Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
  • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
  • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
  • C07K14/4722—G-proteins
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/62—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being a protein, peptide or polyamino acid
  • A61K47/64—Drug-peptide, drug-protein or drug-polyamino acid conjugates, i.e. the modifying agent being a peptide, protein or polyamino acid which is covalently bonded or complexed to a therapeutically active agent
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P11/00—Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
  • A61P11/02—Nasal agents, e.g. decongestants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P11/00—Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
  • A61P11/06—Antiasthmatics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P13/00—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system
  • A61P13/10—Drugs for disorders of the urinary system of the bladder
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P17/00—Drugs for dermatological disorders
  • A61P17/04—Antipruritics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P17/00—Drugs for dermatological disorders
  • A61P17/06—Antipsoriatics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
  • A61P25/06—Antimigraine agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
  • A61P25/28—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P27/00—Drugs for disorders of the senses
  • A61P27/02—Ophthalmic agents
  • A61P27/14—Decongestants or antiallergics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
  • A61P37/08—Antiallergic agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/475—Growth factors; Growth regulators
  • C07K14/50—Fibroblast growth factor [FGF]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
  • C07K14/70546—Integrin superfamily
  • C07K14/70557—Integrin beta3-subunit-containing molecules, e.g. CD41, CD51, CD61
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K19/00—Hybrid peptides, i.e. peptides covalently bound to nucleic acids, or non-covalently bound protein-protein complexes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide

Definitions

• the present invention discloses novel anti-allergic complex molecules, and in particular, peptidic or peptidomimetic molecules, comprising a first part which is competent for cell penetration and a second part which is able to reduce or abolish mast cell degranulation, in particular to reduce or abolish allergy mediators such as histamine secretion from mast cells, wherein the first part is connected to the second part via a linker or a direct bond that creates a conformational constraint by forming a bend or turn.
• Allergic diseases including nasal allergy, asthma, urticaria and angioedema, are among the most common diseases encountered by physicians in their clinical practice.
• Allergy refers to certain diseases in which a wide spectrum of biologically active substances, released from activated mast cells, cause tissue inflammation and organ dysfunction. In essence, any allergic reaction may lead to tissue damage in one or more target organs (see for example Lichtenstein, 1993).
• mast cells are significant mediators of the allergic reaction and are packed with 500 to 1000 granules in which the mediators of the inflammatory reactions are stored. These include vasoactive mediators such as histamine, chemotactic mediators and proteolytic enzymes. In addition, following the activation of mast cells, a number of mediators are generated de novo and released. These include arachidonic acid metabolites such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins and a number of multifunctional cytokines. Mast cell derived factors also recruit and activate additional inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils, neutrophils and mononuclear cells.
• mast cell derived mediators possess all the requisite properties to induce the symptoms of itching, swelling, coughing and choking that are associated with an allergic reaction (Bienenstock et al., 1987). These mediators are released in response to processes which occur through a number of different pathways within mast cells. Thus, therapeutic treatments for allergy and related inflammatory conditions must intervene at some point in the allergenic pathway in order to be effective.
• Hi and H 2 blockers which block the biological activities of histamine. Examples include chlorpheniramine, azatidine, ketotifen, loratidine and others.
• anti-histamines cannot counteract the inflammatory reactions effected by the additional mediators released alongside histamine. Therefore, anti-histamines cannot provide a reliable protection against allergy.
• a better allergy treatment would block the secretory process by preventing mast cell degranulation.
• Drugs which are currently available for this purpose include hydrocortisone and disodium cromoglycate.
• disodium cromoglycate cannot inhibit all types of histamine secretion, and is not always completely effective.
• Steroids are effective for blocking mast cell degranulation, but have many unacceptable side effects. Therefore, therapeutic agents which could prevent mast cell degranulation without significant side effects, and could thus prevent or significantly reduce the occurrence of clinical symptoms associated with allergy, such as neurogenic inflammation (see below for details), would be very useful for the treatment of allergy and related conditions.
• Mast cell degranulation is a complex process involving at least two different pathways. Mast cells secrete their granular contents in a process of regulated exocytosis
• IgE immunoglobulin E dependent pathway
• IgE independent pathway The IgE dependent pathway is invoked in response to an immunological trigger, brought about by aggregation of the high affinity receptors (F c ⁇ RI) for IgE, which are present on the cell surface of mast cells. This response involves crosslinking of cell bound IgE antibodies by the corresponding antigens (allergens).
• the IgE-independent or peptidergic pathway is invoked in response to a number of polycationic compounds, collectively known as the basic secretagogues of mast cells.
• polycationic compounds include the synthetic compound 48/80, naturally occurring polyamines and positively charged peptides, such as the neurotransmitter substance P (Ennis et al., 1980; Sagi-Eisenberg 1993; Chahdi et al., 1998).
• a peptide as a therapeutic agent, directed against an intracellular target, requires a special mechanism to enable the peptide to overcome the membrane permeability barrier.
• One possible approach is based on the fusion of the selected peptide with a specific hydrophobic sequence, comprising the "h" region of a signal peptide sequence. Examples of such hydrophobic regions are the signal sequence of the Kaposi fibroblast growth factor (AAVALLPAVLLALLAP; Lin et al., 1995; Rojas et al., 1997) and the signal sequence within human integrin ⁇ 3 (VTVLALGALAGVGNG; Liu et al., 1996; Review by Hawiger 1997).
• the variables which may affect the efficacy of the biologically active molecule include the effect of linking the molecule to the signal peptide, which may result in an inactive hybrid molecule; unpredictable effects of the entire complex within the cell; and even the inability of the entire complex to be imported into the cell, despite the presence of the signal peptide.
• identifying a suitable biologically active molecule for treatment of allergy may also be difficult.
• linking a non-peptide molecule, such as a known secretion-blocking compound, to a signal peptide is both difficult and may result in an unstable molecule.
• a peptide could be used as the secretion-blocking compound, but then such a peptide must be carefully selected and tested.
• Peptide 2 a novel peptide designated Peptide 2, that was designed and synthesized to include an importation competent signal peptide, as a first segment at the N-terminus (underlined), and the C-terminal sequence of G ⁇ i 3 as a second segment at the C-terminus AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKECGLT) inhibited histamine release from activated mast cells (WO 00/78346).
• Additional active peptides in that disclosure include Peptide 2-succ: Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKECGLY;
• the present invention discloses a therapeutic complex molecule for the specific, direct and targeted treatment of allergies and related inflammatory conditions, which comprises a first segment which is competent for the importation of the complex molecule into mast cells, and a second segment which is able to block or significantly reduce mast cell degranulation and hence the release of histamine.
• the first segment comprises a signal peptide, which is competent for importation of the complex into mast cells
• the second segment comprises a biologically active molecule, such as a peptide, which is able to block the G protein-mediated contribution to the mast cell degranulation process.
• Most preferred embodiments of the present invention will reduce or abolish inflammatory mediators of allergic reactions, including those late phase inflammatory mediators induced by protein kinase activation, as well as inhibiting histamine secretion from mast cells.
• an anti-allergic agent comprising a molecule having at least a first segment competent for importation of the molecule into mast cells, and a second segment for having an anti-allergic effect within the mast cells, the first segment being joined to the second segment through a. linker.
• the linker is a covalent bond.
• the covalent bond is a peptide bond.
• the linker must be of such a nature as to create a conformational constraint at or near the junction between the first segment and the second segment.
• the linker must prevent the first segment from being contiguous to the second segment in a linear or an extended conformation. More preferably it will create a bend or a turn.
• the conformational constraint is selected from the group consisting of, a proline or proline mimetic, an N-alkylated amino acid, a double bond or triple bond or any other moiety which introduces a rigid bend in the peptide backbone.
• moieties which induce suitable conformations include but are not limited to N-methyl amino acids such as sarcosine; hydroxy proline instead of proline; anthranilic acid (2-amino benzoic acid); and 7- azabicyloheptane carboxylic acid.
• the second segment has the anti-allergic effect by at least significantly reducing degranulation of the mast cells.
• the second segment is selected from the group consisting of a peptide, a peptidomimetic, and a polypeptide. More preferably, the second segment is a peptide or peptidomimetic. Also more preferably, the first segment is a peptide or peptidomimetic.
• the second segment comprising the anti-allergic activity most preferably is a peptide having a cyclic conformation.
• the cyclic conformation is stabilized by bonds selected from the group consisting of hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds or covalent bonds.
• the anti-allergic segment of the molecule is a peptide taken from the C terminal sequence of a G protein, more preferably a G protein involved in exocytosis.
• a G protein preferably a G protein involved in exocytosis.
• useful peptides include G i 3 and G ⁇ t.
• the anti- allergic segment of the peptide has an amino acid sequence selected from the group of: a decapeptide derived from G ⁇ i 3 having the sequence KNNLKECGLY ; a decapeptide derived from G ⁇ t having the sequence KENLKDCGLF ;
• KNNLKEVGLY and KENLKECGLY are included all active analogues, homologues and derivatives of these sequences, including but not limited to cyclic derivatives.
• the importation competent segment of the molecule is a peptide taken from a signal peptide sequence.
• a signal peptide sequence useful examples thereof include the signal peptide sequence of the Kaposi fibroblast growth factor or a human integrin ⁇ 3.
• the molecule is a peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• WALL008 Succinyl -AAVALLPAVLLALLA-Sar-KNNLKECGLY
• WALL010 VTVLALGALAGVGVGPKNNLKECGLY
• WALL014 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAP KNNLKECGL-para-amino-F
• WALL015 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY
• active analogues within the scope of the present invention are included all active analogues, homologues and derivatives of these sequences, including but not limited to cyclic derivatives.
• active analogs are intended to include esters, such as but not limited to succinylated derivatives.
• a pharmaceutical composition for treating an allergic condition in a subject comprising as an active ingredient a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-allergic agent, said agent comprising a molecule comprising a first segment competent for importation of the molecule into mast cells, and a second segment having an anti-allergic effect within the mast cells, wherein the first part is connected to the second part via a linker or a direct bond that creates a conformational constraint by forming a bend or turn.
• the conformational constraint is selected from the group consisting of, a proline or proline mimetic, an N alkylated amino acid, a double bond or triple bond or any other moiety which introduces a rigid bend in the peptide backbone.
• the pharmaceutical composition comprises as an active ingredient a complex peptide having as an anti-allergic segment a peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: a decapeptide derived from G ⁇ i 3 having the sequence KNNLKECGLY ; a decapeptide derived from G ⁇ t having the sequence KENLKDCGLF ;
• KNNLKECGL-para-amino-Phenylalanine KQNLKECGLY; KSNLKECGLY; KNNLKEVGLY; and KENLKECGLY.
• the pharmaceutical composition comprises as an active ingredient a complex peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• WALL 008 Succinyl -AAVALLPAVLLALLA-Sar-KNNLKECGLY
• WALL 010 VTVLALGALAGVGVGPKNNLKECGLY
• WALL Oi l Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKSNLKECGLY
• WALL 015 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY
• WALL016 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKEVGLY
• a method for treating an allergic condition in a subject comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-allergic agent to the subject, said agent comprising a molecule having at least a first segment competent for importation of the molecule into mast cells, and a second segment for having an anti- allergic effect within the mast cells, wherein the first part is connected to the second part via a linker or a direct bond that creates a conformational constraint by forming a bend or turn.
• the conformational constraint is selected from the group consisting of, a proline or proline mimetic, an N alkylated amino acid, a double bond or triple bond or any other moiety which introduces a rigid bend in the peptide backbone.
• moieties which induce suitable conformations include but are not limited to N-methyl amino acids such as sarcosine; hydroxy proline; anthranilic acid (2-amino benzoic acid); and 7-azabicyloheptane carboxylic acid.
• the allergic condition is selected from the group consisting of nasal allergy, an allergic reaction in an eye of the subject, an allergic reaction in the skin of the subject, acute urticaria, psoriasis, psychogenic or allergic asthma, interstitial cystitis, bowel diseases, migraines, and multiple sclerosis.
• a preferred route of administration is oral, but alternative routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intranasal, intraocular, sub-cutaneous and parenteral administration.
• the therapeutic agent is administered by topical administration.
• the topical administration is to the skin of the subject.
• the therapeutic agent is administered intranasally or by inhalation.
• peptides according to the present invention unexpectedly also inhibit the activation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Activation of these protein kinases was demonstrated previously as a crucial event, leading to activation of the late phase inflammatory reactions such as synthesis de novo of leukotrienes and prostaglandins.
• PTKs protein tyrosine kinases
• MAPKs mitogen activated protein kinases
• a method for preventing late phase inflammatory responses induced by protein kinase activation comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-allergic agent to the subject, said anti-allergic agent comprising a molecule having at least a first segment competent for importation of said molecule into mast cells, and a second segment for having an anti-allergic effect within said mast cells, said first segment being joined to said second segment through a linker, said linker providing a bend or turn at or near the junction between the segments.
• a method for promoting importation of an anti-allergic peptide into a cell of a subject in vivo comprising the steps of:
• biologically active refers to molecules, or complexes thereof, which are capable of exerting an effect in a biological system.
• fragment or “segment” refer to a portion of a molecule or a complex thereof, in which the portion includes substantially less than the entirety of the molecule or the complex thereof.
• amino acid refers to both natural and synthetic molecules which are capable of forming a peptide bond with another such molecule.
• natural amino acid refers to all naturally occurring amino acids, including both regular and non-regular natural amino acids.
• regular natural amino acid refers to those alpha amino acids which are normally used as components of a protein.
• non-regular natural amino acid refers to naturally occurring amino acids, produced by mammalian or non-mammalian eukaryotes, or by prokaryotes, which are not usually used as a component of a protein by eukaryotes or prokaryotes.
• amino acid refers to all molecules which are artificially produced and which do not occur naturally in eukaryotes or prokaryotes, but which fulfill the required characteristics of an amino acid as defined above.
• peptide includes both a chain of a sequence of amino acids, whether natural, synthetic or recombinant.
• peptidomimetic includes both peptide analogues and mimetics having substantially similar or identical functionality thereof, including analogues having synthetic and natural amino acids, wherein the peptide bonds may be replaced by other covalent linkages.
• FIG. 1 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL006 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 2 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL015 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 3 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL011 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 4 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL012 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 5 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL013 (a) on histamine
• FIG. 6 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL005 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 7 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL014 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 8 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL007 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 9 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL016 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 10 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL004 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 11 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL008 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 12 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL009 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 13 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL010 (a) on histamine secretion; and (b) on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 14 is a graph of the dose response of peptide WALL023 on compound 48/80 induced histamine release from intact mast cells.
• FIG. 15 demonstrates protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activation induced by compound 48/80 (A) or H 2 0 2 /V0 3 (B), followed by treatment with peptide 2.
• PTK protein tyrosine kinase
• FIG. 16 demonstrates mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation induced by compound 48/80 (A) or H 2 0 2 /V0 3 (B), followed by treatment with peptide 2.
• MAPK mitogen activated protein kinase
• the present invention discloses a therapeutic complex molecule for the specific, direct and targeted treatment of allergies and related inflammatory conditions, which comprises molecules having at least a first segment which is competent for the importation of the complex into mast cells, and a second segment which is able to block or significantly reduce mast cell degranulation and hence the release of histamine.
• the linker is a crucial element of the present invention, and that it must impose certain conformational constraints at or near the junction of the two segments of the molecule.
• the first segment is connected to the second segment through a linker or a direct bond, the linker creating a conformational constraint, by forming a bend or turn.
• the conformational constraint is selected from the group consisting of, a proline or proline mimetic, an N alkylated amino acid, a double bond or triple bond or any other moiety which introduces a rigid bend into the peptide backbone.
• moieties which induce suitable conformations include but are not limited to N-methyl amino acids such as sarcosine, hydroxy proline, anthranilic acid (2-amino benzoic acid) and 7-azabicyloheptane carboxylic acid.
• the first segment is a molecule, preferably a peptide or a peptidomimetic, and more preferably a signal peptide.
• a signal peptide is a peptide which is capable of penetrating through the cell membrane, to permit the exportation and/or importation of proteins or peptides.
• suitable signal peptides are those which are competent for the importation of proteins, peptides or other molecules into the cell.
• Such signal peptides generally feature approximately 10-50 amino acids, of which the majority are typically hydrophobic, such that these peptides have a hydrophobic, lipid-soluble portion.
• signal peptides are also selected according to the type of cell into which the complex is to be imported, such that signal peptides produced by a particular cell type, or which are derived from peptides and/or proteins produced by that cell type, can be used to import the complex into cells of that type. Examples of such signal peptides are described above and are also disclosed in US 5,807,746, incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein for the teachings regarding signal peptides.
• the second segment is a molecule which has an anti-allergic effect, preferably by preventing mast cell degranulation, and hence the release of histamine from these mast cells.
• the molecule is preferably a peptide, and more preferably a peptide derived from the C terminal sequence of G ⁇ i , which appears to mediate the peptidergic pathway leading to exocytosis in mast cells.
• the second segment is selected from the group consisting of a peptidomimetic, a polypeptide, or a protein.
• the linker which connects the first segment to the second segment is preferably a covalent bond.
• the covalent bond may be a peptide bond if at least one of the first and second segments is a peptide. It is now disclosed that the linker is a crucial element of the present invention, and that it must impose certain conformational constraints at or near the junction of the two segments of the molecule.
• the first part is connected to the second part via a linker or a direct bond that creates a conformational constraint by forming a bend or turn.
• the conformational constraint is selected from the group consisting of, a proline or proline mimetic, an N alkylated amino acid, a double bond or triple bond or any other moiety which introduces a rigid bend in the peptide backbone.
• moieties which induce suitable conformations include but are not limited to N-methyl amino acids such as sarcosine, hydroxy proline, anthranilic acid (2-amino benzoic acid) and 7-azabicyloheptane carboxylic acid.
• a range of methods of creating suitably constrained conformations at or near the junction of the complex molecules of the invention are well known in the art.
• Classical methods of introducing conformational constraints include structural alteration of amino acids or introduction of bonds other than a flexible peptide bond.
• conformational restriction such as configurational and structural alteration of amino acids, local backbone modifications, short-range cyclization, medium and long range cyclizations [Hruby, V. J., Life Sci. 31, 189 (1982); Kessler, H., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng.,21, 512 (1982); Schiller, P. W., in The Peptides, Udenfriend, S., and
• Therapeutically active peptides are cyclized to achieve metabolic stability, to increase potency, to confer or improve selectivity and to control bioavailability.
• the possibility of controlling these important pharmacological characteristics through cyclization of linear peptides prompted the use of medium and long range cyclization to convert natural bioactive peptides into peptidomimetic drugs, as is known in the art. Cyclization also brings about structural constraints that enhance conformational homogeneity and facilitates conformational analysis [Kessler, H, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
• the present invention also discloses methods for treating allergies.
• treatment includes both the prevention of the allergic condition, as well as the substantial reduction or elimination of allergic symptoms.
• Allergic conditions for which the therapeutic agents of the present invention are useful include, but are not limited to, nasal allergy, irritation or allergic reactions in the eyes, allergic reactions in the skin including any type of allergen-induced rash or other skin irritation or inflammation, acute urticaria, psoriasis, psychogenic or allergic asthma, interstitial cystitis, bowel diseases, migraines, and multiple sclerosis.
• Such treatment may be perfonned topically, for example for skin allergies and allergic reactions, including but not limited to, contact dermatitis in reaction to skin contact with an allergen; reactions to insect bites and stings; and skin reactions to systemic allergens, such as hives appearing after a food substance has been ingested by the subject.
• skin reactions to systemic allergens such as hives appearing after a food substance has been ingested by the subject.
• systemic allergens such as hives appearing after a food substance has been ingested by the subject.
• a preferred route of administration is oral, but alternative routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intranasal, intraocular, sub-cutaneous and parenteral administration. Other routes of administration, and suitable pharmaceutical formulations thereof, are described in greater detail below.
• the first and the second segments are both peptides, which are joined with a peptide bond.
• novel peptides were tested, designated as peptides: WALL004: AAVALLPAVLLALLAAKNNLKECGLY
• WALL005 AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKECGL-para-amino-F
• WALL008 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLA-Sar-KNNLKECGLY
• WALL010 VTVLALGALAGVGVGPKNNLKECGLY
• WALL011 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKSNLKECGLY
• WALL014 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAP KNNLKECGL-para-amino-F
• WALLO 15 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY
• This peptide was previously designated as Peptide 1 and is designated herein below as WALL009 for the sake of comparison to the novel peptides of the invention.
• WALL009 This known peptides disclosed and claimed previously are explicitly excluded from the present invention.
• the novel peptides were examined in-vitro for their ability to block compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion from purified rat peritoneal mast cells. Peptides which are active in this screening could therefore be useful for mast cell dependent allergies. Such allergies include but are not limited to those in which mast cell degranulation is mediated through the IgE-independent pathway from which the second segment of the above peptides was taken.
• allergies include but are not limited to neurogenic inflammation in the skin and elsewhere, including but not limited to, acute urticaria, psoriases, psychogenic asthma, interstitial cystitis, bowel diseases, migraines, and multiple sclerosis.
• the principles of the present invention are illustrated herein with the following examples, which are to be construed in a non-limitative manner. The skilled artisan will appreciate that many modifications and variations of the specific embodiments exemplified are possible within the scope of the present invention.
• Peptides of the present invention were tested in vitro for their ability to block histamine secretion from mast cells.
• Rat peritoneal mast cells were chosen as the experimental model, since it was previously shown that both rat peritoneal and human skin mast cells release histamine in response to substance P by an IgE-independent mechanism (Devillier et al., 1986; Foreman 1987a,b; Columbo et al., 1996). It was also demonstrated that the same peptidergic pathway is involved in both rat peritoneal and human cutaneous mast cells (Mousli et al., 1994; Emadi-Khiav et al., 1995).
• Compound 48/80 was chosen as the allergen since it is one of the polycationic compounds, collectively known as the basic secretagogues of mast cells. Compound
• 48/80 has been shown to induce degranulation of human mast cells. In particular, it is very active on skin mast cells.
• Compound 48/80 has been used as a diagnostic agent in vivo to assess the release ability of human mast cells, to determine the effectiveness of drugs against chronic urticaria and to study itch and flare responses in atopic dermatitis (Kivity et al., 1988; Goldberg et al., 1991). Therefore inhibition of compound 48/80 induced histamine release is applicable and relevant to prevention of allergy induced by other basic secretagogues such as substance P, snake, bee and wasp venoms, bacterial toxins and certain drugs such as opiates.
• Peptides were synthesized by PolyPeptide laboratories (Wolfenbuttel, Germany). Peptides were synthesized by the solid phase methodology and supplied at > 95% purity. The correct composition and purity of the peptide were verified by HPLC, mass spectrometry and amino acid analysis. Lyophilized peptides were kept at -20 °C. Peptides stock solutions (5 mg/ml in 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in H 2 0) were freshly prepared for each experiment.
• DMSO dimethylsulfoxide
• Purified mast cells (10 5 cells/0.5ml in duplicates) were incubated in Tyrode buffer with buffer or with desired concentrations of the indicated peptide for 2 h at 37°C. Histamine secretion was subsequently stimulated by 0.1 ⁇ g/ml of compound 48/80 (Sigma) dissolved in Tyrode buffer. Incubation with compound 48/80 was carried out for 20 min at 37 C. The reaction was terminated by placing the tubes on ice. The cells were sedimented by centrifugation at a brief spin (12,000g x 20s) and the supernatants were collected. The amount of histamine release was determined as previously described (Aridor et al., 1990).
• Purified mast cells (10 5 cells/0.5ml) were incubated in Tyrode's buffer in the presence of 0.1 mM vanadate in the absence or presence of 600 ⁇ g/ml of peptide 2 for lh at 37°C.
• the cells were triggered by 5 ⁇ g/ml of compound 48/80 (Sigma) dissolved in Tyrode's buffer or by H 2 0 2 /N0 3 for 20-min incubation period at 37°C.
• the cells were sedimented and cells extracts were prepared. The samples were resolved by SDS/10% PAGE and immunoblotted with anti-phospho-Tyr and anti active MAPK antibodies.
• the present invention is based on results of structure activity relationship studies using several novel peptides, in which point mutations or chemical modifications were introduced. These novel peptides were designed and tested to achieve the following aims:
• Aim I To improve biological efficacy.
• Aim JT TO increase peptide stability and/or solubility.
• Aim HI To define amino acid residues which are essential for activity and therefore cannot be replaced without loss of activity.
• Aim IV To determine the structure/function relationships. To address these aims, we have synthesized novel peptides as demonstrated below.
• Peptide WALL006 Computer modeling of the active molecule have demonstrated that the Asparagine at position 18 of the peptide, which is position 2 of the active anti-allergic sequence, is important in order to preserve the cyclic 3-D structure of the active anti-allergic moiety within the peptide. According to the computerized model, a hydrogen bond links this Asparagine with the Tyrosine residue at position 26 (International Patent application WO 00/78346). To test this hypothesis, the Asparagine residue at position 18, was replaced by Glutamine to form peptide WALL006. Peptide WALL006: AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY
• substitutions included replacing this Asparagine with Serine, Alanine, or Glutamic acid as well as replacing the tyrosine at position 28 with Para-Amino-Phenyl alanine. All the mutated peptides were also synthesized with a succinyl group linked to their N-terminus in order to increase their solubility. The purpose of these substitutions was to evaluate the contribution of the putative hydrogen bond between the amino acid at position 18 and the Tyrosine residue and to compare the activities of peptides carrying at position 18 either a neutral, or polar or charged amino acid.
• Peptide WALL015 This sequence is identical to WALL006 but includes a Succinyl group at the N- terminus.
• Peptide WALL 015 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY 3.
• Peptide WALL Oil The Asparagine residue at position 18, was replaced by Serine to form peptide WALLO 11.
• Peptide WALL005 The Tyrosine residue at the C-terminal end of the peptide, at position 26, was replaced by para-amino-phenylalanine, which can also form a hydrogen bond, in a similar fashion to the OH group in Tyrosine, to form peptide WALL005.
• Peptide WALL005 AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKECGL-para-amino-F
• Peptide WALL 014 A succinylated form of peptide WALL005.
• Peptide WALL 014 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKECGL-para- amino-F
• Peptide WALL007 In an attempt to improve peptide efficacy and also to avoid possible oxidation of the peptide, and thereby to increase its stability, the cysteine residue at position 23 was replaced by valine, to form peptide WALL007.
• Peptide WALL016 to the succinylated form of WALL007.
• Peptide WALLO 16 Succinyl -AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKEVGLY
• Peptide WALL004 The proline at position 16, at the point of junction between the importation segment and the functional moiety, was replaced by Alanine, to form peptide WALL004.
• Peptide WALL008 In which Sarcosine replaces the Proline. The addition of Succinyl again is to increase solubility.
• Peptide WALL008 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLA-Sar-KNNLKECGLY
• Peptide WALL009 This is a sequence that was shown previously to be inactive (disclosed in WO 00/78346), but contains the same active anti-allergic sequence (last 10 amino acids) and has no solubility problems. Peptide WALL009: VTVLALGALAGVGVGKNNLKECGLY
• Peptide WALL010 This is the same inactive sequence as in WALL009, but this novel peptide includes a Proline residue that is now connecting the leader sequence to the active sequence. This peptide was synthesized to test whether inclusion of a rigid amino acid (proline) that forms a bend at the junction of the two segments may convert it into an active peptide.
• Peptide WALL023 In order to create a peptide that could serve as negative control to the active sequence of G ⁇ i 3 , the last 10 amino acids of peptide 2 were replaced by an anti-sense sequence.
• Peptide WALL006 AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of Peptide WALL006 did not result in histamine secretion. In fact, incubation with the peptide resulted in inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 1 A). These results have indicated that Peptide WALL006 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to block compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL006 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 value of 560 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 57% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL015 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKQNLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 15 did not result in histamine secretion (Fig 2A) . In fact, incubation with the peptide resulted in minor inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 2A). These results have indicated that peptide WALLO 15 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit the histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALLO 15 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 values of 300 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 75% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL011 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKSNLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 11 did not result in histamine secretion (Fig 3 A). Moreover, incubation with the peptide at concentration of 400-600 ⁇ g/ml resulted in a minor inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 3 A). These results have indicated that peptide WALLO 11 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit the histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80.
• mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALLO 11 inhibited compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 values of 160 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 87% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL012 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKENLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 12 did not result in histamine secretion (Fig 4A). Furthermore, incubation with the peptide resulted in a minor inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 4A). These results have indicated that peptide WALLO 12 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit the histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL012 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC50 values of 320 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 91.5% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL013 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKANLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 13 did not result in histamine secretion (Fig 5A). In fact, incubation with the peptide resulted in a minor inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 5A). These results have indicated that peptide WALLO 13 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALLO 13 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC50 values of 245 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 100% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• results obtained with peptides WALL006, WALL011, WALL012 WALL013 and WALLO 15 demonstrate that replacement of the Asparagine at position 18 with one of the following: Glutamine, Serine, Glutamic acid or Alanine result in active peptides that significantly inhibit histamine secretion from mast cells. Since Asparagine, Glutamine, Serine, and Glutamic acid are capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the tyrosine residue located at the C-terminal end of the peptide, it is suggested that the formation of a cyclic three-dimensional structure might be mediated by this bond. However since
• Peptide WALL005 AAVALLPAVLLALLAP NNLKECGL-para-amino-F Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALL005 resulted in histamine secretion (Fig 6A). These results have indicated that peptide WALL005 is likely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL005 had no effect on compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion. These results indicate that replacement of the tyrosine residue at the C-terminus with para-amino-F interferes with the activity of the peptide. Since peptide WALL005 had severe solubility problems, peptide aggregation may have accounted for the observed effects. Therefore, the activity of the succinylated form of this peptide was tested as well.
• Peptide WALLO 14 is identical to peptide WALL005 except for an additional Succinyl group at the N- terminus.
• peptide WALLO 14 Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 14 did not result in histamine secretion (Fig 7A). These results have indicated that peptide WALL014 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80. As shown in Figure 7B, peptide WALLO 14 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 values of 230 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 83% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL007 AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKEVGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of
• Peptide WALL007 did not result in histamine secretion. In fact, incubation with the peptide resulted in inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 8A). These results have indicated that Peptide WALL007 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects.
• this peptide was tested for its ability to block compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL007 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner.
• a potent inhibition was already demonstrated at a concentration of 400 ⁇ g/ml, while maximal inhibition was demonstrated at a concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml. Under these conditions, the level of histamine secretion was lower than the basal level of histamine secretion in control cells.
• an active peptide which inhibits mast cell degranulation, should contain at position 23 Cysteine or a stable isosteric residue which is not prone to oxidation or any chemical modification, such as Valine , as an essential condition for peptide activity
• Peptide WALL016 Succinyl- AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKNNLKEVGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 16 did not result in histamine secretion (Fig 9A). In fact, incubation with the peptide resulted in inhibition of the basal histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 9A). These results have indicated that peptide WALLO 16 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALLO 16 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 values of 295 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 79.6% at a concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• the next set of peptides were synthesized and analyzed in order to demonstrate the importance of the type of linkage which connects between the two segments of the complex peptide, that is the connection between the importation and the functional sequences. In particular, to assess the importance for biological activity of the proline residue as the point of junction between the importation segment and the functional moiety.
• Peptide WALL004 AAVALLPAVLLALLAAKNNLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of
• Peptide WALL004 resulted in moderate histamine secretion, especially at a peptide concenfration of exceeding 200 ⁇ g/ml (demonstrated in Figure 10A). These results suggested that this peptide is likely to cause only minor or no allergic side effects and can therefore serve as a potential inhibitor of mast cell exocytosis.
• the peptide was also tested for its ability to block compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion. Mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, followed by induction of histamine secretion by compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL004 failed to block histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80.
• substitution of the proline residue at position 16 with alanine caused a complete loss of the desired activity of the peptide. Therefore, we suggest that the amino acid proline, or any other natural or non-natural amino acid or covalent bond or moiety that would link covalently the importation segment (competent for cell penetration) with the functional segment (active in reducing or abolishing mast cell degranulation) in a manner, which gives rise to a bend or turn, is essential for the maintenance of the desired peptide activity. Examples include proline mimetics, N-alkylated or N-methylated amino acids at this position, double or triple bonds or the like.
• moieties which induce suitable conformations include but are not limited to N-methyl amino acids such as sarcosine; hydroxy proline; anthranilic acid (2-amino benzoic acid); and 7-azabicyloheptane carboxylic acid.
• Peptide WALL008 Succinyl-AAVALLPAVLLALLA-Sar-KNNLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALL008 did not result in histamine secretion. In fact, incubation with the peptide resulted in inhibition of the basal level of histamine secretion, when compared to control cells (illustrated in Figure 11A). These results have indicated that peptide WALL008 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to block compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL008 blocked compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion in a dose dependent manner, with IC 50 values at concentration of 220 ⁇ g/ml and maximal inhibition of 98.7% at concentration of 600 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL009 VTVLALGALAGVGVGKNNLKECGLY Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALL009 resulted in histamine secretion as a function of the peptide concentration (Fig 12A). These results have indicated that peptide WALL009 is a potent secretagogue of mast cells which is likely to cause allergic side effects. This peptide was also tested for its ability to block compound 48/80-induced histamine secretion. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80. As shown in Figure 12B, peptide WALL009 did not inhibit histamine release, induced by compound 48/80.
• peptide WALLO 10 Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with increasing concentrations of peptide WALLO 10 resulted in histamine secretion as a function of peptide concentration (Fig 13 A). These results have indicated that peptide WALLO 10 is a potent secretagogue of mast cells and is therefore likely to cause allergic side effects. Next, this peptide was tested for its ability to block compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion. For this purpose, mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their trigger with compound 48/80. As shown in Figure 13B, peptide WALLO 10 did demonstrate a mild inhibition of histamine release, induced by compound 48/80, with maximal inhibition of 16.7% at a concentration of 200 ⁇ g/ml.
• Peptide WALL023 AAVALLPAVLLALLAPYLGCEKLNNK Incubation of purified intact mast cells in vitro with 600 ⁇ g/ml of peptide
• WALL023 is unlikely to cause allergic side effects.
• this peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80.
• mast cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of the peptide, prior to their being triggered with compound 48/80.
• peptide WALL023 had no effect on compound 48/80 induced histamine secretion.
• WALL009 and WALLO 10 confirm that the linker is a crucial element of the present invention, whereby the linker must impose conformational constraints at or near the junction of the two segments of the molecule to yield a biologically active entity. Therefore, the first segment must be connected to the second segment through a linker or a direct bond, whereby the linker creates a conformational constraint, by forming a bend or turn. Examples include but are not limited to, residues such as proline, or proline mimetic or N-methyl amino acids such as sarcosine or any other moiety which introduces a rigid bend into the peptide backbone.
• Table 1 summarizes the results obtained in the in vitro system. Table 1: Summary of in vitro experiments monitoring histamine secretion from isolated mast cells, following incubation with the following peptides
• peptides according to the present invention to block allergic reaction in vivo was tested on the skin of rats by using compound 48/80 as the allergen.
• Peptides WALL007, WALL008, WALL012, WALL013, WALL014, WALL015 and WALL016 that were demonstrated to be effective in vitro, are shown to effectively block the allergic response in vivo.
• WALL008 Succinyl -AAVALLPAVLLALLA-Sar-KNNLKECGLY
• WALL012 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKENLKECGLY
• WALLO 13 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAPKANLKECGLY
• WALLO 14 Succinyl - AAVALLPAVLLALLAP KNNLKECGL-para-amino-F
• the hair of the abdominal area of CR rats was carefully removed with an electric clipper and a depilatory cream.
• the abdominal area was divided to six equal zones that were marked by pen. Each zone was either subjected to peptide treatment or served as a control.
• the peptide was injected infradermally as follows: 20 ⁇ l of peptide solution at different concentrations (dissolved in 10% DMSO in DDW) were injected infradermally to an indicated abdominal area using a 27-gauge sterile needle.
• Skin tests were performed 0.5, or 1 hour following application of the peptide. Skin tests were performed by injecting infradermally 20 ⁇ l of the allergen (0.1 mg/ml compound 48/80 dissolved in DDW) or DDW alone (Vehicle), into the center of each marked area on the abdominal skin using a 27-gauge sterile needle. The allergic response was monitored by outlining with a marker the wheals which developed in response to allergen or vehicle treatment.
• the marker signs were transferred onto paper with scotch tape.
• the areas of the wheals were outlined and calculated by a computerized software (NIH-Image).
• Tables 2-8 presents the mean areas of the wheals, which developed in response to intradermal injection of each of the tested peptides, followed by either compound 48/80 or DDW injection applied after 0.5 or 1 hour. Two doses were tested for each peptide - 20 and 200 ⁇ g (injection of 20 ⁇ l from a stock solution of 1 mg/ml or 10 mg/m respectively). Mean wheal areas were calculated for each treatment and the significance of the results was determined using student's T-test.
• Peptide WALL007 reduced the allergic reaction in a dose dependent manner, reaching significant inhibition when administered 0.5 or 1 hour before the allergic induction. These results therefore indicate that Peptide WALL007 has the potential to block allergic reactions in vivo
• Table 3 The results presented in Table 3 demonstrate that intradermal injection of Peptide WALL016 reduced compound 48/80 induced allergic reaction in a dose dependent manner, reaching significant inhibition at both 0.5 and 1 hour before the allergic induction. These results therefore indicate that Peptide WALL0016 has the potential to block allergic reactions in vivo.
• Peptide WALL008 reduced the allergic reaction in a dose dependent manner, reaching significant inhibition at 0.5 hour before the allergic induction. These results therefore indicate that Peptide WALL008 has the potential to block allergic reactions in vivo. .
• Peptide WALL012 reduced compound 48/80-induced allergic reactions in a dose dependent manner, reaching significant inhibition at 0.5 hour before the allergic induction. Therefore, Peptide WALL012 has the potential to block allergic reactions in vivo.
• Peptide WALL013 significantly reduced compound 48/80-induced allergic reaction at concenfrations of 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml, when applied 0.5 hour before induction of the allergic reaction. Peptide WALLO 13 therefore has the potential to block allergic reactions in vivo.
• a representative experiment (depicted in Table 7) demonstrates that intradermal injection of Peptide WALL015 blocked compound 48/80-induced allergic reaction in vivo.
• Peptide WALL015 reduced the allergic reaction at concentration of 1 and 10 1 and 10 mg/ml , when applied 0.5 hour before induction of the allergic induction.
• Table 2 Mean Wheal Area (mm 2 ⁇ STD) in Response to Intradermal Injection of Peptide WALL007 followed by compound 48/80.
• Table 3 Mean Wheal Area (mm 2 ⁇ STD) in Response to Intradermal Injection of Peptide WALL016 followed by compound 48/80.
• Table 4 Mean Wheal Area (mm 2 ⁇ STD) in Response to Intradermal Injection of Peptide WALL008 followed by compound 48/80.
• Table 6 Mean Wheal Area (mm 2 ⁇ STD) in Response to Intradermal Injection of Peptide WALL013 followed by compound 48/80.
• Table 7 A Representative Experiment Demonstrating the Wheal Area (mm 2 ) in Response to Intradermal Injection of Peptide WALLO 15 followed by compound 48/80.
• Table 8 Mean Wheal Area (mm 2 ⁇ STD) in Response to Intradermal Injection of Peptide WALL014 followed by compound 48/80.
• the peptides of the present invention, and their homologues or related compounds, hereinafter referred to as the "therapeutic agents of the present invention" can be administered to a subject by various routes of administration, which are well known in the art.
• the term “therapeutic agent” includes a peptide as previously defined, in particular peptides exemplified herein and/or homologues, analogues or mimetics thereof, or any biologically active substance having a substantially similar effect as previously defined.
• the term “subject” refers to the human or lower animal to whom the therapeutic agent is administered.
• administration may be done topically (including ophthalmically, vaginally, rectally, intranasally and by inhalation), orally, or parenterally, for example by intravenous drip or intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection.
• Formulations for topical administration may include but are not limited to lotions, ointments, gels, creams, suppositories, drops, liquids, sprays and powders.
• Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable.
• compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, sachets, capsules or tablets. Thickeners, diluents, flavorings, dispersing aids, emulsifiers or binders may be desirable.
• Formulations for parenteral administration may include but are not limited to sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives.
• Dosing is dependent on the severity of the symptoms and on the responsiveness of the subject to the therapeutic agent. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates.
• the therapeutic agents of the present invention have been shown to be effective inhibitors of the allergic process by blocking mast cell degranulation, thereby preventing and/or alleviating an allergenic condition.
• the following example is an illustration only of a method of treating an allergenic condition with the therapeutic agent of the present invention, and is not intended to be limiting.
• the method includes the step of administering a therapeutic agent, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as described in Example 4 above, to a subject to be treated.
• the therapeutic agent is administered according to an effective dosing methodology, preferably until a predefined endpoint is reached, such as the absence of a symptom of the allergenic condition in the subject, or the prevention of the appearance of such a symptom in the subject.
• Allergic conditions for which the therapeutic agents of the present invention are useful include, but are not limited to, nasal allergy, irritation or allergic reactions in the eyes, allergic reactions in the skin including any type of allergen-induced rash or other skin irritation or inflammation, acute urticaria, psoriasis, psychogenic or allergic asthma, interstitial cystitis, bowel diseases, migraines, and auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
• the therapeutic complex of the present invention can be manufactured in various ways. For example, if the therapeutic complex includes a peptide for at least one the first segment and the second segment, or if the entire therapeutic complex is a peptide, then such a peptide could be manufactured by peptide synthetic methods which are well known in the art.
• such a peptide could be produced by linking the signal sequence and the biologically active moiety through laboratory techniques for molecular biology which are well known in the art.
• a recombinant fusion protein could be prepared which would feature the peptide permeabilization sequence in the N- terminus and the C-terminal moiety of G ⁇ t or G ⁇ l3 , preferably including the last 10 amino acids, for production in bacteria.
• DNA sequences coding for the desired peptides are amplified by PCR and purified. After sequence verification, these DNA sequences are ligated and cloned in an appropriate vector. The resulting recombinant plasmid is expressed in E. coli and the recombinant proteins purified from bacterial extracts.
• the energy of each conformation was quenched by direct minimization.
• the annealed and minimized conformations constitute the conformation sample of that molecule.
• the gradual annealing guarantees that the resulting conformations will indeed be on the 300 K manifold (i.e., are accessible at 300 K), while the high temperature sampling allows us to cross high-energy barriers.
• each sampling procedure starts with a 500 ps molecular dynamics trajectory at 1000 K (simulated using 2 fs timesteps). Conformations are sampled along the high temperature frajectory every 1 ps, resulting in a total of 500 conformations. Short molecular dynamic trajectories (simulated at 1 fs timesteps) are then applied to cool each of the high temperature conformations down to 300K (temperature decreases at 100 K steps). Following the cooling phase each structure is minimized by a combined protocol consisting of 200 Steepest Decent steps followed by Adopted Basis Newton-Raphson (ABNR) minimization until a total gradient of 0.01 is reached.
• ABNR Adopted Basis Newton-Raphson
• Peptide a (G ⁇ i 3 ): NH 2 -Lys-Asn-Asn-Leu-Lys-Glu-Cys-Gly-Leu-Tyr-C0 2 "
• Peptide b (G ⁇ i 2 ): NH 2 -Lys-Asn-Asn-Leu-Lys-Asp-Cys-Gly-Leu-Phe-C0 2 " Peptide c3 (G ⁇ t ): NH 2 -Lys-Glu-Asn-Leu-Lys-Asp-Cys-Gly-Leu-Phe-C0 2 " Peptide d: NH 2 -Lys-Asn-Asn-Leu-Lys-Glu-Ser-Gly-Leu-Tyr-C0 2 "
• Substance P activates the release of histamine from human skin mast cells through a pertussis toxin-sensitive and protein kinase C-dependent mechanism. Clin. Immunol. Immunop. 81,68-73.
• EGF EGF-stimulated Ras activation in intact cells by a cell-permeable peptide mimicking phosphorylated EGF receptor. J Biol. Chem. 271,27456-27461.
• Theoharides T.C. (1996).
• the mast cell a neuroimmunoendocrine master player. Int. J. Tissue React. 18:1-21.

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• Immunology (AREA)
• Neurology (AREA)
• Dermatology (AREA)
• Cell Biology (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Hospice & Palliative Care (AREA)
• Psychiatry (AREA)
• Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Urology & Nephrology (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
• Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)

Priority Applications (10)

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• 2000
  • 2000-12-21 IL IL14047300A patent/IL140473A0/xx unknown
• 2001
  • 2001-12-20 EP EP07022899A patent/EP1891975A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-12-20 AU AU1738402A patent/AU1738402A/xx active Pending
  • 2001-12-20 JP JP2002551990A patent/JP2005506276A/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2001-12-20 CA CA002432879A patent/CA2432879A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-12-20 AU AU2002217384A patent/AU2002217384B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2001-12-20 WO PCT/IL2001/001186 patent/WO2002050097A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2001-12-20 EP EP01271384A patent/EP1478378A4/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2003
  • 2003-06-20 US US10/465,826 patent/US7112568B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-08-29 US US11/214,588 patent/US7528110B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2009
  • 2009-03-27 US US12/412,646 patent/US20090227768A1/en not_active Abandoned

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