Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
  • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
  • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
  • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
  • C07K14/4713—Autoimmune diseases, e.g. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, rheumathoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus; Autoantigens
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K39/0005—Vertebrate antigens
  • A61K39/0008—Antigens related to auto-immune diseases; Preparations to induce self-tolerance
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P19/00—Drugs for skeletal disorders
  • A61P19/02—Drugs for skeletal disorders for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
  • A61P37/02—Immunomodulators
  • A61P37/06—Immunosuppressants, e.g. drugs for graft rejection
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

• the present invention relates to modified peptides which are based on HC gp-39 (263- 275), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such peptides as well as the use of these peptides for inducing tolerance induction in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases.
• the immune system is established on a principle of discrimination between foreign antigens (non-self antigens) and autoantigens (self antigens, derived from the individuals own body) achieved by a build-in tolerance against the autoantigens.
• the immune system protects individuals against foreign antigens and responds to exposure to a foreign antigen by activating specific cells such as T- and B lymphocytes and producing soluble factors like interleukins, antibodies and complement factors.
• the antigen to which the immune system responds is degraded by the antigen presenting cells (APCs) and a fragment of the antigen is expressed on the cell surface associated with a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II glycoprotein.
• APCs antigen presenting cells
• MHC major histocompatibility complex
• the MHC- glycoprotein-antigen-fragment complex is presented to a T cell which by virtue of its T cell receptor recognizes the antigen fragment conjointly with the MHC class II protein to which it is bound.
• the T cell becomes activated, i.e. proliferates and/or produces interleukins, resulting in the expansion of the activated lymphocytes directed to the antigen under attack (Grey et al., Sci. Am., 26_L:38-46. 1989).
• Self antigens are also continuously processed and presented as antigen fragments by the MHC glycoproteins to T cells (Jardetsky et al., Nature 353:326-329, 1991). Self recognition thus is intrinsic to the immune system. Under normal circumstances the immune system is tolerant to self antigens and activation of the immune response by these self antigens is avoided.
• RA rheumatoid arthritis
• the inflammatory response resulting in the destruction of the cartilage can be treated by several drugs, such as for example steroid drugs.
• these drugs are often immunosuppressive drugs that are nonspecific and have toxic side effects.
• the disadvantages of nonspecific immunosuppression makes this a highly unfavourable therapy.
• the antigen-specific, nontoxic immunosuppression therapy provides a very attractive alternative for the nonspecific immunosuppression.
• This antigen-specific therapy involves the treatment of patients with the target autoantigen or with synthetic T cell- reactive peptides derived from the target autoantigen. These synthetic peptides correspond to T cell epitopes of the autoantigen and can be used to induce specific T cell tolerance both to themselves and to the autoantigen.
• Desensitization or immunological tolerance of the immune system is based on the long-observed phenomenon that animals which have been fed or have inhaled an antigen or epitope are less capable of developing a systemic immune response towards said antigen or epitope when said antigen or epitope is introduced via a systemic route.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs more frequently in HLA- DR4-positive individuals.
• the disease association may indicate that DR4 molecules present autoantigens to T-cells.
• the target of this autoimmune disease is the joint where the articular chondrocyte presents a unique cell type producing products organized in a matrix. It is thought that joint destruction as seen in RA is mediated by cartilage-specific, autoreactive T-cells.
• the cartilage-derived protein Human Cartilage gp-39 (HC gp-39) has recently been identified as a candidate autoantigen in RA.
• HC gp-39 for arthritic disease was further demonstrated by its arthritogenicity in Balb/c mice.
• the response to the HC gp-39 peptide 263-275 was further examined by generating a set of DRB 1*0401 -restricted, peptide-specific T-T hybridomas from DRB 1*0401- transgenic mice following immunisation with HC gp-39.
• the fine specificity of the hybridomas specific for peptide 263-275 in the context of DR4 (DB1 *0401) was defined and compared.
• 3 hybridomas differing in their recognition of the 263-275 epitope presented by DRB 1*0401 encoded molecules were identified.
• the 5G11 hybridoma was found to respond optimally to the 265-275 sequence.
• recognition by the 8B12 hybridoma was centered around sequence 264-274 whereas the 14G11 hybridoma was optimally responsive to 264-275.
• Tolerization of HC gp-39 (263-275)-reactive T-cells may be of benefit to RA patients.
• the present invention provides for modified peptide derivatives based on the HC gp-39 (263-275) sequence which are superior in their capacity to induce an immune response and in their tolerizing capacity.
• a modified peptide derived from H-Arg-Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-OH (formula I; SEQ ID NO:l) having general formula Q- A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-A10- Al 1-A12-A13- Z (formula II).
• Al through A13 correspond with the amino acids of formula I
• Q corresponds with H
• Z corresponds with OH.
• the modifications according to the present invention are selected from the group consisting of a) substitution of 1-6, preferably 1-4 amino acids at Al through A13 with non-natural amino acids or ⁇ amino acids b) substitution of one or more amide bonds with reduced amide bonds or ethylene isosteres c) substitutions at Q and/or Z.
• the number of modifications to be selected from one or more of these groups amounts 1-6.
• the amino acids may be substituted with other natural amino acids provided that the total number of modifications does not exceed the number of 6.
• Modified peptides based on formula I may be stabilised by C- and/or N- terminal modifications, which will decrease exopeptidase catalysed hydrolysis.
• C-terminal amide introduction e.g. peptide-NH
• combinations of acylation and amide introduction e.g. Ac-peptide-NH
• D- amino acids instead of L-amino acids.
• Preferred peptides according to the invention are peptides wherein Q is H, (C ⁇ _ )alkyl, formyl, (C ⁇ - 6 )alkylcarbonyl, carboxy(C ⁇ . 6 )alkyl, (C ⁇ . 6 )alkyloxycarbonyl, (C 2 .
• Z is OR wherein R is H, (d- 6 )alkyl, (C 2 . 6 )alkenyl, (C 6 . ⁇ 4 )aryl(C )alkyl, (C 6 . ⁇ 4 )(C 4 . i 3 )heteroaryl(C ⁇ . 6 )alkyl or NR ⁇ R 2 wherein andR are independently selected from H,
• (C,. 6 )alkyl or (C 6 . 14 )aryl(C,. 6 )alkyl; and, optionally, Q and Z contain in addition together up to 10 amino acids located next to position Al and/or A13. Substitution at Al through A13 with one or more other natural amino acids preferably is performed at no more than four, more preferably two positions.
• Q is H, (C ⁇ . 6 )alkyl, formyl, (C ⁇ . 6 )alkylcarbonyl, carboxy(C ⁇ . 6 )alkyl, (C ⁇ . 6 )alkyloxy- carbonyl, (C 2 - 6 )alkenyloxycarbonyl, (C 6 . 14 )aryl(Ci. 6 )alkyl; (C 6 . ⁇ 4 )aryl(C ! .
• A2 is L-Ser, D-Ser, L-hSer, D-hSer, L-Thr, D-Thr, L-Ala, D-Ala, Gly or -N[(CH 2 ) n - OH]-CH 2 -C(O)- wherein n is 2-5.
• A2 is L-Ser, L-Ala, D-Ala, Gly or - N[(CH 2 ) n -OH]-CH 2 -C(O)- wherein n is 2-5. More preferably A2 is L-Ser, L-Ala or - N[(CH 2 ) 2 -OH]-CH 2 -C(O)-.
• A3 is L-Phe, D-Phe, L-Phe(X), D-Phe(X) wherein X is independently selected from one or more of (Ci ⁇ alkyl, hydroxy, halo, (Ci- 6 )alkylcarbonylamino, amino or nitro, L- Hfe, D-Hfe, L-Thi, D-Thi, L-Cha, D-Cha, L-Pal(3), D-Pal(3), L-l-Nal, D-l-Nal, L-2- Nal, D-2-Nal, L-Ser(Bzl), D-Ser(Bzl), CE - ⁇ -NH-CH(CH2-aryl)-CH 2 - ⁇ or (S ⁇ -NH- CH(CH 2 -aryl)-CH 2 - ⁇ or (E - ⁇ -NH-CH(CH 2 -aryl)-CH 2 - ⁇ or (Sj- ⁇ -NH-CH(CH 2 -aryl)- CH 2 - ⁇
• A3 is L-Phe, D-Phe, L-Phe(X) or D-Phe(X) wherein X is halo or nitro, L-Hfe, L-Thi, L-Cha, L-Pal(3), L-l-Nal, L-2-Nal, L-Ser(Bzl) or (S ⁇ -NH- CH(CH 2 -aryl)-CH 2 - ⁇ . More preferably A3 is L-Phe. D-Phe, L-Phe(X) wherein X is halo or nitro, L-Hfe, L-Thi, L-Cha, L-Pal(3), L-l-Nal. L-2-Nal or L-Ser(Bzl).
• A4 is L-Thr, D-Thr- L-Ser-, D-Ser, L-hSer, D-hSer, L-Ala, D-Ala or Gly.
• A4 is L-Thr or L-Ala.
• A5 is L-Leu, D-Leu, L-Ile, D-Ile, L-Val, D-Val-, L-Nva, D-Nva, L-Ala, D-Ala, Gly, fE ⁇ -NH-CH(CH 2 -CH(CH 3 )2)-CH2- ⁇ , or (S ⁇ -NH-CH(CH2-CH(CH 3 ) 2 )-CH 2 - ⁇ .
• A5 is L-Leu, L-Ala, or (Sj- ⁇ -NH-CH(CH 2 -CH(CH 3 ) 2 )-CH 2 - ⁇ .
• A6 is L-Ala, D-Ala or Gly. Preferably A6 is L-Ala or Gly.
• A7 is L-Ser, D-Ser, L-hSer, D-hSer, L-Thr, D-Thr, L-Ala, D-Ala or Gly. Preferably A7 is L-Ser or L-Ala.
• A8 is L-Ser, D-Ser, L-hSer, D-hSer, L-Thr, D-Thr, L-Ala, D-Ala or Gly.
• A8 is L-Ser or L-Ala.
• A9 is L-Glu, D-Glu, L-Asp, D-Asp, L-Ala, D-Ala or Gly.
• A9 is L-Glu or L-
• Ala is L-Thr, D-Thr, L-Ser, D-Ser, L-hSer, D-hSer, L-Ala, D-Ala or Gly.
• A10 is L-Thr or L-Ala.
• Al 1 is Gly, L-Ala, D-Ala or -NH-CH 2 -CH 2 -.
• Al 1 is Gly, L-Ala or -NH-
• A12 is L-Val, D-Val, L-Nva, D-Nva, L-Leu, D-Leu, L-Ile, D-Ile, (R)- ⁇ -NK- CH[CH(CH 3 ) 2 ]-CH 2 - ⁇ , (S)- ⁇ -NH-CH[CH(CH 3 ) 2 ]-CH 2 - ⁇ , (E - ⁇ -NH-
• A12 is L-Val or (S)- ⁇ -NH-CH[CH(CH 3 ) 2 ]-CH 2 - ⁇ .
• A13 is Gly, L-Ala or D-Ala. Preferably A13 is Gly or L-Ala
• Z is OR wherein R is H, (Ci.
• peptides according to the invention optionally may be extended at the N and C terminal end, i.e.
• the peptides may differ from general formula I at several positions but preferably they are modified at 1-4 positions, more preferably at 2-3 positions.
• alkyl means a branched or unbranched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert- butyl and hexyl. Most preferred are alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms.
• (C ⁇ - 4 )alkyl means a branched or unbranched alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms.
• (C . 6 )alkenyl means a branched or unbranched alkenyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms, such as ethenyl, 2-butenyl etc.
• (C ⁇ )Alkenyl groups are preferred, (Ci- 3 )alkenyl groups being the most preferred.
• (C ⁇ - 6 )alkylcarbonyl means a branched or unbranched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, attached to a carbonyl group, for example an acetyl group. Most preferred are alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms.
• carboxy-(C ⁇ . 6 )alkyl means a carboxy group attached to a branched or unbranched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms. Most preferred are alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms.
• (C ⁇ - 6 )alkyloxycarbonyl means a branched or unbranched alkyl group, attached to an oxycarbonyl group, for example a methoxycarbonyl-, or a tert-butyloxycarbonyl- (Boc-) group. Most preferred are alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms.
• (C 2 . 6 )alkenyloxycarbonyl means a branched or unbranched alkenyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms as defined previously, attached to an oxycarbonyl group, for example an allyloxycarbonyl group. (Q- ⁇ Alkenyl groups are preferred, (C ⁇ . 3 )alkenyl groups being the most preferred.
• (C ! - 6 )(di)alkylamino means a (di)alkylamino group having 1-6 carbon atoms, the alkyl moiety having the same meaning as previously defined. Preferred are alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms.
• . 6 )acyl means an acyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, functionalized with an amino group. Preferred are acyl groups having 1 -4 carbon atoms.
• (C 6 - ⁇ 4 )aryl means an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6-14 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, naphthyl. tetrahydronaphthyl, indenyl, anthracyl, which may optionally be substituted at the ortho and/or meta position with one or more substituents such as - but not limited to- hydroxy, halogen, nitro, cyano, amino((C ⁇ . 6 )acyl) or (di)(C ⁇ . 6 )alkylamino. the acyl and alkyl moiety having the same meaning as previously defined. (C 6 . ⁇ o)Aryl groups are preferred, phenyl being the most preferred.
• heteroaryl(Ci-6)alkyl means a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group having 4-13 carbon atoms, preferably 4-9, at least including one heteroatom selected from N, O and/or S, connected to a branched or an unbranched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms.
• the substituents on the heteroaryl group may be selected from the group of substituents listed for the aryl group.
• Nitrogen-containing heteroaryl groups may either be connected via a carbon or a nitrogen atom to the alkyl group. Of the alkyl groups, groups having 1-4 carbon atoms are preferred.
• (C ⁇ . 6 )alkyl(C 6 . ' 4 )aryl means means a branched or unbranched alkyl group as defined previously, attached to an aryl group as defined previously.
• (C 6 . ⁇ 0 )Aryl groups are preferred, phenyl being the most preferred. Of the alkyl groups, groups having 1-4 carbon atoms are preferred.
• alkyl group means an arylalkyl group, wherein the alkyl group is a (C ⁇ - 6 )alkyl group and the aryl group is a (C 6 . ⁇ )aryl as defined previously, for example a benzyl- (Bzl) or a triphenylmethyl- (Trt) group.
• (C 6 . ⁇ 0 )Aryl groups are preferred, phenyl being the most preferred. Of the alkyl groups, groups having 1-4 carbon atoms are preferred.
• the term (C ⁇ . 6 )alkylcarbonylamino means an alkylcarbonylamino group, the alkyl group of which contains 1 -6 carbon atoms and has the same meaning as previously defined. Alkyl groups having 1 -4 carbon atoms are preferred.
• (C 6 . ⁇ 4 )aryl(C )alkyloxycarbonyl means an (C . ⁇ )aryl group connected to an alkyloxycarbonyl group, wherin the alkyl group is a (C ⁇ )alkyl group, and the aryl group is defined as previously, for example a benzyloxycarbonyl- (Z) or an Fluorenyl- methoxycarbonyl- (Fmoc) group.
• (C 6 . 10 )Aryl groups are preferred, phenyl being the most preferred.
• halo means F, CI, Br or I.
• the naturally occurring amino acids are shown using their abbreviations (3-letter code) as follows: alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), cysteine (Cys), glutamine (Gin), glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), serine (Ser), isoleucine (He), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Tip), tyrosine (Tyr) and valine (Val).
• the stereochemistry is defined as L-.
• a non-natural amino acid is an, optionally N ⁇ -substituted, ⁇ -amino acid having a chemical structure not identical to those of the natural amino acids.
• ⁇ on-natural amino acids are e.g. Phe(X), with X is a substituent situated at the para position of the phenyl ring of Phe, hSer (2-amino-4-hydroxybutanoic acid), norleucine ( ⁇ le, 2-aminohexanoic acid), norvaline ( ⁇ va, 2-aminopentanoic acid), L-Hfe (L- ⁇ -homophenylalanine), D-Hfe (D- ⁇ -homophenylalanine), L-Thi ( ⁇ -thienyl-L-alanine), D-Thi ( ⁇ -thienyl-D-alanine), L-Cha ( ⁇ -cyclohexyl-L-alanine), D-Cha ( ⁇ -cyclohexyl-D-alanine), L
• a preferred embodiment of the invention is a modified peptide having general formula Q-Al-A2-A3-Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser- Ser-Glu-Thr-Al 1-A12-Gly-Z (formula III) wherein Q, Al, A2, A3, Al l, A12 and Z are as defined previously.
• peptides according to general formula III wherein Al is Arg, A3 is Phe and Al 1 is Gly giving rise to general formula IV: Q-Arg-A2-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser- Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-A12-Gly-Z wherein the positions Q, A2, A12 and Z are as defined previously.
• the most preferred peptides are selected from the group comprising desaminoargininyl- Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-NH 2 , desaminoargininyl-Ser-Phe- Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-OH, CH 3 -(OCH 2 CH 2 )3-OCH2-C(O)-Arg- Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-NH 2 , D- 1 -glucityl-Arg-Ser-Phe- Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-OH, CH 3 O-C(O)-Arg-Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu- Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-OH,
• a carbamoyl group e.g methoxycarbonyl
• a different linker (PAL: B. Merrifield, Peptides, 93-169, 1995) between the peptide chain (Formula VI) and the PEG-PS solid support is used. If the free amino group of the PAL linker is alkylated prior to attachment ofthe first (C-terminal) amino acid, C-terminal alkyl amides will be formed after cleavage from the polymer support.
• the required N-Fmoc protected amino acid aldehydes are either commercially available or accessible by literature methods (J.J. Wen, CM.
• a dimeric structure with general Formula VII may be synthesized in solution prior to SPPS.
• the appropriate amino acid benzyl ester H 2 ⁇ -CH(R n+ ⁇ 2 )- CO 2 Bzl
• Fmoc protected amino acid aldehyde Fmoc-NH-CH(R n )-C(O)H
• a compound of Formula VII is formed, which can be incorporated into the growing chain using the SPPS procedure.
• the peptides according to the invention can be used as a therapeutical substance. More particularly, they can be used for the induction of specific T-cell tolerance to an autoantigen in patients who are suffering from autoimmune disease disorders, more specifically arthritis.
• Modified peptides based on a MHC class II restricted T-cell epitope structure with enhanced stimulatory activity in vitro and an enhanced activity in vivo can be selected using known technologies.
• a modified peptide 2) definition of the stimulatory activity of a modified peptide and comparison with the activity of the wild type, non-modified, peptide, using an in vitro assay (irradiated antigen presenting cells co-incubated with peptide antigen and specific T-cells).
• an in vitro assay irradiated antigen presenting cells co-incubated with peptide antigen and specific T-cells.
• a broad panel of epitope-specific, MHC class II restricted T-cells with different TCR clonotypes, but reactive with the same epitope in the context of the same MHC class II molecule, should be evaluated.
• a panel of specific T-cell hybridomas or specific T-cell lines/clones can be employed. Selection of a modified epitope for human application will preferably require the use of human T-cell lines/clones to safeguard the relevance of the selected modified epitopes for human T- cell recognition.
• a modified peptide in vivo (optional).
• different experimental set-ups may be used a) a delayed type hypersensitivity test b) an ex vivo T-cell activation assay following the administration of antigen (with or without adjuvant) in vivo c) modulation of disease in experimental models of autoimmune disease by administration of modified peptide antigen
• Preferably compounds with enhanced agonistic activity in vitro, as compared to the wild type peptide or enhanced in vivo effects are to be selected.
• mice immunised with HC gp-39 can be challenged with HC gp-39 263-275 in order to detect a DTH response.
• mice can be treated per nostril with HC gp-39 263-275 or peptide derivatives in various concentrations.
• Modified peptide derivatives with a superior profile in terms of tolerance induction are expected to be active in this in vivo assay in lower concentrations than the original peptide.
• various application schemes and dosages can be tested.
• modified forms of HC gp-39 263-275 are more effective in downmodulating HC gp-39 263-275 induced DTH responses in this model than the native 263-275 peptide.
• Tolerance can be attained by administering high or low doses of the tolerogen or peptides according to the invention.
• the amount of tolerogen or peptide will depend on the route of administration, the time of administration, the age of the patient as well as general health conditions and diet.
• a dosage of 0.01 to 1000 ⁇ g of peptide or protein per kg body weight, preferably 0.05 to 500 ⁇ g, more preferably 0.1 to 100 ⁇ g of peptide or protein can be used.
• compositions comprising one or more of the peptides according to the invention and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.
• pharmaceutical acceptable carriers include, for example, sterile salin, lactose, sucrose, calcium phosphate, gelatin, dextrin, agar, pectin, peanut oil, olive oil, sesame oil and water.
• Other carriers may be, for example MHC class II molecules, if desired embedded in liposomes.
• composition according to the invention may comprise one or more adjuvants.
• Suitable adjuvants include, amongst others, aluminium hydroxide, aluminium phosphate, amphigen, tocophenols, monophosphenyl lipid A, muramyl dipeptide and saponins such as Quill A.
• the amount of adjuvant depends on the nature ofthe adjuvant itself.
• composition according to the invention may comprise one or more stabilizers such as, for example, carbohydrates including sorbitol, mannitol, starch, sucrosedextrin and glucose, proteins such as albumin or casein, and buffers like alkaline phosphates.
• stabilizers such as, for example, carbohydrates including sorbitol, mannitol, starch, sucrosedextrin and glucose, proteins such as albumin or casein, and buffers like alkaline phosphates.
• Suitable administration routes are intramuscular injections, subcutaneous injections, intravenous injections or intraperitoneal injections, oral and intranasal administration. Oral and intranasal administration are preferred administration routes.
• modulator cells specific for the antigen could be generated by applying the antigen via the mucosae, for instance the nasal mucosae. Mucosal administration of antigens has been shown to induce immunological tolerance to such antigens.
• the peptides according to the invention are also very suitable for use in a diagnostic method to detect the presence of activated autoreactive T cells involved in the chronic inflammation of the articular cartilage.
• the diagnostic method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) isolation of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a blood sample of an individual, b) culture said PBMC under suitable conditions, c) incubation of said PBMC culture in the presence of the autoantigen or one or more peptides derived thereof according to the invention, and d) detection of a response of T cells, for example a proliferative response, indicating the presence of activated autoreactive T cells in the individual.
• PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• the incorporation of a radioisotope such as for example 3H- thymidine is a measure for the proliferation.
• a response of the autoreactive T cells present in the PBMC can also be detected by measuring the cytokine release with cytokine-specific ELISA, or the cytotoxicity with 5I Chromium release.
• Another detection method is the measurement of expression of activation markers by FACS analysis, for example of I1-2R.
• a diagnostic composition comprising one or more of the peptides according to the invention and a suitable detecting agent thus forms part ofthe invention.
• the detection agent can be a radioisotope, an enzyme, or antibodies specific for cell surface or activation markers.
• test kits which comprise one or more peptides according to the invention. These test kits are suitable for use in a diagnostic method according to the invention.
• HC gp-39 derived modified peptides can be used to downmodulate autoimmune disease.
• Proliferation of clone 235 following stimulation with lead peptide or selected modified peptides using irradiated, autologous PBMC as APCs was measured as described in example 15. Peptides were tested for their stimulatory activity in concentrations of 0, 0.4, 2, 10 and 50 ⁇ g/ml.
• +* agonist activity demonstrated for 1 or 2 hybridomas but not for all three.
• Reactivity of human clones proliferation of clone 235 and 243) in potency (stimulatory activity of analogue/stimulatory activity of lead peptide; e.g.HC gp-39 (263-275)).
• - potency ⁇
• Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly-OH were tested for their affinity to bind HLA- DRB 1*0401 and compared to the affinity of the lead-peptide (H-Arg-Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu-
• the reaction vessel of the Millipore 9050 PepSynthesizer was charged with 0.5 g of Fmoc-Gly-PAC-PEG-PS (commercially available at PerSeptive Biosystems, 0.20 mmol/g) resin, pre-swollen in N-methyl-pyrrolidinone (NMP). Removal of the Fmoc group in each coupling cycle was effected with piperidine/DMF (1 :4 v/v). The coupling efficiencies were determined by spectroscopic analysis of the Fmoc-cleavage after each elongation step. In each coupling step 4 equivalents of the appropriate acid-labile side- chain-protected Fmoc amino acid were used.
• the double syringe mode of the synthesizer was used in which one syringe contains 0.50 M HATU in DMF p.a. and the other syringe contains 1.0 M DIPEA in DMF p.a.
• the main wash contained N-methyl- pyrrolidinone with 0.1% HOBt.
• the Analog Synthesis protocol was used.
• the resin with the immobilized peptide was taken out of the reaction vessel and washed successively with DMF (20 mL), CH 2 CI 2 (20 mL), diethylether (20 mL), CH 2 C1 2 (20 mL), diethylether (20 mL), CH 2 C1 2 (20 mL) and diethylether (20 mL).
• the immobilized peptide was dried in vacuo overnight.
• the peptide was then cleaved off with 10 mL of the mixture TFA/(iPr) 3 SiH/anisole/H 2 ⁇ 88/5/5/2 v/v/v/v for 3 hours. In this step all the acid-labile side-chain protective groups were also removed.
• the peptide was synthesized using solid phase peptide chemistry, as reported in the synthesis of compound 1 (see above).
• commercially available Fmoc-amino acid pentafluorophenyl (Pfp) active esters were used instead of the free Fmoc-amino acids and HATU/DIPEA.
• the compound was prepared using 6-Fmoc-amino-hexanoic acid as the N-terminal amino acid, obtained from 6-amino-hexanoic acid, analogous to the literature procedure (A. Marston, E. Hecker, Z. Naturforsch. B Anorg. Chem. Org. Chem., 38:1015-1021,1983).
• the support was Fmoc-Gly-PAC-PEG-PS (0.75 g, 0.170 mmol/g) and 3 equiv. Of the appropriate Pfp esters were used.
• PyBOP was applied as the coupling agent (199 mg).
• Peptide 3 was prepared in an identical fashion as its N-terminal homolog 2 using 7- Fmoc-amino-heptanoic acid (3a, prepared analogous to compound 2a: A. Marston, E. Hecker, Z. Naturforsch. B Anorg. Chem. Org. Chem., 38:1015-1021, 1983) as the N- terminal amino acid.
• the support was Fmoc-Gly-PAC-PEG-PS (1.0 g, 0.17 mmol/g). Workup, HPLC purification and desalting as reported in the standard procedure (example 1) gave 45 mg ofthe required peptide.
• N-methyl-nicotinoyI N-methyl-nicotinoyI + -Arg-Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu-Ala-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-Gly-Val-Gly- OH (4)
• N-succinimidyl (l-methyl-3- pyridinio)formate iodide (4a) was synthesized via a literature procedure (M.L. Tedjamulia, P.C. Srivastava, F.F. Knapp; J. Med. Chem. 28:1574-1580, 1985).
• the synthesis of compond 4 was carried out in solution.
• Peptide 5 was synthesized according to the previously described procedure for compound 1 using Fmoc-protected amino acids, HATU, DIPEA and 1.0 g of Fmoc- Gly-PAC-PEG-PS-resin. support loading 0.17 mmol/g.
• desamino- Arg(Adoc)2-OH (5a) was coupled to the immobilized peptide chain.
• Carboxylic acid 5a was prepared according to a known procedure (R. Presentini, G. Antoni, Int. J. Pept. Protein Res., 27: 123-126, 1986). Workup and purification conditions were identical to those of peptide 1.
• Example 6 Desaminoargininyl-Ser-Phe-Thr-Leu-AIa-Ser-Ser-Glu-Thr-GIy-VaI-Gly-NH 2 (6)
• the assembly of peptide 6 was conducted in a fashion similar to that of previously described peptide 5, using PAL-PEG-PS resin (0.17 mmol/g) instead of PAC-PEG-PS as the solid support.
• the Fmoc group from commercially available (PerSeptive Biosystems) Fmoc-PAL-PEG-PS resin was removed and the resulting H- PAL-PEG-PS support was condensed with Fmoc-Gly-OH under the agency of HATU/DIPEA. After elongation ofthe peptide chain and subsequent cleavage from the resin under the same conditions as described in example 1 , the required carboxamide C-terminus was obtained. Workup and purification conditions were identical to those of peptide 1.
• the peptide on the resin (7b) was pre-swollen in NMP and 142 mg (0.64 mmol) of CH 3 (OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 -OCH 2 CO 2 H (7a) was added, together with 169 mg (0.64 mmol) of the coupling agent TFFH (tetramethylfluoro-formamidinium hexafluorophosphate).
• TFFH tetramethylfluoro-formamidinium hexafluorophosphate
• Reductive animation was effected by overnight treatment of 6-O-trityl- ⁇ / ⁇ -D-glucopyranose (8b, 422 mg, 1.0 mmol, T. Utamura, K. Kuromatsu, K. Suwa, K.
• peptide 9 commenced by suspending the immobilized peptide H- Arg(Pmc)-Ser(tBu)-Phe-Thr(tBu)-Leu-Ala-Ser(tBu)-Ser(tBu)-Glu(OtBu)-Thr(tBu)- Gly-Val-Gly-PAC-PEG-PS (8a) in dioxane and cooling to 0 °C. To this suspension, 100 ⁇ l of 4N aq NaOH and 100 ⁇ l of methyl chloroformate were added. The reaction mixture was agitated for 16 h and subsequently, the resin was washed with EtOH/H 2 ⁇ , EtOH, CH 2 C1 2 and ether.
• the required amino acid aldehyde building block Fmoc-Leu-H (10a) was prepared via a known procedure (J.-P. Meyer, P. Davis, K.B. Lee, F. Porreca, H.I. Yamamura, V. Hruby, J. Med. Chem. 38:3462-3468, 1995).
• Compound 10a was used without further purification.
• the resin was functionalized with an 8 -amino acid peptide chain to give H-Ala-Ser(tBu)-Ser(tBu)-Glu(OtBu)-Thr(tBu)-Gly-Val-Gly-PAL-PEG- PS (10b).
• the latter immobilized derivative (1 g, 0.2 mmol/g) was suspended in 5 mL of 1% acetic acid in DMF.
• Two solutions were prepared, being 148 mg of Fmoc-Leu-H (10a) in 2.5 mL of DMF and 30 mg of NaCNBH 3 in 2.5 mL of DMF. Both solutions were combined and added to the suspension of peptide 10b. The mixture was agitated overnight at room temperature.
• Fmoc-Val- ⁇ [CH 2 NH]-Gly-Obzl (12c) Fmoc-Val-H (12a, 3.16 g, 10 mmol, prepared according to T. Moriwake, S.-I. Hamano, S. Saito, S. Torii, S. Kashino, J. Org. Chem., 54:41 14-4120, 1989) was dissolved in EtOH/HOAc (80 mL, 99/1, v/v) and HCl.H-Gly-Obzl (12b, 2.02 g, 10 mmol) was added, followed by NaCNBH 3 (0.94 g, 15 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight.
• the basic solution was diluted with 25 mL of acetone and 5.40 g (16 mmol) Fmoc-Osu, dissolved in 25 mL of acetone, was added dropwise.
• the reaction mixture was concentrated to 150 mL and washed with 2 x 50 mL of ether/heptane (1/1, v/v).
• the organic layers were combined and dried over Na 2 SO 4 .
• peptide 13 was carried out on the Pepsynthesizer using the dual syringe technique as described before (example 1).
• the support was Fmoc-PAL-PEG- PS, (1.0 g, 0.15 mmol/g) with NMP as the solvent. Double couplings (coupling time 60 min) were used for all amino acids, including Fmoc-NhSer(tBu)-OH (13d).
• the N- terminal acetyl group was introduced using 4-nitrophenyl acetate. Workup and cleaving off the resin and protecting groups were conducted in the standard way (example 1).
• the crude peptide was purified by HPLC and desalted with 5°/ 00 of aqueous acetic acid.
• HC gp-39 (263-275)- specific hybridoma cell lines were used (5G1 1, 8B12 and 14G1 1).
• 5 x 10 4 hybridoma cells and 2 x 10 5 irradiated (12000 RAD) EBV-transformed B cells carrying the DRB 1 *0401 specificity were incubated in 150 ⁇ l volumes in wells of a round- bottomed microtiter plate.
• Peptide antigen HC gp-39 (263-275), and modified peptides
• the 243 T-cell clone was isolated from a peptide-specific T-cell line obtained from an RA responder to peptide 263-275 (RA patient 243). The clones were obtained following four repetitive stimulations with HC gp-39 (263-275) peptide in the presence of DRB 1*0401 -matched PBMC.
• the H235 T-cell clone was isolated from a peptide- stimulated T-cell line obtained from an HLA-DRB 1*0401 -positive donor.
• clones were obtained by PHA cloning. Both clone 243 and 235 were found to be HLA-DRB 1*0401 restricted in the recognition of peptide antigen. Cells were used on day 10-14 after stimulation in each experiment.
• Proliferative responses of clone 243 or clone 235 were measured by incubation of 2 x 10 4 T cells and 10 5 DRB 1*0401 -matched (3,000 Rad irradiated) PBMC in 150 ⁇ l volumes of medium with 10% normal human pool serum (NHS, CLB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in flat-bottomed microtiter plates. 50 ⁇ l of antigen solution (containing the 263-275 sequence or modifications as indicated) was distributed in triplicate wells. 3 H-thymidine was added at day 2 or 3 of incubation. Cells were harvested on glass fibre filters and the incorporated radioactivity was measured.
• mice of approximately 8-10 weeks of age were immunised on day 0 with 100 ⁇ l of antigen preparation (50 ⁇ g of HC gp-39 263-275) in Incomplete Freunds Adjuvant (IFA; Sigma Chemicals, St. Louis, USA). Antigen was given subcutaneously in two portions in the chest region of the mice.
• IFA Incomplete Freunds Adjuvant
• mice were challenged with antigen preparation (HC gp-39 (263- 275)) diluted in 0.9% NaCl (NPBI, Emmer Compascuum, The Netherlands) in a volume of 50 ⁇ l in 1 mg/ml alum (Pharmacy Donkers-Peterse, Oss, The Netherlands) unilaterally in the footpad (left paw); the other (right) footpad was injected with 50 ⁇ l of alum solution in 0.9% NaCl as a control.
• antigen preparation HC gp-39 (263- 275)
• NPBI Emmer Compascuum, The Netherlands
• Delayed type hypersensitivity responses were determined on day 8 by measuring the increase in footpad thickness of the left hind footpad compared to the right hind footpad (swelling left (mm) - swelling right (mm) / swelling right (mm) x 100%), using a in-house designed micrometer.

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