AU2003213861B2 - Immunotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic reagents - Google Patents
Immunotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic reagents Download PDFInfo
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Description
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 IMMUNOTHERAPEUTIC AND IMMUNOPROPHYLACTIC REAGENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates generally to molecules such as peptides, polypeptides and proteins which interact immunologically with T lymphocytes in subjects having Rye grass pollen allergy and genetic sequences encoding same. These molecules are preferentially immunointeractive with T cells in subjects having a Rye grass pollen allergy. The molecules of the present invention are useful in the development of diagnostic, therapeutic 10 and prophylactic agents for conditions characterised by an aberrant, inappropriate or otherwise unwanted immune response to Rye grass pollen or derivative or homologue thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 15 Bibliographic details of the publications referred to by author in this specification are collected alphabetically at the end of the description. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an 20 acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. Type I allergic diseases such as seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever), conjunctivitis, allergic asthma and allergic dermatitis represent a major health problem in industrialised countries 25 (Wuthrich, 1989). It is currently estimated that 15-20% of the population in developed countries are afflicted with some form of allergy (Miyamoto, 1992). Therefore, the diagnosis and therapy of these diseases have become focal points of interest for scientific investigation. 30 At present, one form of therapeutic intervention of allergic diseases (such as rhinitis and allergic asthma) involves injection of the allergen assumed to be responsible for the WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -2 allergic response. This is referred to as hyposensitisation treatment. The development of recombinant techniques has provided the means to produce high levels of purified allergens for such purposes. However, the high level of purity of recombinant allergen preparations results in a high anaphylactogenic index even at very low doses. 5 Accordingly, extreme care is required when they are administered to patients. There is a need, therefore, to develop new agents and means of treating patients such as to reduce the risk of anaphylactic shock. The major outdoor cause of seasonal hay-fever and allergic asthma is airborne grass pollen 10 (Smart et al. 1983). Pollen calenders show that grass pollen is most abundant in spring and early summer when grasses flower and this is when allergic asthma peaks in incidence. The most important sources of grass pollen are common agricultural pasture grasses which have been widely introduced throughout the world. In cool temperate regions, grasses such as Rye-grass, Kentucky bluegrass and Timothy (all belonging to the subfamily 15 Pooideae) are of clinical significance, whereas in warm temperate and subtropical environments pollen of Bermuda grass (subfamily Chloridoideae) becomes the most important source of allergens. The most comprehensive studies have been made on proteins from Rye grass pollen and to a lesser extent Kentucky bluegrass and Timothy. 20 Individuals sensitive to allergens from one grass are often sensitive to those of a number of other grass genera. This is particularly true for pollen of grasses within the subfamily Pooideae (Smith et al., 1994), where immunological cross-reactivity has been demonstrated in inhibition experiments using an IgE-binding assay, the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). In these experiments, pollen extracts from one grass were able to inhibit 25 binding of IgE to extracts from other grasses. Allergen-specific CD4* T cells producing Th2-type cytokines play a major role in the elicitation and progression of allergic diseases (Romagnani, 1997). Upon appropriate presentation of allergen peptide these T cells produce a cocktail of cytokines, most 30 importantly IL-4 which drives IgE class switching by allergen-stimulated B cells and IL-5 which plays an important role in the maturation and activation of eosinophils. Allergen WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -3 immunotherapy has been successfully used to specifically treat allergic disease (Bousquet et al., 1998), yet the precise mechanisms involved are as yet not fully understood. Moreover, efficacy for treatment of common allergies such as those induced by grass pollens and house dust mite is only 60-80% and there is a risk of IgE-mediated side effects 5 from injection of the current crude extracts. Several studies have shown that clinically effective immunotherapy induces an alteration in allergen-specific T cell cytokine phenotype from a predominant Th2/ThO-type to a more Thl/ThO-type (reviewed in Rolland et al., 1998). Since the nature of the T cell response is pivotal in determining whether clinical tolerance or allergy follows allergen challenge, T cells are obvious targets 10 for new immunotherapy strategies. Based on a knowledge of dominant T cell epitopes of allergens, short peptides or recombinant hypoallergenic forms of allergens are exciting effective alternatives to current immunotherapy allergen extracts. Since these new preparations cannot cross-link mast cell 15 bound IgE, they should also be associated with improved safety of immunotherapy treatment. Peptide immunotherapy has already been successfully clinically trialed for the major cat allergen Fel d 1 (Pene et al., 1998; Alexander et al., 2001; Oldfield, 2001) and the major bee venom allergen phospholipase A2 (PLA 2 )(Muller et al., 1998). In addition, strategies for the generation of hypoallergenic recombinant allergens by site directed 20 mutagenesis have been developed for birch pollen, Timothy grass pollen and house dust mite allergens (Vrtala et al., 1999; Schramm et al., 1999; Smith et al., 1998). Rye grass pollen (RGP) is an important aeroallergen source in cool temperate climates during the grass flowering season. A soluble extract of RGP contains at least 17 allergenic 25 proteins as identified by immunoblotting with patient serum IgE, ranging in size from 11 89 kDa (Ford et al., 1986; Stewart et al., 1988). Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 are the major allergens of RGP, which together are recognised by almost all sera from RGP allergic donors. Limited mapping of T cell epitopes of Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 using PBMC, T cell lines (TCL) or T cell clones (TCC) has been reported previously (Perez et al., 1990; Spiegelberg et al., 30 1994; Bungy Poor Fard et al., 1993; Bungy et al., 1994; Blaher et al., 1996; de Lalla et al., WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -4 1999). However, these results are equivocal due to the analysis methods utilised and the small donor series. In work leading up to the present invention, the inventors have identified the human T cell 5 epitopes of the Rye grass pollen allergens Lol p 1 and Lol p 5. Using short-term RGP specific TCL generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a large panel of RGP allergic individuals, the importance of Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 as major T cell antigens of RGP was established and several dominant T cell reactive regions were identified in both molecules. The identification of Rye grass pollen T cell epitopes now facilitates the 10 development of molecules and methodology for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions characterised by the aberrant, inappropriate or otherwise unwanted immune response to Rye grass pollen or derivative or homologue thereof.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will 5 be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The subject specification contains amino acid sequence information prepared using the programme PatentIn Version 3.1, presented herein after the bibliography. Each amino acid 10 sequence is identified in the sequence listing by the numeric indicator <201> followed by the sequence identifier (eg. <210>1, <210>2, etc). The length, type of sequence (DNA, protein (PRT), etc) and source organism for each amino acid sequence are indicated by information provided in the numeric indicator fields <211>, <212> and <213>, respectively. Amino acid sequences referred to in the specification are defined by the 15 information provided in numeric indicator field <400> followed by the sequence identifier (eg. <400>1, <400>2, etc). That is SEQ ID NO:1 as detailed in the specification correlates to the sequence indicated as <400>1 in the sequence listing. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the 20 formula:
XLX
2
X
3 wherein: 25 X1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues;
X
2 is any amino acid sequence derived from or homologous to Lol p 1; 30 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -6 and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. 5 In another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the formula: X1 X2 X3 10 wherein: Xi and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues; 15 X 2 is any amino acid sequence derived from or homologous to Lol p 5; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a 20 functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. The present invention therefore more particularly provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 25 X 1
X
2
X
3 wherein:
X
1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence 30 comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues; WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -7
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 1-240 inclusive of Lol p 1; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T 5 cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. Still more particularly the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 10
X
1 X2 X3 wherein 15 X 1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues;
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-47, 73-92, 100-128, 127-146, 154-173 or 20 181-209 inclusive of Lol p 1; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells front subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a 25 functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 28-47, 73-92, 100-119, 109 128, 127-146, 154-173, 181-200, 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 30 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 Yet more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 109-128, 154-173 and/or 190 209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 5 Most particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38 inclusive of Lol p 1. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 109-128 and/or 154-173 inclusive of 10 Lolpl. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 15 The present invention therefore more particularly provides an isolated peptide of the formula:
X
1
X
2
X
3 20 wherein:
X
1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues: 25 X 2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 1-276 inclusive of Lol p 5; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by 30 an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -9 functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide provided that X 2 is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. Still more particularly the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 5
X
1
X
2
X
3 wherein 10 X 1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues;
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-83, 118-137, 145-173, 172-191 or 190-245 15 inclusive of Lol p 5. and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a 20 functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide provided that X 2 is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 46-65, 55-74, 64-83, 118-137, 25 145-164, 154-173, 172-191, 199-218, 208-227, 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. Yet more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 145-164, 154-173, 217-236 30 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 10 Most particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56 inclusive of Lol p 5. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid-sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived 5 from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 145-1664 and/or 154-173 inclusive of Lol p 5. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of 10 Lol p 5. In a particularly preferred embodiment, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 1, X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: 15 LDAKSTWYGKPTGAGPKDNG (SEQ ID NO: 5) KPTGAGPKDNGGACGYKDVD (SEQ ID NO: 6) FEIKCTKPESCSGEAVTVTI (SEQ ID NO: 11) IAPYHFDLSGHAFGSMAKKG (SEQ ID NO: 14) 20 GHAFGSMAKKGEEQNVRSAG (SEQ ID NO: 15) AGELELQFRRVKCKYPDDTK (SEQ ID NO: 17) GSNPNYLAILVKYVDGDGDV (SEQ ID NO: 20) KGKDKWIELKESWGAVWRID (SEQ ID NO: 23) IESWGAVWRIDTPDKLTGPF (SEQ ID NO: 25) 25 More preferably, X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 20 and/or SEQ ID NO: 24. In another preferred embodiment, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 5, 30 X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 aminb acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 11 DVNAGFKAAVAAAANAPPAD (SEQ ID NO: 33) VAAAANAPPADKFKIFEAAF (SEQ ID NO: 34) ADKFKIFEAAFSESSKGLLA (SEQ ID NO: 35) 5 AFSESSKGLLATSAAKAPGL (SEQ ID NO: 36) LRVIAGALEVHAVKPATEEV (SEQ ID NO: 42) GELQIVDKIDAAFKIAATAA (SEQ ID NO: 45) DAAFKIAATAANAAPTNDKF (SEQ ID NO: 46) KFTVFESAFNKALNECTGGA (SEQ ID NO: 48) 10 PSLEAAVKQAYAATVAAAPE (SEQ ID NO: 51) AYAATVAAAPEVKYAVFEAA (SEQ ID NO: 52) PEVKYAVFEAALTKAITAMT (SEQ ID NO: 53) AALTKAITAMTQAQKAGKPA (SEQ ID NO: 54) 15 More preferably, X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 54. Another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated peptide comprising any amino 20 acid sequence derived from or homologous to Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or Lol p 5, respectively, or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. 25 More particularly, the present invention provides an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of from 5-100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 1-240 inclusive or derivatives thereof of Lol p 1 wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when 30 incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 12 unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. In one preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or 5 contiguous with amino acids 19-47, 73-92, 100-128, 127-146, 154-173 or 181-209, inclusive of Lol p 1. In another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 28-47, 73-92, 100-119, 109-128, 127-146, 154-173, 10 181-200 and/or 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. In yet another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 109-128, 154-173 and/or 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 15 In another aspect, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 1, said amino acid sequence comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: 20 LDAKSTWYGKPTGAGPKDNG (SEQ ID NO: 5) KPTGAGPKDNGGACGYKDVD (SEQ ID NO: 6) FEIKCTKPESCSGEAVTVTI (SEQ ID NO: 11) IAPYHFDLSGHAFGSMAKKG (SEQ ID NO: 14) GHAFGSMAKKGEEQNVRSAG (SEQ ID NO: 15) 25 AGELELQFRRVKCKYPDDTK (SEQ ID NO: 17) GSNPNYLAILVKYVDGDGDV (SEQ ID NO: 20) KGKDKWIELKESWGAVWRID (SEQ ID NO: 23) KESWGAVWRIDTPDKLTGPF (SEQ ID NO: 24) WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 13 According to this aspect, said amino acid sequence preferably comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 20 and/or SEQ ID NO: 24. 5 In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of from 5-100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 1-276 inclusive or derivatives thereof of Lol p 5 wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, 10 unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide provided that said amino acid sequence is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. In one preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or 15 contiguous with amino acids 37-83, 118-13~7, 145-173, 172-191 and/or 190-245 inclusive of Lol p 5 provided that said amino acid sequence is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. In another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to 20 or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 46-65, 55-74, 64-83, 118-137, 145-164, 154-173, 172-191, 199-218, 208-227, 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. In yet another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 145-164, 154-173, 217-236 and/or 25 226-245. In another aspect, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 5, said amino acid sequence comprises a sequence of at least 5' amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: 30 DVNAGFKAAVAAAANAPPAD (SEQ ID NO: 33) WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 14 VAAAANAPPADKFKIFEAAF (SEQ ID NO: 34) ADKFKIFEAAFSESSKGLLA (SEQ ID NO: 35) AFSESSKGLLATSAAKAPGL (SEQ ID NO: 36) LRVIAGALEVHAVKPATEEV (SEQ ID NO: 42) 5 GELQIVDKIDAAFKIAATAA (SEQ ID NO: 45) DAAFKIAATAANAAPTNDKF (SEQ ID NO: 46) KFTVFESAFNKALNECTGGA (SEQ ID NO: 48) PSLEAAVKQAYAATVAAAPE (SEQ ID NO: 51) AYAATVAAAPEVKYAVFEAA (SEQ ID NO: 52) 10 PEVKYAVFEAALTKAITAMT (SEQ ID NO: 53) AALTKAITAMTQAQKAGKPA (SEQ ID NO: 54) According to this aspect, said amino acid sequence preferably comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID 15 NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 54. In another aspect, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding or complementary to a sequence encoding the peptides as hereinbefore defined or a functional derivative, homologue, mutant or analogue thereof. 20 Accordingly, in another aspect the present invention provides a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition in a subject, which condition is characterised by the aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 , said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a peptide as 25 hereinbefore defined for a time and under conditions sufficient to remove or reduce the presence or function in said subject of T cells directed to said Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 . Another aspect of the present invention contemplates the use of an agent as hereinbefore defined in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a condition in a mammal, 30 which condition is characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 .
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 15 In yet another further aspect, the present invention contemplates a pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent as hereinbefore defined and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. 5 Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to agents, as hereinbefore defined, when used in the method of the present invention. Accordingly, yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of 10 diagnosing or monitoring a condition in a mammal, which condition is characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or inappropriate response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 , said method comprising screening for Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 reactive T cells utilising the peptides hereinbefore defined. 15 In another embodiment the present invention provides diagnostic kits for use in the diagnostic methodology hereinbefore defined.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -16 Single and three letter abbreviations used throughout the specification are defined in Table 1. TABLE 1 5 Single and three letter amino acid abbreviations Amino Acid Three-letter One-letter Abbreviation Symbol 10 Alanine Ala A Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys C 15 Glutamine Gln Q Glutamic acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His H Isoleucine Ile 1 20 Leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met M Phenylalanine Phe F Proline Pro P 25 Serine Ser S Threonine Thr T Tryptophan Trp W Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V 30 Any residue Xaa
X
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 17 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1A is a graphical representation of the responder frequency of TCL from a panel of 34 atopic donors to individual Lol p 1 peptides. A stimulation index of > 2.5 was 5- considered positive and the number of donor TCL responding to each peptide is shown as a percentage. Figure 1B is a graphical representation of the responder frequency of TCL from a panel of 21 atopic donors to individual Lol p 5 peptides. A stimulation index of > 2.5 was 10 considered positive and the number of donor TCL responding to each peptide is shown as a percentage. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the Lol p 1 20-mer peptide series. The sequence of Lol p 1 is provided in SEQ ID NO: 1. The sequence of each Lol p 1 peptide is shown 15 with the amino acid sequence number designating each peptide given to the left. The overlapping regions of adjacent peptides (spanning 11 amino acids with the exception of peptide 221-240 which has an overlap of 16 amino acids with peptide 217-240) are shown overlaid. 20 Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the Lol p 5 20-mer peptide series. The sequence of Lol p 5 is provided in SEQ ID NO:2. The sequence of individual Lol p 5 peptides is shown with the amino acid sequence number designating each peptide given to the left. The overlapping regions of adjacent peptides (spanning 11 amino acids) are shown overlaid. 25 Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the comparison between the deduced amino acid sequences of three Lol p 5 isoforms. Numbers on the right refer to amino acid residues. Gaps, introduced to maximise homology, are represented by dashes (-). Residues common to all isoforms are represented by dots. Underlined residues of Lol p 5A represent residues 30 common to Lol p 5A and Lol p 50. Asterisked residues of the Lol p 5A sequence represent residues common to Lol p 5A and Lol p 5B. Bolded residues of the Lol p 5A WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 18 sequence indicate residues unique to Lol p SA. Lol p 5A and B sequences are from [Ong et al, 1993] and Lol p 5C [Suphioglu et al, 1999].
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -19 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is predicated, in part, on the identification of Rye grass pollen T cell epitopic regions. The identification of immunodominant epitopes of Rye grass pollen, and 5 in particular Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 has enabled the improvement of diagnostic methodology and the development of therapeutic and prophylactic compositions and treatment approaches for conditions such as, but not limited to, Rye grass pollen allergy. In accordance with the present invention, overlapping peptides were synthesised based on 10 the Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 amino acid sequences disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, respectively. The T cell immunoreactivity of these peptides is identified in accordance with the present invention on the basis of interactivity of peripheral blood cells or T cells obtained from the peripheral blood of subjects with severe seasonal rhinitis and/or asthma. The identification and generation of these molecules thereby form the basis for a new 15 range of diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic reagents and procedures. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 20 X 1
X
2
X
3 wherein:
X
1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence 25 comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues;
X
2 is any amino acid sequence derived from or homologous to Lol p 1; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T 30 cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 20 an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. In another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 5 X1 X2 X3 wherein: 10 Xi and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues;
X
2 is any amino acid sequence derived from or homologous to Lol p 5; 15 and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. 20 Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 are proteins which have been identified in Rye grass pollen. Accordingly, reference to "Lol p 1" or "Lol p 5" should be understood as including reference to all forms of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5, respectively, or functional derivatives, mutants, homologues or analogues thereof. This includes, for example, all protein forms of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 or their functional derivatives including, for example, any isoforms which may 25 arise from alternative splicing of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 mRNA. For instance, "Lol p 1" should be understood to encompass the 4 Lol p 1 or 8 Lol p 5 isoforms described by Smith et al (1994). Without limiting the present invention in any way the Lol p 1 isoforms are highly conserved at the amino acid sequence level (Perez et al., 1990; Griffith et al., 1991) whereas the Lol p 5 isoforms are more heterogeneous (Ong et al., 1993; Singh et al., 1991; 30 Suphioglu et al., 1999). Of importance is whether the sequence variations occur at critical residues for MHC binding or T cell receptor restriction. For Lol p 5 peptide 100-119, WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -21 known sequence variations in the core epitope would not be expected to affect critical residue function (Burton et al., 1999). That such a high frequency of subjects recognise several peptides for each of Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 suggests that sequence variations in general are not important and/or that the different isoforms are presented to and recognised 5 by T cells of the majority of donors. Also included is reference to mutants, polymorphic variants or homologues of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5. It also includes reference to functional analogues of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 such as may occur where a product which naturally comprises Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 is synthetically generated for the purpose of generating a product. The present invention thereby provides epitopes and methods for their use in the 10 diagnosis and treatment of any condition characterised by hypersensitivity to a Lol p 1/Lol p 5 or Lol p 1/Lol p 5-like molecule such as Rye grass pollen allergies or asthma. Preferably, said Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, respectively, or is a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said sequence. 15 The present invention therefore more particularly provides an isolated peptide of the formula:
X
1 X2 X3 20 wherein: X1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues; 25
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 1-240 inclusive of Lol p 1; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T 30 cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 22 an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a functional derivative, homologue mutant or analogue of said peptide. Still more particularly the present invention-provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 5
X
1 X2 X3 wherein 10 Xi and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues;
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-47, 73-92, 100-128, 127-146, 154-173 or 15 181-209 inclusive of Lol p 1; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a 20 functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 28-47, 73-92, 100-119, 109 128, 127-146, 154-173, 181-200, 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 25 Yet more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 109-128, 154-173 and/or 190 209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 30 Most particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38 inclusive of Lol p 1.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -23 Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 109-128 and/or 154-173 inclusive of Lolp 1. 5 Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. The present invention therefore more particularly provides an isolated peptide of the 10 formula:
X
1
X
2
X
3 wherein: 15
X
1 and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues:
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of froin 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous 20 to or contiguous with amino acids 1-276 inclusive of Lol p 5; and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a 25 functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide provided that X 2 is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. Still more particularly the present invention provides an isolated peptide of the formula: 30 XIX 2
X
3 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 24 wherein Xi and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues; 5
X
2 is an amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-83, 118-137, 145-173, 172-191 or 190-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. 10 and wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide provided that X 2 is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. 15 Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 46-65, 55-74, 64-83, 118-137, 145-164, 154-173, 172-191, 199-218, 208-227, 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. 20 Yet more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 145-164, 154-173, 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. 25 Most particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56 inclusive of Lol p 5. Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 145-164 and/or 154-173 inclusive of 30 Lol p 5.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -25 Still more particularly, X 2 is any amino acid sequence of from 5 to 100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. 5 Reference to "T cells" should be understood as a reference to any cell comprising a T cell receptor. In this regard, the T cell receptor may comprise any one or more of the a, p, y or 6 chains. The present invention is not intended to be limited to any particular functional sub-class of T cells although in a preferred embodiment the subject T cell is a T helper cell and still more preferably a Th2-type cell, predominantly. In this regard, reference to 10 "modifying T cell function" should be understood as a reference to modifying any one or more functions which a T cell is capable of performing. For example, the subject function may be proliferation, differentiation or other form of cellular functional activity such as the production of cytokines. Preferably, the subject functional activity is proliferation. 15 In terms of modifying the function of T cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or Lol p 5, it should be understood that this is not necessarily a reference to modifying the function of all the T cells in a given sample but is likely, in fact, to reflect the modification or functioning of only some of the T cells in the sample. For example, only a portion of 20 the T helper cells in a given T cell sample may functionally respond to contact with the subject peptide. Such a partial response should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that the T cells which are derived from the subject may be freshly harvested T cells or they may have undergone some form of in vitro or in vivo manipulation prior to testing. For example, T cell lines may have been 25 generated from the cell sample and it is these T cell lines which then form the subject derived T cell population which is tested in accordance with the present invention. To the extent that the subject functional activity is T cell proliferation, the T cell proliferation assay is preferably performed as disclosed herein. Still more preferably, the subject modification of T cell function is the induction of a proliferation index of >2.5. 30 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -26 Reference to an "aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate" immune response should be understood as a reference to any form of physiological activity which involves the activation and/or functioning of one or more immune cells where that activity is inappropriate in that it is of an inappropriate type or proceeds to an inappropriate degree. 5 It may be aberrant in that according to known immunological principals it either should not occur when it does so or else should occur when it does not do so. In another example, the immune response may be inappropriate in that it is a physiologically normal response but which is unnecessary and/or unwanted, such as occurs with respect to type-I hypersensitivity responses to innocuous allergens. Preferably said immune response is 10 hypersensitivity to a grass pollen of the family Pooiodeae and even more preferably to Rye grass pollen hypersensitivity or hypersensitivity to immunologically cross-reactive grass pollens of the family Pooiodeae such as Timothy grass pollen. Reference to "Rye grass pollen hypersensitivity" should be understood to mean the 15 exhibition of clinical symptoms of IgE mediated Rye grass pollen hypersensitivity, for example rhinitis and/or asthma with confirmation of Rye grass specific IgE as determined via skin prick tests to Rye grass pollen extract (wheal diameters > 5mm) and/or using the Kallestad Allercot EAST system (Sanofi-Pasteur Diagnostics, USA) East Score > 3 or other suitable assay for determining allergen specific IgE, such as CAP, Pharmacia. 20 Reference to other Pooiodeae subfamily grass pollen hypersensitivities should be understood to have an analogous definition in terms of these IgE mediated symptoms. In a preferred embodiment, X 2 comprises not less than about 5 and not greater than about 50 amino acid residues, more preferably not less than about 5 and not greater than about 30 25 amino acid residues and even more preferably not less than about 5 and not greater than about 20 amino acid residues. In another preferred embodiment, X 2 comprises not less than about 5 and not greater than about 15 amino acid residues. In still another preferred embodiment, X 2 comprises 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 amino acid residues. Most preferably, X 2 comprises 20 amino acid residues. 30 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 27 In a particularly preferred embodiment, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 1, X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: 5 LDAKSTWYGKPTGAGPKDNG (SEQ ID NO: 5) KPTGAGPKDNGGACGYKDVD (SEQ ID NO: 6) FEIKCTKPESCSGEAVTVTI (SEQ ID NO: 11) IAPYHFDLSGHAFGSMAKKG (SEQ ID NO: 14) GHAFGSMAKKGEEQNVRSAG (SEQ ID NO: 15) 10 AGELELQFRRVKCKYPDDTK (SEQ ID NO: 17) GSNPNYLAILVKYVDGDGDV (SEQ ID NO: 20) KGKDKWIELKESWGAVWRID (SEQ ID-NO: 23) KESWGAVWRIDTPDKLTGPF (SEQ ID NO: 24) 15 More preferably, X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 20 and/or SEQ ID NO: 24. In another preferred embodiment, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 5,
X
2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of the 20 following amino acid sequences: DVNAGFKAAVAAAANAPPAD (SEQ ID NO: 33) VAAAANAPPADKFKIFEAAF (SEQ ID NO: 34) ADKFKIFEAAFSESSKGLLA (SEQ ID NO: 35) 25 AFSESSKGLLATSAAKAPGL (SEQ ID NO: 36) LRVIAGALEVHAVKPATEEV (SEQ ID NO: 42) GELQIVDKIDAAFKIAATAA (SEQ ID NO: 45) DAAFKIAATAANAAPTNDKF (SEQ ID NO: 46) KFTVFESAFNKALNECTGGA (SEQ ID NO: 48) 30 PSLEAAVKQAYAATVAAAPE (SEQ ID NO: 51) AYAATVAAAPEVKYAVFEAA (SEQ ID NO: 52) WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 28 PEVKYAVFEAALTKAITAMT (SEQ ID NO: 53) AALTKAITAMTQAQKAGKPA (SEQ ID NO: 54) More preferably, X 2 comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or 5 more of SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 54. Reference to a "peptide" includes reference to a peptide, polypeptide or protein or parts thereof. The peptide may be glycosylated or unglycosylated and/or may contain a range of 10 other molecules fused, linked, bound or otherwise associated to the protein such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates or other peptides, polypeptides or proteins. Reference hereinafter to a "peptide" includes a peptide comprising a sequence of amino acids as well as a peptide associated with other molecules such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates or other peptides, polypeptides or proteins. 15 "Derivatives" include fragments, parts, portions and variants from natural, synthetic or recombinant sources including fusion proteins. Parts or fragments include, for example, active regions of the subject peptide. Derivatives may be derived from insertion, deletion or substitution of amino acids. Amino acid insertional derivatives include amino and/or 20 carboxylic terminal fusions as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acids. Insertional amino acid sequence variants are those in which one or more amino acid residues are introduced into a predetermined site in the protein although random insertion is also possible with suitable screening of the resulting product. Deletional variants are characterized by the removal of one or more amino acids from the sequence. 25 Substitutional amino acid variants are those in which at least one residue in the sequence has been removed and a different residue inserted in its place. An example of substitutional amino acid variants are conservative amino acid substitutions. Conservative amino acid substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine and alanine; valine, isoleucine and leucine; aspartic acid and glutamic acid; 30 asparagine and glutamine; serine and threonine; lysine and arginine; and phenylalanine and WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -29 tyrosine. Additions to amino acid sequences include fusions with other peptides, polypeptides or proteins. Derivatives also include fragments having particular epitopes or parts of the entire protein 5 fused to peptides, polypeptides or other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous molecules. For example, a-inhibin or derivative thereof may be fused to a molecule to facilitate its entry into a cell. Analogs of the molecules contemplated herein include, but are not limited to, modification to side chains, incorporating of unnatural amino acids and/or their derivatives during peptide, polypeptide or protein synthesis and the use of crosslinkers and 10 other methods which impose conformational constraints on the proteinaceous molecules or their analogs. Derivatives of nucleic acid sequences which may be utilised in accordance with the method of the present invention may similarly be derived from single or multiple 15 nucleotide substitutions, deletions and/or additions including fusion with other nucleic acid molecules. The derivatives of the nucleic acid molecules utilised in the present invention include oligonucleotides, PCR primers, antisense molecules, molecules suitable for use in cosuppression and fusion of nucleic acid molecules. Derivatives of nucleic acid sequences also include degenerate variants. 20 A "variant" or "mutant" of the subject peptide, Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 should be understood to mean molecules which exhibit at least some of the functional activity of the form of peptide, Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 of which it is a variant or mutant. A variation or mutation may take any form and may be naturally or non-naturally occurring. 25 By "homologue" is meant that the molecule is derived from alternative species. Analogues contemplated herein include, but are not limited to, modification to side chains, incorporating of unnatural amino acids and/or their derivatives during peptide, polypeptide 30 or protein synthesis and the use of crosslinkers and other methods which impose conformational constraints on the proteinaceous molecules or their analogues.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -30 Examples of side chain modifications contemplated by the present invention include modifications of amino groups such as by reductive alkylation by reaction with an aldehyde followed by reduction with NaBH4; amidination with methylacetimidate; 5 acylation with acetic anhydride; carbamoylation of amino groups with cyanate; trinitrobenzylation of amino groups with 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS); acylation of amino groups with succinic anhydride and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; and pyridoxylation of lysine with pyridoxal-5-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH4. 10 The guanidine group of arginine residues may be modified by the formation of heterocyclic condensation products with reagents such as 2,3-butanedione, phenylglyoxal and glyoxal. The carboxyl group may be modified by carbodiimide activation via O-acylisourea 15 formation followed by subsequent derivitisation, for example, to a corresponding amide. Sulphydryl groups may be modified by methods such as carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide; performic acid oxidation to cysteic acid; formation of a mixed disulphides with other thiol compounds; reaction with maleimide, maleic anhydride 20 or other substituted maleimide; formation of mercurial derivatives using 4 chloromercuribenzoate, 4-chloromercuriphenylsulphonic acid, phenylmercury chloride, 2 chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol and other mercurials; carbamoylation with cyanate at alkaline pH. 25 Tryptophan residues may be modified by, for example, oxidation with N bromosuccinimide or alkylation of the indole ring with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide or sulphenyl halides. Tyrosine residues on the other hand, may be altered by nitration with tetranitromethane to form a 3-nitrotyrosine derivative.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -31 Modification of the imidazole ring of a histidine residue may be accomplished by alkylation with iodoacetic acid derivatives or N-carboethoxylation with diethylpyrocarbonate. 5 Examples of incorporating unnatural amino-acids and derivatives during protein synthesis include, but are not limited to, use of norleucine, 4-amino butyric acid, 4-amino-3 hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, t-butylglycine, norvaline, phenylglycine, ornithine, sarcosine, 4-amino-3 -hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, 2-thienyl alanine and/or D-isomers of amino acids. A list of unnatural amino acids contemplated 10 herein is shown in Table 2.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 32 TABLE 2 Non-conventional Code Non-conventional Code 5 amino acid amino acid a-aminobutyric acid Abu L-N-methylalanine Nmala a-amino-a-methylbutyrate Mgabu L-N-methylarginine Nmarg aminocyclopropane- Cpro L-N-methylasparagine Nmasn 10 carboxylate L-N-methylaspartic acid Nmasp aminoisobutyric acid Aib L-N-methylcysteine Nmcys aminonorbornyl- Norb L-N-methylglutamine Nmgln carboxylate L-N-methylglutamic acid Nmglu cyclohexylalanine Chexa L-N-methylhistidine Nmhis 15 cyclopentylalanine Cpen L-N-methylisolleucine Nmile D-alanine Dal L-N-methylleucine Nmleu D-arginine Darg L-N-methyllysine Nmlys D-aspartic acid Dasp L-N-methylmethionine Nmmet D-cysteine Dcys L-N-methylnorleucine Nmnle 20 D-glutamine Dgln L-N-methylnorvaline Nmnva D-glutamic acid Dglu L-N-methylornithine Nmorn D-histidine Dhis L-N-methylphenylalanine Nmphe D-isoleucine Dile L-N-methylproline Nmpro D-leucine Dleu L-N-methylserine Nmser 25 D-lysine Dlys L-N-methylthreonine Nmthr D-methionine Dmet L-N-methyltryptophan Nmtrp D-ornithine Dorn L-N-methyltyrosine Nmtyr D-phenylalanine Dphe L-N-methylvaline Nmval D-proline Dpro L-N-methylethylglycine Nmetg 30 D-serine Dser L-N-methyl-t-butylglycine Nmtbug D-threonine Dthr L-norleucine Ne D-tryptophan Dtrp L-norvaline Nva WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 33 D-tyrosine Dtyr a-rnethyl-aminoisobutyrate Maib D-valine Dval a-methyl- -amninobutyrate Mgabu D-ct-methylalanine Dmala a-rnethylcyclohexylalanine Mehexa D-a-rnethylarginine Dmarg a-methylcylcopentylalanine Mcpen 5 D-a-methylasparagine Dmasn a-methyl-a-napthylalanine Manap D-ct-methylaspartate Dmasp a-methylpenicillainine Mpen D-a-methylcysteine Dmcys N-(4-aininobutyl)glycine Nglu D-a-methylglutamine Dmgln .N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine Naeg D-a-methylhistidine Dmhis N-(3-aminopropyl)glycine Norn 10 D-a-methylisoleucine Dmile N-amino-a-methylbutyrate Nmaabu D-ct-methylleucine Dmleu a-napthylalanine Anap D-a-rnethyllysine Dmlys N-benzylglycine Nphe D-a-methiylmethionine Dmmet N-(2-carbamylethyl)glycine Ngln D-u.-methylornithine Dmorn N-(carbamylmethyl)glycine Nasn 15 D-u-methylphenylalanine Dmphe N-(2-carboxyethyl)glycine Nglu D-a-methylproline Dmpro N-(carboxymethyl)glycine Nasp D-c-methylserine Dmser N-cyclobutylglycine Ncbut D-a-methylthreonine Dmthr N-cycloheptylglycine Nchep D-a-methyltryptophan Dmtrp N-cyclohexylglycine Nchex 20 D-ct-rethyltyrosine Dmty N-cyclodecylglycine Ncdec D-a-methylvaline Dmval N-cyleododecylglycine Ncdod D-N-methylalanine Dnmala N-cyclooctylglycine Neoct D-N-methylarginine Dnmarg N-cyclopropylglycine Ncpro D-N-methylasparagine Dnmasn N-cycloundecylglycine Ncund 25 D-N-rnethylaspartate Dnmnasp N-(2,2-diphenyletliyl)glycine Nbhm D-N-methylcysteine Dnmcys N-(3 ,3-diphenylpropyl)glycine Nbhe D-N-methiylglutamine Dnmgln N-(3-guanidinopropyl)glycine Narg D-N-methylglutamate Dnmglu N-( 1-hydroxyethyl)glycine Nthr D-N-methylhistidine Dnmhis N-(hydroxyethyl))glycine Nser 30 D-N-methylisoleucine Dnmile N-(imidazolylethyl))glycine Nhis D-N-methylleucine Dnmleu N-(3-indolylyethyl)glycine Nhtrp D-N-rnethyllysine Dnmlys N-methyl-y-aminobutyrate Nmgabu N-methylcyclohexylalanine Nrnchexa D-N-methylmethionine Dninmet WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -34 D-N-methylornithine Dnmorn N-rethylcyclopentylalanine Nrcpen N-methylglycine Nala D-N-methylphenylalanine Dnmphe N-rnethylaminoisobutyrate Nmaib D-N-methylproline Dnmpro N-(1-methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine Dnmser 5 N-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nleu D-N-methylthreonine Dnmthr D-N-methyltryptophan Dnmtrp N-(1-methylethyl)glycine Nval D-N-methyltyrosine Dnmtyr N-methyla-napthylalanine Nmanap D-N-methylvaline Dnmval N-methylpenicillamine Nmpen y-aminobutyric acid Gabu N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)glycine Nhtyr 10 L-t-butylglycine Tbug N-(thiomethyl)glycine Ncys L-ethylglycine Etg penicillamine Pen L-homophenylalanine Hphe L-c-methylalanine Mala L-a-methylarginine Marg L-a-methylasparagine Masn L-a-methylaspartate Masp L-c-methyl-t-butylglycine Mtbug 15 L-a-methylcysteine Mcys L-methylethylglycine Metg L-a-methylglutamine Mgln L-a-methylglutainate Mglu L-a-methylhistidine Mhis L-a-methyhomophenylalanineMhphe L-a-methylisoleucine Mile N-(2-methylthioethyl)glycine Nmet L-a-methylleucine Mleu L-c-methyllysine Mlys 20 L-a-methylmethionine Mmet L-c-methylnorleucine Mnle L-a-methylnorvaline Mnva L-a-methylornithine Morn L-a-methylphenylalanine Mphe L-a-methylproline Mpro L-a-methylserine Mser L-a-methylthreonine Mthr L-a-methyltryptophan Mtrp L-a-methyltyrosine Mtyr 25 L-a-methylvaline Mval L-N-methylhomophenylalanin Nmhphe N-(N-(2,2-diphenylethyl) Nnbhm N-(N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl) Nnbhe carbaNnylmethyl)glycine carbamylmethyl)glycine h-arboxy-ye-(2,2-diphenyl-Nmbc ethylamino)cyclopropane 30 Crosslinkers can be used, for example, to stabilise 3D conformations, using homno bifunctional crosslinkers such as the bifunctional imido esters having (CH 2 )n spacer groups WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 35 with n=1 to n=6, glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters and hetero-bifunctional reagents which usually contain an amino-reactive moiety such as N-hydroxysuccinimide and another group specific-reactive moiety. 5 Reference to a "functional" derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant should be understood as a reference to a peptide exhibiting one or more of the functional activities of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 T cell epitope. It is possible to modify the structure of a peptide according to the invention for various 10 purposes such as for increasing solubility, enhancing therapeutic or preventative efficacy, enhancing stability or increasing resistance to proteolytic degradation. A modified peptide may be produced in which the amino acid sequence has been altered, such as by amino acid substitution, deletion or addition, to modify immunogenicity and/or reduce allergenicity. Similarly components may be added to peptides of the invention to produce 15 the same result. For example, a peptide can be modified so that it exhibits the ability to induce T cell anergy. In this instance, critical binding residues for the T cell receptor can be determined using known techniques (for example substitution of each residue and determination of the 20 presence or absence of T cell reactivity). In one example, those residues shown to be essential to interact with the T cell receptor can be modified by replacing the essential amino acid with another, preferably similar amino acid residue (a conservative substitution) whose presence is shown to alter T cell reactivity or T cell functioning. In addition, those amino acid residues which are not essential for T cell receptor interaction 25 can be modified by being replaced by another amino acid whose incorporation may then alter T cell reactivity or T cell functioning but does not, for example, eliminate binding to relevant MHC proteins. Such modifications will result in the production of molecules falling within the scope of 30 "mutants" of the subject peptide as herein defined. "Mutants" should be understood as a WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -36 reference to peptides which exhibit one or more structural features or functional activities which are distinct from those exhibited by the non-mutated peptide counterpart. Peptides of the invention may also be modified to incorporate one or more polymorphisms 5 resulting from natural allelic variation and D-amino acids, non-natural amino acids or amino acid analogues may be substituted into the peptides to produce modified peptides which fall within the scope of the invention. Peptides may also be modified by conjugation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) by known techniques. Reporter groups may also be added to facilitate purification and potentially increase solubility of the peptides 10 according to the invention. Other well known types of modification including insertion of specific endoprotease cleavage sites, addition of functional groups or replacement of hydrophobic residues with less hydrophobic residues as well as site-directed mutagenesis of DNA encoding the peptides of the invention may also be used to introduce modifications which could be useful for a wide range of purposes. The various 15 modifications to peptides according to the invention which have been mentioned above are mentioned by way of example only and are merely intended to be indicative of the broad range of modifications which can be effected. Another aspect of the present invention provides an isolated peptide comprising any amino 20 acid sequence derived from or homologous to Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or Lol p 5, respectively, or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. 25 More particularly, the present invention provides an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of from 5-100 residues derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 1-240 inclusive or derivatives thereof of Lol p 1 wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when 30 incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -37 unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide. In one preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or 5 contiguous with amino acids 19-47, 73-92, 100-128, 127-146, 154-173 or 181-209, inclusive of Lol p 1. In another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 28-47, 73-92, 100-119, 109-128, 127-146, 154-173, 10 181-200 and/or 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. In yet another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 19-38, 109-128, 154-173 and/or 190-209 inclusive of Lol p 1. 15 In another aspect, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 1, said amino acid sequence comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: 20 LDAKSTWYGKPTGAGPKDNG (SEQ ID NO: 5) KPTGAGPKDNGGACGYKDVD (SEQ ID NO: 6) FEIKCTKPESCSGEAVTVTI (SEQ ID NO: 11) IAPYHFDLSGHAFGSMAKKG (SEQ ID NO: 14) GHAFGSMAKKGEEQNVRSAG (SEQ ID NO: 15) 25 AGELELQFRRVKCKYPDDTK (SEQ ID NO: 17) GSNPNYLAILVKYVDGDGDV (SEQ ID NO: 20) KGKDKWIELKESWGAVWRID (SEQ ID NO: 23) KESWGAVWRIDTPDKLTGPF (SEQ ID NO: 24) WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 38 According to this aspect, said amino acid sequence preferably comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 20 and/or SEQ ID NO: 24. 5 In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of from 5-100 residues derived from, homologoues to or contiguous with amino acids 1-276 inclusive or derivatives thereof of Lol p 5 wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, 10 unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5 or a functional derivative, homologue, analogue or mutant of said peptide provided that said amino acid sequence is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. In one preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or 15 contiguous with amino acids 37-83, 118-137, 145-173, 172-191 and/or 190-245 inclusive of Lol p 5 provided that said amino acid sequence is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209. In another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to 20 or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 46-65, 55-74, 64-83, 118-137, 145-164, 154-173, 172-191, 199-218, 208-227, 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. In yet another preferred embodiment said amino acid sequence is derived from, homologous to or contiguous with amino acids 37-56, 145-164, 154-173, 217-236 and/or 25 226-245. In another aspect, where the subject Rye grass pollen allergen is Lol p 5, said amino acid sequence comprises a sequence of at least 5-amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: 30 DVNAGFKAAVAAAANAPPAD (SEQ ID NO: 33) WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 39 VAAAANAPPADKFKIFEAAF (SEQ ID NO: 34) ADKFKIFEAAFSESSKGLLA (SEQ ID NO: 35) AFSESSKGLLATSAAKAPGL (SEQ ID NO: 36) LRVIAGALEVHAVKPATEEV (SEQ ID NO: 42) 5 GELQIVDKIDAAFKIAATAA (SEQ ID NO: 45) DAAFKIAATAANAAPTNDKF (SEQ ID NO: 46) KFTVFESAFNKALNECTGGA (SEQ ID NO: 48) PSLEAAVKQAYAATVAAAPE (SEQ ID NO: 51) AYAATVAAAPEVKYAVFEAA (SEQ ID NO: 52) 10 PEVKYAVFEAALTKAITAMT (SEQ ID NO: 53) AALTKAITAMTQAQKAGKPA (SEQ ID NO: 54) According to this aspect, said amino acid sequence preferably comprises a sequence of at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID 15 NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 54. The peptides of the present invention may be prepared by recombinant or chemical synthetic means. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recombinant peptide which is preferentially immunologically reactive with T 20 cells from individuals with Rye Grass pollen hypersensitivity, which is expressed by the expression of a host cell transformed with a vector coding for the peptide sequence of the present invention. The peptide may be fused to another peptide, polypeptide or protein. Alternatively, the peptide may be prepared by chemical synthetic techniques, such as by the Merrifield solid phase synthesis procedure. Furthermore, although synthetic peptides 25 of the formula given above represent a preferred embodiment, the present invention also extends to biologically pure preparations of the naturally occurring peptides or fragments thereof. By "biologically pure" is meant a preparation comprising at least about 60%, preferably at least about 70%, or preferably at least about 80% and still more preferably at least about 90% or greater as determined by weight, activity or other suitable means. 30 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -40 In another aspect it may be particularly useful to generate a mutant peptide comprising T cell epitopic regions but which peptides lack B cell epitopes capable of interacting with IgE. Such peptides may be generated by synthesising peptides comprising only T cell epitopes or by mutating naturally occurring molecules such that the T cell epitopes remain 5 functional while the B cell epitopes are altered to prevent antibody binding. The present invention should therefore be understood to encompass peptides that comprise at least one B or T cell epitope of Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 in conjunction with other amino acids (which may or may not be naturally occurring as amino acid analogues) or other 10 chemical species. In a preferred aspect of the invention such peptides may comprise one or more epitopes of Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 , which epitopes may be T or B cell epitopes. Peptides with one or more T cell epitopes of Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 are desirable for increased therapeutic effectiveness. 15 In another aspect, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding or complementary to a sequence encoding the peptides as hereinbefore defined or a derivative, homologue, mutant or analogue thereof. It should be understood that reference to "peptides" includes reference to peptides comprising one or more T cell epitopes. A nucleic acid molecule encoding the subject peptide is preferably a 20 sequence of deoxyribonucleic acids such as cDNA or a genomic sequence. A genomic sequence may comprise exons and introns. A genomic sequence may also include a promoter region or other regulatory regions. The nucleic acid molecule may be ligated to an expression vector capable of expression in 25 a prokaryotic cell (eg. E. coli) or a eukaryotic cell (eg. yeast cells, fungal cells, insect cells, mammalian cells or plant cells). The nucleic acid molecule may be ligated or fused or otherwise associated with a nucleic acid molecule encoding another entity such as, for example, a signal peptide. It may also comprise additional nucleotide sequence information fused, linked or otherwise associated with it either at the 3' or 5' terminal 30 portions or at both the 3' and 5' terminal portions. The nucleic acid molecule may also be part of a vector, such as an expression vector. The latter embodiment facilitates production WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -41 of recombinant forms of the subject peptide which forms are encompassed by the present invention. Such nucleic acids may be useful for recombinant production of T cell epitopes of Lol p 1 5 or Lol p 5 or proteins comprising them by insertion into an appropriate vector and transfection into a suitable cell line. Such expression vectors and host cell lines also form an aspect of the invention. In producing peptides by recombinant techniques, host cells transformed with a nucleic 10 acid having a sequence encoding a peptide according to the invention or a functional equivalent of the nucleic acid sequence are cultured in a medium suitable for the particular cells concerned. Peptides can then be purified from cell culture medium, the host cells or both using techniques well known in the art such as ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, ultrafiltration, electrophoresis or immunopurification with 15 antibodies specific for the peptide. Nucleic acids encoding Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 or peptides comprising T and/or B cell epitopes of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 may be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO). Suitable expression 20 vectors, promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements are referred to in Sambruck et al (1989). Other suitable expression vectors, promoters, enhancers and other expression elements are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable expression vectors in yeast include Yep Sec 1 (Balderi et al., 1987); pMFa (Kurjan and Herskowitz, 1982); JRY88 (Schultz et al., 1987) and pYES2 (Invitrogen Corporation, San 25 Diego, CA). These vectors are freely available as are baculovirus and mammalian expression systems. For example, a baculovirus system is commercially available (ParMingen, San Diego, CA) for expression in insect cells while the pMsg vector is commercially available (Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ) for expression in mammalian cells. 30 For expression in E. coli suitable expression vectors include among others, pTrc (Amann et al, 1988) pGex (Amrad Corporation, Melbourne, Australia); pMal (N.E. Biolabs, Beverley, WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 42 MA); pRit5 (Pharmacia, , Piscataway, NJ); pEt-i ld (Novagen, Maddison, WI) (Jameel et al 1990) and pSem (Knapp et al., 1990). The use of pTRC, and pEt- 11d, for example, will lead to the expression of unfused protein. The use of pMal, pRit5, pSem and pGex will lead to the expression of allergen fused to maltose E binding protein (pMal), protein A 5 (pRit5), truncated -galactosidase (PSEM) or glutathione S-transferase (pGex). When a T cell epitope of Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 or a peptide comprising it is expressed as a fusion protein, it is particularly advantageous to introduce.an enzymatic cleavage site at the fusion junction between the carrier protein and the peptide concerned. The peptide of the invention may then be recovered from the fusion protein through enzymatic cleavage at the 10 enzymatic site and biochemical purification using conventional techniques for purification of proteins and peptides. The different vectors also have different promoter regions allowing constitutive or inducible expression or temperature induction. It may additionally be appropriate to express recombinant peptides in different E. coli hosts that have an altered capacity to degrade recombinantly expressed proteins. Alternatively, it may be 15 advantageous to alter the nucleic acid sequence to use codons preferentially utilised by E. coli, where such nucleic acid alteration would not effect the amino acid sequence of the expressed proteins. Host cells can be transformed to express the nucleic acids of the invention using 20 conventional techniques such as calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection or electroporation. Suitable methods for transforming the host cells may be found in (Sambruck et al., 1989), and other laboratory texts. The nucleic acid sequence of the invention may also be chemically synthesised using standard techniques. 25 In addition to recombinant production of peptides according to the invention, the nucleic acids may be utilised as probes for experimental or purification purposes. The identification of T cell epitopic regions facilitates the identification and/or rational 30 design of a range of mutant peptide molecules. As detailed hereinbefore, these mutant peptides may comprise one or more mutated B cell epitopes. However there is provided WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -43 scope for the generation of mutant peptides comprising mutated B cell epitopes or combinations of intact versus mutated B and T cell epitopes. The applications of these molecules are described in more detail below but in a preferred embodiment relate to modulation of the Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 hypersensitivity immune response in terms of 5 either a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment. Identification and synthesis of the Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 T cell epitopes as disclosed herein now facilitates the development of a range of diagnostic and prophylactic/therapeutic treatment protocols for use with respect to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 related immune 10 conditions. Also facilitated is the development of reagents for use therein. Accordingly, the present invention should be understood to extend to the use of the peptides and monoclonal antibodies or functional derivatives, homologues, analogues or mutants thereof in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of patients. Such methods of treatment include, but are not limited to: 15 (i) Administration of the subject peptides to a patient as a means of desensitising or inducing immunological tolerance to Lol p 1/Lol p 5 or Lol p 1/Lol p 5-like molecules. This may be achieved, for example, by inducing Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 directed Th2 anergy or apoptosis. Such an outcome may be achieved by any one of 20 a number of techniques including the use of peptides which maintain T cell epitope reactivity but which either naturally or as a result of mutation are unable to undergo IgE binding. Alternatively, one may utilise desensitisation/treatment protocols which are based on the administration of specific concentrations of a given peptide in accordance with a specific regime in order to induce tolerance. Such 25 methodology may eliminate Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 hypersensitivity or it may reduce the severity of Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 hypersensitivity. Preferably such treatment regimes are capable of modifying the T cell response or both the B and T cell response of the individual concerned. As used herein, 30 modification of the allergic response of the individual suffering from Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 hypersensitivity can be defined as inducing either non-responsiveness or WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -44 diminution in symptoms to the Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 molecule as determined by standard clinical procedures (Varney et al., 1990). Diminution in the symptoms includes any reduction in an allergic response in an individual to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 after a treatment regime has been completed. This diminution may be 5 subjective or clinically determined, for example by using standard skin tests known in the art. Exposure of an individual to the peptides of the present invention, which peptides comprise at least one T cell epitope, may tolerise or anergise appropriate T cell 10 subpopulations such that they become unresponsive to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 and do not participate in stimulating an immune response upon such exposure. Preferably the peptides according to the invention will retain immunodominent T cell epitopes but possess abrogated IgE binding. 15 Administration of a peptide of the invention may modify the cytokine secretion profile as compared with exposure to naturally occurring Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 allergen. This exposure may also influence T cell subpopulations which normally participate in the allergic response to migrate away from the site or sites of normal exposure to the allergen and towards the site or sites of therapeutic administration. 20 This redistribution of T cell subpopulations may ameliorate or reduce the ability of an individual's immune system to stimulate the usual immune response at the site of normal exposure to the allergen, resulting in diminution of the allergic symptoms. 25 Modification of the B cell response may be achieved, for example, via modulation of the cytokine profile produced by T cells, as detailed above. Specifically, decreasing T cell derived IL-4 and IL-13 production thereby decreasing IgE synthesis.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -45 (ii) The peptides of the present invention may be used in the capacity of an adsorbent to remove Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 directed T cells from a biological sample or from a patient. 5 Accordingly, in another aspect the present invention provides a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition in a subject, which condition is characterised by the aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 , said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a peptide as hereinbefore defined for a time and under conditions sufficient to remove or reduce the 10 presence or function in said subject of T cells directed to said Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 . Preferably said condition is hypersensitivity to a grass pollen of the subfamily Pooiodeae and even more preferably Rye grass or Timothy grass pollen hypersensitivity. 15 An "effective amount" means an amount necessary at least partly to attain the desired immune response, or to delay the onset or inhibit progression or halt altogether, the onset or progression of a particular condition being treated. The amount varies depending upon the health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, the taxonomic group of individual to be treated, the degree of protection desired, the formulation of the 20 composition, the assessment of the medical situation, and other relevant factors. It is expected that the amount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine trials. The subject of the treatment or prophylaxis- is generally a mammal such as but not limited 25 to human, primate, livestock animal (e.g. sheep, cow, horse, donkey, pig), companion animal (e.g. dog, cat), laboratory test animal (e.g. mouse, rabbit, rat, guinea pig, hamster), captive wild animal (e.g. fox, deer). Preferably the mammal is a human or primate. Most preferably the mammal is a human. 30 Reference herein to "treatment" and "prophylaxis" is to be considered in its broadest context. The term "treatment" does not necessarily imply that a subject is treated until total WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 ~46 recovery. Similarly, "prophylaxis" does not necessarily mean that the subject will not eventually contract a disease condition. Accordingly, treatment and prophylaxis include amelioration of the symptoms of a particular condition or preventing or otherwise reducing the risk of developing a particular condition. The term "prophylaxis" may be considered as 5 reducing the severity or onset of a particular condition. "Treatment" may also reduce the severity of an existing condition. Administration of the peptide of the present invention (herein referred to as "agent") in the form of a pharmaceutical composition, may be performed by any convenient means. The 10 agent of the pharmaceutical composition is contemplated to exhibit therapeutic activity when administered in an amount which depends on the particular case. The variation depends, for example, on the human or animal and the agent chosen. A broad range of doses may be applicable. Considering a patient, for example, from about 0.1 mg to about 1 mg of an agent may be administered per kilogram of body weight per day. Dosage 15 regimes may be adjusted to provide the optimum therapeutic response. For example, several divided doses may be administered daily, weekly, monthly or other suitable time intervals or the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the situation. 20 The agent may be administered in a convenient manner such as by the oral, intravenous (where water soluble), intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, intranasal, sublingual or suppository routes or implanting (e.g. using slow release molecules). The agent may be administered in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic salts, such as acid addition salts or metal complexes, e.g. with zinc, iron or the 25 like (which are considered as salts for purposes of this application). Illustrative of such acid addition salts are hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, maleate, acetate, citrate, benzoate, succinate, malate, ascorbate, tartrate and the like. If the active ingredient is to be administered in tablet form, the tablet may contain a binder such as tragacanth, corn starch or gelatin; a disintegrating agent, such as alginic acid; and a lubricant, such as 30 magnesium stearate.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 47 In accordance with these methods, the agent defined in accordance with the present invention may be coadministered with one or more other compounds or molecules. By "coadministered" is meant simultaneous administration in the same formulation or in two different formulations via the same or different routes or sequential administration by the 5 same or different routes. By "sequential" administration is meant a time difference of from seconds, minutes, hours or days between the administration of the two types of molecules. These molecules may be administered in any order. Another aspect of the present invention contemplates the use of an agent as hereinbefore 10 defined in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a condition in a mammal, which condition is characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 . Preferably said condition is hypersensitivity to a grass pollen of the subfamily Pooiodeae 15 and even more preferably Rye grass or Timothy grass pollen hypersensitivity. In yet another further aspect, the present invention contemplates a pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent as hereinbefore defined and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. Said agents are referred to as the 20 active ingredients. The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion or may be in the form of a cream or 25 other form suitable for topical application. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and 30 vegetable oils. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -48 and by the use of superfactants. The preventions of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Prolonged 5 absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin. Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the active compounds in the 10 required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilisation. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the various sterilised active ingredient into a sterile vehicle which contains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable 15 solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and the freeze-drying technique which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from previously sterile-filtered solution thereof. When the active ingredients are suitably protected they may be orally administered, for 20 example, with an inert diluent or with an assimilable edible carrier, or it may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsule, or it may be compressed into tablets, or it may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the active compound may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. 25 Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 1% by weight of active compound. The percentage of the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 5 to about 80% of the weight of the unit. The amount of active compound in such therapeutically useful compositions in such that a suitable dosage will be obtained. Preferred compositions or preparations according to the 30 present invention are prepared so that an oral dosage unit form contains between about 0.1 g and 2000 mg of active compound.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -49 The tablets, troches, pills, capsules and the like may also contain the components as listed hereafter: a binder such as gum, acacia, corn-starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the 5 like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose or saccharin may be added or a flavouring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavouring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For 10 instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compound, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavouring such as cherry or orange flavour. Of course, any material used in preparing any dosage unit form should be pharmaceutically pure and substantially non-toxic in the amounts employed. In addition, the active 15 compound(s) may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and formulations. The pharmaceutical composition may also comprise genetic molecules such as a vector capable of transfecting target cells where the vector carries a nucleic acid molecule encoding a modulatory agent. The vector may, for example, be a viral vector. 20 Routes of administration include, but are not limited to, respiratorally (eg. intranasally or orally via aerosol), intratracheally, nasopharyngeally, intravenously, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intracranially, intradermally, intramuscularly, intraoccularly, intrathecally, intracereberally, intranasally, infusion, orally, rectally, via IV drip patch and implant. 25 Preferably, said route of administration is subcutaneously, intradermally or intranasally. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to agents, as hereinbefore defined, when used in the method of the present invention.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -50 In yet another aspect, the present invention should be understood to extend to the use of the peptides of the present invention in diagnostic applications. Said diagnostic applications include, but are not limited to: 5 (i) To measure the reactivity of a subject's cells to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5. This is of use, for example, with respect to the diagnosis and/or monitoring of conditions characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 . The peptides may be added into solution or bound to a solid support together with cells derived from peripheral blood or from 10 tissue biopsies either unfractionated, fractionated or derived as a continuous cell line. Reactivity to the subject peptide may then be measured by standard proliferation assays such as incorporation of H 3 -thymidine, measurement of expressed or secreted molecules such as surface markers, cytokines or other standard assays of cellular activity which are well known in the art. 15 (ii) The use of T cell epitope comprising peptides together with a T cell proliferation assay which utilises a T cell sample derived from the subject will facilitate, for example, the identification of a T cell responsive population. 20 Methods of detecting Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 may be utilised, for example, to qualitatively or quantitatively detect Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 levels. However, these methods may also be utilised to screen for mutations or polymorphisms in Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 which mutations may result in, for example, loss of T cell reactivity to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 . These methods may be utilised for the purpose of screening for peptide molecules suitable 25 for use in therapeutically or prophylactically treating an individual suffering from Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 related hypersensitivity. Accordingly, yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of diagnosing or monitoring a condition in a mammal, which condition is characterised by an 30 aberrant, unwanted or inappropriate response to Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 , said method WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 51 comprising screening for Lol p 1 and/or Lol p 5 reactive T cells utilising the peptides hereinbefore defined. Preferably said condition is hypersensitivity to a grass pollen of the subfamily Pooiodeae 5 and even more preferably Rye grass or Timothy grass pollen hypersensitivity. In another embodiment the present invention provides diagnostic kits for use in the diagnostic methodology hereinbefore defined. 10 The present invention will now be further described with reference to the following non limiting Examples.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 52 EXAMPLE 1 CHARACTERISATION OF THE HUMAN T CELL RESPONSE TO RYE GRASS POLLEN ALLERGENS LOL P 1 AND LOL P 5 MATERIALS AND METHODS 5 Subjects Thirty-eight RGP-sensitive individuals with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma (Johansson SGO J'OB et al. Allergy 56:813-824, 2001) were recruited from the Alfred Hospital 10 Asthma and Allergy Clinic, Melbourne, Australia. Donors were selected on the basis of a history of clinical symptoms of RGP allergy, positive RGP-specific IgE (Kallestad Allercoat Sanofi-Pasteur Diagnostics, EAST score > 3) and positive skin prick test (wheal diameter >5 mm). The study was approved by the Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee and informed consent was obtained from all donors before blood was obtained. 15 Antigens Crude RGP (Lolium perenne) extract was prepared by gentle mixing of RGP grains (Greer, NC, USA) in PBS at 4C overnight. The pollen extract was then centrifuged to pellet 20 insoluble material, and the supernatant removed and sterilised by passage through a 0.2 pim filter. Lol p 1 was purified from crude RGP extracts by SDS-PAGE as previously described (Levy et al., 2001). Lol p 5 was purified by either SDS-PAGE as for Lol p 1 or by affinity 25 chromatography. For this, an anti-Lol p 5 monoclonal antibody (mAb) FMC A7 (Smart et al. 1983) conjugated to Sepharose 4B (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) was used. Briefly, RGP extracts were equilibrated with 10 mM Tris pH 7.5 and passed through the affinity column. Unbound RGP extract was removed by washing with 10 mM Tris pH 7.5. Bound Lol p 5 was then eluted from the column with 0.1 M glycine pH 2.8 and the eluate 30 immediately neutralised with 2 M Tris pH 7.0. The purified Lol p 5 (both SDS-PAGE and affinity purified) was dialysed against PBS and filter sterilised.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 53 Lol p 1 and 5 peptides (20-mers, 11 amino acid overlap) were purchased from Mimotopes, Clayton, Australia. Peptide sequences were based on those published for Lol p 1A (240 amino acids) (Perez et al., 1990) and Lol p 5A (276 amino acids) (Ong et al., 1993). 5 Mitogenicity of RGP, Lol p 1, Lol p 5 and peptides was excluded by culturing with oligoclonal house dust mite (HDM)- or low ammoniated latex (LAL)-reactive CD4* T cells in the presence of irradiated autologous PBMC, and toxicity was excluded by co culture of antigens with HDM- or LAL-reactive T cells in the presence of IL-2 (data not 10 shown). Generation of short-term RGP-specific TCL PBMC were cultured in 24-well plates (Costar, MA, USA) at 2.5 x 106 cells/well with 15 RGP extract at a concentration of 25 or 50 tg/ml in RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco BRL, NY, USA) supplemented with 2 mM GlutaMAX I (Gibco BRL), 0.05 mg/ml gentamicin (David Bull Laboratories, Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia) and 5% heat-inactivated human AB+ serum (Sigma, MO, USA) for 7 days at 37'C in a 5% CO 2 humidified incubator. At day 7, cells were washed once and restimulated in 24-well plates at 5 x 105 cells/well with 20 25 or 50 pLg/ml of RGP extract in the presence of 5 x 105 cells/well irradiated (3000 rads) autologous PBMC as a source of antigen presenting cells (APC). At day 2 following restimulation, 10 U/ml of Lymphocult T-LF (LC; Biotest, Germany) was added as a source of IL-2 and at day 4, 1 ml of culture medium was removed and replaced with fresh medium and 10 U/ml of LC. For some experiments due to low cell numbers at 2 weeks, 3 25 week TCL were generated by restimulation with antigen and LC as above for a further week. In all experiments T cells were rested for 6 to 7 days after the last addition of antigen and APC before testing.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 54 TCL proliferation assays T cells (5 x 10 4 /well) were cultured in 96-well U bottom plates with either RGP extract at concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 pg/ml, purified Lol p 1 (0.12 to 2 pIg/ml) or Lol p 5 5 (0.1 to 10 [tg/ml), or Lol p 1 or Lol p 5 peptides (10 g/ml), or medium alone (to determine background levels of proliferation), in the presence of washed autologous irradiated (3000 rads) PBMC (5 x 10 4 /well). For some TCL, there were insufficient cells to permit testing to both Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 peptide series. Cultures were incubated for 3 days, pulsed for the last 16 hours with 3 H-thymidine (1 pCi/well) and harvested onto glass 10 fibre filters. 3 H-thymidine incorporation was measured by liquid scintillation spectroscopy and the mean counts per minute (cpm) for triplicate cultures was determined. Responses were considered positive if the stimulation index (SI, cpm of antigen-stimulated T cells divided by cpm of unstimulated T cells) was > 2.5. Where several concentrations of allergen were tested (i.e., RGP, Lol p 1 and Lol p 5), values corresponding to the highest 15 proliferation are shown. Cytokine detection in culture supernatants Supernatants of triplicate cultures were harvested and pooled from T cell proliferation 20 assay cultures at 48 hours for the detection of IL-5 and IFN-y production by sandwich ELISA. Briefly white Maxisorp (NUNC, Roskilde, Denmark) ELISA plates were coated with capture mAb (anti-IL-5, Pharmingen, San Diego, CA, USA; anti-IFN-y, Endogen, Woburn, MA, USA) overnight at 4*C. Plates were then washed and wells blocked with 1% Bovine Serum Albumin/PBS for 1 hour at room temperature. Following washing, test 25 samples (neat) and serial dilutions of recombinant human IL-5 (PharMingen, USA) or IFN y (Endogen, USA) (for the construction of standard curves) were added and incubated overnight at 4C. Following washing, plates were incubated with biotinylated detecting mAb (anti-IL-5, Pharmingen, USA; anti-IFN-y, Endogen, USA) for 1 hour at room temperature. Plates were then washed and incubated with streptavidin-peroxidase 30 (Amersham, Piscataway, NJ, USA) for 30 minutes at room temperature. Following washing, a chemiluminescent substrate (Du Pont, Wilmington, DE, USA) was added to WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -55 each well and plates read in a Lumicount microplate Glow Luminometer (Packard Instrument Company, Meriden, CT, USA), 0.5 seconds/well, automatic sensitivity setting. Standard curve construction and determination of test sample cytokine levels were performed using Packard I-smart software. The limits of detection for IL-5 and IFN-y were 5 10 pg/ml and 2 pg/ml respectively. EXAMPLE 2 T CELL RESPONSE TO RGP ALLERGENS 10 Stimulation of TCL with crude RGP extract- induced good proliferation responses in all except two TCL (Tables 3 and 4). For these two TCL, the stimulation index was below the arbitrary cut-off of 2.5. In both these cases Lol p 5 peptide reactivity was demonstrated suggesting that the poor response to crude RGP extract may have been due to the use of a suboptimal dose. Only one concentration of RGP was used for these subjects due to limited 15 cell numbers. Ten of fourteen (71%) TCL tested responded to purified Lol p 1 and nine of fifteen (60%) TCL responded to purified Lol p 5. However, if allergen responsiveness was considered in terms of response to allergen or peptide, 79% of TCL responded to Lol p 1 and 91% to Lol p 5. These results demonstrate the importance of these two allergens at the T cell level. The fine specificity of Lol p 1 and Lol p 5 reactive T cells was revealed by 20 comparison of responses to the nested sets of peptides. EXAMPLE 3 TCL RESPONSES TO LOL P 1 PEPTIDES 25 Twenty four of 34 (71%) RGP-specific TCL responded to one or more Lol p 1 peptides. The proliferative responses of peptide-responsive RGP-specific TCL are shown in Table 3. With the exception of four Lol p 1 peptides (55-74, 163-182, 199-218 and 208-227) all were recognised by one or more TCL. When a responder frequency analysis was performed, four peptides were recognised by 25% or more Lol p 1 peptide-responsive 30 donors (Fig. 1). These peptides encompassed regions 19-38, 109-128, 154-173 and 190- WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 --56 209 of the Lol p 1 amino acid sequence. All four peptides were distinct regions of Lol p 1 indicating that each contains separate and discrete T cell epitopes. The highest frequency of donor recognition of a single peptide was 46% for Lol p 1 (19-38). Taken together the four most frequently recognised Lol p 1 peptides were recognised by 75% of Lol p 1 5 peptide-responsive RGP-specific TCL. EXAMPLE 4 TCL RESPONSES TO LOL P 5 PEPTIDES 10 T cell responsiveness to Lol p 5 peptides was detected in 15 of 21 (71%) of TCL tested, with determinants spread throughout the central region of the molecule (Table 4). No donors responded to peptides encompassing- the N- and C-terminus of Lol p 5 (residues 1 36 and 246-276 respectively), nor were T cell responses detected towards peptides 82-101, 91-110, 109-128, 127-146 or 136-155. Of the 30 overlapping Lol p 5 peptides only 17 15 (57%) were recognised by one or more RGP-specific TCL. As observed for the TCL responses to Lol p 1 peptides, several TCL responded to adjacent overlapping peptides suggesting that the responses may either be to separate T cell epitopes or to a common T cell epitope encompassed by both peptides. Of the 17 positively recognised peptides, seven were recognised by more than 25% of the peptide responsive TCL, these being peptides 20 37-56, 100-119, 145-164, 154-173, 190-209, 217-236 and 226-245 (Fig. 1). The peptides to which the highest frequency of responses were directed were peptides 37-56 and 154 173, each being recognised by more than 50% of peptide-responsive donors. Together these two peptides were recognised by 80% of peptide-responsive donors. For the seven dominant Lol p 5 peptides, 93% of peptide-responsive donors recognised one or more of 25 these peptides, however the same recognition frequency could also be achieved with only four (37-56, 100-119, 154-173, 217-236) of these seven dominant peptides.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 57 EXAMPLE 5 PRODUCTION OF IL-5 AND IFN-y BY RGP-SPECIFIC TCL The production of IL-5 and IFN-y was tested in 12 RGP-specific TCL (Table 5). The IL-5 5 and IFN-y responses were determined for selected T cell reactive and non-reactive peptides based on proliferation assays. Following stimulation with T cell reactive Lol p 1 peptides cytokine profiles varied, with some peptides inducing the production of both IL-5 and IFN y and others inducing the secretion of IFN-y only. T cell reactive Lol p 5 peptides generally induced the production of both cytokines with higher levels of IL-5. IL-5 was rarely 10 detected in supernatants from cultures that were incubated with peptides that failed to stimulate T cell proliferation and similarly the levels of IFN-y production in these cultures were minimal or undetectable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to 15 variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. 20 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 58 BIBLIOGRAPHY Alexander C, Oldfield WLG, Shirley K, Larche M, Kay AB. 2001, J Allergy Clin Immunol; 102:S217. Amann et al., 1998, Gene., 69:301-315 Balderi et al., 1987, Embo J., 6:229-234 Blaher B, Suphioglu C, Knox RB, Singh MB, McCluskey J, Rolland JM. 1996, JAllergy Clin Immunol; 98:124-132. Bousquet J, Lockey RF, Malling HJ. 1998, WHO Position Paper; Allergy; 53:1-42. Bungy GA, Rodda S, Roitt I, Brostoff J. 1994, Eur Jlmmunol; 24:2098-2103. Bungy Poor Fard GA, Latchman Y, Rodda S, Geysen M, Roitt I, Brostoff J. 1993, Clin Exp Immunol; 94:111-116. Burton et al, 1999 de Lalla C, Sturniolo T, Abbruzzese L, et al. 1999, JImmunol; 163:1725-1729. Ford SA, Baldo BA. 1986, Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol; 81:193-203. Janeel et al., 1990, J Virol., 64:3963-3966 Johansson SGO J'OB, Bousquet, J., Bruijnzeel-Koomen, C. 2001, et al. Allergy 56:813 824 Knapp et al., 1990, Bio Techniques., 8:280-281 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 59 Kurjan and Herskowitz., 1982, Cell., 30:933-943 Levy D, Davies J, O'Hehir R, Suphioglu C. 2001, Electrophoresis; 22:1900-1905. Miyamoto T: Advances in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Godard P, Bousquet J, Michel FB (eds) pp343-3 47 . The Parthenon Publishing Group, Cornforth, UK, 1992. Muller U, Akdis CA, Fricker M, et al. 1998 JAllergy Clin Immunol; 101:747-754. Oldfield WLG, K. S, M. L, A.B. K. 2001, JAllergy Clin Immunol; 107:S216. Ong EK, Griffith IJ, Knox RB, Singh MB. 1993, Gene; 134:235-240. Pene J, Desroches A, Paradis L, et al. 1998, JAllergy Clin Immunol; 102:571-578. Perez M, Ishioka GY, Walker LE, Chesnut RW. 1990, JBiol Chen; 265:16210-16215. Rolland J, O'Hehir R. 1998, Curr Opin Immunol; 10:640-645. Romagnani S. 1997, Immunol Today 1997; 18:263-266. Sambruck et al., 1989, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press; Cold Spring Harbour, New York Schramm G, Kahlert H, Suck R, et al. 1999 Jlmmunol; 162:2406-2414. Schultz et al., 1987, Gene., 54:113-123 Smart et al. 1983 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 60 Smith AM, Chapman MD, Taketomi EA, Platts-Mills TA, Sung SS. 1998, JAllergy Clin Immunol; 101:423-425. Spiegelberg HL, Beck L, Stevenson DD, Ishioka GY. 1994, Jnmmunol; 152:4706-4711. Stewart GA, Turner KJ, Baldo BA, et al. 1988, Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol; 86:9-18. Varney MD, Tait BD. 1998, Eur. J Immunogenetics., 25:371-374 Varnet et al. 1990 British Medical Journal 302:265-269. Vrtala S, Hirtenlehner K, Susani M, et al. 1999, Int Arch Allergy Immunol; 118:218-219.
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 r~l CD c~ ai 0 Ca~~~ _0"~ - cc' C~~NC', od cc I'-. I C C=3 ma N c', 0 cn CC UCU V n Iq Ca 'r cn qz?. icn L 4,9 CCDO~OO C',t~.A Cim. N f e H C 6 '~CR Ca O CL 07 -v a lx Ll cK~ ~ ~~~~ -W aC~ 4 ~ O C11~' CEO 4 -4 N M -~ CC C' 'P. - N C: ~ rn ~, 4Zia4 WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 - 62 Loo too to no IR to L-4 C ' C')~~~c to Nt NUq r-. c~c t O C N to t~ - 91 z * ,F44 2 . o - - -- - - -_, g 1 '7
Z,
WO 03/082924 PCT/AU03/00403 -63 Table 5 L- and IF14-, production by PGP-specific TCL stimulated with Lol p I or Lol p.5 p~ptidles Non-proliferation' Proliferation inducing peptides inducing peptides iL-5 M-1' I1-5 lFNi' Subject Peptide (pg/mi) (pg/mi) (pg/mi) (pg/mi) Lol p 1 peptidles 83 3 19-38 U 0 20.9 U D 5.7 109-128 UD 32.1 10 190-209 UD0 9.0 U D 5.4 14 136-155 UD 106.4 U 0 24.9 15 19-38 182.7 204.1 U D 24.5 28-47 U D 23.2 64-83 26.5 38.8 100-119 275.6 167.1 109-128 160.7 143.3 T21ble 5 I&S and IF154-173 2B 3 iF~f~to~b w, !, ftrok stirouiatsd wth Lo p I or Lol p 5p:~~id~~ 1Z0-209 1.3 3.5 ____ 16 10_I9,-128 Un 13.8 19 li~-atioYduing -pf~ VIcnqpgid, i fl P I ppptides 37-56 46.9 11.1 UnD 5.91 110jjj UL12.4 ii I ffoF209 Itib Y,3 1 5.4 Ti ppile 1-38 182.7 204.1 UIJ 2.5 2Lo p5p7ti1s96 L6 2
.
8 WiO UD 38.3 %041,73 gib3 ~db 'bb I~ fil Supematants ware hdde atW4,,romn T~cq jItures alrWesdoy, IJ9A for the presence of IL-5 idIlFN-yC4'okine.Ievels inauced by immunore0cie e~ptides are shown on the IdPofi tWe tabl~tnd as mdAi values foriunreactiv peptitdes on ;the'right. V 243 ;p Qf .rFp 4M~ Nt it 'o
-
46-neecba~~- -49- 5- 9 /3 ~ ~ -~ rl2<1 1i1 . po p eptidss "I - J 4. 2 2
Claims (3)
1. An isolated peptide of the formula: XX 2 X 3 5 wherein: X, and X 3 may be the same or different and each is an amino acid sequence comprising from 0 to 40 naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid residues; X 2 is an amino acid sequence derived from or homologous to, or contiguous with: 10 a) amino acids 190-245; b) amino acids 145-173; c) amino acids 37-83; d) amino acids 118-137; or e) amino acids 172-191 15 inclusive of Lol p 5, provided that X 2 is not the amino acid sequence 100-119 or 190-209; or a functional derivative, homologue, mutant or analogue of said peptide; wherein said peptide molecule is capable of interacting with T cells and modifying T cell function when incubated with cells from subjects having a condition characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response 20 to Lol p 5.
2. The peptide according to claim 1, wherein said X 2 amino acid sequence of: a) is derived from, homologous or contiguous with amino acids 217-236 and/or 226-245, 199-218 or 208-227 inclusive of Lol p 5; 25 b) is derived from, homologous or contiguous with amino acids 145-164, or 154-173 inclusive of Lol p 5; or c) is derived from, homologous or contiguous with amino acids 37-56,
46-65, 55-74, or 64-83 inclusive of Lol p 5 C\NRPonbl\DCC\FMT2767710.1 DOC-123/2010 - 65 3. A peptide according to claim 2 a), wherein said amino acids are 217-236 and/or 226-245 inclusive of Lol p 5. 4. The peptide according to claim 2 b), wherein said amino acids are 145-164 5 and/or 154-173 inclusive of Lol p 5. 5. The peptide according to claim 2 c), wherein said amino acids are 37-56 inclusive of Lol p 5. 10 6. The peptide according to claim 1, wherein said amino acid sequence comprises at least 5 amino acids derived from one or more of the following amino acid sequences: DVNAGFKAAVAAAANAPPAD (SEQ ID NO: 33) VAAAANAPPADKFKIFEAAF (SEQ ID NO: 34) 15 ADKFKIFEAAFSESSKGLLA (SEQ ID NO: 35) AFSESSKGLLATSAAKAPGL (SEQ ID NO: 36) LRVIAGALEVHAVKPATEEV (SEQ ID NO: 42) GELQIVDKIDAAFKIAATAA (SEQ ID NO: 45) DAAFKIAATAANAAPTNDKF (SEQ ID NO: 46) 20 KFTVFESAFNKALNECTGGA (SEQ ID NO: 48) PSLEAAVKQAYAATVAAAPE (SEQ ID NO: 51) AYAATVAAAPEVKYAVFEAA (SEQ ID NO: 52) PEVKYAVFEAALTKITAMT (SEQ ID NO: 53) AALTKAITAMTQAQKAGKPA (SEQ ID NO: 54) 25 7. The peptide according to claim 6 wherein said amino acid sequence is derived from one or more of SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 45; SEQ ID NO: 46, SEQ ID NO: 53 or SEQ ID NO: 54. CV4RPonbrDCC\FV m2767710 I.DOC-1203/2010 - 66 8. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding or complementary to a sequence encoding a peptide according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 5 9. A method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition in a subject, which condition is characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response to Lol p 5, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a peptide as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7 for a time and under conditions sufficient to remove or reduce the presence or function in said 10 subject of T cells directed to said Lol p 5. 10. Use of a peptide as defined in any one of claims I to 7 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a condition in a mammal which condition is characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate immune response 15 to Lol p 5. 11. The method according to claim 9, or the use according to claim 10, wherein said condition is hypersensitivity to a grass pollen of the subfamily Pooiodeae and even more preferably Rye grass or Timothy grass pollen. 20 12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide according to any one of claims 1 to 7 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. 25 13. A method of diagnosing or monitoring a condition in a mammal, which condition is characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or inappropriate response to Lol p 5, said method comprising screening for Lol p 5 reactive T cells and/or antibodies utilising the peptides as defined in any one of claims I to 7. C:\NRPorb\DCC\FMT27677 101 DOC- 2IM3/2010 - 67 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said condition is hypersensitivity to a grass pollen of the subfamily Pooiodeae and even more preferably Rye grass or Timothy grass pollen. 5 15. A diagnostic kit for use in the method of claim 13 or 14 wherein said kit comprises a peptide as defined in any one of claims I to 7. 16. The peptide according to any one of claims 1-7 or a nucleic acid molecule according to claim 8 or the method or use according to any one of claims 9-11 or 12 10 14 or the composition according to claim 12 or the kit according to claim 15 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures and/or Examples.
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| WO1994021675A2 (en) * | 1993-03-12 | 1994-09-29 | Immulogic Pharmaceutical Corporation | T cell epitopes of ryegrass pollen allergen |
| WO1996000238A1 (en) * | 1994-06-24 | 1996-01-04 | Peptide Therapeutics Limited | T cell epitopes of rye grass pollen allergen |
| WO1997005258A2 (en) * | 1995-08-02 | 1997-02-13 | Biomay Produktions- Und Handelsgesellschaft Mbh | Recombinant 60kda vegetable panallergen (co-factor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase; e.c. 5.4.2.1.) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1994021675A2 (en) * | 1993-03-12 | 1994-09-29 | Immulogic Pharmaceutical Corporation | T cell epitopes of ryegrass pollen allergen |
| WO1996000238A1 (en) * | 1994-06-24 | 1996-01-04 | Peptide Therapeutics Limited | T cell epitopes of rye grass pollen allergen |
| WO1997005258A2 (en) * | 1995-08-02 | 1997-02-13 | Biomay Produktions- Und Handelsgesellschaft Mbh | Recombinant 60kda vegetable panallergen (co-factor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase; e.c. 5.4.2.1.) |
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