| abstract |
The composition of formula (I) and its multimers are disclosed, in which F and F denote particles that prolong the half-life, a d and e, each independently denote 0 or 1, provided that at least one of d and e denotes 1; X, X and X, each independently, designates - (L) -P- (L) -, a f and g, each independently, represent 0 or 1; R stands for a toxic peptide of a length of not more than about 80 amino acid residues, containing at least two intrapeptide disulfide bonds; L denotes an optional linker; aa, b, and c are each independently 0 or 1, with the proviso that a, b, and c are 1. Binding to a particle (or particles) that prolongs (or prolongs) the half-life increases the in vivo half-life of the toxic peptide which otherwise would quickly collapse. The pharmaceutical composition contains the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed is the DNA encoding composition of the invention, the expression vector containing the DNA, and the host cell containing the expression vector. Also disclosed are methods for treating an autoimmune disease such as, but not limited to, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, contact dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, asthma, allergy, restenosis, systemic sclerosis, fibrosis, scleroderma, glomerulonephritis , Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory bone resorption, graft rejection, graft-versus-host and lupus disease, and prevention or suppression of relapse of the symptom of multiple sclerosis. |