MUTANT HSP70i TO PREVENT AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Abstract

Methods of treating autoimmune diseases, such as vitiligo, by using compositions comprising DNA encoding a variant inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70i) having a mutation in the dendritic cell binding region thereof (HSP70i435-447) or an isolated variant gene product in the form of HSP70i with a modification in the dendritic cell activating region thereof (HSP70i435-447).

1 . A method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering a composition to the subject comprising DNA encoding a variant inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70i) having a mutation in the dendritic cell binding region thereof (HSP70i435-447) or an isolated variant gene product in the form of HSP70i with a modification in the dendritic cell activating region thereof (HSP70i435-447).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is characterized by its ability to reduce activation of dendritic cells. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the DNA encoding the variant inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70i) and the dendritic cell binding region of the encoded HSP70i is APGVLIQVYEG (residues 435-445 of SEQ ID NO: 6). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the isolated variant gene product in the form of HSP70i and the dendritic cell activating region is APGVLIQVYEG (residues 435-445 of SEQ ID NO: 6). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the autoimmune disease is vitiligo and the composition is effective to reduce depigmentation in the skin of a subject suffering from vitiligo when administered to the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the DNA encoding the variant inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70i) and the administrating step is performed with a gene gun. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is genetically prone to an autoimmune disease.