80 results about "MHC Class II Molecule" patented technology

The invention relates to artificial modified proteins, preferably fusion proteins, having a reduced immunogenicity compared to the parent non-modified molecule when exposed to a species in vivo. The invention relates, above all, to novel immunoglobulin fusion proteins which essentially consist of an immunoglobulin molecule or a fragment thereof covalently fused via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a biologically active non-immunoglobulin molecule, preferably a polypeptide or protein or a biologically active fragment thereof. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to fusion proteins consisting of an Fc portion of an antibody which is fused as mentioned to the non-immunological target molecule which elicits biological or pharmacological efficacy. The molecules of the invention have amino acid sequences which are altered in one or more amino acid residue positions but have in principal the same biological activity as compared with the non-altered molecules. The changes are made in regions of the molecules which are identified as T-cell epitopes, which contribute to an immune reaction in a living host. Thus, the invention also relates to a novel method of making such fusion proteins by identifying said epitopes comprising calculation of T-cell epitope values for MHC Class II molecule binding sites in a peptide by computer-aided methods.

Antigenic peptides that bind to MHC Class II molecules with the shared epitope referred to as HLA-DR molecules are disclosed. More specifically, are citrullinated antigenic peptides having an increased affinity for HLA-DR molecules and associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. These novel peptides provide the basis for new methods of diagnosis and treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The invention provides methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and celiac disease, by decreasing the binding of MHC class II molecules to antigenic peptides or fragments of antigenic peptides of the autoimmune disease by the administration of small organic compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the therapeutically effective small organic compounds and methods of using the same.

Peptides which have an amino acid sequence identical to sequences found in tumor rejection antigen precursors, such as NY-ESO-1, and SSX-2, are disclosed. These peptides bind to MHC-Class II molecules, such as HLA-DR molecules, and provoke proliferation of CD4+ cells.

Isolated CDCA1-derived epitope peptides having Th1 cell inducibility are disclosed herein. Such peptides can be recognized by MHC class II molecules and induce Th1 cells. In preferred embodiments, such a peptide of the present invention can promiscuously bind to MHC class II molecules and induce CDCA1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in addition to Th1 cells. Such peptides are thus suitable for use in enhancing immune response in a subject, and accordingly find use in cancer immunotherapy, in particular, as cancer vaccines. Also disclosed herein are polynucleotides that encode any of the aforementioned peptides, APCs and Th1 cells induced by such peptides and methods of induction associated therewith. Pharmaceutical compositions that comprise any of the aforementioned components as active ingredients find use in the treatment and / or prevention of cancers or tumors.

The present invention provides peptides at least partly derivable from FVIII which are capable of binding to an MHC class II molecule without further antigen processing and being recognized by a factor VIII specific T cell. In particular, the present invention provides a peptide comprising or consisting of the sequence EDNIMVTFRNQASR. The present invention also relates to the use of such a peptide for the prevention or suppression of inhibitor antibody formation in haemophilia A and / or acquired haemophilia.

The invention relates to peptides which bind to MHC Class I and to MHC Class II molecules. These peptides are useful in different therapeutic and diagnostic contexts.