More MS news articles for Aug 2001

Synthetic peptides that inhibit binding of the myelin basic protein 85-99 epitope to multiple sclerosis-associated HLA-DR2 molecules and MBP-specific T-cell responses

http://www.elsevier.com/gej-ng/10/21/30/47/37/25/abstract.html

Human Immunology, Vol. 62 (8) (2001) pp. 753-763
Masha Fridkis-Hareli a, Joel N.H. Stern a, Lars Fugger b and Jack L. Strominger a * jlstrom@fas.harvard.edu
a Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (M.F.-H., J.N.H.S., J.L.S.), Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
b Department of Clinical Immunology (L. F.), Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, Aarhus N, Denmark
Received 25 January 2001; accepted 22 May 2001

Abstract

Copolymer 1 (Cop 1, poly [Y, E, A, K]) is a random synthetic amino acid copolymer effective in the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that is linked to HLA-DR2 (DRB1*1501).

In the present study various peptides, synthesized according to the binding motifs for both the immunodominant epitope of myelin basic protein (MBP) 85-99, a candidate autoantigen in MS, and Cop 1, differentially inhibited binding of these antigens to disease-associated HLA-DR2 (DRB1*1501) molecules.

In particular, two peptides with residue K at position P-1, as referred to MBP 85-99, inhibited effectively the binding of both biotinylated MBP 85-99 and Cop 1 to HLA-DR2 molecules as well as IL-2 production by two MBP-specific HLA-DR2-restricted T-cell clones.

These findings suggest the possible utility of these compounds or their more stable derivatives in treatment of MS.