NOVEL IMMUNOGENIC PEPTIDES
The invention relates to isolated immunogenic peptides comprising a MHC class II T cell epitope, and immediately adjacent or separated from said epitope a H-X(0,2)-C-X(2)-[CST] or [CST]-X(2)-C-X(0,2)-H redox motif.
1 . An isolated immunogenic peptide of between 13 and 100 amino acids comprising a MHC class II T cell epitope of an antigen, and immediately adjacent or separated by at most 7 amino acids from said epitope a H-X(0,2)-C-X(2)-[CST] ([SEQ ID NO:78], [SEQ ID NO:90] or [SEQ ID NO:91]) or a [CST]-X(2)-C-X(0,2)-H ([SEQ ID NO:79], [SEQ ID NO:92] or [SEQ ID NO:93]) redox motif sequence for use as a medicament.
2 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , with the proviso that said antigen does not contain in its sequence said motif within a distance of 10 amino acids of said epitope.
3 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , with the proviso that said antigen does not contain in its sequence said motif.
4 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein the motif is H-X-C-X(2)-[CST] [SEQ ID NO:90] or [CST]-X(2)-C-X-H [SEQ ID NO:92] redox motif sequence.
5 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein the motif is H-C-X(2)-[CST] [SEQ ID NO:78] or [CST]-X(2)-C-H [SEQ ID NO:79] redox motif sequence.
6 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein the motif is H-X(0,2)-C-X(2)-C([SEQ ID NO:80], [SEQ ID NO:96] or [SEQ ID NO:97]), or C-X(2)-C-X(0,2)-H ([SEQ ID NO:83], [SEQ ID NO:94] or [SEQ ID NO:95]).
7 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein the motif is H-C-X(2)-C [SEQ ID NO:80] or C-X(2)-C-H [SEQ ID NO:83].
8 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide has a length of between 13 and 75 amino acids.
9 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide has a length of between 13 and 50 amino acids.
10 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein said peptide has a length of between 13 and 30 amino acids.
11 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein the MHC class II T cell epitope, is separated from said motif by a sequence of at most 4 amino acids.
12 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein the MHC class II T cell epitope, is separated from said motif by sequence of 2 amino acids.
13 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein X within the redox motif is Gly or Pro.
14 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein X within the redox motif is not Cys.
15 . The peptide for use according to claim 1 , wherein X outside the redox motif is not Cys, Ser or Thr.
16 . The peptide for use in accordance with claim 1 for use in the prevention or treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
17 . The peptide for use according to claim 16 , where the antigen is an auto-antigen involved in multiple sclerosis.
18 . The peptide for use according to claim 16 , wherein the auto-antigen is MOG.
19 . The peptide for use according to claim 16 , wherein the peptide comprises the epitope sequence VVHLYRNGK [SEQ ID NO:3].
20 . The peptide for use according to claim 16 , wherein the peptide has the sequence HCPYCSRVVHLYRNGKD [SEQ ID NO:1], HxCPYCSRVVHLYRNGKD [SEQ ID NO: 115], or HxxCPYCSRVVHLYRNGKD [SEQ ID NO: 116].
21 . The peptide for use in accordance with claim 1 for use in the prevention or treatment diabetes.
22 . The peptide for use in accordance with claim 21 , wherein the antigen is proinsulin.
23 . An isolated immunogenic peptide of between 13 and 100 amino acids comprising a MHC class II T cell epitope of an antigen, and immediately adjacent or separated by at most 7 amino acids from said epitope a H-X(0,2)-C-X(2)-[CST] ([SEQ ID NO:78] or [SEQ ID NO:90] or [SEQ ID NO:91]) or [CST]-X(2)-C-X(0,2)-H ([SEQ ID NO:79], [SEQ ID NO:92] or [SEQ ID NO:93] redox motif sequence, with the proviso that said antigen does not contain in its sequence said motif within a distance of 10 amino acids of said epitope.
24 - 42 . (canceled)
43 . A method for obtaining a population CD4+ T cells which are cytolytic against cells antigen, the method comprising the steps of:
providing peripheral blood cells;
contacting said cells in vitro with an immunogenic peptide of between 13 and 100 amino acids comprising an MHC class II T cell epitope of an antigen, and immediately adjacent or separated by at most 7 amino acids from said epitope a H-X(0,2)-C-X(2)-[CST] ([SEQ ID NO:78], [SEQ ID NO:90] or [SEQ ID NO:91]) or a [CST]-X(2)-C-X(0,2)-H ([SEQ ID NO:79], [SEQ ID NO:92] or [SEQ ID NO:93]) redox motif sequence; and
expanding said cells in the presence of IL-2.
44 . (canceled)