Novel peptides that bind to types of mhc class ii and their use on diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

It is provided novel peptides from human alpha-enolase, collagen type II and vimentin that bind to types of MHC class II that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There is also provided novel therapies and methods for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to novel peptides and their use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Autoimmune diseases are pathological conditions where an immune response is triggered by tissues and substances naturally present in the body. This unwanted and inappropriate immune reaction can be tissue-specific, organ-specific or systemic. The course of the disease proceeds from mild symptoms to irreversible destruction of specific tissues and / or organs.[0003]Rheumatoid arthritis is a heterogeneous and partially genetically determined inflammatory disease, where autoimmunity is assumed to play an important pathogenic role, but where the specificity of the autoimmune reactions and the genetic determinants of these reactions remains incompletely known. It is a chronic and incurable disease that causes irreversible damage to the articular cartilage and bone, and which leads to progressive physical disab...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a method of using peptides that are attached to a protein called MHC to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. By providing these peptides to patients, the immune system can be modulated and the disease can be controlled or at least reduced. The peptides can be detected without needing to see if they activate T-cells, and the MHC protein helps to make the peptides more effective at stimulating T-cells. The patent also describes a kit for culturing cells with the peptides and MHC protein in a special condition. Overall, this invention allows for more efficient and effective treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Problems solved by technology

This drug is, however, associated with both milder and reversible side-effects, such as gastrointestinal and oral mucosal ulceration, but also with more serious, irreversible side effects, such as hepatic toxicity.

However, these novel therapeutics does still not address the specific autoimmune reaction but are non-specific treatments that affect large downstream parts of the immune and inflammation defense system, thereby giving rise to risks for side effects caused by a generally suppressed immune defense.

However, these methods for diagnosis do not provide the whole picture of the disease in the individual since additional target molecules and mechanisms may be of importance for rheumatoid arthritis.

One problem in defining rheumatoid arthritis and its subsets has been the lack of a distinct clinical, laboratory or radiological marker for the disease and its subsets.

Another problem resides in finding a reliable approach to both short-term and long-term monitoring of the progression or remission of the disease.

A further problem resides in finding more specific and effective treatments, minimizing the side effects usually associated with both DMARD:s and currently available and currently developing therapies.

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