T-cell death-inducing epitopes

Abstract

Cell death-inducing epitopes and polypeptides containing same. Also disclosed are compounds for inducing death of activated T-cells, a method of producing antibodies to the epitopes, a method of identifying compounds that bind to the epitopes, a method of inducing death of activated T-cells, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of identifying a candidate compound for inducing death of activated T-cells, the method comprising contacting a compound with a polypeptide comprising X 1 -X 2 -X 3 -X 4 -X 5 , wherein
 X 1  is Tyr, Trp, His, or Met;   X 2  is Asp;   X 3  is Ser, Phe, Pro, Glu, or His;   X 4  is any amino acid; and   X 5  is Pro, Tyr, His, or Trp,   wherein binding of the compound to the polypeptide indicates that the compound is a candidate for inducing death of activated T-cells.   
     
     
         29 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:4 and 6-13. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the compound is an antibody. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         36 . A method of producing an antibody for inducing death of activated T-cells, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising X 1 -X 2 -X 3 -X 4 -X 5 , wherein
 X 1  is Tyr, Trp, His, or Met;   X 2  is Asp;   X 3  is Ser, Phe, Pro, Glu, or His;   X 4  is any amino acid; and   X 5  is Pro, Tyr, His, or Trp.   
     
     
         37 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:4 and 6-13. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         43 . A method of identifying a candidate compound for inducing death of activated T-cells, the method comprising contacting a compound with a polypeptide comprising X 6 -X 7 -X 8 -X 9 -X 10 , wherein
 X 6  is Asp;   X 7  is Tyr, Met, Asn, Trp, or Phe;   X 8  is Phe or Leu;   X 9  is Pro; and   X 10  is Glu,   wherein binding of the compound to the polypeptide indicates that the compound is a candidate for inducing death of activated T-cells.   
     
     
         44 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:14-18. 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the compound is an antibody. 
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method of producing an antibody for inducing death of activated T-cells, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising X 6 -X 7 -X 8 -X 9 -X 10 , wherein
 X 6  is Asp;   X 7  is Tyr, Met, Asn, Trp, or Phe;   X 8  is Phe or Leu;   X 9  is Pro; and   X 10  is Glu.   
     
     
         52 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:14-18. 
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         58 . A method of identifying a candidate compound for inducing death of activated T-cells, the method comprising contacting a compound with a polypeptide comprising X 11 -X 12 -X 13 -X 14 , wherein
 X 11  is Pro;   X 12  is Met;   X 13  is Glu or Ser; and   X 14  is Ile,   wherein binding of the compound to the polypeptide indicates that the compound is a candidate for inducing death of activated T-cells.   
     
     
         59 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:20-22. 
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the compound is an antibody. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         66 . A method of producing an antibody for inducing death of activated T-cells, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising X 11 -X 12 -X 13 X 14 , wherein
 X 11  is Pro;   X 12  is Met;   X 13  is Glu or Ser; and   X 14  is Ile.   
     
     
         67 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:20-22. 
     
     
         71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.