| abstract |
The present invention concerns therapeutic agents that mimic the activity of Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide. In accordance with the present invention, the compounds of the invention comprise:a. a Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain, preferably the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, or sequences derived therefrom by phage display, RNA-peptide screening, or the other techniques mentioned above; andb. a vehicle, such as a polymer (e.g., PEG or dextran) or an Fc domain, which is preferred;wherein the vehicle, preferably an Fc domain, is covalently attached to the Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AL amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain. The vehicle and the Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain may be linked through the N- or C-terminus of the Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain, as described further below. The preferred vehicle is an Fc domain, and the preferred Fc domain is an IgG Fc domain. Preferred Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domains comprise the amino acid sequences described in Table 2. Other Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domains can be generated by phage display, RNA-peptide screening and the other techniques mentioned herein. |