Reducing the immunogenicity of fusion proteins

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for reducing the immunogenicity of a fusion protein, the method comprising introducing a glycosylation site within the junction region spanning the fusion junction. 
     
     
         6 . A method for reducing the immunogenicity of a fusion protein, the method comprising introducing a glycosylation site within 10 amino acids of the fusion junction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , the method comprising introducing a glycosylation site within 5 amino acids of the fusion junction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , the method comprising introducing a glycosylation site within 2 amino acids of the fusion junction. 
     
     
         9 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the glycosylation is an N-linked glycosylation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the glycosylation is an O-linked glycosylation. 
     
     
         13 .- 37 . (canceled)