Modified peptides and their use for treating autoimmune diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to a peptide, or a salt thereof, comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence IHMVYSKRSGKPRGYAFIEY, comprising one or more post-translational modifications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A peptide, or a salt thereof, selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) an amino acid sequence with at least 90% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence:   
       
         
           
                 
                 
               
                     
                   [SEQ ID NO: 2] 
                 
                     
                   IHMVYSKRSGKPRGYAFIEY, 
                 
             
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
       comprising a phosphoserine at position  9 , and an oxidized Methionine at position  3 ; and
 ii) an amino acid sequence with at least 90% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence: 
 
       
         
           
                 
                 
               
                     
                   [SEQ ID NO: 1] 
                 
                     
                   RIHMVYSKRSGKPRGYAFIEY, 
                 
             
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
       comprising a phosphoserine at position  10 , and an oxidized Methionine at position  4 . 
     
     
         2 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 a peptide according to  claim 1 ; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , further comprising a drug having an immunosuppressive or an immunomodulatory effect. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 2 , which is in the form of a lozenge, tablet, gelatin, capsule, drop, pill, liposome, nano particles or in the form of a solution. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 2 , said pharmaceutical composition being administered at a dosage from 100 ng to 5 mg. 
     
     
         6 . A method of treating an autoimmune disease, wherein the method comprises administering a patient in need of such treatment the pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 2  in an amount sufficient to effect said treatment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprising a drug having an immunosuppressive or an immunomodulatory effect. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said autoimmune disease is chosen among autoimmune pathologies of the family of connective tissue disease (non-specific systemic organ disease) and/or organ-specific autoimmune pathologies. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the connective tissue disease is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren's syndrome, or chronic juvenile arthritis. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the organ-specific autoimmune pathologies is multiple sclerosis, insulin-dependent diabetes, Crohn's disease, or bullous diseases. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the peptide of said pharmaceutical composition is administered at a dosage in an amount in a range of about 100 ng to about 5 mg.