Bifunctional polypeptides

Abstract

A bifunctional polypeptide comprising a specific binding partner for a peptide-MHC epitope, such as an antibody or T cell receptor, and an immune effector, such as an antibody or a cytokine, the immune effector part being linked to the N-terminus of the peptide-MHC binding part.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A bifunctional molecule, comprising:
 a heterodimeric αβ T-Cell Receptor (αβTCR) or a single chain T-Cell Receptor (scTCR) comprising a TCR α or TCR β constant region, wherein the αβ TCR or the scTCR binds specifically to a given pMHC epitope, and   (ii) an immune effector polypeptide,   wherein:   the N-terminus of the α chain or the β chain of the αβ TCR, or the N-terminus of the scTCR, is linked to the C-terminus of the of the immune effector polypeptide, and   the effector polypeptide is a cytokine which modulates lymphocyte immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory activity.   
     
     
         15 . The bifunctional molecule of  claim 14 , wherein the cytokine is selected from the group consisting of: IL-1, IL-la, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-21, IL-23, TGF-β, IFN-γ, and TNFα. 
     
     
         16 . The bifunctional molecule of  claim 15 , wherein the cytokine is IL-4. 
     
     
         17 . The bifunctional molecule of  claim 15 , wherein the cytokine is IL-13. 
     
     
         18 . The bifunctional molecule of  claim 15 , wherein the cytokine is TNF-α. 
     
     
         19 . The bifunctional molecule of  claim 15 , wherein the cytokine is IFN-γ.