MXPA00010759A - Myelin basic protein peptides and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention pertains generally to the treatment of autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination. In particular, this invention pertains to novel peptides derived from human myelin basic protein (MBP). When complexed with the appropriate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule, these peptides can be used to treat multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating autoimmune diseases.

Description

PEPTIDES OF THE BASIC PROTEIN OF MYELIN AND USES OF THESE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention belongs, in general, to the treatment of the autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination. In particular, this invention belongs to the novel peptides derived from the human myelin basic protein. These peptides can ? K be used as a pharmaceutical compound to treat multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating autoimmune diseases alone or in complexes with the appropriate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 15 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the human central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination and by local infiltrates of macrophages, plasma cells and T cells in the CNS (Alien (1991 ) Pa thology of Múl tiple Sclerosis, p34 in McAlpine's Multiple tiple Sclerosis; Matthewse, et al., Eds, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh). MS is an autoimmune disease directed to myelin and the oligodendrocyte product of myelin. In MS and other diemilinizing diseases, T cell clones specific for a myelin component, the myelin basic protein (MBP), cause the demyelination of nerve sheaths in the CNS. In addition to the clones of • T lymphocytes restricted to MBP, inflammatory demyelinating lesions may contain multiple unrestricted immune cells capable of mediating tissue injury (Zamvil (1990) Ann. Rev. Immunol., 8: 579-621; ucherpfenning (1991) Immunol. 12: 277-282; Martin (1992) J. Immunol., 148: 1359-1366; Martin (1992) Ann. Rev. Immunol., 10: 153-187). • 10 The molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II (DR) are heterodimers presented on the cell surface of the antigen presenting / processing cells (APC). In demyelinating disease, Class II APC molecules "present" self-peptides of MBP from myelin and oligodendrocytes to helper T lymphocytes (CD4 +). Class II molecules literally present the peptide to T cells by binding the peptide at a "peptide binding site" or cleavage that is structurally located at the end of the farthest molecule of the cell membrane. The peptide binding site, or antigen, is also known as the "antigen binding bag" or "MHC slit". (Brown (1993) Na ture 364: 33-39; Stern (1994) Structure 2: 245-251). The binding of a peptide to a peptide binding site depends on the primary amino acid sequence of the peptide and the Class II molecule. Only high affinity binding between a peptide and a Class II polypeptide will form a complex that will be presented extracellularly to T cells. The affinity, or intensity, of this intermolecular attraction is determined by the same factors that exist for all peptide binding reactions : polypeptide, for example, conformation, hydrogen bonding, charge, ionic interactions. The limitations created by the primary sequence are also limited by a limitation in size; it is considered that the peptide binding site can accommodate peptides in the range of about 8 to about 20 amino acids in length (the "agretope" is that portion of the peptide recognized by the MHC molecule). As a result, different portions of an antigenic polypeptide will commonly be presented by different Class II molecules. Thus, when a peptide is internalized by an APC and proteolytically processed into fragment, only a single or small number of peptides will bind with high affinity, ie, it will be "specifically bound" to a specific Class II molecule. In view of the fact that only a limited number of Class II molecules are expressed in an individual, only a limited repertoire of peptides of a polypeptide antigen is presented. For example, in the case of MS, a single region of the MBP is involved in the binding of a limited series of Class II molecules to help generate the clones of the • self-reactive anti-myelin T cells. In some patients with MS, a putative pathognomonic "immunodominant" BMP peptide and the Class II molecules to which it binds, it is suggested, will be the MBP peptide encompassing residues 83-102 (MBP 83-102) that it binds to the allele of Class II DR called DRB1 * 1501 and to DRB5 * 0101 (other alleles? Class II and MBP peptides may also be mediating MS or other demyelinating diseases in different individuals). The recognition of the peptide complex: Class II by a T lymphocyte help CD4 + is mediated by the binding of the clonally specific receptor of T cells (TCR) to the complex.

The affinity of the TCR to the complex is determined by its attraction to the Class II molecule and the peptide that occupies the antigen binding pocket (the portion of the peptide recognized by the TCR is called the "epitope"). The high affinity binding of the TCR to the APC complex activates the cells T, inducing its clonal proliferation and secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines (which can be stimulatory or immunosuppressive). Thus, there is an amplification of a specific immune response for the antigenic peptide (the epitope) that is presented by the Class II polypeptide.

Without the peptide is a self-peptide, the response can be an autoimmune reaction. Interference with the ability of the union of • Peptide complex: Class II to TCR can inhibit the development of or suppress an autoimmune reaction. for example, the administration of antibodies to the MHC Class II polypeptides can interfere with the complex binding: TCR and the resulting pathogenic immunological reaction. Antibodies to self-reactive TCR or T cell clones can have the same effect. • 10 An alternative immunosuppressive strategy can be used to exploit the need for a co-stimulatory signal for T cells by APCs. To activate CD4 + T cells, the binding of TCR by the Class II: peptide complex is not sufficient. An additional "co-stimulatory" signal is necessary (not an MHC molecule). Usually, the necessary co-stimulatory signal is provided by a protein from the cell surface of the APCs. It is important to note that, the interaction of the Class II peptide with the TCR without costimulation APC not only does not induce activation of the cells T, but also gives rise to a state of absence of specific antigen response with a new challenge, known as anergy in vi tro and tolerance in vivo (Boussiotis (1994) Curr. Opin. Immunol. 6: 797-807; (1997) Eur. J. Immunol., 27: 1082-1090). This deletion and The absence of sensitivity for a new challenge, as suggested, may be due to the clonal anergy of the T cells due to a lack of sensitivity or response induced by the immunmunosuppressive cytokines (Schwartz (1989) Cell 57: 1073-1081; Quill ( 1987) J. Immunol. 138: 3704-3712). Although MBP 83-102 of 20 amino acids in length may be the immunodominant MBP peptide, naturally processed in some individuals, synthetic or recombinant modifications of myelin or MBP peptide 83-102 that binds to the Class II molecule and / or the receptor of the T cells with higher affinity can be therapeutically effective. These peptides would be better reactive to inhibit the autoimmune, pathogenic reaction, for example, through their administration as Class II complexes: peptide soluble tolerance inducers. By providing the novel MBP peptides capable of binding to Class II molecules and TCRs, the present invention fulfills these and other needs. The current treatment for autoimmune disease consists mainly of treating the symptoms, but not intervening in the cause of the disease. Normally broad-spectrum immunosuppressive agents are used which have numerous undesirable effects. The inadequate treatments currently available illustrate the urgent need to identify new compounds that prevent or suppress immune responses limited by MHC, but avoid side effects, such as the non-specific suppression of a total immune response of the individual. Compounds capable of selectively suppressing autoimmune responses at the level of CD4 + helper T cells will provide a safer and more effective treatment. By providing the novel MBP peptides and the peptide: Class II molecule complexes, the present invention meets these and other needs.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The invention offers a peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein (MBP), the peptide is characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, where X is any amino acid. In one embodiment, the isolated myelin basic protein peptide is characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro, or a conservative substitution of this. The peptide of the isolated myelin basic protein may be linked to a heterologous sequence. In one embodiment, the ligation of the peptide from the myelin basic protein to a heterologous sequence gives rise to a fusion protein. The invention also provides a peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein that specifically binds to an antibody directed against a peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr -Pro-Pro In another embodiment, the invention features an isolated nucleic acid encoding a myelin basic protein peptide, the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, wherein X is any amino acid. The encoded myelin basic protein peptide can be encoded by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro, or a conservative substitution thereof. In one embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid consists of SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also provides a composition containing a MHC Class II complex capable of binding to a T cell receptor, the complex consisting primarily of: an MHC polypeptide Class II containing an extracellular domain of a MHC Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen-binding sac, the component being encoded by an allele associated with an autoimmune disease directed to the basic myelin protein, wherein the Class II component is soluble under physiological conditions in the absence of detergent or lipid; and, a basic myelin protein having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Ri-Ile-Val-X-X-X-Thr-X-X wherein X is any amino acid, and Ri is Asn or Gln; wherein the peptide of the myelin basic protein is bound to the antigen binding bag of the MHC Class II component. The peptide of the myelin basic protein may have a amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro, or a conservative substitution thereof. The composition may consist of a fusion protein and / or an effector composition. In alternative embodiments, the autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis, or the Class II polypeptide consists of the antigen binding bag of an HLA DR2. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use and an effective amount for pharmacological use of a peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, in where X is any amino acid. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition containing an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use and an effective amount for pharmacological use of a composition containing an MHC Class II complex capable of binding to a T cell receptor, the complex consisting primarily of: a polypeptide of MHC Class II containing an extracellular domain of a MHC Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen-binding sac, the component being encoded by an allele associated with an autoimmune disease targeting the myelin basic protein, wherein the Class II component it is soluble under physiological conditions in the absence of detergent or lipid; and a basic myelin protein having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Ri-Ile-Val-X-X-X-Thr-X-X where Ri is substituted, wherein X is any amino acid, and Ri is Asn or Gln; wherein the purification of the basic myelin protein is linked to the antigen binding bag of the MHC Class II component. The invention provides an antibody, specifically immunoreactive under immunologically reactive conditions, for a peptide of the myelin basic protein, the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro . In another embodiment, the invention provides an antibody that is specifically immunoreactive under immunologically reactive conditions, for a peptide of the myelin basic protein consisting of the peptide encoded by a nucleic acid encoding a peptide of the myelin basic protein, the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence, Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX wherein X is any amino acid. The invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune response mediated by T cells against the myelin basic protein in an individual, which consists of administering to the individual a peptide of the myelin basic protein (MBP), isolated, the peptide characterized by having a amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, wherein X is any amino acid, in an amount effective to treat the T-cell mediated immune response. The invention offers a method for inhibiting a T cell-mediated immune response against the myelin basic protein in an individual, which consists of administering to the individual a composition containing a MHC Class II complex capable of binding to a receptor of the T cells, the complex consisting mainly of: a polypeptide of Class II MHC containing an extracellular domain of an MHC Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen binding pocket, the component being dified by an allele associated with an autoimmune disease directed to the myelin basic protein, wherein the Class II component is soluble under physiological conditions in the absence of detergent or lipid; and, a basic myelin protein having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Ri-Ile-Val-X-X-X-Thr-X-X, wherein X is any amino acid, and Ri is Asn or Gln; wherein the peptide of the myelin basic protein is bound to the antigen binding bag of the MHC Class II component. The invention provides a method for inhibiting a T cell-mediated immune response against the myelin basic protein in an individual, where the T cell-mediated immune response causes a • pathology in a neurological system. In one modality, the pathology for the neurological system is characterized as 5 multiple sclerosis. The invention provides a method for identifying an epitope of T cells in an antigen which, when bound to the antigen binding bag of an MHC Class II molecule, is ^ ft capable of binding to a T cell receptor, such binding By activating an extracellular acidification reaction by a T cell expressing the T cell receptor, the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a composition containing the T-cell epitope attached to the antigen-binding pouch of an MHC Class molecule II; b) put in contact a T cell expressing the T cell receptor with the epitope; and, c) measure extracellular acidification, where a change in extracellular acidification indicates the binding of the epitope of T cells to the T cell receptor. In one embodiment, the change in extracellular acidification is measured using a microphysiometer. A greater understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention can be considered by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, the Figures and the clauses. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 5 Figure 1A shows the MBP peptides used in the studies described in the example. Figure IB shows MBP peptides with different alanine-substituted residues used in the described studies || in Example 1. 10 Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show the results of the analyzes described in Example 1, demonstrating increasing levels of gamma-IFN, TNF-beta and extracellular acidification rates, respectively, with 6 peptides of MBP truncated at the N-terminus. Figures 2B, 2E and 2F show results of the analyzes described in Example 1, comparing the gamma-IFN, TNF-beta and acidification rates, respectively, of 5 MBP peptides truncated at the N-terminus. Figures 3A, 3b and 3C show the results of the analyzes described in Example 1, comparing gamma-IFN, TNF-beta and acidification rates, respectively, induced by MBP peptides truncated at the C-terminus. Figures 3D, 3E and 3F show the results of the analyzes described in Example 1, comparing the gamma-IFN, TNF-beta and acidification rates, respectively, induced by MBP peptides truncated at the C-terminus. Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show the results of the analyzes described in Example 1, demonstrating the residues of the MBP peptides necessary to induce gamma-IFN, TNF-beta together with increased rates of acidification, respectively, when presented to SS8T cells by DRB5 * 0101 Class II. Figures 4D, 4E and 4F show the results of the analyzes described in Example 1, demonstrating the residues of the MBP peptides necessary to induce gamma-IFN, TNF-beta together with increased rates of acidification, respectively, when presented to SS8T cells by DRB5 * 0101 Class II. Figure 5A shows, highlighted (framed area), the core TCR recognition sequence as MBP (91-100) (SEQ ID NO: 38). Figure 5B shows (with arrows) the MBP amino acid residues involved in important contact with TCR such as F91, K-93, N-94, 1-95 and V-96.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to methods and compositions that can be used to inhibit those aspects of the immune system that are responsible for undesirable autoimmunity. This invention is a first description of a novel series of peptides derived from the human myelin basic protein (MBP) that can be used in the treatment of demyelinating diseases mediated by autoimmune reactions., in particular, multiple sclerosis (MS). The invention provides therapeutic compositions containing the novel peptides of MBP to, for example, induce oral or general tolerance. A peptide soluble complex of MBP: Class II molecule is also provided to orient the cells that mediate the autoimmune reaction. The complex directs the reactive T cell clones towards the MBP by binding to the autoreactive T cell receptor (TCR) capable of binding to the MBP: Class II complex. The binding of the MBP: Class II complex to T cells is therapeutically effective in inhibiting the development of or treatment of autoimmune demyelinating diseases. Although the invention is not limited by any particular mechanism of action, the compositions of the invention are pharmaceutically active, for example, by inducing allergy and clonal tolerance of T cells or by inducing a cytosine-mediated immunosuppressive immune response. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition consisting of a carrier acceptable for pharmaceutical use and an effective amount for pharmacological use of a peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, where X is any amino acid. The administration of the peptide can only be used to induce oral tolerance, which is a phenomenon of immunological, systemic hyporesponse, specific to the antigen that results from the oral administration of a protein. The mechanism by which oral tolerance is generated depends on the amount of the antigen (peptide) that is administered. Low doses favor the induction of immunosuppressive, regulatory CD4 + helper T cells. Higher doses favor clonal deletion and anergy (tolerance). Regulatory T cells induced by low doses of oral antigen, when re-stimulated, secrete immunosuppressive cytokines that suppress the inflammatory response in a non-specific form of the antigen. Autoantigens administered orally, as has been shown, suppress a wide variety of experimental autoimmune diseases, which includes the majority of animal models widely studied for MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), murine demyelinating disease. Murine's MBP peptide has been used to generate a specific oral tolerance of the antigen and to prevent the development of acute EAE (Bitar (1998) Cell.Immun.121-364-370; Higgins (1988) J. of Immun. 140: 440-445; Khoury (1992) J. Exp. Med. 176: 1355-1364; Whitacre (1996) Clin. Immunol. Thol immuno. 80: S31-S39). In one study, oral administration of bovine myelin to patients with MS induced T cells that secreted the immunosuppressive cytosine TGF-beta-1 (Fukaura (1996) J. Clin.Invest.98: 70-77). Thus, the novel human MBP peptides of the invention can be effective in generating a specific immunosuppressive reaction of the antigen, as in the induction of oral tolerance. The present invention is also directed to purified complexes containing at least one effective antigen binding portion of a dimeric Class II molecule or a single-chain (monomer) subunit of a Class II molecule and a MBP peptide of the invention. An "effective antigen binding portion" is the minimum amount of the Class II monomeric or dimeric molecule necessary to bind the MBP peptide with sufficient affinity to create a complex capable of being recognized by and specifically linked to an autoreactive PCR. The complex of the invention, which consists of the MBP peptide and the appropriate Class II molecule, can be linked or otherwise associated with each other covalently or non-covalently. A third component, such as an "effector" component, may be included in the complex of the invention. The effector component can be a cytotoxic agent, i.e., a toxin, radio isotope, apoptotic inducing agent and the like, to selectively eliminate or neutralize the population of selected, autoimmune T cells. In other aspects, the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions wherein the peptide and the complexes of the invention are the active ingredients. These compositions are used to suppress or eliminate the autoreactive components of the immune system and to treat self-reactive, demyelinating, T-cell mediated immune responses. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use and an effective amount for pharmacological use. of the peptide MBP complex: Class II. The complexes selectively bind to the self-reactive T cells of MBP. Although the invention is not limited to any specific means by which the compositions can be pharmaceutically active, the peptides and complexes can induce anergy / clonal tolerance or induce an immunosuppressive immune response mediated by cytokines. The complexes can also be conjugated to cytotoxic agents to specifically eliminate the autoreactive T cells chosen.

I. Nucleic acids encoding MBP peptides and MHC class II DR alleles and recombinant expression of these nucleic acids This invention provides the novel peptides of the myelin basic protein (MBP) and the complexes of these MBP peptides and the MHC Class II polypeptides they contain at least the extracellular domain of a Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen binding pocket, and the nucleic acid encoding these MBP peptides and Class II polypeptides. In addition to providing the synthetic forms of the nucleic acids for MBP and Class II, the invention provides the recombinant generating nucleic acid, the MBP peptides, and the Class II peptides. In view of the fact that the nucleic acid encoding these peptides and proteins can be expressed in vi tro and in vivo, the invention describes a variety of means of expression of these sequences, including expression cassettes, vectors, cell lines, plants and animals. transgenic and similar. The invention may be practiced in conjunction with any method or protocol known in the art, which are well described in the scientific and patent literature. Therefore, only some general techniques will be described before describing exemplary methodologies and examples relating to novel reagents and methods of the invention.

General Techniques The genes encoding the MBP peptide and the MBP: Class II complex and the nucleic acids of this invention, whether RNA, cDNA, genomic DNA or hybrid thereof, can be isolated from a variety of sources; they can be generically manipulated, they can be expressed in recombinant mode; or synthesized in vi tro. The nucleic acids encoding MBP and the MBP: Class II complexes of the invention can be expressed in transgenic plants and animals, transformed cells and cell lines, and a lysate of transformed cells, or in a partially purified or substantially purified form. The techniques for the manipulation of the nucleic acids of the genes coding for MBP and the MBP: Class II complexes of the invention, such as site-specific mutagenesis, generation of libraries, subcloning in expression vectors, marker probes, sequencing of DNA, DNA hybridization as described in the patent scientific literature, see, for example, Sambrook, ed., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL (2ND ED.), vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, (1989) ("Sambrook"), CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Ausubel, ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York (1997) ("Ausubel"); and, LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: HYBRIDIZATION WITH NUCLEIC ACID PROBES, Part I. Theory and Nucleic Acid Preparation, Tijssen, ed.

Elsevier, N. Y. (1993) ("Tjissen"). Sequencing methods usually use dideoxy sequencing (Sequenase, U. S. Biochemical), however, other equipment and methods are available and are well known to those skilled in the art. The nucleic acids and proteins are detected, isolated and quantified according to the teachings and methods of the invention described herein by any of several general means well known to those skilled in the art. These include, for example, analytical biochemical methods such as NMR, spectrophotometry, radiography, electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and hyperdiffusion chromatography, some immunological methods such as precipitant reactions. in fluids or gel, immunodiffusion (single or double), immunoelectrophoresis, radioimmunoassays (RIA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunofluorescent assays, Southern analysis, Northern analysis Dot-Blot analysis, gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR, PCR quantitative, other methods of nucleic acid amplification or target or signal, radio-labeled, scintillation and affinity chromatography. It is possible to induce mutations in a nucleic acid by a variety of traditional techniques, well described in the scientific and patent literature, for example, a rapid method to efficiently perform site-directed mutagenesis is the extension polymerase chain reaction overlapped (OE-PCR) (Urban (1997) Nucleic Acids, Res. 25: 2227-2228).

MHC class II DR alleles The invention provides the nucleic acids encoding the novel myelin basic protein (MBP) and MHC Class II polypeptides that contain at least the extracellular domain of an MHC Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen binding bag. The invention provides an example of the human Class II DR alleles encoding the peptide capable of binding to the MBP peptides of the invention, specifically, the alleles designated DRB1 * 1501 and DRB5 * 0101 (see, for example, Weber (1993) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. 90 11049-11053). However, the complexes of the invention are not limited to these DR alleles or their corresponding Class II polypeptides. MBP complexes; Class II of the invention includes any polypeptide containing an MHC Class II antigen binding pouch, or a functional equivalent thereof, capable of binding to an MBP peptide of the invention - with sufficient affinity to be used in the methods of the invention. Means to identify known as DR alleles and Class II polypeptides are well known in the scientific and patent literature, for example, by electronic data banks, such as Medline, GenBank, and the like. The means for identifying the MHC Class II DR alleles encoding the polypeptide having an antigen-binding bag capable of binding a particular peptide, such as, for example, a MBP peptide of the invention, are also known in the art. scientific and patent literature (see, for example, Rammensee (1995) Immunogenetics 41: 178-228; Sinigaglia (1994) Curr Opin. Immunol., 6: 52-56). In one embodiment of the invention, the Class II: peptide complexes are soluble in water. The solubility in water can be manipulated in the Class II polypeptides by deletion of the amino acid residues in the transmembrane domain (commonly hydrophobic). This is most effectively done by recombinant redesign of the DR allele and expressing the truncated Class II molecule. The deletion of the transmembrane domain can be by direct deletion of the residues or by redesigned recombinant of the Class II coding sequence to replace the hydrophobic residues with hydrophilic residues. this also facilitates recovery of the water soluble Class II polypeptide after recombinant expression. For example, the inactivated Class II molecule for transmembrane can be secreted directly into the culture medium of recombinant expression hosts. Another deletion of cytoplasmic or extracellular residues can be effective by eliminating potentially immunogenic epitopes. In one embodiment, a nucleic acid is designed to recombinantly express a minimal polypeptide binding site to the peptide / PCR binding, ie, only the amount of polypeptide necessary to bind the MBP peptide of the invention with sufficient affinity to be recognized by suitable autoreactive PCR and to be used in the methods of the invention. The peptide-binding polypeptide, either in the form of a minimal molecule of the peptide-binding site, an isolated or recombinant, disrupted or truncated full-length Class II molecule, or the like, can be in the dimeric or monomeric form. Additional polymorphic Class II DR alleles can be identified and characterized using several methods, including: i) computer searches of DNA databases for DNA containing sequences conserved with the DR Class II molecules described above, ii) hybridization with a probe from a sequence of the DR gene known to the sequence or libraries of mRNA, cDNA or DNA, and iii) by PCR or other amplification technologies of the signal or target using complementary primers for highly conserved regions between DR genes different Nucleic acid amplification methods can be used to identify, isolate and generate polymorphic Class II alleles. Suitable methods of amplification include, but are not limited to: polymerase chain reaction, PCR (PCR PROTOCOLS, A GUIDE TO METHODS AND APPLICATIONS, ed. Inns, Academic Press, NY (1990) and PCR STRATEGIES (1995) ed. Innis, Academic Press, Inc. NY (Innis)); ligase chain reaction (LCR) (Wu (1989) Genomics 4: 560; Landegren (1988) Science 241: 1077; Barringer (1990) Gene 89: 117); Amplification of transcription (Kwoh (1989) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. USA 86: 1173); and replication of the self-sustained sequence (Guatelli (1990) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. USA;, 87: 1874); replicase amplification Q Beta (Smith (1997) J. Clin.

Microbiol. 35: 1477-1491), automated Q Beta replicase amplification assay; Burg (1996) Mol. Cell. Probes 10: 257-271) and other techniques mediated by RNA polymerase (for example, NASBA, Cangene, Mississagua, Notary); see also Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152: 307-316 Sambrook, Tijssen, and Ausubel, as well as Mullis (1987) U.S. Patents Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202.

Nucleic acid sequencing The sequencing of the nucleic acid encoding MBP and isolated Class II is used, for example, to identify and characterize allelic DR species encoding polypeptides capable of binding to MBP peptides; to confirm the nucleic acid sequences synthetically or cloned; confirm mutations and similar. The sequences encoding MBP and Class II can be sequenced as inserts into vectors, as releasing inserts and isolated from the vectors or in any of a variety of other ways (ie, as amplification products). The inserts encoding MBP and Class II can be released from the vectors by restriction enzymes or amplified by PCR or transcribed by a polymerase. To sequence the inserts to identify full-length coding sequences, it is possible to use N or C-terminal primers, or based on insertion point in the original phage or other vector. A variety of nucleic acid sequencing techniques are well known and are described in the scientific and patent literature, see, for example, Rosenthal (1987) supra; Arlinghaus (1997) Anal. Chem. 69: 3747-3753; Dubiley (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 2259-2265; for the use of biotech chips for the identification and sequencing of nucleic acids.

Expression of the MBP peptides and recombinant Class II polypeptides • The invention offers the methods and reagents for the recombinant expression of the novel MBP peptides and 5 Class II molecules used in the complexes of the invention. The nucleic acids of the invention can be introduced into a genome or into the plasma site or a nucleus of a cell and expressed by a variety of traditional techniques, well described in the scientific literature or • 10 patents. See, for example, Roberts (1987) Na ture 328: 731; Berger (1987) supra; Schneider (1995) Protein Expr. Purif. 5435: 10; Sambrook, Tijssen or Ausubel. The information of the products of the biological reagent and experimental equipment manufacturers also provides information related to the known biological methods. The promoters and vectors that are used in this invention can be isolated from natural sources, can be obtained from sources such as ATCC or GenBank libraries, or prepared by synthetic or recombinant methods, as described herein. Below are some examples of illustrative and selected general and specific lessons relevant to these technologies.

Vectors and elements of control of transcription The invention, which provides the methods and reagents for preparing the novel nucleic acids described herein, furthermore offers the methods and reagents for expressing these nucleic acids using novel expression cassettes, vectors, transgenic plants and animals, using control elements with cis action (for example, constitutive and inducible transcriptional and transcriptional promoters and enhancers.) Expression of the nucleic acids encoding the natural, recombinant or synthetic MBP peptide or polypeptide can Obtaining ligand operably the coding region of a promoter (which may be tissue-specific, constitutive or inducible), incorporated the construct into an expression cassette (as may be an expression vector), and introducing the resulting construction into an in vi tro reaction system or a suitable host cell or organism. The synthesis methods can also be used to generate any nucleic acid of the invention. Transcriptional and translational control elements include transcription and translation initiation sequences, promoters and enhancers, transcription and translation terminators, polyadenylation sequences, and other sequences useful for transcribing DNA into RNA. During the construction of the recombinant, vector, transgenic expression cassettes of the invention, it is possible to employ a promoter fragment to direct the expression of the desired antigen in all tissues of a plant or animal. Promoters that direct expression continuously under physiological conditions are termed "constitutive" promoters and are active under most environmental conditions and cell development or differentiation states. The expression systems optionally have at least one independent terminator sequence, the sequences allowing replication of the cassette in vivo, eg, plants, eukaryotes or prokaryotes or a combination of these (eg, shuttle vectors) and selection markers for the system of selected expression, for example, plant, prokaryotic or eukaryotic systems. To ensure adequate expression of the polypeptide under different conditions, it is possible to include a polyadenylation region in the 3 'expression of the coding region. The nucleic acids of the invention can be expressed in expression cassettes, vectors or viruses that are transiently expressed in cells using, for example, episomal expression system. Expression vectors capable of expressing proteins are well known in the art. Selection markers can be incorporated into expression and vector cassettes to confer a selectable phenotype on the transformed cells and coding sequences for episomal maintenance and replication so that integration into the host genome is not required. For example, the marker can encode resistance to the antibiotic, particularly resistance to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, G418, bleomycin, hygromycin, or resistance to herbicides, such as resistance to chlorosulfuron or Basta, to allow the selection of those cells transformed with the sequences of desired DNA, see, for example, Blodelet-Rouault (1997) Gene 190: 315-317; Aubrecht (1997) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 281: 992-997. Because the genes of selectable markers that confer resistance to substrates such as neomycin or hygromycin can only be used in tissue cultures, genes for chemoresistance are also used as selectable markers in vi tro and in vivo.

Production of transformants and transgenic plants and animals The invention provides a variety of in vivo systems expressing MBP peptides, Class polypeptides II and the peptide complexes: Class II of the invention, including transformed cells and transgenic plants and animals. The in vivo expression systems that can be used include cellular systems of bacteria, yeast, (baculovirus), plant and mammalian, the system used will depend on various factors including the activities and amounts desired. There are some known methods for introducing nucleic acids into animal, bacterial or other cells, a process which is often referred to as "transformation", any of which can be used in the methods of the present invention (see, for example, Sambrook, Ausubel or Tijssen). In vivo expression systems and techniques for transforming a wide variety of animal or plant cells are well known and well described in the technical and scientific literature. See, for example, Weising, Ann. Rev. Genet. 22: 421-477 (1988) for plant cells and Sambrook or Tijssen for animal and bacterial cells.

II. MBP peptides and MHC Class II polypeptides DR This invention provides novel peptides of the myelin basic protein (MBP); Class II polypeptides containing at least a quantity of the polypeptide necessary to bind a MBP peptide of the invention with sufficient affinity to be recognized by the appropriate autoreactive TCR, and the Class II: MBP peptide complexes. The invention provides the isolated (from natural sources), synthetic and recombinantly generated forms of the MBP peptides and Class II polypeptide. These peptides and proteins can be expressed recombinantly in vi tro or in vivo. The peptides, polypeptides and complexes of the invention can be prepared and isolated using any method known in the art, and the invention provides some exemplary means for generating these proteins. In addition, the means for making them Class II: peptide complexes are taught in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,194,425, published March 16, 1993; 5,130,297 published July 14, 1992; 5,284,935 published February 8, 1994; 5,260,422, published November 9, 1993 and 5,468,481, published November 21, 1995. The MBP peptides and the Class II: peptide complexes of the invention can be synthesized, in whole or in part, using the well-known chemical methods in the art. technique (see, for example, Caruthers (1980) Nucleic Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 215-223; Horn (1980) Nucleic Acids Res. Symp.

Ser. 225-232; Banga, A. K., Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins, Formula tion, Processing and Delivery Systems (1995) Technomic Publishing Co., Lancaster, PA ("Banga")). for example, peptide syntheses can be carried out using different solid phase techniques (see, for example, Roberge (1995) Science 269: 202; Merrifield (1997) Methods Enzymol. 289: 3-13) and automated systems can obtained, for example, using the ABI 431A peptide synthesizer (Perkin Elmer) according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The newly synthesized peptide can be isolated and practically purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), see, for example, Creighton, Proteins, Structures and Molecular Principles, WH Freeman and Co., New York NY, 1983. The composition of the synthetic peptides can be confirmed by analysis or amino acid sequencing (eg, the Edman degradation procedure, Creighton, supra). Laser desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) can also be used to evaluate the progress of peptide synthesis at the required levels, including automated assembly, dissociation and deprotection chemistries, analysis and purifications by RP-HPLC, and structural validation of the final product (Moore (1997) Methods Enzymol, 289: 520-542). Mass spectrometry by ionization Electrospray is a simple and rapid method for the verification of adequate peptide synthesis and for the identification of most synthetic by-products (Burdick (1997) Methods Enzymol 289: 499-519). In addition, the nucleic acid sequences of the peptides and polypeptides of the invention, or any part of these can be altered during direct synthesis and / or can be combined using chemical methods with sequences of other proteins, or any part thereof, to produce a variant polypeptide. The peptides and modified proteins of the invention can be produced by, in addition to the manipulation of the nucleic acid coding sequence, for example, with site-directed mutagenesis, chemical modification of the polypeptide to introduce side chains of non-natural nucleic acids (see, for example, Paetzel (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 9994-10003, for the general methodology). As another example, for the specific incorporation of the biocitin amino acid site containing biotin, see Gallivan (1997) Chem. Biol. 4: 739-749; for the specific incorporation of the site of natural amino acids into the proteins in vivo, see, for example, Liu (1997) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 100092-100097; see also Koh (1997) Biochemistry 36: 11314-11322. Class II polypeptides suitable for use in the present invention can also be isolated from natural sources, such as a cell line expressing the appropriate DR allele or a suitable genotype protein, using various well-known techniques. For example, the cells can be solubilized by treatment with papain, by treatment with 3M KCl, or by treatment with detergent. The detergent extraction of the Class II protein from lymphocytes followed by affinity purification can also be used. The detergent can then be removed by dialysis or selective bin beads, for example, Bio Vedas. It is possible to obtain the molecules by isolation of any cell that expresses the Class II molecule of interest, such as, for example, B or T lymphocytes of an individual with the appropriate genotype, such as one suffering from autoimmune demyelinating disease. Suitable MHC molecules can be isolated from B or T cells that have been immortalized by transformation for example, such as by transformation of B cells with an Epstein-Barr virus deficient in replication, using known techniques. The isolation of the individual subunits of the isolated Class II molecule is easily obtained using standard techniques known to the experts. for example, alpha and beta subunits of Class II molecules can be separated using SDS / PAGE and electroelution. (see, for example, Rothenhausler (1990) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 352-354; Gorga (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262: 16087-16094; Dornmair (1989) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 54: 409-416). An expert will realize that it is possible to use many other normal methods to separate molecules such as, for example, ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, HPLC, RP-HPLC or affinity chromatography. See, for example, Banga. In one embodiment, an additional "effector" composition is linked to the complexes of the invention to inhibit or suppress the autoimmune reaction. The "effector" portion of the molecule can be, for example, a toxin, a chemotherapeutic agent, an antibody to a cytotoxic T lymphocyte surface (CTL) molecule, a lipase, or a toxic isotope radio that emits, for example, gamma radiation from radio isotopes such as yttrium-90, phosphorus-32, lead-212, io-131 or palladium-109. Many protein toxins are well known in the art and include, for example, ricin, diphtheria, gelonin, Pseudomonas toxin and abrin. Chemotherapeutic agents include, for example, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, methotrexate, cytotoxin, and antisense RNA. It is also possible to use antibiotics. In some cases, the toxin or other effector component is trapped in a delivery system such as a liposome or dextran carrier; in these cases, the active component or carrier can be bound to the Class II: peptide complex. In the preparation of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, it is often desirable to modify the peptides or complexes to alter their pharmacokinetics and biosdistribution (as described below). For example, suitable methods for increasing the serum half life of the complexes include treatment to eliminate carbohydrates that are involved in the removal of complexes from the bloodstream. Preferably, practically all carbohydrate portions A | they are eliminated by the treatment. Virtually all carbohydrate portions are eliminated if at least about 75%, preferably about 90% and most preferably about 99% of the carbohydrate [sic] is removed. The conjugation of soluble macromolecules, such as proteins, polysaccharides or polymers synthetics such as polyethylene glycol, is also effective. Other methods include the protection of complexes in vesicles composed of substances such as proteins, lipids (liposomes, as described below), carbohydrates or synthetic polymers. Complex Formation The Class II polypeptide: MBP peptide complex can be formed by any normal means known in the art. For example, the peptides of the invention can be associates non-covalently with the antigen binding sites by, for example, simply mixing the two components. These can also be covalently bound to the antigen binding bag using common procedures, for example, by photoaffinity labeling (see, for example, Hall (1985) Biochemistry 24: 5702-5711; Leuscher (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265: 11177-11184; Wraith (1989) Cell 59: 247-255). Other linkage methods include, for example, binding through carbohydrate / lecithin groups in the glycoproteins (Husain (1995) Biochem.Mol. Biol. Int. 36: 669-677), as the carbohydrate moieties of the Class II chains alpha and / or beta. It is possible to use dehydration reactions using carbodiimides. It is also possible to use heterobifunctional linkers such as N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (NHS), N-succinimidyl 3- (2-pyridyldithio) -propionate (SPDP), substituted 2-iminothiolanes, glutaraldehyde and the like can also be used (see, for example, Traut (1995) Biochem Cell Cell Biol. 73: 949-958; Haselgrubler (1995) Bioconjug Chem. 6: 242-248; Carroll (1994) Bioconjug Chem. 5: 248-256). Otherwise, the Class II: peptide complex can be designed as a contiguous, recombinant polypeptide. See also, PCT Publications Nos. WO 96/40944, December 19, 1996; WO 96/40194, December 19, 1996; and, WO 97/04360 of November 6, 1997.

The effector components or other fusion proteins (for purification, etc., described above) can also be linked to the complex using these methods. The sequence of preparation of the complex depends on the components in each case. For example, in an exemplary protocol, the peptide portion and the MHC subunit components are non-covalently associated by contacting the peptide with the MHC subunit component, eg, by mixing. Then the effector binds covalently. Otherwise, the effector and MHC subunit may be first conjugated and this conjugate complexed with the MBP peptide component. If the effector itself is a protein, the entire complex can be made directly from the appropriate coding DNA using the recombinant methods.

Evaluation of the Complex The peptides and MBP: Class II complexes of the invention can be tested using various in vi tro models well known in the art. As already described, to activate CD4 + T cells, TCR binding by Class II: peptide is not sufficient. An additional "co-stimulatory" signal is necessary. The interaction of a complex II: peptide of the invention with TCR lacks a co-stimulatory signal. Thus, a state of non-response or sensitivity to specific T cells of the antigen is induced (Boussiotis (1994) Curr. Opin. Immunol. 6: 797-807; Park (1997) Eur. J. Immunol. 27: 1082-1090). This immunosuppression by "tolerance" or "anergy" and the new challenge without responsiveness can be caused by clonal anergy of T cells, by an absence of response induced by immunosuppressive cytokines or both (Schwartz (1989) Cell 57: 1073-1081; Quill (1987) J. Immunol. 138: 3704-3712). In an exemplary in vi tro system, the complex is incubated with autoreactive T cells and the cells are again challenged with MBP. It is possible to use peripheral blood T cells from patients with demyelinating disease, such as MS, or clones of myelin-reactive T cells (MBP). T cells can be isolated before analysis. Autoreactive T cells can be restimulated with antigen (MBP or myelin) in vi tro (using syngeneic APC) before administration of non-putative tolerability. It is possible to use T cells "at rest" (cells not stimulated in vi tro). The T cells are treated with different amounts of a complex of the invention for different amounts of time. The binding of the complexes to the T cells reactive for MBP gives rise to the inhibition or suppression of the autoimmune reaction in vi tro. The degree of immunosuppression or lack of response to new challenge (ie, anergy tolerance) can be measured by monitoring cell proliferation, cell metabolism, cytosine secretion or lymphokines or any form of cell activation. The activation of the T cells can be measured by different means well known in the art. For example, the proliferation of T cells can be assessed, for example, as measured by uptake of 3H-thymidine or by uptake of 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-7 ') -2-bromide, 5 diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) (see, for example, Liu (1997) J. Neurochem, 69: 581-593). Of other Thus, as T cells are synthesized and cytokines secreted upon activation, the immunosuppressive efficacy of a Class II: peptide complex can be assessed by measuring the transcription, translation or secretion of cytokines. Thus, it is possible to quantify a variety of cytokines and lymphokines, for example, interleukins, interferons (IFN) (for example interferon gamma), tumor necrosis factors (TNF) (for example TNF beta) and the like. It is also possible to verify cell death, since it has been observed that prolonged incubation of T cells at rest with The soluble MHC-Class II peptide complexes give rise to apoptosis of T cells (Arimilli (1996) Immunol., And Cell, Biol. 74: 96-104). It is possible to measure cell death by different known methods, for example, permeability by exclusion of the dye. Apoptosis can be assessed using, for example, cellular DNA fragmentation, observation (as with transmission electron microscopy), detection and quantification of the protein associated with apoptosis, such as bc-1-2, and the like (see, for example, example, Arimilli (1996) supra). A preferred method for assessing the immunosuppressive efficiency of the Class II peptide complexes of the invention is by using a microphysiometer to measure the production rate of the acid metabolites in the T cells. By using this apparatus, it is possible to detect easily and quickly the interaction effect of the complexes with the TCR. The earliest event that can be measured in the activation of a T cell after stimulation by a TCR complex binding reaction: Class II: peptide is an increase in lymphocyte metabolism, as reflected by its acid by-products. The microphysiometer measures the acidity of the main catabolic products in mammalian cells, lactate and carbon dioxide. Very small changes in the acidity of the culture medium that damages a small sample of cells can be easily determined with a light-addressable potentiometric detector. The acidification rate is used as a measure of the catabolic rate of the cells being tested. See, for example, Parce (1989) Science 246: 243-247; Owicki (1990) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 4007-4011; Renschler (1995) Cancer Res. 55: 5642-5647; Beeson (1996) J. Exp. Med. 184: 777-782. The addition of the MBP peptide or myelin polypeptide to a mixture of autoreactive T cells and syngeneic APC gives rise to an increase in acid release due to the specific binding of the antigen of the self-reactive PCRs and the linked Class II: MBP peptide complexes. to APC. The immunosuppressive capacity of a MBP peptide or Class II: MBP peptide of the invention can thus be evaluated first by adding a complex to a culture of autoreactive T cells / APC followed by challenge with the antigen (MBP or myelin). The absence of or a relative decrease in the activation of the cells indicative of immunosuppression can be measured by a decrease or absence of extracellular acidification. In one embodiment, a complex of the invention with an effector component is used. The treatment can be twofold: the individual is first treated with the Class II peptide MBP complex to suppress the immune system; Another inhibition is achieved by treatment with the complex and an effector component.

III. Detection and purification of the polypeptides The invention also provides the methods and reagents for isolating, detecting or quantifying the MBP peptides and the Class II polypeptide complexes of the invention by different methods. f Antibodies 5 In one embodiment, the invention provides the specifically immunoreactive antibodies under immunological reaction conditions for a MBP peptide of the invention. These Abs can be used in the fl) isolation, detection or quantification of MBP peptides or the complexes of the invention. Methods for producing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are known to those skilled in the art and are described in the scientific and patent literature, see, for example, Coligan, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, Wiley-Greene, NY (1991); Stites (eds.) BASIC AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (7th edition) Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, CA ("Stites"); Goding, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (2nd edition) Academic Press, New York, NY (1986); Kohler (1975) Na ture 256: 495; Harlow (1988) ANTIBODIES, A LABORATORY MANUAL, Cold Spring Harbor Pulications, New York. These techniques include the selectivity of the antibodies from libraries of recombinant antibodies presented in phages ("phage-presenting libraries") or in similar cells. See, Huse (1989) Science 246: 1275; Ward (1989) Naure 341: 544; Hoogenboom (1997) rrends Biotechnol. 15: 62-70; Katz (1997) Annu. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct. 26: 27-45. Recombinant antibodies can be expressed by transient or stable expression vectors in mammalian cells, as in Norderhaug (1997) J. Immunol. Methods 204: 11 -SI, Boder (1997) "Yeast surface display for screening combinatorial polypeptide libraries", Na t. Biotechnol. 15: 553-557.

Purification of MBP peptides and complexes The methods and reagents of the invention make it possible to purify the MBPs and complexes of the invention from various sources, depending on the selected system of expression of recombinant natural, synthetic source, such as vegetable cells, homogenates of larva, bacterial cells, yeasts, yeasts, mammalian, human cells, tissue culture medium, transgenic plants and animals, in a substantial purity. General information related to normal purification procedures is well known in the patent and scientific literature, as described above; see also, for example, Scopes, R.K., Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, 2nd edition, Springer Verlag, (1987), Banga, Ausubel and Sambrook.

Fusion Proteins The MBP peptides and polypeptides of the complex can also be expressed as proteins with one or more additional polypeptide domains ligated thereto to facilitate cell death (using, for example, effector agents, as already described), detection of protein, purification or other applications. Domains that facilitate detection and purification include, for example, metal chelating peptides such as polyhistidine tracts [sic] and histidine / tryptophan modules that allow purification in immobilized metals, protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin, and the domain used in the FLAGS extension / affinity purification system (Immunex Corp, Seattle WA). The inclusion of dissociable linker sequences, such as factor Xa or enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego CA) between the purification domain and the polypeptide resistant to plant diseases, may be useful to facilitate purification. For example, an expression vector includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide linked to 6 histidine residues followed by a thioredoxin and an enterokinase cleavage site (eg, see Williams, (1995) Biochemistry 34: 1787- 1797). The histidine residues facilitate detection and purification, while the enterokinase dissociation site provides a means for purification of the desired protein (s) from the remainder of the fusion protein. The technology that belongs to vectors that encode fusion proteins and the application of fusion proteins is well described in the scientific and patent literature, see, for example, Kroll (1993) DNA Cell. Biol., 12: 441-53. F 10 IV. Formulation and administration of MBP peptides and complexes: pharmaceutical compositions The MBP peptide and the class II: peptide complexes of the invention are usually combined with an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use (excipient) to form a pharmacological composition. Acceptable carriers for pharmaceutical use may contain an acceptable compound for physiological use which acts, for example, to stabilize, or increase or decrease the absorption or elimination rates of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. invention. Acceptable compounds for physiological use include, for example, carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, or dextrans, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low molecular weight proteins, compositions that reduce elimination or hydrolysis of the peptides or polypeptide complexes, or excipients or other stabilizers and / or buffers. It is also possible to use detergents to stabilize or increase or decrease the absorption of the pharmaceutical composition, see infra for exemplary detergents, including liposomal carriers. Acceptable carriers for pharmaceutical use and formulations for peptides and polypeptides are known to those skilled in the art and are described in detail in the scientific and patent literature, see, for example, the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pennsylvania ("Remington's") and Banga. Other compounds acceptable for physiological use include wetting agents, emulsifying agents, dispersing agents or preservatives which are particularly useful for preventing the growth or action of microorganisms. Some preservatives are well known and include, for example, phenol and ascorbic acid. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the choice of an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use that includes a compound acceptable for physiological use depends, for example, on the route of administration of the protein or polypeptide of the invention and on its particular physicochemical characteristics.

Aqueous solutions for enteral, parenteral or transmucosal administration The compositions for administration will commonly contain a solution of the peptide or polypeptide of the invention dissolved in a carrier acceptable for pharmaceutical use, preferably an aqueous carrier if the composition is soluble in water. Examples of aqueous solutions that can be used in formulations for enteric drug delivery, Parenteral or transmucosal include, for example, water, saline, phosphate buffered saline, Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, dextrose / saline, glucose solutions and the like. The formulations may contain auxiliary substances acceptable for pharmaceutical use according to requires to approximate physiological conditions, such as damping agents, tonicity adjusting agents, wetting agents, detergents and the like. The additives may also include additional active ingredients as bactericidal or stabilizing agents, for For example, the solution may contain sodium acetate, sodium lactate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sorbitan monolayer, or triethanolamine oleate. These compositions can be sterilized by traditional sterilization techniques, either known, or can be filtered to make them sterile.

The resulting aqueous solutions can be packaged for use as such, or lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being combined with a sterile aqueous solution before administration. The concentration of MBP peptide and / or class II: peptide complexes in these formulations can vary widely, and will be selected primarily based on fluid volumes, viscosities, body weight and the like according to the particular mode of administration selected and the needs of the patient.

Solid formulations for enteric delivery Solid formulations can be used for enteral (oral) administration. These can be formulated as, for example, pills, tablets, powders or capsules. For solid compositions it is possible to use the traditional non-toxic solid carriers which include, for example, the pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, glucose, sucrose, magnesium carbonate and the like. For oral administration, a non-toxic composition acceptable for pharmaceutical use is formed by incorporating any of the excipients normally employed, such as those mentioned above, and in general from 10% to 95% of the active ingredient (MBP peptide or complex). A non-solid formulation can also be used for enteral administration. The carrier can be selected from different oils including petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, for example, peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Suitable pharmaceutical excipients include, for example, starch, cellulose, talc, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, calcium carbonate, silica gel, magnesium stearate, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, chloride of sodium, anhydrous skimmed milk, glycerol, propylene glycol, water, ethanol and the like. It should be taken into account that MBP peptides and polypeptide complexes of the invention, when administered orally, should be protected from digestion. This is usually accomplished by complexing the peptide or polypeptide complex with a composition that renders it resistant to acid and enzymatic hydrolysis or packaging the peptide or complex into a suitably resistant carrier, such as a liposome. Means of protection of digestion compounds are well known in the art, see, for example, Fix (1996) Pharm Res. 13: 1760-1764; Samanen (1996) J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 48. 119-135; U.S. Patent No. 5,391,377, which describes lipid compositions for oral delivery of therapeutic agents (the liposomal delivery is described in greater detail, infra).

Topical formulations for transdermal / transmucosal delivery Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, it is possible to use in the formulation the appropriate penetrants for the barrier to be permeated. These penetrants are generally known in the art and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, bile salts and fusidic acid derivatives. In addition, it is possible to use detergents to facilitate the permeation. Transmucosal administration can be through nasal rubs or using suppositories. See, for example, Banga, Chapter 10; Sayani (1996) "Systemic delivery of peptides and proteins across absorptive mucosae" Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Syst. 13: 85-184. For topical, transdermal administration, the agents are formulated in ointments, creams, powders and gels. Transdermal delivery systems may also include, for example, patches. See, for example, Banga chapter 9. Peptides and polypeptide complexes can also be administered in prolonged delivery or prolonged release mechanisms, which can deliver the formulation to the interior. For example, biodegradable microspheres or capsules or other biodegradable polymeric configurations capable of prolonged delivery of a composition (e.g., a peptide MBP: 5 class II polypeptide complex) may be included in the formulations of the invention (see, e.g., Putney (1998) Nat. Biotechnol.16: 153-157).

Formulations for inhalation delivery 10 For inhalation, the peptide or polypeptide can be delivered using any system known in the art, including anhydrous powder aerosols, liquid delivery systems, air jet nebulizers, propellant systems and the like. See, for example, Patton (1998) Biotechniques 16: 141-143; product delivery and inhalation systems for polypeptide macromolecules by, for example, Dura Pharmaceuticals (San Diego, CA), Aradigm (Hayward, CA), Aerogen (Santa Clara, CA), Inhale Therapeutic Systems (San Calors, CA), and the like. For example, the pharmaceutical formulation can be administered in the form of an aerosol or mist. For aerosol administration, the formulation can be supplied in finely divided form together with a surfactant and propellant. The surfactant is preferably soluble in the propellant. The representatives of these agents are the esters or partial esters of fatty acids containing from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, such as caproic, octanoic, lauric, palmitic, stearic, linoleic, linolenic, oleic and oleic acids with an aliphatic alcohol. polyhydric or its cyclic anhydride such as, for example, ethylene glycol, glycerol, erythritol, arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol, the hexitol anhydrides derived from sorbitol and the polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene derivatives of these esters. Mixed esters, such as mixed or natural glycerides, can be used. The surfactant may constitute 0.1% up to 20% by weight of the composition, preferably 0.25% up to 5%. The difference in formulation is usually the propellant. Liquefied propellants are commonly gases at ambient conditions. And they condense under pressure. Among the suitable liquefied propellants are lower alkanes that contain up to 5 carbons, such as butane and propane; and the alkanes preferably fluorinated or fluorochlorinated. Mixtures of the above can also be used. Aerosol production, a container equipped with a suitable valve is filled with the proper propellant, contained finely divided compounds and surfactant. The ingredients in this way are maintained at a high pressure until they are released by the action of the valve. See, for example, Edwards (1997) "Large porous particles for pulmonary drug delivery" Science 276: 1868-1871. In another embodiment, the device for delivering the formulation to the respiratory tissue is an inhaler in which the formulation vaporizes. Other liquid delivery systems include, for example, air jet nebulizers.

Other Formulations In the preparation of the pharmaceutical compounds of the present invention, it is possible to use a variety of modifications of the formulation and manipulate them to modify the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Various methods for altering pharmacokinetics and biodistribution are known to those skilled in the art. Examples of these methods include the protection of complexes in vesicles composed of substances such as proteins, lipids (for example liposomes, see, below, carbohydrates or synthetic polymers (described above). For a general description of pharmacokinetics, see, for example, example, Remingtons chapters 37-39 or Banga, chapter 6.

Delivery Paths The peptide and polypeptide complexes used in the methods of the invention can be delivered alone or as pharmaceutical compositions by any means known in the art, eg, systemic, regional or local; by intra-arterial, intrathecal (IT), intravenous (IV), parenteral, intra-pleural, topical, oral or local cavity administration, such as subcutaneous, intra-tracheal (for example, by aerosol) or transmucosal ( for example, buccal, bladder, vaginal, uterine, rectal, nasal, mucosal The actual methods to prepare compositions that can be administered will be known and apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in detail in the scientific and patent literature, see, for example, Remington's or Banga. Particularly preferred modes of administration include intra-arterial or intra-thecal (IT) injections, especially when you want to have a "regional effect", for example, to target a specific organ, for example, the brain and the CNS (see, for example, Gurun ( 1997) Anesth Analg. 85: 317-323). For example, it is preferred the intra-carotid artery injection where it is desired to deliver a peptide or polypeptide complex of the invention directly to the brain. Parenteral administration is a preferred delivery route if a high systemic dosage is needed, enteric administration is a preferred method of administration if the therapeutic goal is the administration of a peptide to induce oral tolerance, see, for example, Kennedy (1997) J. Immunol. 159: 1036-1044; Kent (1997) Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 815: 412-422. The actual methods [sic] for preparing compositions that can be administered parenterally will be known and apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in detail in, for example, Remington's, Banga chapter 7. See, also, Bai, (1997). J. Neuroimmunol. 80: 65-75; Warren (1997) J. Neurol. Sci. 152: 31-38; Tonegawa (1997) J. Exp. Med. 186: 507-515.

Treatment schemes: pharmacokinetics The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered in different dosage unit forms depending on the method of administration. Doses for pharmaceutical compositions of normal peptides and polypeptides will be well known to those skilled in the art. These doses are usually of the suggestion type and are adjusted depending on the specific therapeutic context, the patient's tolerance, and so on. The amount of MBP peptide or class II complex: peptide suitable for achieving these is defined as an "effective dose for therapeutic use". The schedule of the dose and effective amounts for this use, ie, the "dosage schedule" will depend on various factors, including the stage of the disease or condition, the severity of the disease or condition, the general condition of the health of the patient, the physical condition of the patient, age, pharmaceutical formulation and concentration of active agent, and the like. For the calculation of the dosing scheme for a patient, the mode of administration is also taken into consideration. The dosage scheme should also take into consideration the pharmacokinetics, ie the rate of absorption, bioavailability, metabolism, elimination and the like of the pharmaceutical composition. See, for example, the most recent edition of Remington's; Egleton (1997) "Bioavailability and transport of peptides and peptide drugs into the brain" peptides 18: 1431-1439; Langer (1990) Science 249: 1527-1533. In therapeutic applications, the compositions are administered to a patient suffering from a demyelinating disease in an amount sufficient to cure or suppress at least partially the disease and / or its complications. An adequate amount to achieve this is defined as an "effective dose for therapeutic use". The effective amounts for this use will depend on the severity of the disease, the general state of health of the patient, the frequency and route of administration, the judgment of the physician and the like. For example, in one embodiment, the dosage of the pharmaceutical composition of the soluble class II: peptide complex for intravenous (IV) administration would be about 0.01 mg / h to about 1.0 mg / h administered over several hours (usually 1.3 or 6 hours), which can be repeated for weeks with intermittent cycles. Significantly higher doses (for example, in the range of up to about 10 mg / ml) can be used, particularly when the drug is administered in a secluded location and not the bloodstream, such as in a body cavity or in a lumen of a organ, for example, brain spinal fluid (CSF). The doses can be determined empirically by assessing the abatement or reduction of symptoms, or by objective criteria, such as blood tests or histopathology samples. for example, in MS, the disease is characterized by different diseases and findings of CNS dysfunction, with remissions and persistently recurrent exacerbations. The onset is usually insidious. The most frequent ones present the symptoms of paresthesia in one or more extremities, in the trunk or in one side of the face; weakness or clumsiness of a leg or hand; or visual disturbances (for example, partial blindness and pain in one eye, diplopia, darkening of vision, scotomas). Other early, common symptoms are transient ocular paralysis, transient weakness of one or more extremities, mild stiffness or fatigue usually of a limb, minor disturbances in gait, difficulties with bladder control, vertigo, or moderate emotional disturbances; All these evidence of involvement of the CNS and usually occur months or years before the disease is recognized. It is also possible to monitor the treatment by histopathology. In MS, demyelination plates or islands with destruction of oligodendroglia and perivascular inflammation are disseminated through the CNS, mainly in the white matter, with predilection for the lateral and posterior columns (especially in the cervical and dorsal regions), nerves optics and periventricular areas. Tracts in the midbrain, bridge and cerebellum are also affected, and gray matter in the brain and spinal cord can be affected. The cell bodies and axons are normally preserved, especially in early lesions. Later, the axons can be destroyed, especially in the long tracts, and a fibrous gliosis gives the tracts their "sclerotic" appearance. Early and late lesions can be found simultaneously. Thus, the compositions of the invention are administered to interrupt the progress of the disease and reduce the onset, frequency or severity of these or other symptoms. In an exemplary embodiment, the dose is between about 0.5 mg / kg and about 25 mg / kg, with a preferred embodiment of about 3 mg / kg to about 15 mg / kg. In another exemplary embodiment, a unit dose f is between about 0.01 to 1000 mg per dose, with a preferred embodiment of about 10 5 to about 100 mg per dose. See also USPN 5,468,481, published November 21, 1995. In another embodiment, the peptide is administered enterally to induce oral tolerance in a dosage range f from 10 to 2500 ug per day, with a preferred embodiment from about 20 to 50 ug per day. See, for example, Barnett (1998) Arthritis Rheum. 41: 290-297, where oral administration of type II collagen from cartilage (to reduce arthritis) at dosing intervals of 20, 100, 500 or 2500 ug / day showed better results using 20 ug per day. The pharmaceutical compositions containing the peptide and the complexes of the invention can be administered alone or together with other therapeutic treatments. Individual or multiple administrations of the compositions can be administered depending on the dosage and frequency as required and tolerated by the patient.

Liposomal Formulations The invention offers the pharmaceutical compositions in which the transmembrane region of the class II subunit of the complex is included. In one embodiment, pharmaceutical formulations containing this class II: MBP peptide complex which are incorporated in monolayers or lipid bilayers. The invention also provides formulations in which peptides or water-soluble complexes have been bound to the surface of the monolayer or bilayer. For example, the peptides may be linked to liposomes containing hydrazide-PEG- (distearoylphosphatidyl) ethanolamine (see, for example, Zalipsky (1995) Bioconjug, Chem. 6: 705-708). Liposomes or any form of lipid membrane, such as flat lipid membranes or the cell membranes of an intact cell, for example, an erythrocyte, can be used. Liposomal formulations can be [lacuna] by any means, including intravenous, transdermal administration (see, for example, Vutla (1996) J. Pharm. Sci. 85: 5-8), transmucosal or oral. The invention also provides pharmaceutical preparations in which the peptides and / or complexes of the invention are incorporated into micelles and / or liposomes (see, for example, Suntres (1994) J. Pharm, Pharmacol 46: 23-28; Woodle (1992) Pharm. Res. 9: 260-265). Liposomes and liposomal formulations can be prepared according to standard methods and are also known in the art, see, for example, Remington's; Akimaru (1995) Cytokines Mol. Ther. 1: 197-210; Alving (1995) Immunol. Rev. 145: 5-31; Szoka (1980) Ann. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng. 9: 467; U.S. Patent Nos. 4,235,871, 4,501,728, and 4,837,028. In one embodiment, the liposomes of the present invention typically contain the class II: peptide complexes located on the surface of the liposome in such a way that the complexes are available for interaction with the TCR. Usually, it is first incorporated the transmembrane region in the membrane at the time of membrane formation. The liposomes can also be used to direct the desired drugs (eg, toxins or chemotherapeutic agents) to the specific autoreactive T cells. 15 The liposome loading is an important determinant in the elimination of the liposome from the blood, the negatively charged liposomes being more rapidly captured by the reticuloendothelial system (Juliano (1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 63: 651) and so having half lives shorter ones in the bloodstream. The incorporation of phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives improves circulation time avoiding liposomal aggregation. for example, the incorporation of N- (omega-carboxy) acylamido-phosphatylethanolamines into large unilamellar vesicles of L-25 alpha-distearoylphosphatidylcholine dramatically increases the lifetime of the liposomal circulation in vivo (see, for example, Ahi (1997) Biochim Biophys, Acta 1329: 370-382). With prolonged circulating half-lives are usually desirable for therapeutic and diagnostic uses. for example, liposomes that can be maintained for 8, 12 or even 24 hours in the bloodstream are particularly preferred embodiments of the invention. Usually, the liposomes are prepared with approximately 5 to 15 mol% of negatively charged phospholipids, such as phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylinositol. The negatively charged phospholipids added as phosphatidyl glycerol can serve to prevent simultaneous aggregation of liposomes, and thus reduce to a minimum the risk of formation of smaller liposomal aggregates. Membrane stiffening agents, such as sphingomyelin or a saturated neutral phospholipid, at a concentration of at least about 50 mol%, and 5 to 15 mol% of monosiallylganglioside can provide increased circulation of the liposome preparation in the blood stream, as describes in general in USPN 4,837,028. In addition, the suspension of liposomes may include lipid protecting agents that protect the lipids against damage by free radicals or peroxidative liquids, during storage. lipophilic free radical extinguishers, such as alpha-tocopherol and water-soluble iron specific chelators, such as ferrioxianin, are preferred. The formulations of the invention may include multilamellar vesicles of heterogeneous sizes. In this method, the vesicle-forming lipids are dissolved in a suitable organic solvent or solvent system and dried in vacuum or in inert gas to form a thin lipid film. If desired, the film can be redissolved in a convenient solvent, such as tert-butanol, and then lyophilized to form a more homogeneous lipid mixture in a powder-like form that is more easily hydrated. This film is coated with an aqueous solution of the peptide or polypeptide complex and is allowed to hydrate, typically, for a period of 15 to 60 minutes with agitation. The size distribution of the resulting multilamellar vesicles can be shifted to smaller sizes by hydrating the lipids under more vigorous agitation conditions or by adding solubilizing detergents such as deoxycholate. The hydration medium contains the peptide or complex at the desired concentration in the previous volume of the liposomes in the final liposome suspension. Usually, the drug solution containing between 10 to 100 mg / ml of the peptides or complexes of the invention in a buffered saline solution. After the liposome preparation, the liposomes can be sized to obtain a desired size range and relatively narrow distribution of liposome sizes. A preferred size range is about 0.2 to 0.4 microns, which allows the liposome suspension to be sterilized by filtration through a normal filter, usually a 0.22 micron filter. The filter sterilization method can be performed in a high performance mode if the liposomes have been sized to about 0.2 to 0.4 microns. Some techniques are available to size liposomes to a desired size (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,737,323). Sonification of the liposome suspension by a probe bath or sonification produces a progressive size reduction for small unilamellar vesicles less than about 0.05 microns in size. Homogenization is another method that depends on the shear energy to fragment large liposomes into smaller ones. In a normal homogenization procedure, the multilamellar vesicles are recirculated through a normal emulsifier homogenizer to the selected liposome sizes, typically between about 0.1 and 0.5 microns. In both methods, the particle size distribution can be monitored by particle size discrimination by traditional laser beam. Extrusion of the liposomes through a small pore polycarbonate membrane or an asymmetric ceramic membrane is also an effective method for reducing the sizes of the liposomes to a relatively well-defined size distribution. Usually, the suspension is circulated through the membrane one or more times until the size distribution of desired liposome. The liposomes can be extruded through successively smaller pore size membranes to obtain a gradual reduction in liposome size. Even under the most efficient encapsulation methods, the The suspension of liposomes of initial size can contain up to 50% or more complex in a free form (not encapsulated). Some methods are available for separating the non-entrapped compound from a liposome suspension, if desired, for a specific formulation. In In one method, the liposomes in the suspension are packaged by high speed centrifugation leaving the free compound and very small liposomes in the supernatant. Another method includes concentrating the suspension by ultrafiltration, then resuspending the concentrated liposomes in a replacement medium. Otherwise, it is possible to use gel filtration to separate large liposome particles from the solute molecules. After this treatment, the liposome suspension can be brought to a desired concentration, for example, in intravenous, IP, transdermal or transmucosal administration. This includes resuspending the liposomes in a convenient volume of suitable medium, where the liposomes have been concentrated, for example, by centrifugation or ultrafiltration, or concentrating the suspension, where the drug separation step has increased the total suspension volume. The suspension is then sterilized by filtration as already described. These liposomes containing the peptides or the class II: peptide complex can be administered parenterally or locally in a dose that varies according to, for example, the method of administration, the drug that is being administered, the specific disease being treated, and so on. . Micelles are commonly used in the art to increase the solubility of molecules that have non-polar regions. An expert will find that micelles are useful in the compositions of the present invention. The micelles containing the complexes of the invention are prepared according to methods well known in the art (see, for example, Remington's Chapter 20). The micelles containing the peptides and / or complexes of the present invention are usually prepared using common surfactants or detergents. The micelles are formed by the surfactants (molecules containing a hydrophobic portion and one or more ionic or otherwise strongly hydrophilic groups) in aqueous solution. As the concentration of a solid surfactant increases, its monolayers adsorbed at the air / water or glass / water interfaces become so tightly packed that another occupation requires excessive compression of the molecules surfactants already in the two monolayers. Increased increases in the amount of dissolved surfactant beyond this concentration causes equivalent amounts of the new molecules to aggregate into micelles. Suitable surfactants include sodium laurate, sodium oleate, Sodium lauryl sulfate, octaoxyethylene glycol monodecyl ether, octoxynol 9 and PLURONIC F-127® (Wyandotte Chemicals Corp). the preferred surfactants are nonionic polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene detergents compatible with IV injection such as PLURONIC F-127®, n-octyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside and similar. Phospholipids, such as those described for use in the production of liposomes, can also be used for the formation of micelles. Since, in some embodiments of the invention, the class II subunit of the complexes consists of a lipophilic transmembrane region and a In the relatively hydrophilic extracellular domain, the combined micelles can be formed in the presence of common surfactants or phospholipids and the subunits. The mixed micelles of the present invention can contain any combination of subunits, phospholipids and / or surfactants. So that, the micelles may contain subunits and detergent, subunits in combination with phospholipids and detergent or subunits and phospholipids. It is also possible to supply equipment for therapeutic or diagnostic use. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation of the invention is in a lyophilized form, which can be placed in a container. The complexes, which may also be conjugated to a brand or toxin, or unconjugated, are included in the equipment with buffer solutions such as tris, phosphate, carbonate, etc., stabilizers, biocides, inert proteins, for example, serum albumin or the like , and a series of instructions for its use. In general, these materials will be present in less than about 5% by weight, based on the amount of the complex and normally present in a total amount of at least about 0.001% by weight, based again on the concentration of the protein. Frequently, it will be desirable to include an inert extender or excipient to dilute the active ingredients, wherein the excipient may be present in an amount from about 1% to 99% by weight of the total composition. When an antibody capable of binding to the complex is used in an assay, this f will normally be present in a small separate vial. The antibody is normally conjugated to a tag and formulated according to well known techniques.

DEFINITIONS To facilitate understanding of the invention, some terms are defined below. The term "antibody" refers to a polypeptide substantially encoded by an immunoglobulin gene or immunoglobulin genes, or synthetic or recombinant fragments or analogues thereof, which specifically bind and recognize analytes and antigens, such as a genus or subgenus of polypeptides of the invention, as described supra. The term "conservative substitution" refers to a change in the composition of the amino acids of a peptide or protein, such as the polypeptide containing the sequences of the MBP peptide of the invention, which does not substantially alter the activity of the peptide or the protein. This includes conservatively modified variations of a particular amino acid sequence, i.e. amino acid substitutions of those amino acids that are not crucial for protein activity or substitution of amino acids with other amino acids that have similar properties (eg, acid, basic, positive or negative charge, polar or non-polar, etc.) so that substitutions of the still crucial amino acids do not substantially alter the activity. A polypeptide sequence of the invention implicitly comprises conservatively substituted variants of this. The conservative substitution tables that provide amino acids with similar functionality are well known in the art. The following 6 groups each contain amino acids which are conservative substitutions, with each other: a) alanine (a), serine (S), threonine (T); 2) aspartic acid (D), glutamic acid (E); 3) asparagine (N), glutamine (Q); 4) arginine (R), lysine (K); 5) isoleucine (I), leucine (L), methionine (M), valine (V); and 6) phenylalanine (F); tyrosine (Y), tryptophan (W) (see also Creigton (1984) Proteins, W.H. Freeman and Company). One skilled in the art will appreciate that the substitutions defined above are not the only substitutions possible conservatives. For example, for some purposes, it is possible to consider all charged amino acids as conservative substitutions with each other if they are positive or negative. In addition, substitutions, deletions or individual additions that alter, add or delete A single amino acid or a small percentage of the amino acids in an encoded sequence can also be considered "conservatively modified variations". The term "conservative substitution" also refers to a change in a nucleic acid sequence so that the substitution does not substantially alter the contemplated activity of the nucleic acid, for example, as the activity of the encoded protein or peptide does not change. the nucleic acid. A nucleic acid sequence of the invention implicitly comprises variants These are conservatively modified (for example, degenerate codon substitutions) and complementary sequences as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions can be obtained by generating sequences in the The third position of one or more (or all) selected codons is replaced with combined base residues and / or deoxyinosine (Batzer (1991) Nucleic Acids, Res. 19: 5081, Ohtsuka (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260: 2605-2608; Rossolini (1994) Mol. Cell. Probes 8: 91-98). A "fusion protein" refers to a composition that contains at least one polypeptide or peptide domain that is associated with a second domain. The second domain can be a polypeptide, peptide, polysaccharide, or the like. The "merger" can be an association generated by a link chemical or by an interaction of charges (electrostatic attraction, ie saline bridges, H junction, etc.). If the polypeptides are recombinant, the "fusion protein" can be translated from a common message. else, the compositions of the domains can be linked by any chemical or electrostatic means. A "heterologous sequence" refers to any amino acid sequence or nucleic acid that is not a sequence of the myelin basic protein. As used herein "isolated" when referring to a molecule or composition, such as, for example, a MBP peptide, a class II: peptide or nucleic acid complex means that the molecule or composition is separated from at least one other compound, such as a protein, other nucleic acids (for example, RNA) or other contaminants with which it is associated in vivo or in its natural state. Thus, it is considered a polypeptide or isolated nucleic acid when it has been isolated from any other component with which it is naturally associated, for example, cell membrane, as in a cell extract. However, an isolated composition can also be substantially pure. An isolated composition may be in a homogeneous state and may be anhydrous or in an aqueous solution. It is possible to determine the purity and homogeneity, for example, using chemical and analytical techniques such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The term "nucleic acid" or "nucleic acid sequence" refers to a deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide oligonucleotide in the form of a single strand or double strand. The term comprises nucleic acids, ie, oligonucleotides that contain known analogues of natural nucleotides with similar or improved binding properties, for the desired purposes, such as acid nucleic reference. The term also includes nucleic acids that are metabolized in a manner similar to natural nucleotides or at rates that are improved for the intended purposes. The term also comprises nucleic acid-like structures with synthetic backbones.

The analogs of the DNA backbone provided by the invention include phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, phosphorus dithioate, methylphosphonate, phosphoramidite, alkyl phosphotriester, sulfamate, 3'-thioacetal, methylene (methylimino), 3'-N-carbamate, morpholino carbamate and peptide nucleic acids (PNA); see Oligonucleotides and Analogues, a Practical Approach, edited by F. Eckstein, IRL Press at Oxford University Press (1991); Antisense Strategies, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, volume 600, Eds. Baserga and Denhardt (NYAS 1992); Milligan (1993) J. Med. Chem. 36: 1923-1937; Antisense Research and Applications (1993, CRC Press). PNAs contain non-ionic main structures, such as the N- (2-aminoethyl) glycine units. Phosphorothioate linkages are described in WO 97/03211; WO 96/39154; Mata (1997) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 144: 189-197. Other synthetic major structures comprised by the term include methylphosphonate bonds or alternating methylphosphonate and phosphodiester linkages (Srtrauss-Soukup (1997) Biochemistry 36: 8692-8698), and benzylphosphonate linkages (Samstag (1996) Antinsense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev 6: 153-156 ). The term "nucleic acid" is used interchangeably with gene, cDNA, mRNA initiator oligonucleotide, probes and amplification products. The term "pharmaceutical composition" refers to a composition suitable for pharmaceutical use in an individual. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are formulations containing an effective amount for pharmacological use of a peptide MBP and / or a class II complex: peptide and a carrier acceptable for pharmaceutical use. The terms "treat" and "treatment" refer to the prophylactic treatment and therapeutic administration to an individual. Prophylactic treatment includes the administration of a treatment to an individual who has no disease or condition, or does not present signs of a disease or condition, or presents only early signs of a disease or condition for the condition of diminishing or eliminating the risk of acquiring the disease or condition or diminish or suppress a symptom or a pathological state arising from or related to the disease or pathology. The invention provides a method for treating an immune response measured by T cells against the myelin basic protein in an individual by administering a MBP peptide and / or a class II: peptide complex to an individual that is considered to be at high risk of developing a disease or demyelinating disease. The therapeutic treatment also includes administering a treatment to an individual who presents signs of pathology or disease, or is considered to be at risk of developing or incurring such a disease or illness, for the purpose of preventing, diminishing, mitigating or eliminating any symptom or pathology. Thus, the methods of the invention provide a means for treating a demyelinating disease and for preventing, decreasing, eliminating or otherwise ameliorating the clinical symptoms of the disease and tissue pathology, as already described. An "effective amount for pharmacological use" is the amount of the compound for effective prophylactic or therapeutic treatment in an individual for a disease or condition. It will be understood that the examples and modalities described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light of this will be suggested to experts and should be included within the spirit and competence of this application and the scope of the application. the attached clauses.

EXAMPLES The following examples are offered to illustrate, not to limit the claimed invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Identification of the central structure and the critical TCR contact residues in an antigenic MBP peptide by measuring the activation signals of the T cells The invention provides the novel MBP peptides and the MBP: class II complexes, the pharmaceutical formulations containing these compositions and a method for treating a T-cell mediated immune response against MBP in an individual by administration of these novel compositions. The following example details the identification of novel MBP peptides that include the amino acid residues of the core PCR recognition sequence involved in the binding of the Autoreactive TCR associated with demyelinating disease, such as MS, with MBP peptide and a suitable class II molecule. A minimal, novel structure and critical residues for its interaction with autoreactive TCR was identified for the peptide of the human myelin basic protein (MBP). Synthetic peptide analogs were incubated with two TCRs in a human T cell clone restricted for DRB5 * 0101 (SS8T) expressing the MHC class II molecules (DR2). A silicon-based biodetector microphysiometer was used to measure the cellular response in real time to an activation event of T cells stimulated by the binding of the class II: peptide complex to the TCRs. The microfiosiometer monitored changes in the rate of extracellular acidification in response to binding of the peptide MBP: class II polypeptide complex to the autoreactive TCRs. Increases in the rate of extracellular acidification is a direct result of early events of T cell signaling, such as the high affinity binding to TCR to a class II: peptide complex. Cultured SS8T cells were exposed to N- (amino) -terminal and C- (carboxy) -terminal truncated MBP peptides separately in the microphysiometer chambers to determine the minimum amino acid residues necessary for the T cell response. At the same time MBP peptide analogs with individual alanine substitutions were tested in this assay to identify the critical amino acid residues involved in the PCR interactions. As described below, a minimum central length of 10 amino acid residues was determined corresponding to peptide MBP (91-100) (SEQ ID NO: 38) and residues F-91, K-93, N-94, 1 -95 and V-96 were determined as essential for the interaction of the PCR. Measurements of the acidification rate showed good correlation with improved levels of interferon gamma IFN) and cytosine production of humoral necrosis factor (TNF) -alpha. Human T cells immortalized in herpes virus saimiri (HVS) were used in in vitro assays to identify the novel MBP peptides of the invention. HVS T cells express the same level of TCR as normal human T cells, without loss of antigen recognition (Weber (1993) Proc. Na ti. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 11049).

Specifically, the human T cell clones transformed into HVS used in these assays, designated SS8T, were generated from a MS patient. SS8T cells have previously been characterized as limited for the HLA Class II DR2 polypeptide (DRB5 * 0101) and the MBP peptide (84-102) (Weber (1993) supra). A modified peptide analogue of MBP (84-102) with an N-terminally tyrosine residue at the N terminus (Ac-MBP (83-102) Y83) has been characterized by being recognized by transformed SS8T T cells when complexed with HLA DR2 ( DRB25 * 0101) (Mukku (1995) Mol Immunol., 32: 555; Arimilli (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270: 291). To identify the minimum length and contact residues for the critical TCR of this peptide MBP (83-102) Y83, different truncated terminal and alanine analogue peptides were sintered. The different peptides used in this study are presented as a scheme in Figure 1A and Figure IB. For the alanine analog peptides, a single amino acid was substituted with alanine for each residue in the MBP (90-102) Y83 sequence. The crucial MBP peptide amino acid residues required for TCR coupling in this model system depends on two factors; the peptide residues responsible for binding to the amino acid residues of the MHC Class II binding cleft (the agretope peptide) and the effective interaction of some of the amino acid residues of the peptide with TCR (the epitope). To determine the minimum length of the immunodominant epitope, some terminal truncated peptides were incubated at different concentrations with SS8T cells in a microtiter plate for 48 hours at 37 ° C. After incubating the T cells with the peptide, the culture fluids were tested for the presence of IFN gamma and TNF-beta secreted by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for each (human anti-IFN gamma mAb and anti-polyclonal Ab). Human rabbit IFN gamma, Endogen Inc., Woburn, MA; goat IgG conjugated with peroxidase and rabbit IgG, Jackson Immunoresearch Laboratories, West Grove, PA; human IFN gamma, Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN; anti-TNF- mAb human beta, goat polyclonal human anti-TNF-beta and recombinant human TNF-beta, R &D Systems Inc., Minneapolis, MN). In parallel analyzes, SS8T cells were immobilized on agarose and exposed to different terminal truncated peptides in the microphysiometer chamber to monitor their rates of extracellular acidification. The peptides prepared for these studies were acetylated at N (amino) -terminal and amidated at C (carboxy) -terminal. The peptide MBP (83-102) with the sequence Ac-YDENPVVHFFKNIVTPRTPP (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the peptide MBP (124-143) with the sequence Ac-GFGYGGRASDYKSAHKGFKG (SEQ ID NO: 37) were synthesized by the in-phase method normal solid using amino acids Fmoc protected in the side chain in an automated peptide synthesizer Applied Biosystems 431A. The crude, deprotected peptides were purified by reverse phase HPLC, and the homogeneity and identity of the purified peptides were confirmed by mass spectrometry. All the terminal truncated and alanine MBP peptides (Figure 1) were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis using the Fmoc chemistry. All chemicals, including the Rink amide MBRA resin and the Fmoc amino acids protected in the side chain were obtained from Nova Biochem, San Diego, CA. The HBTU / HOBt chemistry or PyBOP activation were employed for the coupling of the protected amino acids in the automated peptide synthesizer ABI 431 A or the multiple peptide synthesizer ABIMED / WILSON AMS 422, as described by Luu (1996) Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 47: 91. After the peptides were synthesized in solid phase, they were dissociated by TFA containing 5% of 4-methoxybenzothiol and 5% of 4-methylmercaptophenol as scavengers. The crude peptides were precipitated by a mixture of pentane: acetone (4: 1, v: v) and isolated by centrifugation. The peptides were washed with pentane: acetone mixture three times followed by pentane and dried in vacuo. The peptides were purified by reverse phase HPLC using a C18 column; the pure fractions were combined and lyophilized. The peptides were characterized by mass spectrometry with electron scattering. T cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 units / ml penicillin, 100 ug / ml streptomycin, 10% fetal bovine serum and 50 units / ml human recombinant IL-2 (rIL -2) at 37 ° C. Each alternate day the cells were transferred to a new culture medium. The different peptides at different concentrations were incubated with the cells in a microtiter tissue culture plate at a density of 20,000 cells / 200 ul / well in the absence of rIL-2. After 48 hours of incubation at 37 ° C, culture fluids were collected from each well to check for cytokines of IFN-gamma and TNF-beta. The detection of IFN-gamma was by Ab ELISA as described by Arimilli (1995) supra. For detection of TNF-beta Nunc Maxisorb 96-well plates were coated with human anti-TNF-beta mAb at a concentration of 0.5 ug / well and incubated at 4 ° C overnight. The wells were blocked with 0.1% albumin bovine serum, and the samples were incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. A standard curve was generated using recombinant human TNF-beta with a dilution range of 500 to 0.01 ng / ml. The goat anti-TNF-beta human was then added at a concentration of 1 ug / ml and the plates were incubated at 27 ° C for an additional 2 hours. The wells were washed 3 times and incubated with mouse anti-goat Ab conjugated with HRP at a concentration of 1 ug / ml for one hour at 21 ° C, before developing color using 3, 3 ', 5, 5' -tetramethyl benzidine (TMB, Moss, Inc., Pasadena, MD) as a substrate. The reaction was interrupted by 2N sulfuric acid at 5 minutes, and the absorbance at 450 nm was measured. Freshly cultured SS8T cells were immobilized in capsules of the microphysiometer cell as described by Nag et al., 1992, using agarose with low melting point (Molecular Devices Corp., Sunnyvale, CA). In summary, the T cells were inactivated by pulsing IL-2 for 2 days. The cells were counted and suspended in loading medium without serum (RMPI 1640 low buffer containing 10% BSA without fatty acids and without endotoxins). The cells were harvested by centrifugation and resuspended in a concentration of 3 x 10 5 T cells per 7.5 ul of the loading medium. The low melting agarose, melted and stored at 37 ° C was added to the suspended cells at a concentration of 2.5 ul per 7.5 ul. 10 ul of the agarose / cell mixture were immediately placed in the center of the cell capsule rates (Molecular Devices Corp.) that were maintained in a 12-well culture plate. After 5 minutes, 2 ml of the loading medium was placed in the rate of the capsule on the solidified agarose and a membrane insert was placed on the cells. The assembled cell capsule was loaded in the Cytosensor chamber at 37 ° C and pre-melted at 50 ul per minute with RMPI 1640 medium buffer containing 10% BSA per ml but without HEPES or added bicarbonate. Measurements of extracellular acidification were made in the Cytosensor microphysiometer as described by McConnell (1992) Science 257: 1906, collecting the potentiometer measurements for 45 seconds every two minutes. Acidification rate data (uV / second) were normalized to 100% before cell stimulation, which allowed comparison of cell data in separate chambers. Figure 1A, 2B and 2C show the results of these analyzes, demonstrating the increasing levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-beta and extracellular acidification rates with the first six truncated peptides at the N-terminus: MBP (84-102) ( SEQ ID NO: 2), MBP (85-102) (SEQ ID NO: 3), MBP (86-102) (SEQ ID NO: 4), MBP (87-102) (SEQ ID NO: 5), MBP (88-102) (SEQ ID NO: 6) and MBP (89-102) (SEQ ID NO: 7). The SS8T cells exposed to these peptides show a double to quadruple increase in IFN gamma and a triple to quadruple increase in TNF-beta production in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 2A, 2B). Likewise, an increase in acidification rates to 118% of the base velocity were observed within 10 minutes (Figure 2C), indicating that amino acid residue 84, residue 85, residue 86, residue 87, residue 88 and residue 89 are not important for the recognition of TCRs in SS8T cells. The concentrations of IFN-gamma and cytokine TNF-beta measured after 48 hours (h) correlated well with acidification rates. Figures 2D, 2E and 2F show the results comparing IFN-gamma, TNF-beta and acidification rates of the following five MBP truncated MBP terminal N (90-102) (SEQ ID NO: 8), MBP (91-102) (SEQ ID NO: 9), MBP (92-102) (SEQ ID NO: 10), MBP (93-102) (SEQ ID NO: 11) and MBP (94-102) ( SEQ ID NO: 12). Among these, the truncation of residue e ^ k amino acid 91, residue 92 and residue 93 did not produce IFN-10 gamma, TNF-beta cytokines and acidification rates. This shows that these residues are crucial in the stimulation of T cells. Since, in one study, residue 92 (F-92) was suggested as important for binding to Class II (Wucherpfenning (1994) J. Exp. Med. 179: 279).

The absence of response of T cells by the Class II complex: MBP (93-102) (SEQ ID NO: 11) may be due to the lack of binding of the peptide to the Class II polypeptide or lack of TCR contact residues critical (epitope residues). In a separate assay, the SS8T cells were incubated with six truncated peptides at the C-terminus MBP (83-101) (SEQ ID NO: 13), MBP (83-100) (SEQ ID NO: 14), MBP (83 -99) (SEQ ID NO: 15), MBP (83-98) (SEQ ID NO: 16), MBP (83-97) (SEQ ID NO: 17) and MBP (83-96) (SEQ ID NO: 18). As it is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, only the main sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the MBP (83-101) (SEQ ID NO: 13) showed an increase in IFN-gamma, TNF-beta or the rates of acidification. This shows that this C-terminal 100 amino acid residue, residue 99, residue 98, residue 97 and residue 96 are important in the stimulation of TCRs by MBP.

Small amounts of IFN-gamma and TNF-beta were produced with MBP (83-100) (SEQ ID NO: 14) and the peptide MBP (83-99) (SEQ ID NO: 15). Similar analyzes of the five additional truncated terminal C peptides MBP peptides (83-95) (SEQ ID NO: 19), MBP (83-94) (SEQ ID NO: 20), MBP (83-93) (SEQ ID NO: 21), MBP (83-92) (SEQ ID NO: 22) and MBP (83-91) (SEQ ID NO: 23), did not show stimulation of IFN-gamma, TNF-beta or an increase in the acidification rate (Figure 3D, 3E and 3F). These data demonstrate that amino acid residue 92, residue 93, residue 94 and residue 95 are important in the recognition of T cells of the peptide. The results of N terminal and C terminal truncation demonstrate that FFKNIVTPRT (MBP (91-100) (SEQ ID NO: 38)) is the minimum core sequence for the stimulation of TCRs by MBP when presented by Class II DRB5 * 0101. The contribution of individual amino acids in a peptide to the coupling of TCRs can be studied by various methods including amino acid analogs D, substitution of conserved amino acid residues, exchange of charge in amino acids and substitution of alanine. Alanine substitution is more popular since it is the simplest side chain amino acid with a chiral center, and creates only minor perturbations in the secondary structure of the polypeptides and proteins. This is a common substitution for all but the aromatic amino acids, based on the comparison of related evolutionary proteins. Therefore, an alanine substitution strategy was used to define the contact residues of the important TCRs. Some MBP analog peptides (90-102) (SEQ ID NO: 8) with a single amino acid substitutions using alanine were incubated with SS8T cells. The culture fluids were tested for IFN-gamma, TNF-beta and compared with acidification rates. Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show that two peptides, MBP (83-102) A90 (SEQ ID NO: 24) and MBP (83-102) A92 (SEQ ID NO: 26) were able to induce IFN-gamma, TNF -beta along with higher acidification rates when presented to SS8T cells by Class II DRB5 * 0101. The peptides MBP (83-102) A91 (SEQ ID NO: 25), MDP [sic] (83-102) A93 (SEQ ID NO: 27), MDP [sic] (83-102) A94 (SEQ ID NO: 28) and MDP (83-102) A95 (SEQ ID NO: 29) failed to induce cytokines and showed no increase in acidification rates. This shows that amino acid residues F-91, K-93, N-94 and 1-95 are important in the stimulation of T cells. In one study, residues F-91 and K-93 were suggested as residues of contact of the secondary TCRs and primary N-94 in the MBP peptide (84-102) (Vergelli (1997) J. Immunol., 158: 3746). The present data demonstrate that residues F-91, K-93, N-94 and 1-95 are contact-deficient residues of the important TCRs in the MBP peptide (84-102) in this system. The alanine analogs MBP (83-102) A97 (SEQ ID NO: 31), MBP (83-102) A98 (SEQ ID NO: 32), MBP (83-102) A99 (SEQ ID NO: 33), MBP (83-102) AlOO (SEQ ID NO: 34), MBP (83-102) AlOl (SEQ ID NO: 35) and MBP (83-102) A102 (SEQ ID NO: 36) show higher levels of IFN- cytokines gamma, TNF-beta together with higher acidification rates. Only MBP peptide (83-102) A96 (SEQ ID NO: 30) failed to induce cytokines and showed no increase in acidification rates (Figures 4D, 5E and 4F).

This experiment demonstrates that V-96 is also an important residue for the recognition of T cells. As shown in Figure 4F, except for the MDP peptide [sic] (83-102) A96 (SEQ ID NO: 30), all peptides show an immediate increase in the acidification rate in 10 minutes. Thus, acidification rates with analogous alanine peptides were correlated with the production of IFN-gamma and TNF-beta by SS8T cells. In another study, residues N-94 and V-96 were suggested to be the contact residues of the TCRs for a DRB5 * 0101 and the clone of the T cells restricted for the peptide MBP (84-102) (Wucherpfennig (1994 ) Figure 5A highlights (framed area) the recognition sequence of the central TCRs as MBP (91-100) (SEQ ID NO: 38) As already described, this peptide was identified by measuring the rates of extracellular acidification and by the IFN-gamma cytokine response, TNF-beta in SS8T cells using terminal truncated peptides Figure 5B indicates (by arrows) the important amino acid residues involved in the contact of TCRs such as F-91, K-93, N-94, 1-95 and V-96 As already described, these amino acids were identified from the extracellular acidification rates and the cytokine IFN-gamma response, TNF-beta in SS8T cells using alanine analogue peptides. They carried out studies to demonstrate a requirement for the peptides bind to the Class II polypeptide before stimulation of the T cells, ie, to determine if the stimulation of the T cells is the direct consequence of the coupling of the TCRs through the MHC-peptide complex formed on the cell surface or due to the direct binding of the peptide to the TCR. Ab blocking experiments were performed using anti-TCR mAb and anti-Class II mAb (hybridoma cell line L243, producing mAbs for monomorphic human HLA DR molecules were obtained from American Type Culture Collection, Bethesda, MD). Transformed human SS8T T cells carry Class II on their surface, confirmed by flow cytometry. The SS8T cells were incubated with anti-TCR Ab or anti-DR to block the TCR and Class II sites. The cells were then washed and loaded in the microphysiometer chambers and exposed to 10 ug / ml of MBP peptide (83-102) (SEQ ID NO: 1). Blocking TCR or Class II with the specific mAb originated a complete inhibition in the increase in rates of acidification. These results also demonstrate that the binding of the peptide to the Class II molecules on a cell surface is a phenomenon of rapid cell activation (McConnell (1995) Proc. Na ti, Acad. Sci. USA 92: 2750). After binding with high affinity of TCR with the complex peptide: Class II polypeptide, at 10 minutes early events of cellular activation (signals) occur, as measured by extracellular acidification by the microphysiometer. The late events of cellular activation (signals) are measured for 48 hours; the events of representative late activation measured in these studies were the response of the cytokine IFN-gamma and TNF-beta. The measurement of the early and late activation events are equivalent in the identification of the peptides that are important for the recognition of the TCR, as was used to identify the novel MBP peptides of the invention. In summary, these studies have identified a novel family of MBP peptides characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-X-X-X-Thr-X-X, where X is any amino acid. These peptides are also included in the Class II: novel MBP complexes of the invention. These complexes contain a MHC Class II complex capable of binding to T cell receptors, the complex consisting mainly of: a MHC Class II polypeptide containing an extracellular domain of an MHC Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen binding package and a myelin basic protein having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Ri-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, where X is any amino acid and Ri is Asn or Gln; wherein the MBP peptide is attached to the antigen binding pouch MHC Class II component.

Claims (23)

1. A peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein (MBP), the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-X-X-X-Thr-X-X, wherein X is any amino acid.

2. The peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein of claim 1, the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro, or a conservative substitution of it.

3. The peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein of claim 1, which is linked to a heterologous sequence.

4. The peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein of claim 3, which is a fusion protein.

5. A peptide isolated from the myelin basic protein that binds specifically to an antibody directed against a peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro -Pro.

6. An isolated nucleic acid encoding a peptide of the myelin basic protein, the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, wherein X is any amino acid . The isolated nucleic acid of claim 6, wherein the peptide of the coded myelin basic protein is characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr- Pro-Pro, or a conservative substitution of this. 8. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 6, wherein the nucleic acid consists of SEQ ID NO: 1. 9. A composition containing a MCH Class II complex capable of binding to a T cell receptor, the complex consists primarily of in: a MHC Class II polypeptide containing an extracellular domain of a MHC Class II molecule sufficient to form an antigen-binding pocket, the component being encoded by an allele associated with an autoimmune disease targeting the myelin basic protein, in where the Class II component is soluble under physiological conditions in the absence of detergent or lipid; and a basic myelin protein having an amino acid sequence: Phe-X-Lys-Ri-Ile-Val-X-X-X-Thr-X-X, where X is any amino acid, and Ri is Asn or Gln; wherein the peptide of the myelin basic protein is linked to the antigen-binding pouch of the MHC Class II component. The composition of claim 9, wherein the peptide of the myelin basic protein has an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro or a substitution conservative of it. 11. The composition of claim 9, which is a fusion protein. 12. The composition of claim 9, further comprising an effector composition. The composition of claim 9, wherein the autoimmune disease directed to the myelin basic protein is multiple sclerosis. The composition of claim 9, wherein the Class II polypeptide comprises an antigen binding pouch of an HLA DR2. 15. A pharmaceutical composition containing an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use and an effective amount for pharmacological use of a peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-X-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-XXX-Thr-XX, wherein X is any amino acid. 16. A pharmaceutical composition containing an acceptable carrier for pharmaceutical use and an effective amount for pharmacological use of the composition of claim 9. 1

7. An antibody, specifically immunoreactive under immunologically reactive conditions, for a peptide of the myelin basic protein, the peptide characterized by having an amino acid sequence Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro-Pro. 1

8. An antibody, specifically immunoreactive under immunologically reactive conditions, for a peptide of the myelin basic protein consisting of the peptide encoded by the nucleic acid of claim 6. 1

9. A method for inhibiting an immune response mediated by T cells against the basic myelin protein in an individual, is to administer to the individual the peptide of claim 1 or the composition of claim 9 in an amount effective to treat the T-cell mediated immune response. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the cell-mediated immune response. T causes a pathology in a neurological system. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the pathology to the neurological system is characterized as multiple sclerosis. 22. A method for identifying a T cell epitope in an antigen which, when bound to the antigen binding bag of an MHC Class II molecule, is capable of binding to a T cell receptor, such binding by triggering an acidification reaction extracellular by a T cell expressing the T-cell receptor, the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a composition containing the T-cell epitope attached to the antigen-binding pouch of an MHC Class II molecule; b) contacting a T cell expressing the T cell receptor with the epitope; and c) measuring extracellular acidification, wherein a change in extracellular acidification indicates the binding of the T cell epitope to the T cell receptor. The method of claim 20, wherein the change in extracellular acidification is measured using a microphysiometer