PEPTIDES CAPABLE OF ELICITING PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY AGAINST TOXIC SHOCK INDUCED BY PYROGENIC EXOTOXINS OR OF ANTAGONIZING TOXIN-MEDIATED ACTIVATION OF T CELLS

摘要

The invention relates to peptides having an amino acid sequence substantially homologous to an amino sequence of a domain of a pyrogenic exotoxin, which domain forms a central turn in the exotoxin starting within beta-strand 7 and connecting the beta-strand 7, via short beta-strand 8, to alpha-helix 4, and ending within alpha-helix 4, based on the domain numbering of Staphylococus aureus enterotoxin B. The peptides of the invention are capable of antagonizing toxin-mediated activation of T-lymphocytes, do not have agonist activity, and are capable of eliciting protective immunity against toxic shock induced by a pyrogenic exotoxin or by a mixture of pyrogenic exotoxins. The invention also relates to broad spectrum pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment, protection against or short term prophylaxis of toxin-mediated activation of T cells, comprising as active ingredient at least one peptide according to the invention or a derivative thereof, and to broad spectrum vaccines for conferring long term immunity against toxic shock induced by at least one pyrogenic exotoxin.