Aquaporin-4 peptide compositions and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides and peptides having homology to human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides. Also provided herein are methods for using human AQP4 peptides and peptides homologous to human AQP4 peptides for diagnosing and/or treating Neuromyelitis Optica.
1. A composition comprising:
a peptide comprising a contiguous stretch of amino acids having the consensus amino acid sequence:
(SEQ ID NO: 1)
Leu-Pro-X 1 -X 2 -Met-X 3 -X 4 -Ile-X 5 -X 6
wherein the peptide is up to 20 amino acids in length, and
wherein
X 1 is Val (V) or Ile (I),
X 2 is Asp (D),
X 3 is Val (V), Ile (I), or Gly (G),
X 4 is Leu (L) or Ile (I),
X 5 is Met (M) or Ser (S),
and X 6 is Leu (L), Val (V), or Ala (A).
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein:
X 1 is Val (V),
X 2 is Asp (D),
X 3 is Val (V),
X 4 is Leu (L),
X 5 is Ser (S),
and X 6 is Leu (L).
3. A composition comprising:
a peptide comprising a contiguous stretch of amino acids having the consensus amino acid sequence:
LPVXMVLISL (SEQ ID NO:2)
wherein the peptide is up to 20 amino acids in length, and
wherein X is Asp or Ser.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is 15-20 amino acids in length.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the peptide is 10-15 amino acids in length.
6. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the peptide is 10-15 amino acids in length.
7. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
8. The composition of claim 3 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
9. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a blood sample from a subject exhibiting symptoms of or being predisposed to neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
10. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising T-cells obtained from a subject exhibiting symptoms of or being predisposed to neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
11. The composition of claim 3 , further comprising a blood sample from a subject exhibiting symptoms of or being predisposed to neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
12. The composition of claim 3 , further comprising T-cells obtained from a subject exhibiting symptoms of or being predisposed to neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
13. A method comprising:
(a) contacting a sample from a subject with a peptide of claim 1 ; and
(b) measuring number of T cells.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the peptide is 10-30 amino acids in length.
15. A method of diagnosing Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) in a subject, the method comprising:
(a) contacting a sample from the subject with a peptide of claim 1 ; and
(b) measuring the number of T cells, wherein an increase in the number of T cells as compared to a control indicates that the subject has NMO.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the T cells are T helper 17 (Th17) T cells.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the T cells are CD4 + T cells.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the peptide is 15-20 amino acids in length.
19. A method for screening for candidate agents for inhibiting proliferation of T cells, the method comprising:
(a) contacting a T cell obtained from a subject having Neuromyelitis Optica with:
(i) a peptide claim 1 , and
(ii) a candidate agent;
(b) measuring the number of T cells, wherein a decrease in the number of T cells as compared to a control indicates that the candidate agent inhibits proliferation of T cells.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the T cells are T helper 17 (Th17) T cells.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the T cells are CD4 + T cells.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the peptide is 15-20 amino acids in length.
23. A method for inducing immune tolerance to AQP-4 protein and fragments thereof in a subject, the method comprising:
administering an effective dose of the composition of claim 1 to a subject,
wherein the administering the peptide induces immune tolerance to AQP-4 protein and fragments thereof in the subject.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the peptide is 15-20 amino acids in length.