Agents and compositions and methods utilizing same useful in diagnosing and/or treating or preventing plaque forming diseases

Abstract

A method of immunizing against plaque forming diseases using display technology is provided. The method utilizes novel agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases that rely upon presentation of an antigen or epitope on a display vehicle. The method further includes agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases, which rely upon presentation of an antibody, or an active portion thereof, on a display vehicle. Whether antigens or antibodies are employed, disaggregation of plaques results from the immunization.

1 . A pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and, as an active ingredient, a virus that is an in vivo non-propagatable particle displaying a polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide comprises at least one epitope of beta-amyloid (Aβ), and wherein said at least one epitope elicits Aβ-binding antibodies against said epitope when administered to a subject, and wherein said antibodies inhibit aggregation of said beta-amyloid.  
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein said virus is selected from the group consisting of a double stranded DNA virus, a single stranded DNA virus, a positive strand RNA virus and a negative strand RNA virus.  
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein said virus is a bacteriophage.  
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Alzheimer's disease is early onset Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Alzheimer's disease is late onset Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the Alzheimer's disease is presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein said virus is selected such that less than 30 days following an introduction of a triple dose of 1010 units thereof to the recipient, a titer of said antibodies is above 1:50,000, as is determined by ELISA.  
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide is Aβ.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said epitope is EFRH (SEQ ID NO:1), DAEFRH (residues 1-6 of SEQ ID NO:3), DAEFRHD (residues 1-7 of SEQ ID NO:3), or DAEFRHDSG (residues 1-9 of SEQ ID NO:3).  
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said epitope comprises EFRH (SEQ ID NO:1).  
     
     
         11 . A method of treating Alzheimer's disease, comprising introducing a pharmaceutical composition in accordance with  claim 1  into a body of a recipient in need thereof so as to inhibit aggregation of beta-amyloid and treat Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said virus is selected from the group consisting of a double stranded DNA virus, a single stranded DNA virus, a positive strand RNA virus and a negative strand RNA virus.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said virus is a bacteriophage.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Alzheimer's disease is early onset Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Alzheimer's disease is late onset Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Alzheimer's disease is presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said virus is introduced into the body of the recipient so as to inhibit aggregation of beta-amyloid by applying said virus to an olfactory system of the recipient.  
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said polypeptide is Aβ.  
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said epitope is EFRH (SEQ ID NO:1), DAEFRH (residues 1-6 of SEQ ID NO:3), DAEFRHD (residues 1-7 of SEQ ID NO:3), or DAEFRHDSG (residues 1-9 of SEQ ID NO:3).  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said epitope comprises EFRH (SEQ ID NO:1).