| abstract |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an invariant chain protein, or peptide fragment thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are disclosed. An invariant chain peptide fragment of the composition comprises an amino acid sequence of a binding motif for a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule, such as an MHC class II molecule. Preferably the peptide fragment is about 10 to 35 amino acids in length, more preferably 10 to 20 amino acids in length, even more preferably 12 to 16 amino acids in length. The invention further provides a method for preparing an invariant chain peptide fragment for use in the disclosed compositions and methods. This method involves identifying an amino acid sequence of a binding motif for an MHC molecule, selecting a region of an invariant chain protein comprising the amino acid sequence of the MHC binding motif and preparing an invariant chain peptide fragment encompassing the selected region. Methods for treating autoimmune diseases are also disclosed. The methods of the invention involve administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of an invariant chain protein, or peptide fragment thereof, optionally with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |