Method for the production of non-immunogenic proteins
AssigneeBiovation Limited
InventorsFrancis Joseph Carr, Fiona Suzanne Adair, Anita Anne Hamilton, Graham Carter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Protein, or parts of proteins, may be rendered non-immunogenic, or less immunogenic, to a given species by identifying in their amino acid sequences one or more potential epitopes for T-cells of the given species and modifying the amino acid sequence to eliminate at least one of the T-cell epitopes. This eliminates or reduces the immunogenicity of the protein when exposed to the immune system of the given species. Monoclonal antibodies and other immunoglobulin-like molecules can particularly benefit from being de-immunised in this way: for example, mouse-derived immunoglobulins can be de-immunised for human therapeutic use.
Claims33
A method of rendering a protein, or part of a protein, non-immunogenic, or less immunogenic, to a given species, the method comprising:
- (a) determining at least part of the amino acid sequence of the protein;
- (b) identifying in the amino acid sequence one or more potential epitopes for T-cells (“T-cell epitopes”) of the given species;
- and
- (c) modifying the amino acid sequence to eliminate at least one of the T-cell epitopes identified in step (b) thereby to eliminate or reduce the immunogenicity of the protein when exposed to the ifmmune system of the given species.
A method of analysing a pre-existing protein to predict the basis for immunogenic responses thereto, the method comprising identifying in the amino acid sequence of the protein one or more potential epitopes for T-cells, and optionally one or more potential epitopes for B-cells, of a given species, and inducing B- or T-cell tolerance thereto.
A molecule of a first species, at least part of which molecule is modified to the minimum extent necessary to eliminate epitopes for T-cells, and optionally also epitopes for B-cells, of a second species.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.