Peptide scaffold design

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel peptides and methods for treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of virus infections including infections with HCV, HIV, CMV and Influenza. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and providing peptides useful for the treatment and diagnosis.

1 . An isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide encoding a cell-penetrating peptide comprising the following structure
   X 1 -X 2 -X 3 -X 4 -X 5   (formula I),
   
       wherein X 1  and X 3  independently defines a linear sequence of any 1, 2, 3 or 4 amino acids independently selected from any basic amino acid, citrulline, tryptophan, or a derivative thereof; X 2  defines a linear sequence of 8-30 amino acids derived from an antigen; X 4  defines a linear sequence of 8-30 amino acids derived from said antigen, said sequence X 4  being different from X 2 ; and wherein X 5  is any one optional amino acid selected from a basic amino acid, citrulline, tryptophan, or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein said basic amino acid is independently selected from Arg, Lys, and His. 
     
     
         3 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises one or more cysteine. 
     
     
         4 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the N- and/or C-terminal amino acid in X 2  is a hydrophilic or polar amino acid. 
     
     
         5 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein the N-terminal amino acid in X 4  is a hydrophilic or polar amino acid. 
     
     
         6 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein X 1  and/or X 3  consist of 2 or 3 amino acids 
     
     
         7 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 6 , wherein X 1  consists of WW, BR, or RR. 
     
     
         8 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 6 , wherein X 3  consists of WW, BR, or RR. 
     
     
         9 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein X 2  and/or X 4  is not derived from HIV. 
     
     
         10 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein X 2  and/or X 4  is a linear sequence of less than 12 amino acids. 
     
     
         11 . The isolated nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , wherein X 2  and/or X 4  is derived from HCV, CMV, HPV, Influenza, adenoviruses, or picornaviruses. 
     
     
         12 . A vector comprising the nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A host cell comprising the vector according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         14 . An immunogenic composition comprising the nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 , in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or vehicle and optionally an immunological adjuvant. 
     
     
         15 . The immunogenic composition according to  claim 14  in the form of a vaccine composition. 
     
     
         16 . A method for inducing an immune response in a subject against an antigen which comprises administration of the nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method for inducing an immune response in a subject against an antigen which comprises administration of the vector according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for reducing and/or delaying the pathological effects of a virus in a subject infected with said virus, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the nucleic acid or polynucleotide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing and/or delaying the pathological effects of a virus in a subject infected with said virus, the method comprising administering an effective amount of the vector according to  claim 12 .