Autoantigen and proteins structurally related thereto for use in immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases

摘要

The present invention relates to novel peptides derived from the autoantigen HC gp-39, said peptides comprising at least one of the amino acid sequences FGRSFTILAS (SEQ ID No. 1), FTLASSETG (SEQ ID No. 2), YDDQESVKS (SEQ ID No. 3) and FSKIASNTQ (SEQ ID No. 4). The peptides resemble MHC Class II restricted T-cell epitopes present on the autoantigen HC gp-39 in articular cartilage. HC gp-39, proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 50% homology with the amino acid sequence YKLVCYYTSWSQYREGDGSCFPDALDRFLCTHIIYSFANISND (SEQ ID No: 10) and said peptides can be used in antigen-specific treatment of articular cartilage destruction in autoimmune diseases in mammals to induce systemic tolerance of the immune system. The autoantigen HC gp-39, proteins comprising an amino acid sequence which exhibits at least 50% homology with the amino acid sequence YKLVCYYTSWSQYREGDGSCFPDALDRFLCTHIIYSFANISND (SEQ ID NO: 10) and said peptides are also suitable to induce arthritis in animals, preferably mice. The invention furthermore relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said autoantigen and/or said peptides, a diagnostic method for the detection of autoreactive T cells in a test sample and test kits to be used in said method.