METHODS, PEPTIDES AND ANTIBODIES FOR PREVENTING, TREATING AND DIAGNOSING AN INFLAMMATORY CONDITION

摘要

Provided is an isolated peptide or a peptidomimetic comprising a sequence corresponding to amino acid positions 431-616 or 411-616 of the human protein TLR4 or corresponding to amino acid positions 84-131 of the human protein MD-2. Provided is also an antibody with a specificity to an epitope that is a region corresponding to amino acid positions 411 to 616 of variant 1 the human protein TLR4. Provided is further an antibody with a specificity to an epitope that is a region corresponding to amino acid positions 86 to 131 of the human protein MD2. Provided is further the use of such antibody in the treatment or diagnosis of an inflammatory disorder. Also provided is an in-vitro method of identifying a compound capable of inhibiting the formation of a complex between one of the above peptides or whole molecules and an S100A8 or S100A9 or S100A8/S100A9 protein or a functional fragment thereof.