Methods for the detection of antibodies associated with autoimmune disorders and infectious agents employing immunoretroid peptides derived from antigens associated with said disorders and agents

Abstract

This invention is directed toward methods and kits for the detection of antibodies associated with autoimmune disorders or infectious agents in an individual employing immunoretroid peptides derived from antigens associated with said disorders and agents. These immunoretroid compounds are derived from the following group of peptides: the foot-and-mouth disease virus major antigenic determinant VP1 peptide [A], the foot-and-mouth disease virus major antigenic determinant VP1 peptide [USA], the influenza virus strain X31 site A peptide, the C-terminal epitope of the histone protein H3 consisting of amino acids 130-135, an internal epitope of the histone protein H3 consisting of amino acids 28-45, an internal epitope of the recombinant 52 kDa autoimmune protein SSA/Ro (Ro52) consisting of amino acids 277-291, an internal epitope of the recombinant 60 kDa autoimmune protein SSA/Ro (Ro60) consisting of amino acids 304-324, the foot-and-mouth disease virus immunodominant loop peptide FP, the foot-and-mouth disease virus immunodominant loop peptide FL, and the foot-and-mouth disease virus immunodominant loop peptide SL. The immunoretroids derived from these peptides are capable of binding to the aforementioned antibodies with equal affinity as compared to the native antigen.