Immunoreactive peptides from Epstein-Barr virus
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides ETFTETWNRFITHTE (SEQ. ID NO: 1), GMLEASEGLDGWIHQ (SEQ. ID NO:2), HQQGGWSTLIEDNIP (SEQ. ID NO:3), and KQKHPKKVKQAFNPL (SEQ. ID NO:4) are among those disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.
1. A monoclonal antibody to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having the formula:
(φ) n
wherein n is 1 to about 1000 and φ is 19 amino acids or less and has the formula:
(α ETFTETWNRFITHTE β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 7)
(α GMLEASEGLDGWIHQ β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 8)
(α HQQGGWSTLIEDNIP β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 9)
(α KQKHPKKVKQAFNPL β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 10)
wherein α and β are independently from 0 to about 2 naturally occurring amino acids wherein the polypeptide is capable of binding antibody in a specimen from an individual with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated disease.
2. A hybridoma cell line capable of producing the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 .
3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one dose of a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody of claim 1 in a pharmacological carrier.
4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3 wherein the monoclonal antibody is human.
5. A kit useful for detection of an amino acid sequence comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence with the formula:
(φ) n
wherein n is 1 to about 1000 and φ is 19 amino acids or less and has the formula:
(α ETFTETWNRFITHTE β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 7)
(α GMLEASEGLDGWIHQ β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 8)
(α HQQGGWSTLIEDNIP β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 9)
(α KQKHPKKVKQAFNPL β) n
(SEQ. ID NO: 10)
wherein α and β are independently from 0 to about 2 naturally occurring amino acids, wherein the polypeptide is capable of binding antibody in a specimen from an individual with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated disease in a specimen suspected of containing such sequence, the kit comprising carrier means being compartmentalized to receive in close confinement therein one or more containers comprising a container containing a monoclonal antibody to said polypeptide.