Selective targeting of the cd40l/mac-1 interaction by small peptide inhibitors and its use for the treatment of inflammation and atherogenesis

Abstract

The CD40L/Mac-1 interaction is selectively targeted by small peptide inhibitors and/or antibodies and such peptides are used for the specific treatment of inflammation and atherogenesis. In particular, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence EQLKKSKTL and antibodies specifically binding to an epitope are disclosed.

1 . An antibody capable of specifically binding to an epitope comprising the amino acid sequence QLK. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , capable of specifically binding to an epitope comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:19. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , capable of specifically binding to an epitope comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:20. 
     
     
         4 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , capable of specifically binding to an epitope comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         5 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , capable of specifically binding to an epitope comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , capable of specifically binding to an epitope comprising at least part of the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         7 . An antibody capable of inhibiting the binding of macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1) to CD40L. 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A process for the treatment of an atherosclerotic disease comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8  to a subject in need thereof.