| abstract |
Provided is a monoclonal antibody, effective in diagnosing IgA nephropathy, that specifically recognizes and bonds to the hinge region of a polypeptide coded for by the immunoglobulin A1 heavy chain gene, which contains a serine/threonine-linked sugar chain with no galactose bound thereto. Also provided are a fragment of said antibody, a diagnostic agent using the provided antibody or antibody fragment, and a therapeutic agent containing the provided antibody or antibody fragment as an active ingredient. |