Regulatory t cell epitopes, compositions and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention is directed to T cell epitopes wherein said epitopes comprises a peptide or polypeptide chain comprising at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant or variable region. The invention also relates to methods of using and methods of making the epitopes of the invention.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An isolated T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         25 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         26 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 25  further comprising a T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         27 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 25  further comprising an effective amount of an antigen or allergen. 
     
     
         28 . A kit for repressing an antigen-specific immune response in a subject, wherein the kit comprises a T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 28  further comprising a T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 28  further comprising an effective amount of an antigen or allergen. 
     
     
         31 . A method for expanding a population of regulatory T cells, comprising:
 (a) isolating regulatory T-cells from a biological sample from a subject; and   (b) contacting the isolated regulatory T-cells with an effective amount the T-cell epitope polypeptide of claim  1  under conditions wherein the T-regulatory cells increase in number to yield an expanded regulatory T-cell composition, thereby expanding the regulatory T-cells in the biological sample.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising contacting the isolated regulatory T-cells with an effective amount of the T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         33 . A method for stimulating regulatory T cells in a biological sample, comprising:
 (a) isolating regulatory T-cells from a biological sample from a subject; and   (b) contacting the isolated regulatory T-cells with an effective amount of the T-cell epitope polypeptide of claim  1  under conditions wherein the T-regulatory cells are stimulated,   thereby stimulating the regulatory T-cells in the biological sample.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising contacting the isolated regulatory T-cells with an effective amount of the T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         35 . A method of suppressing an antigen-specific immune response to a target antigen in a subject comprising administrating to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising the T-cell epitope polypeptide of claim  1 , wherein the T-cell epitope polypeptide is either covalently bound, non-covalently bound or in admixture with the target antigen resulting in the diminution of immune response against the target antigen. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the suppressive effect is mediated by natural Treg. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the suppressive effect is mediated by adaptive Treg. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the T cell epitope polypeptide suppresses an effector T cell response. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the T cell epitope polypeptide suppresses a helper T cell response. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the T cell epitope polypeptide suppresses a B cell response. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the T-cell epitope polypeptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5.