Yeda Research and Develpment & Co. Ltd

Universiteit Utrecht Holding B.v.

De Staat Der Nederlanden, Vertegenwoordigd Door De Minister Van Welzijn,

Rijksuniversiteit Te Utrecht

De Staat Der Nederlanden Vertegenwoordigd Voor De Minister Van Welzijn,

Riksuniversiteit Te Utrecht

Ruurd Van Der Zee

Willem Van Eden

Irun R Cohen

Johannes D Van Embden

Jelle E Thole

The present invention relates to the use of fragments of heat shock proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis or inflammatory diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Preferably bacterial and/or mammalian heat shock proteins belonging to the HSP70 families are used.

Treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases

A polypeptide having amino acid sequence 172-192 of a Mycobacterium bovis BCG 64 kD polypeptide, said sequence having the formula ##STR1## as well as polypeptides derived therefrom, in the amino acid sequence of which sequence 172-179 and/or sequence 189-192 is (are) entirely or partially absent, were found to be useful as immunogens inducing resistance to auto-immune arthritis and similar auto-immune diseases. The invention relates to these polypeptides, to polypeptides showing sequential homology with these polypeptides, and to derivatives and multimers thereof. Also, microorganisms expressing the polypeptides either as such or as part of a fusion protein or as a multimer form part of the invention. Finally, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic compositions and test kits comprising a compound according to the invention.

Polypeptides and derivatives thereof as well as their use in

A Mycobacterium bovis BCG polypeptide having a molecular mass of about 64 kD was found to be useful as an immunogen inducing resistance to autoimmune arthritis and similar autoimmune diseases. The invention relates to methods of treatment and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases especially arthritic conditions, in which said polypeptide is used. The invention also relates to a polypeptide comprising the epitope essential for this activity. The polypeptide has the formula ##STR1## Further, the invention relates to polypeptides showing sequential homology with said polypeptide, and to derivatives and multimers thereof. Also, microorganisms expressing the polypeptides either as such or as part of a fusion protein or as a multimer, form part of the invention. Finally, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic compositions and test kits comprising a compound according to the invention.

Methods of treatment and diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, especially

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Utrecht, Netherlands

Ruurd Van Der Zee