were classified in three classes based on their morphology: (B) large hypertrophic, (C) small ramifying and (D) ramified resting. Statistical differences between vehicle control and ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) were analyzed by t-test (*p < 0.05).

Figure 6. Quantification of TDP-43 levels in CSF of various FTLD-TDP patients versus healthy controls with AlphaLISA assay with ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) and ACI-7071-809F12- Abl (IgG2a variant). Raw AlphaLISA counts (y-axis) for total TDP-43 obtained for various CSF samples (x-axis). Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model for raw counts using group, experiment, gender and age as fixed factors and individuals as random factor with data from three independent experiments (**p < 0.01) Figure 7. Immunodepletion of TDP-43 and pTDP-43 by the antibodies ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) (1), ACI-7069-642D12-AM (IgG2a variant) (2) and mouse IgG2a control (3) from detergent (sarkosyl) insoluble fractions obtained from FTD type A postmortem brain tissues . Immunodepleted fractions 1 to 3 were analyzed by Western Blots using TDP-43 or pTDP-43 specific detection antibodies. IN is for input material (prior to immunodepletion).

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Preparation of a TDP-43 vaccine composition

The liposome-based vaccines were prepared according to the protocols published in WO2012/055933. Vaccines containing full length TDP-43 (FL TDP-43) protein as antigen (Table 2, SEQ ID NO: 1) were used for antibody generation.

Table 2: TDP-43 protein and peptide antigen description

Example 2: Generation of anti-TDP-43 Antibodies

A. Mouse immunization

Female C57BL/6J01aHsd (C57BL/6) and BALB/c OlaHsd (B ALB/c) wild-type mice (Harlan, USA) were received at 9 weeks of age. Vaccinations started at 10 weeks. Mice were vaccinated with full- length TDP-43 protein presented on the surface of liposomes in the presence of Monophosphoryl Hexa- acyl Lipid A, 3-Deacyl (Synthetic) (3D-(6-acyl) PHAD®) as adjuvant.

Mice were vaccinated by subcutaneous injection (s.c.) on days 0, 4, 8, 21, 35, and 60. Mice were bled and heparinized plasma prepared 7 days before immunization (pre-immune plasma) and on days 14, 28, 42, 81 and 121 after first immunization. Mice used for myeloma fusion were additionally vaccinated with three daily booster injections of TDP-43 protein per i.p. injection without adjuvant.

Vaccine response was measured in mouse plasma. Binding of plasma derived antibodies from immunized mice to immobilized recombinant full-length (FL) TDP-43 indicated high titers for antibodies against TDP-43.

B. Generation of hybridomas and selection for subcloning

Mice were euthanized and fusion with myeloma cells was performed using splenocytes from four individual mice. Screening for antibodies from the successfully fused hybridoma cell lines were performed as follows. Diluted (1:32) cell culture supernatants were analyzed using Luminex bead-based multiplex assay (Luminex, The Netherlands). Luminex beads were conjugated to FL TDP-43 and with capturing IgGs with anti -mouse IgG-Fc antibodies specific for the IgGl, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG2c, and IgG3 subclasses (Jackson Immunore search, USA). Binding to beads conjugated to FL TDP-43 identified 386 hits derived from mice immunized with the FL TDP-43 liposomal vaccine.

Viable hybridomas were grown using serum-containing selection media. Clones with preferential binding to TDP-43 inclusions in human FTD brain and clones binding to C-terminus of TDP-43 were selected for further subcloning. Following limiting dilution, the clonal hybridomas were grown in low immunoglobulin containing medium and stable colonies were selected for antibody screening and selection. Antibodies shown in Table 3 were identified from this screen.

Example 3: Determination of binding efficacy (EC50)

Luminex assays with serial dilution of antibodies were performed as described before to determine half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of binding of antibodies to FL TDP-43. All EC50 values are summarized in Table 3. In summary, all tested antibodies bind to full length TDP-43 with high affinity.

Table 3: EC50 values determined by Luminex Assay

Example 4: Antibody binding to human FL TDP-43

Antibody binding to human FL TDP-43 was determined using an indirect ELISA. ELISA plate coating with 1 pg/ml human FL TDP-43 was performed overnight in carbonate buffer at 4°C. Plates were washed with 0.05% Tween-20/PBS and then blocked with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 0.05% Tween-20/PBS for 1 hour at 37°C. Antibodies purified from hybridoma supernatants were then added in a 3 -fold serial dilution starting at 1 pg/inl. and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C after which the plates were washed. An AP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG secondary antibody (Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories, United Kingdom) was added at 1/1000 dilution in 0.05% Tween-20/PBS for 1 hour at 37°C. After the final wash, plates were incubated with pNPP (Sigma-Aldrich, Switzerland) phosphatase substrate solution, and read at 405 nm using an ELISA plate reader (Tecan, Switzerland). All tested clones bind to full length TDP-43 with different EC50 values ranging from 10-1567 ng/ml (Table 4).

Table 4: EC50 values by ELISA

Example 5: Epitope mapping by ELISA and peptide array

Antibodies purified from serum-free hybridoma supernatants were screened by an indirect ELISA assay to determine binding regions using 40-66 aa linear peptides or a library of 15-mer peptides biotinylated on N-terminus and covering the entire sequence of TDP-43 with 9 aa offset and 6 aa overlap. Peptide sequences are provided in Table 5.

96-well plates were coated with 5 pg/ml non-biotinylated peptides overnight in carbonate buffer at 4°C. Plates were washed with 0.05% Tween-20/PBS and then blocked with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 0.05% Tween-20/PBS for 1 hour at 37°C. The antibody purified from hybridoma supernatant was then added at 1 pg/ml. and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C after which the plates were washed. An AP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG secondary antibody (Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories, United Kingdom) was added at 1/1000 dilution in 0.05% Tween-20/PBS for 1 hour at 37°C. After the final wash, plates were incubated with pNPP (Sigma- Aldrich, Switzerland) phosphatase substrate solution, and read at 405 nm using an ELISA plate reader (Tecan, Switzerland).

For biotinylated peptides, 96-well streptavidin-coated ELISA plates were incubated with 5 pg/mL of biotinylated, 15-mer peptides. Plates were washed 3 times with 0.05% Tween-20/PBS and then blocked with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 0.05% Tween-20/PBS for 1 hour at 37°C. The antibody purified from hybridoma supernatant was then added at 1 pg/ml and incubated for 2 hours at 37°C after which the plates were washed. An AP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG secondary antibody (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, United Kingdom) was added at 1/1000 dilution in 0.05% Tween- 20/PBS for 1 hour at 37°C. After the final wash, plates were incubated with pNPP (Sigma-Aldrich, Switzerland), an AP substrate solution, and read at 405 nm using an ELISA plate reader (Tecan). Determined binding regions are provided in Table 6. Tested antibodies were found to bind to the following peptides: TP-21, TP-23, TP-35, TP-40, TP-48, TDP-6 corresponding respectively to regions 181-195, 199-213, 307-321, 352-366, 389-411, 140-200 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

More precise linear epitopes were mapped using a library of 15-mer peptides directly synthezised on a solid support and covering the entire sequence of TDP-43 according to SEQ ID NO: l with 1 aa offset and 14 aa overlap (Pepscan, Netherlands). The peptide arrays were blocked with horse serum and ovalbumin and incubated with purified antibody solution at concentrations between 0.75 and 5 pg/ml overnight at 4°C. After washing, the peptide arrays were incubated with a 1/1000 dilution of rabbit anti mouse IgG(H+L) HRP conjugate (Southern Biotech, USA) for one hour at 25 °C. After washing, the peroxidase substrate 2,2’-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate (ABTS) and 20 mΐ/ml of 3% H2O2 were added. After one hour, the color development was quantified with a charge coupled device (CCD) - camera and an image processing system. These binding regions were confirmed by epitope mapping and the following epitopes (provided in Table 6) were identified: aa 183-188, 203-213, 204-208, 204- 211, 205-210, 316-323, 358-361, 400-405, 400-406, 400-412 of SEQ ID NO: l.

Table 5: Peptides used for determination of binding regions by ELISA

Table 6: Binding regions and epitopes for tested antibodies

Example 6: Detection of TDP-43 in brain tissues from FTD/ALS subjects by immunohistochemistry

Target engagement was evaluated in immunohistochemistry experiments on tissues from FTD subject brains. Human FTD brain tissues were obtained from The Netherlands Brain Bank, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam (open access: www.brainbank.nl) and Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL. All material has been collected from donors from whom a written informed consent for brain autopsy and the use of the material and clinical information for research purposes has been obtained by the brain bank. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 10 pm thick frozen sections using fluorescently labeled secondary antibody for detection. The following antibodies were used as controls: rabbit polyclonal pan TDP-43 antibody (Proteintech, 10782-2-AP) to detect pathological inclusions and physiological nuclear TDP-43; rabbit monoclonal phospho TDP-43 p409/410 antibody (Cosmobio, TIP-PTD-P02) to detect pathological aggregated and phosphorylated TDP-43 and secondary antibody without primary antibody (No 1° Ab) to detect non-specific background.

All antibodies of the present invention bind to nuclear, non-aggregated as well as aggregated TDP-43. Some antibodies of the present invention preferentially bind to aggregated TDP-43 in the cytoplasm in Type A pathology (Fig. 1). The detailed evaluation of binding characteristics is summarized in Table 7.

Table 7: Detection of TDP-43 in brain tissues from FTD subjects

NA data not available; - absent; +/- not clear; + weak; ++ medium; +++ abundant

Example 7: Detection of TDP-43 in brain tissues from FTD/ALS subjects by Western Blot

A region of brain tissue (frontal cortex) was homogenized at 1:4 (w/v) ratio in the homogenization- solubilization buffer (HS buffer) at 4 °C with precellys using CK mix homogenization tubes (Labgene, BER0092). The following sequence was used for homogenization: 3 cycles of 30 s at 5000 rpm (with 15 s pause between each cycle). Homogenized samples were aliquoted and stored at -80 °C in 1.5 ml low protein binding tubes (Axygen MCT-175-L-C).

• HS buffer - 10 mM Tris.HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 1 mM DTT, complete EDTA-free protease inhibitors (Roche, 32524300) and PhosSTOP phosphatase inhibitors (Roche, 4906837001).

Brain homogenates were thawed on ice and resuspended in HS buffer to obtain final concentration of 2 % Sarkosyl, 1 unit/pL Benzonase and 1 mM MgCfi. The samples were then incubated at 37 °C under constant shaking at 600 rpm on a thermomixer for 45 min. The supernatants were collected in a new tube. The pellet was resuspended in 1000 pi of myelin floatation buffer and centrifuged at 20,000 g for 60 min at 4 °C on the benchtop centrifuge. The supernatant was carefully removed to remove all the floating lipids. This step was repeated if all the lipids could not be removed in a single step. The pellet was subsequently washed with PBS and centrifuged for 30 min at 4 °C on the benchtop centrifuge. The final pellet was resuspended on 200 pi PBS and stored at -80 °C. The samples were analyzed by immunoblotting in denaturing conditions.

• HS buffer with Sarkosyl, Benzonase and MgCh - 10 mM Tris.HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 1 mM DTT, 4 % Sarkosyl, 1 Unit/pL Benzonase (Novagen 70746-4), 4 mM MgCh Complete EDTA-free protease inhibitors (Roche) and PhosSTOP phosphatase inhibitors (Roche).

• Myelin floatation buffer - HS buffer with 1% Triton X-100 and 30% Sucrose

Western blots were performed on Bolt 12% Bis-Tris Plus gel 1.0 mm (Thermofisher) using MES SDS running buffer (Thermofisher). Samples (30 mΐ/sample) were loaded on the gel once diluted in PBS, loading buffer (lx, Licor, 928-40004) containing 100 mM of DTT. Proteins were resolved under constant voltage for 100 V for 1 hour. After electrophoresis, proteins were transferred on nitrocellulose membrane (Thermofisher, IB23001) using iBLOT (Thermofisher, IB21001) at 20 volts for 7 mins. Following protein transfer, membranes were blocked for 1 hour in Licor blocking buffer (Odyssey blocking buffer 927-40000) diluted 1:3 in PBS. Membranes were incubated overnight with the following primary antibodies: total TDP-43 (Proteintech, 60019-2-Ig or 10782-2-AP), pTDP-43 (Cosmobio, TIP-PTD-M01). For primary antibodies, blocking buffer was diluted 1: 1 in PBS-T (PBS with 0.4% Tween-20). After 4 washes with PBS-T (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20), membranes were incubated with secondary antibodies coupled with the LICOR dye. Secondary antibodies - donkey anti mouse (catalog number 926-68072) or goat anti-rabbit (catalog number 926-32211) - were used at a dilution of 1: 10000 in Licor blocking buffer diluted 1: 1 with PBS-T (PBS with 0.4% Tween-20) for 1 hour at room temperature. The membranes were washed again 4 times with PBS-T (PBS with 0.1% Tween-20) and scanned using the LICOR system. Figure 2 shows that all mAbs recognize full-length TDP-43 specifically. Additionally some mAbs (K, M, N) recognize pathologic signatures of disease state such as C-terminal fragments in the insoluble fraction and high molecular weight aggregates.

Example 8A: Avidity measurements using SPR

Binding avidity to soluble or aggregated FL TDP-43 was evaluated by determing the dissociation constants (KD) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR; Biacore T200, GE Healthcare Life Sciences). Recombinant human soluble or aggregated FL TDP-43 were immobilized on a CM5 Series S sensor chip (GE Healthcare Life Sciences) by amine coupling. Soluble TDP-43 was immobilized at a concentration of 5 pg/ml in 10 mM sodium acetate (pH 4.5) with a flow rate of 5 mΐ/min for 420 seconds resulting in an immobilization level of 150 RU. Aggregated TDP-43 was immobilized at a concentration of 50 mg/ml in 10 mM sodium acetate (pH 4.5) with a flow rate of 5 mΐ/min for 840 seconds resulting in an immobilization level of 110 RU. Biotinylated TP-73 peptide (aa 181-190 of SEQ ID NO: l) was immobilized on a Series S Sensor Chip SA (GE Healthcare Life Sciences) at a concentration of 5 mg/ml in PBS-P ⁺ with a flow rate of 5 mΐ/min for 30 seconds resulting in an immobilization level of 400 RU. To evaluate KD values, the purified antibodies and the control antibody (2E2-D3) were injected at 3-fold dilutions in PBS-P ⁺ starting from 333 nM and dilute down to 0.15 nM. The antibodies were injected at a flow rate of 50 mΐ/min for 90 seconds contact time and 700 seconds dissociation phase followed by three regenerations with 10 mM glycine-HCl pH 1.7. For the optimized SPR protocol the antibodies were diluted 3 -fold starting from 300 nM and dilute down to 1.2 nM and injected for 300 seconds at 30 mΐ/min followed by 600 seconds dissociation. The surface was regenerated by one injection with 10 mM glycine-HCl pH 1.7. Results obtained from binding kinetics were double-referenced using a blank flow cell and a buffer cycle and were evaluated with a global 1: 1 fitting model with RI. Avidities for 11 antibodies and two Fab fragments are depicted in Table 8. The antibodies of the invention bind aggregated TDP-43 with a KD ranging from 0.62 nM to 4.64 nM. In addition, some antibodies show preferential binding to aggregated TDP-43 as compared with soluble TDP-43. Two Fab fragments bind to soluble TDP-43 with a KD ranging from 2.8 nM to 21.8 nM and show similar KD for aggregated TDP-43. Two antibodies (marked with *) were re analyzed using an optimized SPR protocol with longer association and dissociation phase which allows more accurate KD determination especially for antibodies with slow dissociation rates. The two antibodies bind to soluble TDP-43 with a KD ranging from 0.22 nM to 3.9 nM and to aggregated TDP- 43 with a KD ranging from 0.18 nM to 0.69 nM. The antibody ACI-7069-642D12-AM binds to TP-73 peptide with KD of 3.6 nM.

Table 8: Characterization of binding by SPR

NA, since less than three curves available for fit

* Characterization of binding using the optimized SPR protocol on recombinantly produced IgG2a isotype antibodies.

Example 8B: Affinity measurements using SPR

Binding affinity to soluble FL TDP-43 was evaluated by determing the dissociation constants (KD) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR; Biacore T200, GE Healthcare Life Sciences). Goat-anti mouse capture antibody was immobilized on a CM5 Series S sensor chip (GE Healthcare Life Sciences) by amine coupling. Antibodies were captured at a concentration of 2-5 pg/ml in PBS-P ⁺ (GE Healthcare Life Sciences) with a flow rate of 10 mΐ/min for 120 seconds resulting in a capture level of 350-1000 RU. To evaluate KD values, FL TDP-43 or TP -51 peptide (aa 352-414 of SEQ ID NO: l) was injected at a flow rate of 30 mΐ/min in single-cycle kinetics for 300 sec contact time in 3-fold dilutions PBS-P ⁺ starting from 1.2 nM up to 100 nM. Dissociation was recorded for 1 h followed by one regeneration with 10 mM glycine-HCl pH 1.7. Results obtained from binding kinetics were double-referenced using a blank flow cell and a buffer cycle and were evaluated with a global 1 : 1 fitting model with RI. On- rates (ka), off-rates (kd) and affinities (KD) for 3 antibodies are shown in Table 9 as mean values ± SD of 12 (ACI-7069-633B12-AM), 2 (ACI-7069-642D12-AM) or 3 (ACI-7071-809F12-AM) replicates. The antibodies ACI-7069-633B12-AM, ACI-7069-642D12-AM and ACI-7071-809F12-AM bind to soluble TDP-43 with affinities ranging from 15 to 135 pM, from 226 to 272 pM and from 389 to 457 pM, respectively. The antibody ACI-7069-633B12-Abl binds to TP -51 peptide with affinity ranging from 1184 to 1316 pM.

Table 9: Affinities for soluble FL TDP-43 and TP-51 peptide by SPR

Example 9: Antibody sequencing

Clonal hybridoma cell lysates were used for gene sequencing of the variable region. Mouse hybridomas were harvested and lysed using a lysis buffer containing guanidinium salts to deactivate RNases. Genomic DNA was then eliminated by RNase-free DNase, and RNA was purified with a silica-based affinity column using multiple washes and eluted from the column using RNase-free water. Once the RNA was extracted, its purity and concentration was measured spectrophotometrically. The integrity of the RNA was assessed on a denaturing agarose gel and RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA using reverse transcriptase (RT). Before adding the RT reaction mixture, the RNA was heated to 70°C for 10 min in order to disrupt RNA secondary structures. The RT products were directly used for PCR amplification. For high-fidelity PCR amplification of the cDNA, each of the variable region primers corresponding to the different gene families encoding for antibodies were individually mixed with the constant primer, for VH and VL separately in a total reaction volume of 50 mΐ. Initially, a degenerate primer pool was used (12 for VH and 12 for VL) and, depending on the results, a second pool was used to obtain PCR products. After the PCR reaction, the products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis on 2% agarose gels stained with ethidium bromide. The PCR products for VL and VH were individually purified on an agarose gel using tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE). The purified fragments excised from the gel were sequenced using the dye -terminator sequencing method using the same primers as those used for PCR. Sequencing was carried out in both directions to provide overlap at both ends. The sequences were analyzed using multiple sequence alignment (Clustal tool) and annotated using the algorithm of Kabat as as described in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 91-3242 (1991). Nucleotide sequences of the Heavy Chain and Light Chain Variable Domains (VH and VL) are shown in Table 10. Translated protein sequences for selected Heavy (VH) and Light (VL) Chain Variable Domains, and their complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) are shown in Table 11.

Table 10: Nucleotide sequences of the Heavy Chain and Light Chain Variable Domains (VH and VL)

Table 11: Amino acid sequences of the Heavy Chain and Light Chain Variable Domains (VH and VL) and their CDRs

Example 10: In vivo efficacy of ACI-7069-633B12-Abl (IgG2a variant) in transgenic mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathies

To evaluate the efficacy of ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) in vivo, the ability of ACI-7069- 633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) to reduce TDP-43 pathology in NEFH-tTA x hTDP-43ANLS bigenic mice (rNLS8 mice, Walker et al. 2015) was tested. The rNLS8 mice were injected weekly with ACI- 7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) (n = 30) or vehicle (n = 30) and at the end of dosing, molecular pathological markers such as phosphorylated and/or total insoluble TDP-43 were analyzed.

10.1 Animals Prior to the initiation of the study, all animals were acclimated to the environment, examined, handled and weighed to ensure adequate health and to minimize non-specific stress associated with experimental manipulation. Mice were kept on chow diet which contained doxycycline (200 mg/kg) during breeding and until 8 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age the diet was changed to a chow diet not containing doxycycline (DOX) to allow transgene expression. Throughout the study, light/dark cycles (12/12), room temperature (20-23°C) and relative humidity (around 50%), were kept constant. Chow diet and water were provided ad libitum for the duration of the study. When mice started to display movement difficulties, the diet was changed to wet chow and hydrogel on the cage floor. All behavioral tests were performed during the animal’s light cycle phase.

10.2. Compound administration

On the day of injection, ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) (60 mg/kg) and vehicle were freshly prepared and administered i.p following a weekly dosing regimen throughout the study.

10.3. Collection of Brains

Brains were divided into two hemispheres. The left hemisphere was dissected to collect cortical brain areas. Mouse cortices and remaining brain tissue were flash-frozen for further biochemical analyses. The remaining right hemispheres were immersion-fixed directly after perfusion for 3 hours at room temperature and collected in freshly prepared lx PBS containing 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA).

10.4. Imunohistochemistry

Immersion fixed right brain hemispheres were cut sagittally in a uniform, systematic random protocol on a Leica CM1950 cryotome at a section thickness of 10 microns. Systematic random sets of sagittal sections (7 sections from levels 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11 of the brain) per mouse were immunostained for TDP-43 and phosphorylated TDP-43. Ibal staining was performed to quantify microglial numbers and morphology in brain. Antibody binding was visualized using fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies. Standard negative controls included wild type brain sections as well as sections from transgenic animals without the application of primary antibodies.

10.5. Imaging and determination of immunoreactivity

Mounted sections were imaged as a whole on an Axio.Scan Z1 slide scanner driven by ZEN software at lOx magnification using LED (Colibri2) illumination and a sensitive Orca Flash 4.0 monochromatic camera. Brain size was determined using separate delineation of the regions of interest in the cerebral cortex and dorsal striatum. Object density (OD) (in number of objects per mm ² ) was determined for all markers, labeled area percentage and OD relative to the region of interest size of a second delineation excluding any tissue artifacts (tissue foldes, etc.). 10.6. Preparation of protein samples from brain cortex:

Tissues were thawed on ice and then sonicated in 5X v/w radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer (RIPA, 50mM Tris, 150mM NaCl, 1% IGEPAL CA630, 5mM EDTA, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate and 0.1% SDS, pH 8.0) containing ImM PMSF and a protease-/phosphatase inhibitor cocktail (Roche Applied Science). Samples were centrifuged at 4° C, 100,000g for 30 minutes and the supernatant was considered as-soluble fraction. The pellet was washed by sonicating with RIPA and the supernatant was discarded. The RIPA -insoluble pellet was sonicated in 2X v/w urea buffer (7M urea, 2M thiourea, 4% CHAPS, and 30mM Tris, pH8.5) and centrifuged at 22°C, 100,000g for 30 minutes. This supernatant was considered as the RIPA-insoluble/ urea-soluble fraction. Protein concentrations of the RIPA- soluble fractions were determined using BCA protein assay (Pierce).

10.7. Quantification of insoluble TDP-43

Total TDP-43 levels in the RIPA insoluble fraction were analyzed by a commercial human TDP-43 AlphaLISA kit (Perkin Elmer, AL387HV) .

10.8. Statistical analysis

IHC and AlphaLISA data are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical differences between vehicle and ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treated animals are analyzed by Welch’s t-tests and are indicated by asterisks above respective bars (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001). Outliers in histological measurements were excluded either being Grubbs outlier in the group or level (single measurements), or due to technical reasons (image artifacts, tissue folds, etc.).

10.9. Results

Treatment with ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) reduces phosphorylated TDP-43 and insoluble TDP-43 in rNLS8 mice

Overexpression of the DOX repressible form of K82A/R83A/K84A mutant human TDP-43 (hTDP-43ANLS) leads to a prominent accumulation and aggregation of TDP-43 in the cytoplasm of neurons in rNLS8 mice model. A pathological hallmark of this model are the deposition of insoluble and phosphorylated TDP-43 inclusions (pTDP-43). These small, spherical cytoplasmic inclusions are solely present in the transgenic animals and are entirely absent in WT or monogenic, transgenic tTA control mice. Moreover, pTDP-43 is widely absent during the 1st week of DOX absence, and accumulated with steep progression during the 3-4-weeks DOX removal (Walker et ah, 2015). ACI- 7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treatment led to a statiscally significant reduction in the density of phosphorylated TDP-43 in both striatum and cerebral cortex (Figure 3A-B) compared to the vehicle treated mice suggesting its functional efficacy in reducing TDP-43 pathology. Striatum and cerebral cortex were chosen for the quantifications due to high expression of transgene in these regions. 10.10. Treatment with ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) reduces insoluble TDP-43 in rNLS8 mice

To confirm the reduction of TDP-43 pathology observed in immunohistochemistry readouts, the amount of total insoluble/aggregated TDP-43 in the brain, following biochemical fractionation, was quantified. RIPA-insoluble fractions were prepared from the cortex of left brain hemispheres containing insoluble/aggregated TDP-43. A significant reduction in the amount of insoluble TDP-43 was observed in mice treated with ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) compared to that of vehicle treated animals (Figure 3C). This reduction in molecular TDP-43 pathology is in line with the results observed by immunohistochemistry, confirming the efficacy of treatment with ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant). To our knowledge, this is the first time that a peripheral antibody administration ameliorated the formation of TDP-43 pathology in an in vivo model for TDP-43 proteinopathies.

10.11. ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treatment in rNLS8 mice increases microglial immunoreactive area

Functional recovery in rNLS8 mice following suppression of transgene expression involves increase in microglial activity. Microglial cell body area increases in this phase and results in cleareance of TDP-43 pathology and functional recovery of motor deficits suggesting a therapeutic paradigm in rNLS8 mouse model (Spiller K.J et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2018).

To evaluate the mode of action of ACI-7069-633B12-AM in reducing TDP-43 pathology in rNLS8 mice, its effect on microglial activation was assessed. Ibal staining was performed by immunohistochemistry to quantify the number and state of microglia in cerebral cortex of mice. Microgliosis was found in rNLS8 mice at terminal stage (5 weeks off Dox). ACI-7069-633B12-AM treatment significantly increased Ibal positive immunoreactive area in cortex compared to vehicle- treated control (Figure 5A). This increase could either result from an increase in number of microglial cells or changes in microglial morphology. For this, first the density of Ibal-positive cells in cortex was evaluated. ACI-7069-633B12-AM treatment did not affect microglial cell density, representing cell number, as compared to vehicle-treated control.

Next, the effect of ACI-7069-633B12-AM on microglial morphology was evaluated. To correlate the increase in Ibal immunoreactive area to changes in microglial activation states representing morphology, microglia were classified into three states based on their size and morphology (large hypertrophic, small ramifying and ramified resting). A significant increase in mean cell size was seen for large hypertrophic microglia in ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) treatment compared to vehicle-treated control (Figure 5B). No significant differences were found in the other two classes of microglia that represent less activated states (Figure 5C-D). This analysis suggests that the increase in the total Ibal positive immunoreactive area observed in the ACI-7069-633B12-AM treatment cohort results from changes in morphology reflected in an increase in the microglial cell size and activation state. This suggests thatACI-7069-633B12-Abl (IgG2a variant) reduces TDP-43 pathology in this animal model, at least in part, via recruitment and activation of microglia.

Example 11: In vitro functionality of ACI-7069-633B12-Abl (IgG2a variant) in recombinant TDP-43 aggregation assay

To evaluate funtionality of ACI-7069-633B12-Abl (IgG2a variant) in vitro, the ability of ACI-7069- 633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) to inhibit TDP-43 aggregation was tested. FL TDP-43 was fused at C- terminus to maltose binding protein (MBP) which was separated by a Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) protease cleavage site and produced recombinantly. Aggregation of 2.5 mM TDP-43 -TEV-MBP fusion protein in 30 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4 in the presence of 2.5 mM ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) or isotype control that does not bind to TDP-43 was induced by addition of TEV protease (AcTEV, Invitrogen) and absorbance was monitored in a pclear 96 well plate (Greiner) at 600 nm over 30 h. For evaluation, end points were normalized to isotype control and the percentage of aggregated TDP-43 was calculated for ACI-7069-633B12-AM. The antibody ACI-7069-633B12-AM significantly inhibits TDP-43 aggregation by 98% compared to the isotype control (Figure 4).

Example 12: Detection and quantification of TDP-43 in biofluids with ACI-7069-633B12-Abl (IgG2a variant) and ACI-7071-809F12-Abl (IgG2a variant)

Method: PerkinElmer’s bead-based AlphaLISA immunoassay was established using ACI-7069- 633B12-AM (IgG2a variant) and ACI-7071-809F12-AM (IgG2a variant). For CSF samples, dilution linearity was established in spike recovery experiments. The concentration of TDP-43 was then measured in diluted CSF samples. Samples were prepared in white optiplate™ 384 microplate and the emission at 615 nm was measured as raw AlphaLISA counts.

Results: Total TDP-43 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from healthy control and FTLD-TDP (Semantic Dementia, C9orf72 or GRN) patients was quantified in this immunoassay (Figure 6). Relative TDP-43 quantification across various patients’ CSF samples from FTLD-TDP patients with GRN mutation showed significantly higher TDP-43 levels compared to healthy controls in three independent experiments (Figure 6). Relative TDP-43 quantification across various patients’ CSF samples from FTLD-TDP patients with C9orf72 mutation and Sementic Dementia also showed higher TDP-43 levels compared to healthy controls in three independent experiments (Figure 6).

Example 13: Binding to pathological TDP-43 assessed by immunodepletion in FTD brain extracts

To evaluate the efficacy of antibodies in specifically binding TDP-43 aggregates in native state, immunodepletion experiments in brain extracts with enriched pathological TDP-43 were performed.

Method: Insoluble fractions from FTD type A (FTD-A) postmortem brains were prepared as described in Example 7. Immunodepletion was performed using Dynabeads™ magnetic beads, Protein G (Thermoscientific 10003D). After resuspension in the tube, 130 mΐ of beads were transferred to a 1.5 ml low binding tube. Beads were rinsed twice with PBS supplemented with 0.05% Tween-20 using a magnet to remove supernatant. Beads were split equally in three different low binding tubes. Antibodies (ACI-7069-633B12-AM (IgG2a isotype), ACI-7069-642D12-AM (IgG2a isotype), mouse IgG2a control) were diluted to 100 pg/ml and 100 mΐ was added to each tube after removing supernatant (using magnet). Antibody-beads mix was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The beads-antibodies complex were washed once with 500 mΐ PBS-0.05% Tween-20 and once with PBS, then resuspended in 250 mΐ PBS. Antibody-beads were split into two new tubes (120 mΐ per tube). Insoluble fractions were thawed on ice and sonicated for 30 secondes at amplitude 30 on ice. Thirty micrograms of brain material was added to each antibody-beads tube after removing supernatant and incubated at 4°C overnight under continuous rotation. Tubes were placed on the magnet and the supernatant was collected as the immunodepleted fraction. Input and immunodepleted material were further analyzed by Western Blot. Western Blots were performed as described in example 7. Twenty mΐ of samples were loaded per lane. Immunoblotting was performed using the following antibodies: total TDP-43 (ACI- 7069-633B12-AM coupled to DyLight680), pTDP-43 (Biolegend, 829901) used at dilutions of 1:2000 and 1: 1000 respectively. Goat anti-rat secondary antibody (catalog number 925-32219) was used at a dilution of 1: 10000.

Results: ACI-7069-633B12-AM and ACI-7069-642D12-AM were able to specifically bind and deplete TDP-43 and pTDP-43 from sarkosyl insoluble fractions obtained from FTD type A brain tissue compared to isotype control antibody (Figure 7). This data confirms the property of these antibodies to engage the target in human patients.

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