Biomerieux, Inc.

Pascal T Dalbon

Michel C Jolivet

Colette Jolivet-Reynaud

Xavier Lacoux

Laurent Ladaviere

Bernard F Mandrand

Guy Serre

Philippe Cros

Mireille Sebbag

Michel Simon

Christian Vincent

Patrice A Allibert

Michel Arnaud

Elisabeth Girbal-Neuhauser

Marie-Christine Bene

Gilbert Faure

Fran&ccedil;ois Penin

The invention concerns a structural peptide, identified by antibodies directed against a polypeptide, comprising the 2-45 amino acid sequence of the N-terminal end of the Core or nucleocapsid (p21) protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), excluding any protein or peptide compound comprising or consisting of the N-terminal end. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a tertiary structure consisting of at least a first peptide fragment having a secondary structure in &#x3b1; helix, a second peptide fragment having secondary structure in &#x3b1; helix and a third peptide bond fragment linking the two &#x3b1; helices, these two &#x3b1; helices being substantially perpendicular to each other in space. This peptide can be used for detecting antibodies directed against the p21 protein of HCV, for detecting all of part of the RNA of HCV and for preparing a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic composition for detecting, preventing or treating an HCV infection.

Antigenic structural peptide, antigenic and immunogenic compounds, and uses for detecting, preventing and treating an HCV infection

The invention concerns an artificial antigen specifically identified by the anti-filaggrin autoantibodies present in the serum of patients suffering from rheumatoid polyarthritis, and consisting of one polypeptide comprising all or part of the sequence of one filaggrin unit or of a related molecule, in which an arginine radical has been substituted by a citrulline radical. The invention also concerns the use of this antigen for diagnosing rheumatoid polyarthritis.

Antigens derived from filaggrin and their use for diagnosing rheumatoid polyarthritis

Oligopeptides containing one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-5 may be used as antigenic compounds to recognize anti-ovary antibodies. The oligopeptides may also be used as immunogenic compounds to induce the production of anti-ovary antibodies.

Antigenic peptides reacting with anti-ovary antibodies

The invention concerns a structural peptide, identified by antibodies directed against a polypeptide, comprising the 2-45 amino acid sequence of the N-terminal end of the Core or nucleocapsid (p21) protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), excluding any protein or peptide compound comprising or consisting of the N-terminal end. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a tertiary structure consisting of at least a first peptide fragment having a secondary structure in &agr; helix, a second peptide fragment having secondary structure in &agr; helix and a third peptide bond fragment linking the two &agr; helices, these two &agr; helices being substantially perpendicular to each other in space. This peptide can be used for detecting antibodies directed against the p21 protein of HCV, for detecting all of part of the RNA of HCV and for preparing a diagnostic, prophylactic or therapeutic composition for detecting, preventing or treating an HCV infection.

The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a peptide sequence belonging to the sequence of the first 62 amino acids of the terminal part of the CORE (or capsid) protein of the human hepatitis C virus (HCV), the polypeptide comprising either an isolated peptide sequence that is composed of the 45 N-terminal amino acids of the core protein, with 1 to 10 amino acids optionally amputated from its N-terminal part and/or its C-terminal part, or an immunogenic sequence equivalent to the peptide sequence and exhibiting immunological cross-reactivity with the peptide sequence towards HCV. The invention also relates to a polypeptide composition, a reagent and a means for the detection of the HCV virus, a process and a device for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies, an immunotherapeutic composition and antibodies directed against HCV.

Synthetic polypeptides belonging to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and which can be used especially for detecting the latter

In a process for immobilization by passive fixation on a solid support of a nucleic acid fragment containing less than 100 nucleotides, the fragment is deposited on the support in the form of a derivative. The derivative results from the covalent coupling of the fragment with a ligand having a molecular mass of less than 5,000 and containing at least one polar functional group. The derivative is not capable of forming a covalent bond with the support under the conditions of the deposition. When the ligand is a nucleotide or an oligonucleotide it is at least one nucleotide modified so as to introduce the polar functional group.

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Venissieux, France

Pascal T Dalbon