Linked purine pterin hppk inhibitors useful as antibacterial agents
AssigneeThe United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorsPei Zhang, Marian Major, Stephen Feinstone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention concern compositions that induce and/or improve an immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods of making and using compositions that include epitopes of the HCV E2 structural protein involved in promoting or inhibiting neutralization of HCV are provided.
Claims21
A composition comprising an isolated peptide consisting essentially of an Epitope II (EP II) sequence, wherein said peptide is a ligand for an antibody that inhibits neutralization of hepatitis C virus (HCV).
A composition comprising an isolated peptide consisting essentially of an Epitope II (EP II) sequence, wherein said peptide comprises a mutation that inhibits binding of an EP II-specific antibody.
An isolated antibody or fragment thereof, which binds specifically to an isolated peptide consisting essentially of an Epitope II (EP II) sequence.
An isolated anti-idiotype antibody or fragment thereof, which binds specifically to an EP II-specific antibody.
A composition comprising an enriched HCIGIV preparation, which has been depleted for antibodies that bind to EP II.
A method of identifying a ligand for an EP II-specific antibody comprising:
- a. providing an EP II-specific antibody or binding fragment thereof;
- b. providing a candidate ligand for said antibody or binding fragment thereof;
- c. providing a candidate ligand;
- and
- d. measuring the binding of said candidate ligand to said antibody or fragment thereof.
A method of isolating an antibody or fragment thereof, which binds to a peptide comprising an EP II sequence or a mutant thereof comprising:
- a. providing a biological sample from an animal infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), wherein said biological sample contains antibodies or a fragment thereof;
- b. contacting said biological sample with a peptide comprising an EP II domain, or a mutant thereof or a peptide comprising the sequence of LFY or LLY;
- and
- c. isolating an antibody or fragment thereof, which binds specifically to said peptides.
A method of improving neutralization of HCV comprising:
- a. identifying a patient in need of an inhibitor of an EP II-specific antibody;
- b. providing said patient a peptide that comprises an LFY or LLY sequence, a DNA aptamer that has a conformation that mimics the LFY or LLY sequence, or an anti-idiotype antibody or fragment thereof, that is specific for said EP II specific antibody;
- and
- c. measuring the reduction in HCV viral lode or measuring a marker for HCV infection.
A composition comprising an immunogen that comprises a fragment of the E2 glycoprotein but not including or lacking an EP II sequence, which interacts with an inhibitory antibody.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.