Hypoallergenic allergy vaccines based on the timothy grass pollen allergen phl p 7

Abstract

The present invention pertains to polypeptides derived from the timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 7. The polypeptides display reduced allergen activity and are useful as allergy vaccines for the treatment of sensitized allergic patients and for prophylactic vaccination.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A mutated polypeptide derived from the pollen allergen Phl p 7, said polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, and SEQ ID NO: 6, whereby said polypeptide has a reduced allergenic activity as compared to wild type Phl p 7. 
     
     
         17 . A polypeptide according to  claim 16 , wherein said polypeptide is capable of inducing an IgG response in a mammal. 
     
     
         18 . A polypeptide according to  claim 16 , wherein said polypeptide induces a histamine release which is significantly reduced as compared to wild type Phl p 7. 
     
     
         19 . A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide according to  claim 16 . 
     
     
         20 . A vector or plasmid containing a polynucleotide according to  claim 19 . 
     
     
         21 . A host cell transformed or transfected with a vector or plasmid according to  claim 20 . 
     
     
         22 . A method of preparing a polypeptide according to  claim 16  comprising the step of chemically synthesizing said polypeptide. 
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide according to  claim 16  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 
     
     
         24 . A kit comprising a polypeptide according to  claim 16  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 
     
     
         25 . A method of treating and/or preventing an allergic disorder, said method comprising the step of administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of the polypeptide of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said allergic disorder is an allergy to a two-EF hand pollen allergen. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said allergic disorder is allergy to Phl p 7. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the allergic disorder is allergy to an allergen selected from the group consisting of Bet v 4, Bra r 1, Aln g 4, Bra n 1, Cyn d 7, Ole e 3, Syr v 3, and/or Phl p 7.