THERAPEUTIC PEPTIDES AND METHODS FOR TREATING AUTOIMMUNE RELATED DISEASE
Methods and materials for preventing and modulating atherosclerosis. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation and atherosclerosis. The use of such peptides in reducing atherosclerosis, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. The use of such short peptides to lower LDL cholesterol. Methods and materials for detecting T-cells that express CD40 (Th40 cells). Methods and materials for preventing, modulating, reducing and/or reversing type 2 diabetes and auto-inflammatory disease. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation and type 2 diabetes. The use of such peptides in reducing type 2 diabetes, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. The use of such short peptides to lower IL2, INFγ, and IL17a. The use of such peptides to increase glucose transport protein (GLUT4). Methods and materials for detecting T-cells that express CD40 (Th40 cells).
1 .- 19 . (canceled)
20 . A method for preventing or treating atherosclerosis in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide of 6 amino acids in length and having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28 or 29.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide reduces the number of Th40 cells in the subject.
22 . (canceled)
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide is amidated and/or acetylated.
24 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide binds to a CD40 protein in the subject.
25 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide binds to the CD40 protein with a Kd of no more than 10 −6 .
26 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide inhibits the binding of CD40 to CD154 in the subject.
27 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide binds to multiple bone marrow derived cell types that express CD40 of approximately 45 kDa.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the bone marrow derived cell types that express CD40 of approximately 45 kDa comprise splenic CD4hi cells, CD8 cells, and other antigen presenting cells.
29 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide inhibits expansion of Th40 cells in the subject.
30 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide alters the cytokine expression profile in the subject.
31 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide reduces expression of IFNγ in the subject.
32 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide reduces aortic-arch wall area.
33 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide reduces lesion areas.
34 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide reduces the total number of plaque, wherein the plaque comprises early lesions and advanced plaque.
35 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide reduces plaque volume.
36 . The method of claim 20 , wherein administration of the peptide changed plaque composition.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the plaque compositional change comprises increased collagen and reduced smooth muscle content
38 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 28.
39 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the peptide has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29.
40 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the subject is human.