GM-CSF and truncated CCL2 conjugates and methods and uses thereof
View Patent ↗A conjugate protein comprising a GM-CSF or a fragment thereof and a truncated CCL2 is described. The conjugate protein has unexpected immune suppressive, anti-obesity and tumoricidal properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.
1. A conjugate protein comprising:
a. GM-CSF or a N-terminal fragment thereof lacking the last 11 carboxy terminal amino acids of GM-CSF linked to
b. truncated CCL2, wherein the truncated CCL2 has the first 5 amino acids removed and acts as an antagonist as compared to full length CCL2, wherein the conjugate protein inhibits CCR2 homodimerization.
2. The conjugate protein according to claim 1 wherein the GM-CSF or N-terminal fragment thereof is linked to the truncated CCL2 by a peptide linker.
3. The conjugate protein according to claim 1 which has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4.
4. A method of suppressing an immune response of CCR2-expressing cells comprising administering an effective amount of the conjugate protein according to claim 1 to an animal or cell in need thereof.
5. The method according to claim 4 for treating an autoimmune disease.
6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the conjugate protein according to claim 1 in admixture with a suitable diluent or carrier.