| abstract |
The present invention relates to novel immunogenic variants of multimeric proteins such as immunogenic variants of interleukin 5 (IL5) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF, TNF.alpha.). The variants are, besides from bein g immunogenic in the autologous host, also highly similar to the native 3D structure of the proteins from which they are derived. Certain variants are monomeric mimics of the multimers, where peptide linkers (inert or T helper epitope containing) ensure a spatial organisation of the monomomer units tha t facilitate correct folding. A subset of variants are monomer TNF.alpha. variants that exhibit a superior capability of assembling into multimers wit h a high structural similarity to the native protein. Also disclosed are metho ds of treatment and production of the variants as well as DNA fragments, vector s, and host cells. |