New immunodominant peptides from actin, useful for diagnosis and treatment of type I autoimmune hepatitis

摘要

Immunodominant peptides (I) from the autoantigen actin contain 10-20 amino acids and can bind to autoantibodies present in patients with type I autoimmune hepatitis. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) antibodies (Ab) against immunodominant epitopes of actin that recognize at least one (I); (2) anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab1) directed against Ab and recognizing specific types of Ab; and (3) a test kit for determining anti-autoimmune hepatitis type 1 antibodies in biological fluids comprising at least one of (I), conjugate of (I) with a carrier molecule or Ab1, adsorbed on, or covalently bonded to, a solid phase.