Fusion proteins comprising antigenic apob-100 protein fragments and a protein carrier, related compositions, methods and systems for treatment and/or prevention of atherosclerosis

Abstract

A fusion protein comprising an antigenic fragment of apoB-100 and a suitable carrier and related compositions methods and systems.

1 . A fusion protein comprising
 an antigenic fragment of apoB-100 protein or a derivative thereof and a protein carrier,   wherein the antigenic fragment and the protein carrier are comprised in the fusion protein in a 1:1 fragment:carrier molar ratio; and   wherein the fusion protein is capable of inducing antigen specific regulatory T cells, the antigen specific regulatory T cells being specific for the antigenic fragment of apoB-100.   
     
     
         2 . The fusion protein of  claim 1 , wherein the antigenic fragment comprises one or more peptides selected from the group consisting of P2, P11, P25, P32, P45, P74, P102, P129, P143, P148, P154, P162, P210, P219, and P240. 
     
     
         3 . The fusion protein of  claim 1 , wherein the antigenic fragment comprises one or more peptide selected from the group consisting of P2, P45, P102 and P210. 
     
     
         4 . The fusion protein of  claim 1 , wherein the antigenic fragment comprises P210. 
     
     
         5 . The fusion protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein carrier is selected from the group consisting of Avidin, BTG protein, Bovine G globulin, Bovine Immunoglobulin G, Bovine Thyroglobulin, Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), Conalbumin, Edestein, Exoprotein A from  Pseudomonas aeruginosa , HC (Hemocyanin from crab  Paralithodes camtschatica ),  Helix Promatia  Haemocyanin (HPH), Human Serum Albumin (HSA), KTI (Kunits trypsin inhibitor from soybeans), Keyhole Limpet Heamocyanin (KLH), LPH (Haemocyanin from  Limulus polyphemus ) Ovalbumin, Pam3Cys-Th, Polylysine, porcine Thyroglobulin (PTG), Purified Protein Derivative (PPD), Rabbit Serum Albumin (RSA), Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor (STI), and Sunflower Globulin (SFG). 
     
     
         6 . The fusion protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein carrier is a cytokine. 
     
     
         7 . The fusion protein of  claim 1 , wherein the protein carrier is subunit B of cholera toxin. 
     
     
         8 . A method to treat and/or prevent atherosclerosis in an individual, the method comprising:
 administering to the individual an effective amount of the fusion protein of  claim 1 ,   the effective amount eliciting an antigen specific Treg immunomodulatory response in the individual,   the antigen specific Treg immunomodulatory response being specific for the antigenic fragments of apoB-100 or a derivative thereof.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the administering is performed via an oral or nasal or nasal route of administration. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the administering is performed via a subcutaneous route of administration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the administering is performed via an intramuscular route of administration. 
     
     
         12 . An immunogenic composition comprising the fusion protein of  claim 1  together with an adjuvant and/or an excipient. 
     
     
         13 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 12  wherein the adjuvant and/or excipients are pharmaceutically acceptable and the composition is a pharmaceutical composition.