Vaccine compositions compromising βs-crystallin for inducing immune responses against components of drusen

摘要

Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating or preventing the formation of drusen in a patient in need thereof. The compositions include an effective amount of at least one polypeptide present in drusen, or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof that induces an immune response against the polypeptide, together with a pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent. The compositions are suitable as vaccines for treating or preventing drusen and diseases associated with drusen.

主权项

1. A method for treating drusen in a patient having macular drusen or at risk for developing macular drusen, the method comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising βs-crystallin to the patient in a manner effective for stimulating an antibody-mediated immune response against βs-crystallin, wherein the composition comprises:
(a) an effective amount of βs-crystallin comprising the full-length amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the amount of βs-crystallin is 1-80 μg and the amount is effective for stimulating an antibody-mediated immune response against βs-crystallin after the composition is administered to the patient; and (b) a pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent.