Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

The University of Oklahoma

Other

John B Harley

Judith Ann James

Kenneth M Kaufman

R Hal Scofield

Data consistent with autoimmune disease being caused by Epstein-Barr virus are shown. Based on this evidence, an effective vaccine would prevent the autoimmune disease in those vaccinated, modified or administered so that the vaccine is not itself capable of inducing autoimmune disease. In the case of anti-Sm, structures to be avoided in an Epstein-Barr virus-derived vaccine have been identified. Differences have been identified in the immune responses to Epstein-Barr infection between individuals who develop a specific autoimmune disease and those who do not. These differences are used to distinguish those who are at greater risk for developing specific autoimmune diseases from those who are a lesser risk. Assuming Epstein-Barr virus causes autoimmune disease and that Epstein-Barr virus remains latent in the patient for life, reactivation of the virus from the latent state is important in generating or maintaining the autoimmune response that culminates in autoimmune disease. Cells infected with latent virus may also encourage autoimmunity. Based on the understanding that reactivation or latency are important to produce or sustain autoimmunity, then therapies directed against Epstein-Barr virus will also be effective therapies for the autoimmune manifestations of disease for which Epstein-Barr virus is responsible.

Diagnostics and therapy of epstein-barr virus in autoimmune disorders

Compositions that bind viral proteins that are specifically expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP-2A, an EBV latent protein, which are conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for removal of the infected cells. These antibodies are capable of distinguishing cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which are not expressing EBV DNA. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also disclosed. The antibody conjugates can be used in diagnostic assays to identify cells expressing latent viral protein and people who are harboring latent viral particles. The antibody conjugates can also be used to remove the infected cells or to kill the infected the cells. Alternatively, or in addition, the viral proteins or portions thereof can be used as a vaccine to induce an immune reaction by the host to kill the infected cells. These methods can be used to detect or treat patients harboring latent viruses like EBV and who are at risk of developing a disease such as an autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Assays and therapies for latent viral infection

A number of octapeptides were generated from the sequences encoding the 60 kDa Ro/SSA peptide, the La/SSB autoantigen, the 70 kD nuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP), and the Sm B/B' polypeptide, which represent linear epitopes for autoantibodies present in the sera of SLE and SS patients. These peptides are useful in solid phase assays for patients characterized by the presence of these autoantibodies, and can be used to categorize patients as to the likelihood of developing certain conditions associated with SLE. The peptides are also potentially useful in treatment of these patients using immobilized peptide to remove autoantibody and to block binding of the autoantibodies with patient molecules reactive with the autoantibodies.

Methods and reagents for diagnosis of autoantibodies

Diagnostics and therapy of Epstein-Barr virus in autoimmune disorders

Ro/SSA peptide reagents for diagnosis of autoantibodies

Compositions that bind specific viral proteins expressed during the latent stage of the viral life cycle are disclosed. These compositions bind the latent viral proteins while the viral proteins are expressed in their cellular host, and provide a means for targeting cells that harbor latent virus. In a preferred embodiment the compositions are antibodies which bind the extracellular region of the latent viral protein, most preferably LMP- A, an EBV latent protein, conjugated to a diagnostic or cytotoxic agent or immobilized to a solid support for infected cell removal. These antibodies can distinguish cells expressing EBV DNA from cells which do not. Compositions that can be used to elicit production of these antibodies, or as a vaccine, are also disclosed. Methods for generating diagnostic or cytotoxic reagents and vaccines based on the viral epitopes that identify cells harboring latent virus are also discloset. The antibody conjugates can be used in diagnostic assays to identify cells expressing latent viral protein and people harboring latent viral particles. The antibody conjugates can also be used to remove infected cells or kill the infected cells. Alternatively, or in addition, the viral proteins or portions thereof can be used as a vaccine to induce an immune reaction by the host to kill the infected cells. These methods can be used to detect or treat patients harboring latent viruses like EBV and who risk developing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

A number of octapeptides were generated from the sequences encoding the 60 kDa Ro/SSA peptide, the La/SSB autoantigen, the 70 kD nuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP), and the Sm B/B&prime; polypeptide, which represent linear epitopes for autoantibodies present in the sera of SLE and SS patients. These peptides are useful in solid phase assays for patients characterized by the presence of these autoantibodies, and can be used to categorize patients as to the likelihood of developing certain conditions associated with SLE. The peptides are also potentially useful in treatment of these patients using immobilized peptide to remove autoantibody and to block binding of the autoantibodies with patient molecules reactive with the autoantibodies.

A specific method has been developed to produce an autoimmune response and resulting clinical symptoms for a particular disease process. Peptides or other structures derived from an autoantigen and which are bound by auto antibody or T cell receptors are identified and used to induce an immune response. This immune response evolves into an autoimmune response directed against the other portions of the protein from which the peptide was derived. Subsequently, clinical manifestations may appear that are also found in the clinical illness. selected from the group including viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, rickettsia, plasmids, and insects which contains a structure or a peptide sequence that is similar to a structure or peptide sequence that has been identified by the method of claim,to the extent that it is bound by one of the group selected from antigen specific B cell surface receptors, and antigen specific T cell receptors.

Non-human animal model for systemic lupus erythematosis

It has been determined that HLA B27 is related to proteins of the Gram negative enteric bacteria. The hypervariable regions of the HLA B alleles were compared to the known sequenced proteins for short consecutive amino acid identities. It was found that, unique to the HLA B alleles,, HLA B27 shares an unexpected number of hexapeptides and pentapeptides with Gram negative bacteria proteins. The proteins from enteric organisms that share sequence with B27 tend to have sequences that satisfy protein sequence motifs which are thought to predict binding to B27. In addition, there is a sequence in B27, LRRYLENGK, which is predicted to bind as a peptide to B27. Binding of this peptide to B27 has been demonstrated. The disclosed peptides are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and can be used to design additional peptides from Gram negative enteric organisms can be identified to be important in the spondyloarthropathies. These peptides and their analogs can be used to screen for antibodies, and more importantly, T cells reactive with the peptides, which are indicative of the spondyloarthropathies.

Peptide diagnostics and therapeutics for spondyloarthropathies

A specific method has been developed to identify the etiologic or immunogenic agent responsible for the production of autoantibodies characteristic of a particular disorder or immune response. The antigen is first isolated, then divided into overlapping short amino acid sequences. The sequences having the greatest reactivity with the autoantibodies are identified and compared with all known amino acids sequences using the available computer data bases. The protein having the maximum number of sequences homologous to the sequences of greatest reactivity with the autoantibodies is the likeliest candidate for the etiological agent. Applying this method, it has been determined that the etiological agent for the production of anti-Ro/SSA autoantibodies characteristic of numerous autoimmune diseases such as SLE appears to be a virus highly homologous to the Indiana strain of the vesicular stomatitis virus. Once the etiologic agent and antigenic sequences are known, it is possible to design assays and reagents for the diagnosis and treatment of patients having either the etiological agent and/or autoantibodies. An animal model has been developed for studying the mechanisms of, and screening compounds for the treatment or prevention of, the expression of these autoantibodies.

Assays and treatments of autoimmune diseases

Monoclonal antibodies against autoimmune RNA proteins such as La/SSB, Ro/SSA, nNP and Sm. These monoclonal antibodies, which are produced by a continuous hybridoma cell line, may be used in methods for detecting the presence of selected autoimmune RNA proteins and antibodies against such proteins in biological samples, and may be incorporated into diagnostic test kits for this purpose. The monoclonal antibodies may be applied in methods for screening subjects for systemic lupus erythematosus, subacute cutaneous erythematosus, neonatal lupus, Siogren's syndrome, complete congential heart block, and other disorders which involve the presence of antibodies against autoimmune RNA proteins.

Monoclonal antibodies against autoimmune RNA proteins

Monoclonal antibodies against autoimmune RNA proteins such as La/SSB, Ro/SSA, nNP, and Sm. These monoclonal antibodies which are produced by a continuous hybridoma cell line, may be used in methods for detecting the presence of selected autoimmune RNA proteins and antibodies against such proteins in biological samples, and may be incorporated into diagnostic test kits for this purpose. The monoclonal antibodies may be applied in methods for screening subjects for systemic lupus erythematosus, subacute cutaneous erythematosus, neonatal lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, complete congential heart block, and other disorders which involve the presence of antibodies against autoimmune RNA proteins.

Growing community of inventors

Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America

John B Harley