NOVEL PEPTIDES DERIVED FROM AUTOANTIGEN FOR USE IN IMMUNOTHERAPY OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

摘要

The present invention relates to novel peptides derived from the autoantigen HC gp-39, said peptides comprising at least one of the amino acid sequences FGRSFTLAS (SEQ ID No.1), FTLASSETG (SEQ ID No. 2), YDDQESVKS (SEQ ID No.3) and FSKIASNTQ (SEQ ID No.4). The peptides resemble MHC Class II restricted T-cell epitopes present on the autoantigen HC gp-39 in articular cartilage. HC gp-39 and said peptides can be used in antigen-specific treatment of articular cartilage destruction in autoimmune diseases to induce tolerance of the immune system. The autoantigen HC gp-39 and said peptides are also suitable to induce arthritis in non-human animals, preferably mice. The invention furthermore relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said autoantigen and/or said peptides, a diagnostic method for the detection of autoreactive T cells in a test sample and test kits to be used in said method.