Baylor College of Medicine

Opexa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Jingwu Z Zhang

The present invention relates generally to the field of treating and monitoring multiple sclerosis by utilizing T-cell receptors peptides. In particular, nucleic acids and peptide sequences of T-cell receptors found in a population of MS patients are provided, along with compositions comprising such TCR peptides for use in, e.g., vaccines.

T cell receptor CDR3 sequences associated with multiple sclerosis and compositions comprising same

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a first oligonucleotide comprising the sequence of or derived from 5&prime;-CTAGGGCGGGCGGGACTCACCTAC-3&prime; or the nucleic acid sequence complementary thereto. The first oligonucleotide can be used with a nucleic acid of between 15 and 30 nucleotides that does not comprise the sequence of the first oligonucleotide and is found in the region from V&bgr; to J&bgr; of the V&bgr;13.1 gene in V&bgr;13.1 T cells, wherein the sequences of the oligonucleotide and the nucleic acid are not found on the same strand of the V&bgr;13.1 gene pair, to amplify a portion of the V&bgr;13.1 gene. Alternatively, the first oligonucleotide can be used with a labeling moiety in methods of detecting a LGRAGLTY motif found in T cell receptors of V&bgr;13.1 T cells. This motif is associated with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Once the motif is detected, the autoimmune disease can be treated or its progress monitored. The autoimmune disease can be treated by administering one or more peptides comprising the LGRAGLTY motif.

T cell receptor V&bgr;-D&bgr;-J&bgr; sequence and methods for its detection

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a first oligonucleotide comprising the sequence of or derived from 5&prime;-CTAGGGCGGGCGGGACTCACCTAC-3&prime; or the nucleic acid sequence complementary thereto. The first oligonucleotide can be used with a nucleic acid of between 15 and 30 nucleotides that does not comprise the sequence of the first oligonucleotide and is found in the region from V&bgr; to J&bgr; of the V&bgr;13.1 gene in V&bgr;13.1 T cells, wherein the sequences of the oligonucleotide and the nucleic acid are not found on the same strand of the V&bgr;13.1 gene pair, to amplify a portion of the V&bgr;13.1 gene. Alternatively, the first oligonucleotide can be used with a labeling moiety in methods of detecting a LGRAGLTY motif found in T cell receptors of V&bgr;13.1 T cells. This motif is associated with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Once the motif is detected, the autoimmune disease can be treated or its progress monitored. The autoimmune disease can be treated by administering a peptide comprising the LGRAGLTY motif.

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Missouri City, TX, United States of America

Jingwu Z Zhang