Methods for treatment of multiple sclerosis using peptide analogs of human myelin basic protein

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward peptide analogs of human myelin basic protein. The peptide analog is at least seven amino acids long and derived from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein. The analogs are altered from the native sequence at least at positions 91, 95, or 97. Additional alterations may be made at other positions Pharmaceutical compositions containing these peptide analogs are provided. The peptide analogs are useful for treating multiple sclerosis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/137,759, filed Aug. 20, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/342,408, filed Nov. 18, 1994.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods for treating multiple sclerosis by using peptide analogs of human myelin basic protein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects approximately 250,000 individuals in the United States. Although the clinical course may be quite variable, the most common form is manifested by relapsing neurological deficits, in particular, paralysis, sensory deficits, and visual problems.

[0004] The inflammatory process occurs primarily within the white matter of the central nervous system and is mediated by T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and macrophages. These cells are responsible for the demyelination of axons. The characteristic lesion in MS is called the plaque due to its macroscopic appearance.

[0005] Multiple sclerosis is thought to arise from pathogenic T cells that somehow evaded mechanisms establishing self-tolerance, and attack normal tissue. T cell reactivity to myelin basic protein may be a critical component in the development of MS. The pathogenic T cells found in lesions have restricted heterogeneity of antigen receptors (TCR). The T cells isolated from plaques show rearrangement of a restricted number of V&agr; and V&bgr; gene segments. In addition, the TCRs display several dominant amino acid motifs in the third complementarity determining region (CDR), which is the major antigen contact site. All together, three CDR3 motifs have been identified in T cell clones known to recognize an epitope within amino acids 82-106 of myelin basic protein. These motifs were found in 44% of rearranged TCR sequences involving one particular V&bgr; gene rearranged in T cells isolated from brain of two patients with MS.

[0006] A definitive treatment for MS has not been established. Historically, corticosteroids and ACTH have been used to treat MS. Basically, these drugs reduce the inflammatory response by toxicity to lymphocytes. Recovery may be hastened from acute exacerbations, but these drugs do not prevent future attacks or prevent development of additional disabilities or chronic progression of MS (Carter and Rodriguez, Mayo Clinic Proc. 64:664, 1989; Weiner and Hafler, Ann. Neurol 23:211, 1988). In addition, the substantial side effects of steroid treatments make these drugs undesirable for long-term use.

[0007] Other toxic compounds, such as azathioprine, a purine antagonist, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine have been used to treat symptoms of MS. Like corticosteroid treatment, these drugs are beneficial at most for a short term and are highly toxic. Side effects include increased malignancies, leukopenias, toxic hepatitis, gastrointestinal problems, hypertension, and nephrotoxicity (Mitchell, Cont. Clin. Neurol. 77:231, 1993; Weiner and Hafler, supra). Antibody based therapies directed toward T cells, such as anti-CD4 antibodies, are currently under study for treatment of MS. However, these agents may cause deleterious side effects by immunocompromising the patient.

[0008] More recently, cytokines such as IFN-&ggr; and IFN-&bgr; have been administered in attempts to alleviate the symptoms of MS. However, a pilot study involving IFN-&ggr; was terminated because 7 of 18 patients treated with this drug experienced a clinical exacerbation within one month after initiation of treatment. Moreover, there was an increase in the specific response to MBP (Weiner and Hafler, supra).

[0009] Betaseron, a modified beta interferon, has recently been approved for use in MS patients. Although Betaseron treatment showed some improvement in exacerbation rates (Paty et al., Neurology 43:662, 1993), there was no difference in the rate of clinical deterioration between treated and control groups (IFNB MS Study Group., Neurology 43:655, 1993; Paty et al., supra). Side effects were commonly observed. The most frequent of such side effects were fever (40%-58% of patients), flu-like symptoms (76% of patients), chills (46% of patients), mylagias (41% of patients), and sweating (23% of patients). In addition, injection site reactions (85%), including inflammation, pain, hypersensitivity and necrosis, were common (IFNB MS Study Group, supra; Connelly., Annals of Pharm. 28:610, 1994).

[0010] In view of the problems associated with existing treatments of MS, there is a compelling need for improved treatments which are more effective and are not associated with such disadvantages. The present invention exploits the use of peptide analogs which antagonize a T cell response to human myelin basic protein to effectively treat MS, while providing other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides peptide analogs comprising at least 7 (preferably consecutive) amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein in which either L-lysine at position 91, L-threonine at position 95, or L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid In one embodiment, the peptide analog comprises at least 7 amino acids selected from residues 83-99, L-lysine at position 91 is altered and one to three additional L-amino acids selected from residues 86, 87, 88, 95, 98 or 99 are altered to another amino acid. In a second related embodiment, L-threonine at position 95 is altered and one to three additional amino acids selected from residues 86, 87, 88, 91, 98 and 99 or 86, 87, 88, 97, 98, and 99 are altered to another amino acid. In a third related embodiment, L-arginine at position 97 is altered and one to three additional amino acids selected from residues 86, 87, 88, 95, 98 or 99 are altered to another amino acid.

[0012] Within another set of embodiments, the peptide analog comprises residues 83-99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the peptide analogs preferably contain two to five alterations. In preferred aspects of the invention, the peptide analogs have altered residues 89, 91, 95 or 97 to alanine and the additional amino acids are altered to the corresponding D-form amino acid.

[0013] In other embodiments, peptide analogs comprise at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein in which either L-lysine at position 91, L-threonine at position 95, or L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid, and preferably in addition the N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acids are altered in order to reduce proteolysis upon administration of the peptide analog. In a preferred aspect, the N- and/or C-terminal amino acids are of the D-form.

[0014] In other embodiments, the peptide analogs comprise at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein in which either L-lysine at position 91, L-threonine at position 95, or L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid and in addition up to three other amino acid alterations are made. Any residue within 83-99 may be altered except that in a peptide analog in which residue 91 is altered, residue 97 may not be altered. Likewise, in a peptide analog in which residue 97 is altered, residue 91 may not be altered.

[0015] Other embodiments provide peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein in which either L-lysine at position 91, L-threonine at position 95, or L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid. In preferred aspects, residue 91, 95 or 97 are altered to either alanine or the corresponding D-amino acid.

[0016] Further aspects of the present invention provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog according to the embodiments set out above in which the peptide analog is contained in a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent.

[0017] Still additional aspects of the present invention provide methods of treating multiple sclerosis by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog as described above in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier, diluent and/or adjuvant.

[0018] Further aspects of the present invention provide methods for using a peptide analog as described above to induce a Th2 immune response to myelin basic protein or a peptide analog thereof in a patient. This Th2 immune response can most appropriately be described as a vaccine effect, as shown hereinafter. Such methods comprise the step of administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog as described herein. The pharmaceutical composition is preferably a formulation that favors a Th2 type immune response. Such a composition may include an adjuvant, such as alum.

[0019] These and other aspects of the invention will become evident upon reference to the following detailed description and attached drawings. In addition, various references are set forth below which describe in more detail certain procedures or compositions. Each of these references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if each were individually noted for incorporation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts DNA and predicted amino acid sequence for human myelin basic protein (SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2 respectively).

[0021] FIG. 2 depicts the response of draining lymph node cells from Lewis rats immunized 9-10 days previously with MBP (87-99) to 10 &mgr;M of MBP (87-99), medium, the unrelated peptide motilin, and six different MBP analogs. A, L-alanine; k, D-lysine; t, D-threonine; r, D-arginine.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a graph displaying the proliferative response of the T cell line NBI to residue 91-substituted analogs of human myelin basic protein (87-99). Ten different substitutions were tested. The proliferative response of the rat T cell line in response to concentrations of peptide analogs ranging from 0 to 150 &mgr;M was determined. The extent of proliferation is shown as counts per minute; standard errors of the mean were less than±10%. MOT, motilin, a peptide unrelated to MBP; MBP (87-99), human myelin basic protein residues 87-99; K, lysine; R, arginine; N, asparagine; H, histidine; L, leucine; S, serine; G, glycine; k, D-Lysine; E, glutamic acid; F, phenylalanine; A, alanine.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a graph displaying the proliferative response of the T cell line NBI to residue 95-substituted analogs of human myelin basic protein (87-99). Ten different substitutions were tested. The proliferative response of the rat T cell line in response to concentrations of peptide analogs ranging from 0 to 150 &mgr;M was determined. The extent of proliferation is shown as counts per minute; standard errors of the mean were less than±10%. MOT, motilin, a peptide unrelated to MBP; MBP (87-99), human myelin basic protein residues 87-99; T, threonine; A, alanine; t, D-threonine; G, glycine; I, isoleucine; Y, tyrosine; Q, glutamine; S, serine; K, lysine; E, glutamic acid; H, histidine.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a graph displaying the proliferative response of the T cell line NBI to residue 97-substituted analogs of human myelin basic protein. Eleven different substitutions were tested. The proliferative response of the T cells to concentrations of peptide analogs ranging from 0 to 150 &mgr;M was determined. The extent of proliferation is displayed as counts per minute. MBP 87-99, myelin basic protein (87-99); R, arginine; a, D-alanine; r, D-arginine; G, glycine; K, lysine; Q, glutamine; E, glutamic acid; T, threonine; L, leucine; F, phenylalanine; H, histidine; A, alanine.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the ability of peptide analogs of MBP to inhibit proliferation of rat T cells that are reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of draining lymph node cells from rats immunized with MBP (87-99) to 16.7, 50, or 150 &mgr;M of each analog, or 5 &mgr;M of MBP (87-99) is displayed. Analogs were added in the presence of 5 &mgr;M MBP (87-99). The extent of proliferation is shown as counts per minute. Controls consisted of MBP (87-99) only at 5 &mgr;M and medium only. h88/A91refers to a representative peptide analog of MBP (87-99) with D-histidine at residue 88 and alanine at residue 91; h88/A91/p99 refers to another representative peptide analog of MBP (87-99) with D-histidine at 88, alanine at residue 91, and D-proline at residue 99.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a graph demonstrating the inhibition of EAE induction in Lewis rats following injection of MBP (87-99). Arrows indicate days that either PBS (control) or h88/A91 peptide analog were administered. EAE was recorded as 0, no symptoms; 1, tail paralysis; 2, hind limb weakness; 3, hind limb paralysis; 4, hind and front limb paralysis.

[0027] FIG. 8 depicts the amino acid sequence in single letter code for residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein and the amino acid sequences of the peptide analogs NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4), NBI-5748 (SEQ ID NO: 5), NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6), NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7), and NBI-5789 (SEQ ID NO: 8). A dash indicates amino acid identity. MBP (83-99), myelin basic protein residues 83 to 99; a, D-alanine; A, L-alanine; K, L-lysine; L, L-leucine.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a graph demonstrating the inhibition of EAE induction in Lewis rats following injection of MBP (83-99). Lewis rats were injected with MBP (83-99) at day 0. At day 9, rats were injected with either a control peptide, sperm whale myoglobin (110-121) or the peptide analog, NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). Each data point represents the average of the clinical score of six animals.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a graph demonstrating the inhibition of EAE induction in Lewis rats following injection of MBP (83-99). Lewis rats were injected with MBP (83-99) at day 0. At day 9, rats were injected with either a control peptide, sperm whale myoglobin (110-121) or the peptide analog, NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). Each data point represents the average of the clinical score of six animals.

[0030] FIG. 11 is a graph demonstrating the inhibition of EAE induction in Lewis rats following injection of MBP (83-99). Lewis rats were injected with MBP (83-99) at day 0. At day 9, rats were injected with either a control peptide, sperm whale myoglobin (110-121) or the peptide analog, NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6). Each data point represents the average of the clinical score of six animals.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a graph demonstrating the inhibition of EAE induction in SJL/J mice following injection of MBP (87-99). Groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally on a weekly basis for four weeks with either a control peptide or the peptide analog, NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4) or NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6). Each data point represents the average of the clinical score for ten mice.

[0032] FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2a restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0033] FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating the ability of peptide analogs of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2a restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0034] FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2a restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) at various concentrations of the peptide analog or 50 micromolar sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0035] FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2b restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0036] FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2b restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0037] FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2b restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0038] FIG. 19 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2b restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0039] FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating the ability of a peptide analog of MBP to inhibit proliferation of a Dr2b restricted human T cell clone, which is reactive to MBP. The proliferative response of the T cell clone incubated with varying concentrations of MBP (83-99) and 50 micromolar of either the peptide analog or sperm whale myoglobin, the control peptide, is depicted.

[0040] FIG. 21 is a graph displaying the production of TNF-&agr; and IFN-&ggr; by a Dr 2b restricted human T cell clone, 5F6, which is reactive to MBP. The T cell clone was incubated in the presence of 3 &mgr;M MBP (93-99) with either 10 &mgr;M of NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) or sperm whale myoglobin or medium only. The expression level of TNF-&agr; and IFN-&ggr; are displayed as pg/ml.

[0041] FIG. 22 is a graph depicting the frequency of peptide analog responsive cells isolated from human peripheral blood. Peripheral blood was obtained from two normal, healthy individuals (normal), from eight patients with multiple sclerosis that did not receive peptide analog (MS-relapsing remitting (R/R) and MS-secondary progressive (SP)) and from four MS patients that were treated with the peptide analog NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7), either 20 mg or 10 mg as indicated one per week for four weeks. For treated patients, samples were obtained one year after administration of the peptide analog. Cells were incubated with NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7), antigen presenting cells were added, and the percent of wells showing cell proliferation was measured based on thymidine incorporation.

[0042] FIG. 23 is a histogram depicting the cytokine response of the T cell line LW80, which was derived from an MS patient treated with 20 mg of the peptide analog NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon-&ggr; were assayed for cells exposed to no antigen (none), myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin basic protein peptide containing residues 83-99 (MBP83-99) and the peptide analog of residues 83-99 (NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7)).

[0043] FIG. 24 is a histogram depicting the cytokine response of the T cell line LW88, which was derived from an MS patient treated with 20 mg of the peptide analog NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon-&ggr; were assayed for cells exposed to no antigen (none), myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin basic protein peptide containing residues 83-99 (MBP83-99) and the peptide analog of residues 83-99 (NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7)).

[0044] FIG. 25 is a histogram depicting the cytokine response of the T cell line LW90, which was derived from an MS patient treated with 20 mg of the peptide analog NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). Levels of IL4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon-&ggr; were assayed for cells exposed to no antigen (none), myelin basic protein (NBP), myelin basic protein peptide containing residues 83-99 (MBP83-99) and the peptide analog of residues 83-99 (NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7)).

[0045] FIG. 26 is a histogram depicting the cytokine response of the T cell line LW93, which was derived from an MS patient treated with 20 mg of the peptide analog NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon-&ggr; were assayed for cells exposed to no antigen (none), myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin basic protein peptide containing residues 83-99 (MBP83-99) and the peptide analog of residues 83-99 (NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7)).

[0046] FIG. 27 is a graph showing the effect of a T cell line responsive to a peptide analog comprising residues 83-99 of NBP, in which the lysine at residue 91 is altered to an alanine, on MBP 83-99 and proteolipid (PLP 139-151) induced EAE in SJL/J mice. The effect on disease is presented as mean clinical score. Data for the analog-responsive T cell line is presented as dark circles, and data for syngeneic spleen cells is presented as open circles.

[0047] FIG. 28 is a graph depicting the effect of repeated subcutaneous injections of soluble NBI-5788 on the proliferative response of draining lymph node T cells of SJL mice. The proliferative response is presented as cpm and the data shown represent the mean of triplicate wells.

[0048] FIG. 29 is a histogram depicting the frequency of NBI-5788- or whole MBP-reactive T cells in peripheral blood of untreated or NBI-5788-treated MS patients. T cell frequency is calculated as the number of positive wells (S.I. >3, &Dgr;cpm >1000) divided by the total number of wells tested for each patient as determined using the split-well assay. Frequencies were calculated separately for each patient and untreated patient data includes pre-treatment and MS control frequencies. Data are presented as the mean±standard error of the mean. *, p<0.001.

[0049] FIGS. 30A and 30B are histograms depicting the cross-reactivity of T cell lines from untreated or NBI-5788-treated MS patients. In FIG. 30A, 2×104 NBI-5788-reactive T cells were cultured with whole MBP (25 &mgr;g/ml) or MBP(83-99) (10 &mgr;g/ml) and autologous APCs. In FIG. 30B, 2×104 MBP-reactive T cells were cultured with NBI-5788 (10 &mgr;g/ml) or MBP(83-99) (10 &mgr;g/ml) and autologous APCs. Proliferative responses were determined by measuring 3H-thymidine uptake and considered positive if the S.I. was ≧3. Data are presented as the percent cross reactive TCL (number of cross reactive TCL/total number of TCL)−The total number of TCL tested is shown in parentheses. *, p<0.05.

[0050] FIGS. 31A and 31B are histograms illustrating cytokine secretion by TCL isolated from untreated or NBI-5788-treated MS patients. NBI-5788-reactive (FIG. 31A) or whole MBP-reactive (FIG. 31B) TCL from untreated (open bars) and NBI-5788-treated (stippled bars) MS patients were cultured with selecting antigen (MBP or NBI-5788) for 48 hours before supernatants were collected for cytokine determination by ELISA. Values shown are the mean net cytokine secretion (amount secreted in the presence of antigen−amount secreted in the absence of antigen)±s.e.m.

[0051] FIGS. 32A-32D are histograms depicting the cytokine phenotype of TCL from untreated or NBI-5788-treated MS patients. The ratio of net IFN-&ggr; to IL-5 was calculated for individual NBI-5788-reactive TCL isolated from untreated MS patients (FIG. 32A), MBP-reactive TCL from untreated MS patients (FIG. 32B), NBI-5788-reactive TCL from NBI-5788-treated MS patients (FIG. 32C), or MBP-reactive TCL from NBI-5788-treated MS patients (FIGS. 32D). In calculations of ratios, IFN-&ggr; or IL-5 production <10 pg/ml was considered 10 pg/ml.

[0052] FIGS. 33A-33O are histograms illustrating cytokine activity in blood samples obtained from patients treated with a placebo or 1, 5, 20 or 50 mg NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7). FIGS. 33A, 33D, 33G, 33J and 33M show the mean frequency of positive cultures (≧100 pg/ml) within all cultures per treatment group and time-point; FIGS. 33B, 33E, 33K, 33K and 33N illustrate the mean cytokine titer within all positive cultures per treatment group and time-point; and FIGS. 33C, 33F, 33I, 33L and 33O show the overall cytokine activity for IFN-&ggr; (Th1) and IL-13 (Th2) for each treatment group and each time-point. Cytokine activity was calculated by multiplying the respective mean frequency with the respective mean cytokine titer.

[0053] FIG. 34 is a histogram showing the ratio of overall Th2-type to overall Th1-type activities in each treatment group throughout the whole treatment and post-treatment observation period (week 3, 5 and 8). Patients were treated with a placebo or 1, 5, 20 or 50 mg NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] Prior to setting forth the invention, it may be helpful to an understanding thereof to set forth definitions of certain terms and abbreviations that will be used hereinafter.

[0055] “Human myelin basic protein” (“MBP”) refers to a protein found in the cytoplasm of human oligodendroglial cells. The nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of human MBP are presented in FIG. 1 (SEQ. ID Nos. 1 and 2). Although not depicted in FIG. 1, different molecular forms of human myelin basic protein generated by differential splicing or post-translational modification are also within the scope of this invention.

[0056] “Peptide analogs” of myelin basic protein are at least 7 amino acids in length and contain at least one difference in amino acid sequence between the analog and native human myelin basic protein, one of which is a difference at residue 91, 95 or 97. Unless otherwise indicated, a named amino acid refers to the L-form. An L-amino acid from the native peptide may be altered to any other one of the 20 L-amino acids commonly found in proteins, any one of the corresponding D-amino acids, rare amino acids, such as 4-hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine, or a non-protein amino acid, such as &bgr;-alanine and homoserine. Also included within the scope of the present invention are amino acids which have been altered by chemical means such as methylation (e.g., &agr;-methylvaline), amidation of the C-terminal amino acid by an alkylamine such as ethylamine, ethanolamine, and ethylene diamine, and acylation or methylation of an amino acid side chain function (e.g., acylation of the epsilon amino group of lysine).

[0057] “Residue 83,” “residue 84,” “residue 89,” “residue 91,” “residue 95,” and “residue 97” (also called position 83, position 89, position 91, position 95, and position 97, respectively), refer to amino acids 83, 84, 89, 91, 95, and 97 of human myelin basic protein as displayed in FIG. 1 or the amino acid at a comparative position. More specifically, the numbering system for these residues relates to the amino acid position within the native human protein, regardless of the length of the peptide or the amino acid position within that peptide.

[0058] The amino acids are referred to by their standard three-letter or one-letter code. Unless otherwise specified, the L-form of the amino acid is intended. When the 1-letter code is used, a capital letter denotes the L-form and a small letter denotes the D-form. The one letter code is as follows: A, alanine; C, cysteine; D, aspartic acid; E, glutamic acid; F, phenylalanine; G, glycine; H, histidine; I, isoleucine; K, lysine; L, leucine; M, methionine; N, asparagine; P, proline; Q, glutamine; R, arginine; S, serine; T, threonine; V, valine; W, tryptophan; and Y, tyrosine.

[0059] Peptide Analogs of Myelin Basic Protein

[0060] As noted above, the present invention provides peptide analogs comprising at least 7 amino acids selected from residues 83-99 of human myelin basic protein and including an alteration of the naturally occurring L-lysine at position 91, L-threonine at position 95, or L-arginine at position 97, to another amino acid. In one aspect, the peptide analog includes additional alteration of one to three L-amino acids at positions 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 95, 97, 98 and/or 99 of human myelin basic protein as long as 91 and 97 are not both altered in the same peptide analog. In another aspect, the peptide analog additionally has the N-terminal and/or C-terminal residues altered to an amino acid such that proteolysis is reduced upon administration to a patient compared to a peptide analog without these additional alterations. In a further aspect, the peptide analog of MBP comprises at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83-99 and has one of the residues at position 91, 95 or 97 altered to an amino acid not present in native MBP protein. In addition to such single alterations, one to three additional alterations of residues 83 to 99 may be made, as long as residues 91 and 97 are not altered in the same peptide analog. In yet a further aspect, the peptide analog of MBP comprises residues 83 to 99, the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and two to four additional amino acids selected from residues 83 to 90 and 92 to 99 are altered to another amino acid. Preferably, at least one amino acid is substituted with a charged amino acid. In addition, the N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acids may be altered to a D-amino acid.

[0061] The peptide analogs are preferably 7 to 17 amino acids, and usually not longer than 20 amino acids. Particularly preferred peptide analogs are 14 to 17 amino acids in length. Residues 83, 89, 91, 95, and 97, which are L-glutamic acid, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, L-threonine, and L-arginine, respectively, in the native human protein, are the key residues. Within the subject invention, analogs must have an amino acid other than L-lysine at position 91, an amino acid other than L-threonine at position 95, or an amino acid other than L-arginine at position 97.

[0062] As noted above, any amino acid alteration at position 91 is within the scope of this invention. Preferred peptide analogs include alteration of L-lysine to any one of the following amino acids: D-lysine, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, arginine, asparagine, histidine, leucine or serine. These amino acids include both conservative (similar charge, polarity, hydrophobicity, and bulkiness) and non-conservative amino acids. Although typically one might expect that only non-conservative amino acid alterations would provide a therapeutic effect, unexpectedly even conservative changes (e.g., arginine) greatly affect the function of the peptide analog as compared to the native peptide. Such diversity of substitution is further illustrated by the fact that the preferred amino acids noted above are hydrophobic and hydrophilic, charged and uncharged, polar and non-polar. In addition, any amino acid substitution at residue 95 is also within the scope of this invention. Preferred peptide analogs contain alterations of L-threonine to any one of the following amino acids: D-threonine, alanine, glycine, isoleucine, tyrosine, glutamine, serine, lysine, glutamic acid and histidine. Other preferred alterations are to non-conservative amino acids. Particularly preferred alterations are to alanine or D-threonine.

[0063] Similarly, any amino acid alteration at position 97 is within the scope of this invention. Preferred peptide analogs include alteration of L-arginine to D-alanine, D-arginine, glycine, lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid, threonine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine or alanine. Other preferred alterations are to non-conservative amino acids. Particularly preferred alterations are to alanine and D-arginine.

[0064] Further, any amino acid at position 83 and position 89 are within the scope of this invention. Preferred peptide analogs contain alterations of L-glutamic acid at residue 83 to any one of the following amino acids: D-alanine, L-alanine, D-glutamic acid and L-phenylalanine at position 89 to alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine.

[0065] In addition, in certain embodiments at least one other amino acid selected from residues 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 95, 98, or 99 is altered. In such embodiments, if two other amino acids are changed, one is preferably selected from residues 86, 87, 88, or 89, and the other is selected from residues 98 or 99. Alternatively, up to three alterations at any positions may be made. In other embodiments, at least two to four amino acids (in addition to position 91) are altered. In such embodiments, the altered amino acids are preferably selected from positions 83, 84, 89 and 98.

[0066] With these general considerations in mind, peptide analogs within the scope of the invention have an alteration of residue 91, residue 95, or of residue 97. One set of preferred peptide analogs have double alterations. In one embodiment, residue 91 is altered as noted above, residue 87 is altered to D-valine, residue 88 to D-histidine or residue 99 to D-proline. Similarly, in another embodiment, residue 97 is altered as noted above, and either residue 87 is altered to D-valine, residue 88 to D-histidine or residue 99 to D-proline. In yet another embodiment, residue 95 is altered as noted above and residue 87 is altered to D-valine, residue 88 to D-histidine or residue 99 to D-proline.

[0067] A second set of preferred peptide analogs contains analogs having three substitutions. In one embodiment, residue 91 is altered to alanine, residue 87 is altered to D-valine or residue 88 is altered to D-histidine and residue 99 is altered to D-proline In another embodiment, residue 97 is altered to alanine, residue 88 is altered to D-histidine and residue 99 to D-proline. In yet another embodiment, residue 95 is altered to alanine, residue 88 is altered to D-histidine and residue 99 to D-proline. In still another embodiment, residue 83 is altered to D-alanine, residue 89 is altered to alanine, and residue 91 is altered to alanine.

[0068] A third set of preferred peptide analogs contains analogs having four substitutions. In one embodiment, residue 83 is altered to D-alanine, residue 84 is altered to lysine, residue 89 is altered to leucine and residue 91 is altered to alanine. In another embodiment, residue 83 is altered to D-alanine, residue 84 is altered to lysine, and residues 89 and 91 are altered to alanine.

[0069] A fourth set of preferred peptide analogs have five substitutions. In one embodiment, residues 83 and 98 are altered to D-alanine, residue 84 is altered to lysine, and residues 89 and 91 are altered to alanine. In another embodiment, residues 83 and 98 are altered to D-alanine, residue 84 is altered to lysine, residue 89 is altered to leucine and residue 91 is altered to alanine.

[0070] Peptide analogs may be synthesized by standard chemistry techniques, including synthesis by automated procedure. In general, peptide analogs are prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis methodology which involves coupling each protected amino acid residue to a resin support, preferably a 4-methyl-benzhydrylamine resin, by activation with dicyclohexylcarbodimide to yield a peptide with a C-terminal amide. Alternatively, a chloromethyl resin (Merrifield resin) may be used to yield a peptide with a free carboxylic acid at the C-terminus. Side-chain functional groups are protected as follows: benzyl for serine, threonine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid; tosyl for histidine and arginine; 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl for lysine and 2,6-dichlorobenzyl for tyrosine. Following coupling, the t-butyloxycarbonyl protecting group on the alpha amino function of the added amino acid is removed by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid followed by neutralization with di-isopropyl-ethylamine. The next protected residue is then coupled onto the free amino group, propagating the peptide chain. After the last residue has been attached, the protected peptide-resin is treated with hydrogen fluoride to cleave the peptide from the resin, as well as deprotect the side chain functional groups. Crude product can be further purified by gel filtration, HPLC, partition chromatography, or ion-exchange chromatography.

[0071] Peptide analogs within the present invention should (a) compete for the binding of native MBP peptide (e.g., 87-99 in rats; 83-99 in humans) to MHC; (b) not cause proliferation of an MBP (87-99)-reactive T cell line; and (c) inhibit induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) by MBP (87-99) in rodents.

[0072] Thus, candidate peptide analogs may be screened for their ability to treat MS by (1) an assay measuring competitive binding to MHC, (2) an assay measuring a T cell proliferation, and (3) an assay assessing induction/inhibition of EAE. Those analogs that inhibit binding of the native peptides, do not stimulate proliferation of MBP-reactive cell lines, and inhibit the development of EAE by native human MBP (87-99), are useful therapeutics. Although not essential. a further safety assay may be performed to demonstrate that the analog does not itself induce EAE.

[0073] Binding of peptides to MHC molecules may be assayed on whole cells. Briefly, Lewis rat spleen cells are cultured for 3 hours to allow adherent cells to stick to polystyrene petri dishes. Non-adherent cells are removed. Adherent cells, which contain cells expressing MHC class II molecules, are collected by scraping the dishes. The binding of peptide analogs to cells is measured by a fluorescence assay. In this assay, splenic adherent cells are mixed with different concentrations of peptide analogs and incubated for 1 hour at 37° in a CO2 incubator. Following incubation, biotin-labeled MBP (87-99) is added to the culture wells. The cells are incubated for another hour and then washed three times in medium. Phycoerythrin-conjugated or fluorescein-conjugated streptavidin is added along with a fluorochrome-labeled OX-6 or OX-17 monoclonal antibody, which reacts with rat MHC Class II I-A and I-E, respectively. The cells are washed twice before analysis by flow cytometry. Fluorescence intensity is calculated by subtracting the fluorescence value obtained from cells stained with phycoerythrin-streptavidin alone (control staining) from the fluorescence value obtained from biotin-labeled MBP native peptide plus phycoerythrin-streptavidin (experimental staining). Staining without analog establishes a 100% value. Percent inhibition is calculated for each analog and expressed as IC50 values. A peptide analog with an IC50 value of less than 100 &mgr;M is suitable for further screenings.

[0074] Candidate peptide analogs are further tested for their property of causing or inhibiting proliferation of T cell lines. Two different assays may be used as alternatives. The first measures the ability of the analog to cause proliferation of T cells in a direct fashion. The second measures the ability of the peptide analog to inhibit proliferation of T cells induced by native MBP peptide.

[0075] In the direct proliferation assay, MBP (87-99) reactive T cell lines may be used as target cells. T cell lines are established from lymph nodes taken from rats injected with MBP (87-99). Lymph node cells are isolated and cultured for 5 to 8 days with MBP (87-99) and IL-2 as a source of T cell growth factors. Viable cells are recovered and a second round of stimulation is performed with MBP (87-99 or 83-99) and irradiated splenocytes as a source of growth factors. After 5 to 6 passages in this manner, the proliferative potential of the cell lines are determined. MBP-reactive lines are used in the proliferation assay. In this assay, T cell lines are cultured for three days with various concentrations of peptide analogs and irradiated, autologous splenocytes. After three days, 0.5-1.0 &mgr;Ci of [3H]-thymidine is added for 12-16 hours. Cultures are harvested and incorporated counts determined. Mean CPM and standard error of the mean are calculated from triplicate cultures.

[0076] As an alternative to the use of T cell lines described above, draining lymph node cells from Lewis rats injected with MBP (87-99) may be used. Preferably, this assay is used in combination with the proliferation assay using T cell lines. Briefly, Lewis rats are injected subcutaneously with MBP (87-99) peptide in complete Freund's adjuvant. Nine to ten days later, draining lymph node cells are isolated and single-cell suspensions are prepared. Lymph node cells are incubated with various concentrations of peptide analogs for three days in a humidified air chamber containing 6.5% CO2. After incubation, the cultures are pulsed with 1-2 &mgr;Ci of [3H]-thymidine for 12-18 hours. Cultures are harvested on fiberglass filters and counted in a scintillation counter. Mean CPM and the standard error of the mean are calculated from data determined in triplicate cultures. Peptide analogs yielding results that are more than three standard deviations below the mean response from a comparable concentration of MBP (87-99) are considered non-stimulatory. Peptide analogs which do not stimulate proliferation at concentrations of less than or equal to 50 &mgr;M are suitable for further screenings.

[0077] The second or alternative assay is a competition assay for T cell proliferation. In this assay, antigen presenting spleen cells are first irradiated and then incubated with native MBP (87-99) peptide for 24 hours. These cells are then washed and. further cultured with T cells reactive to MBP (87-99). Various concentrations of candidate peptide analogs are included in cultures for an additional 3 days. Following this incubation period, each culture is pulsed with 1 &mgr;Ci of [3H]-thymidine for an additional 12-18 hours. Cultures are then harvested on fiberglass filters and counted as above. Mean CPM and standard error of the mean are calculated from data determined in triplicate cultures. Peptide analogs which inhibit proliferation to approximately 25% at a concentration of 50 &mgr;M or greater are suitable for further screening.

[0078] Human T cells reactive to MBP (83-99) may alternatively be used to measure the ability of the peptide analog to inhibit proliferation of T cells induced by native MBP (83-99) peptide. MBP-specific T cells may be obtained as previously described by Martin et al., J. Immunol. 148:1359-1366, 1992. Briefly, T cell lines are established by culture of human T cells with irradiated, DR-matched peripheral blood cells in MEM supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 50 &mgr;g/ml gentamicin, penicillin and streptomycin, 100 U/ml rIL-2, and 10% human AB negative serum. Proliferation of these T cell lines is stimulated by culturing a clone with varying concentration (1.1 -30 &mgr;M) of native MBP (89-99) peptide, 50 &mgr;M of the peptide analog or SWM peptide, in the presence of irradiated, DR matched peripheral blood cells, following incubation for approximately 60 hours, the cells are pulsed with 3H-thymidine for 12 hours and harvested. The amount of incorporated 3H-thymidine is measured.

[0079] As discussed in detail below, the production of cytokines may also be assessed. In particular, TNF-&agr; and IFN-&ggr; production are especially interesting. These pro-inflammatory cytokines are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Briefly, T cell clone is incubated in the presence of stimulating MBP peptide and peptide analog or control peptide (SWM) or medium only. After a 24 hour incubation, the levels of TNF-&agr; and IFN-&ggr; in the supernatant are determined using commercially available EIA kits (Endogen, Cambridge, Mass.).

[0080] Candidate peptides that compete for binding of MBP (87-99) to MHC and do not cause direct proliferation of T cell line or can inhibit proliferation by MBP (87-99), are further tested for their ability to inhibit the induction of EAE by MBP (87-99). Briefly, 500 &mgr;g of MBP (87-99) is injected as an emulsion in complete Freund's adjuvant supplemented with heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra). Rats are injected subcutaneously at the base of the tail with 200 &mgr;l of the emulsion. Rats are divided into two groups. Approximately 2 days prior to disease induction (usually 10 days following injection of MBP (87-99)) rats are injected intraperitoneally either with PBS or peptide analogs in PBS. Animals are monitored for clinical signs on a daily basis by an observer blind to the treatment protocol. EAE is scored on a scale of 04:0, clinically normal; 1, flaccid tail paralysis; 2, hind limb weakness; 3, hind limb paralysis; 4, front and hind limbs affected. Peptide analogs injected at about 12 mg/kg or less (approximately 1 mg per rat) are considered to inhibit the development of EAE if there is a 50% reduction in the mean cumulative score over seven days following onset of disease symptoms in the control group.

[0081] In addition, as a safety measure, but not essential to this invention, suitable peptide analogs may be tested for direct induction of EAE. As described in detail in Example 2, various amounts of peptide analogs are injected at the base of the tail of rats, and the rats examined daily for signs of EAE. A peptide analog which is not considered to cause EAE has a mean cumulative score of less than or equal to 1 over seven days when about 12 mg/kg or less in complete Freund's adjuvant is injected.

[0082] Treatment and Prevention of Multiple Sclerosis

[0083] As noted above, the present invention provides methods for treating and preventing multiple sclerosis by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide analog of human myelin basic protein as described herein. Patients suitable for such treatment may be identified by criteria establishing a diagnosis of clinically definite MS as defined by the workshop on the diagnosis of MS (Poser et al., Ann. Neurol. 13:227, 1983). Briefly, an individual with clinically definite MS has had two attacks and clinical evidence of either two lesions or clinical evidence of one lesion and paraclinical evidence of another, separate lesion. Definite MS may also be diagnosed by evidence of two attacks and oligoclonal bands of IgG in cerebrospinal fluid or by combination of an attack, clinical evidence of two lesions and oligoclonal band of IgG in cerebrospinal fluid. Slightly lower criteria are used for a diagnosis of clinically probable MS.

[0084] Effective treatment of multiple sclerosis may be examined in several different ways. Satisfying any of the following criteria evidences effective treatment. Three main criteria are used: EDSS (extended disability status scale), appearance of exacerbations or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

[0085] The EDSS is a means to grade clinical impairment due to MS (Kurtzke, Neurology 33:1444, 1983). Eight functional systems are evaluated for the type and severity of neurologic impairment. Briefly, prior to treatment, patients are evaluated for impairment in the following systems: pyramidal, cerebella, brainstem, sensory, bowel and bladder, visual, cerebral, and other. Follow-ups are conducted at defined intervals. The scale ranges from 0 (normal) to 10 (death due to MS). A decrease of one full step defines an effective treatment in the context of the present invention (Kurtzke, Ann. Neurol. 36:573-79, 1994).

[0086] Exacerbations are defined as the appearance of a new symptom that is attributable to MS and accompanied by an appropriate new neurologic abnormality (IFNB MS Study Group, supra). In addition, the exacerbation must last at least 24 hours and be preceded by stability or improvement for at least 30 days. Briefly, patients are given a standard neurological examination by clinicians. Exacerbations are either mild, moderate, or severe according to changes in a Neurological Rating Scale (Sipe et al., Neurology 34:1368, 1984). An annual exacerbation rate and proportion of exacerbation-free patients are determined. Therapy is deemed to be effective if there is a statistically significant difference in the rate or proportion of exacerbation-free patients between the treated group and the placebo group for either of these measurements. In addition, time to first exacerbation and exacerbation duration and severity may also be measured. A measure of effectiveness as therapy in this regard is a statistically significant difference in the time to first exacerbation or duration and severity in the treated group compared to control group.

[0087] MRI can be used to measure active lesions using gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced imaging (McDonald et al. Ann. Neurol 36:14, 1994) or the location and extent of lesions using T2-weighted techniques. Briefly, baseline MRIs are obtained. The same imaging plane and patient position are used for each subsequent study. Positioning and imaging sequences are chosen to maximize lesion detection and facilitate lesion tracing. The same positioning and imaging sequences are used on subsequent studies. The presence, location and extent of MS lesions are determined by radiologists. Areas of lesions are outlined and summed slice by slice for total lesion area. Three analyses may be done: evidence of new lesions, rate of appearance of active lesions, percentage change in lesion area (Paty et al., Neurology 43:665, 1993). Improvement due to therapy is established when there is a statistically significant improvement in an individual patient compared to baseline or in a treated group versus a placebo group.

[0088] Candidate patients for prevention may be identified by the presence of genetic factors. For example, a majority of MS patients have HLA-type DR2a and DR2b. The MS patients having genetic dispositions to MS who are suitable for treatment fall within two groups. First are patients with early disease of the relapsing remitting type. Entry criteria would include disease duration of more than one year, EDSS score of 1.0 to 3.5, exacerbation rate of more than 0.5 per year, and free of clinical exacerbations for 2 months prior to study. The second group would include people with disease progression greater than 1.0 EDSS unit/year over the past two years.

[0089] Efficacy of the peptide analog in the context of prevention is judged based on the following criteria: frequency of MBP reactive T cells determined by limiting dilution, proliferation response of MBP reactive T cell lines and clones, cytokine profiles of T cell lines and clones to MBP established from patients. Efficacy is established by decrease in frequency of reactive cells, a reduction in thymidine incorporation with altered peptide compared to native, and a reduction in TNF and IFN-&agr;. Clinical measurements include the relapse rate in one and two year intervals, and a change in EDSS, including time to progression from baseline of 1.0 unit on the EDSS which persists for six months. On a Kaplan-Meier curve, a delay in sustained progression of disability shows efficacy. Other criteria include a change in area and volume of T2 images on MRI, and the number and volume of lesions determined by gadolinium enhanced images.

[0090] Peptide analogs of the present invention may be administered either alone, or as a pharmaceutical composition. Briefly, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may comprise one or more of the peptide analogs described herein, in combination with one or more pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients. Such compositions may comprise buffers such as neutral buffered saline, phosphate buffered saline and the like, carbohydrates such as glucose, mannose, sucrose or dextrans, mannitol, proteins, polypeptides or amino acids such as glycine, antioxidants, chelating agents such as EDTA or glutathione, adjuvants (e.g., aluminum hydroxide) and preservatives. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also contain one or more additional active ingredients, such as, for example, cytokines like &bgr;-interferon.

[0091] Compositions of the present invention may be formulated for the manner of administration indicated, including for example, for oral, nasal, venous, intracranial, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular administration. Within other embodiments of the invention, the compositions described herein may be administered as part of a sustained release implant. Within yet other embodiments, compositions of the present invention may be formulated as a lyophilizate, utilizing appropriate excipients which provide stability as a lyophilizate, and subsequent to rehydration.

[0092] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a manner appropriate to the disease to be treated (or prevented). The quantity and frequency of administration will be determined by such factors as the condition of the patient, and the type and severity of the patient's disease. Within particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the peptide analog or pharmaceutical compositions described herein may be administered at a dosage ranging from 5 to 50 mg/kg, although appropriate dosages may be determined by clinical trials. Patients may be monitored for therapeutic effectiveness by MRI, EDSS, and signs of clinical exacerbation, as described above.

[0093] It has been found, within the context of the present invention, that peptide analogs as described herein generally shift the T cell response away from Th1-to Th2-cytokine secretion. Peptide analogs generally antagonize the proliferative and Th1-like cytokine responses of certain human T cells specific for MBP(83-99). Peptide analogs further induce a protective analog-specific cellular immune response that is primarily Th2-like in nature. Such T cells may mediate bystander suppression of autoreactive T cells to various antigenic determinants of myelin when myelin is damaged. Accordingly, such analogs may be used to induce a Th2 immune response to myelin basic protein or an analog thereof in a patient. In general, an analog is said to induce a Th2 immune response in a patient if administration of the analog to a patient as described herein results in the production of analog-specific T cells that produce one or more Th2-type cytokines (e.g., IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and/or IL-13) at a level that is statistically greater than that observed for T cells from the patient prior to administration of the analog. T cells may be obtained from a patient and assayed for specific cytokines using well known techniques, and as described herein. Within such methods, the pharmaceutical composition is preferably a formulation that favors a Th2 type immune response. For example, any of a variety of adjuvants that favor such an immune response may be employed. Suitable adjuvants include alum (aluminum hydroxide).

[0094] It has further been found, within the context of the present invention, that the peptide analogs provided herein can be used to induce a persistent systemic immune response to myelin basic protein or a peptide analog thereof A “persistent systemic immune response” as used herein is an immune response that is detectable in peripheral blood derived lymphocytes, using methods provided herein, for at least one week, preferably for 1 to 12 months following administration of a peptide analog. Such methods comprise administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide analog as provided herein. One preferred peptide analog is NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7), also referred to as CGP 77116. To induce a systemic immune response, a peptide analog as recited herein is preferably administered in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg/patient (e.g., 1, 3, 10 or 50 mg/patient), once a week for four weeks. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the foregoing amounts can also be administered for periods of time longer than 4 weeks, such as for 12 weeks. In order to maintain the systemic immune response, dosing may be continued at intervals ranging from one week to 6 months.

[0095] The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of Peptides

[0096] The peptides were synthesized by solid phase methodology on a peptide synthesizer (Beckman model 990). Peptides with an amidated carboxyl-terminus were prepared with a p-methylbenzhydrylamine resin (MBHA resin); for peptides with a free carboxyl-terminus, a Merrifield resin coupled with the appropriately protected amino acid was used. Both resins were obtained from Bachem Fine Chemicals (Torrance, Calif.). Derivatized amino acids (Bachem Fine Chemicals) used in the synthesis were of the L-configuration unless specified otherwise, and the N-alpha-amino function protected exclusively with the t-butyloxycarbonyl group. Side-chain functional groups were protected as follows: benzyl for serine, threonine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid; tosyl for histidine and arginine; 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl for lysine and 2,6-dichlorobenzyl for tyrosine. Coupling of the carboxyl-terminal amino acid to the MBHA resin was carried out with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and the subsequent amino acids were coupled with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide according to Ling et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 81:4302, 1984). After the last amino acid was incorporated, the t-butyoxycarbonyl protecting group was removed and the peptide-resin conjugate treated with a mixture of 14 ml hydrofluoric acid (HF), 1.4 ml anisole, and 0.28 ml methylethyl sulfide per gram of resin conjugate at −20° C. for 0.5 hr and at 0° C. for 0.5 hr. HF was removed in vacuum at 0° C., and the resulting peptide and resin mixture was washed twice with diethyl ether and twice with chloroform and diethyl ether alternately. The peptide was extracted five times with 2 M acetic acid, and the extract lyophilized. The lyophilized product was first purified on a column of Sephadex G-25 fine (Pharmacia-LKB, Piscataway, N.J.) developed in 30% acetic acid to remove the truncated fragments and inorganic salts (Ling et al., 1984). Next, peptides were further purified by CM-32 carboxymethylcellulose cation-exchange chromatography (Ling et al., 1984). Final purification was achieved by partition chromatography on Sephadex G-25 fine (Ling et al., 1984). The synthetic product was characterized by amino acid analysis, mass spectrometric analysis, and reversed-phase HPLC.

EXAMPLE 2

Immunizations and EAE Induction

[0097] MBP peptide and peptide analogs were dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and emulsified with an equal volume of incomplete Freund's adjuvant supplemented with 4 mg/ml heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra in oil (Difco Laboratories, Inc., Detroit, Mich.). Rats were immunized subcutaneously at the base of the tail with 0. 1-0.2 ml containing 500 &mgr;g of peptide in the emulsion and were monitored for clinical signs daily. EAE was scored on a scale of 0-4, as follows: 0, clinically normal; 1, flaccid tail; 2, hind limb weakness; 3, hind limb paralysis; 4, front and hind limbs affected.

EXAMPLE 3

Long-Term T Cell Lines

[0098] Antigen specific long-term T cell lines were derived using the method developed by Ben-Nun et al. (Eur. J Immunol 11:195, 1981). Lewis rats were injected with MBP (87-99) or MBP (83-99) as described above. Nine to ten days later draining lymph node cells were cultured (107/ml) for 5-8 days in stimulation medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 5×10−5M 2-mercaptoethanol, 2mM L-glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 100 &mgr;g/ml penicillin, 100 &mgr;g/ml streptomycin and 10% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone Laboratories, Logan, Utah)) together with 10-20 &mgr;M of the MBP (87-99) peptide and 15 U/ml IL-2. After 5 to 8 days of culture, viable cells were collected from the interface after Ficoll-Hypaque separation and washed three times. These cells were recultured at 1×107 cells/ml in medium with 5×105 irradiated (3000 rad) autologous splenocytes as accessory cells and 10-20 &mgr;M of MBP (87-99). After 5 to 6 stimulation cycles, plates were screened by the ability of cells to proliferate in response to MBP (87-99). Positive lines were transferred to 24-well flat bottom plates and restimulated.

EXAMPLE 4

MHC Binding Assay

[0099] The ability of MBP peptides and peptide analogs to bind MHC was measured. An assay which characterizes the binding of peptides to MHC molecules on antigen presenting cells (APC) was employed (Mozes et al., EMBO J 8:4049, 1989; Gautam et al., PNAS 91:767, 1994). Spleen cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Hyclone Laboratories, Logan, Utah) in standard polystyrene petri dishes (100×15 mm) in a 37° C. incubator containing 6.5% CO2 for 3 hours. Thereafter, non-adherent cells were removed, and the plates were washed three times with PBS. Adherent cells were collected using a cell scraper. The binding of MBP (87-99) analogs was measured using a fluorescence assay. Briefly, 5×105 splenic adherent cells in staining buffer (PBS containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin) were mixed with different concentrations ranging from 0-400 &mgr;M of MBP analogs in individual wells of U-shape 96-well microculture plates and incubated for 1 hr at 37° C. in a 6.5% CO2 incubator. Following incubation, 10 &mgr;M of biotin-labeled MBP native peptide was added to culture wells for 1 h. Cells were washed three times with the staining buffer. Phycoerythrin-conjugated or fluorescein-conjugated streptavidin (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.) was added as a second step reagent (1 &mgr;g/well) along with 1 &mgr;g/well of fluorochrome-labeled OX-6 or OX-17 monoclonal antibody (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.), which reacts with rat MHC class II I-A or I-E, respectively. The cells were washed twice before cytofluorographic analysis on a FACScan (Becton Dickinson). Fluorescence intensity for each sample was calculated by subtracting the fluorescence obtained from OX positive cells stained with phycoerythrin-streptavidin alone (control staining) from the fluorescence obtained from OX positive cells stained with biotin-labeled MBP plus phycoerythrin-streptavidin. Percent inhibition was calculated for each analog and expressed as IC50 values.

[0100] The peptide analog, h88/A91, which contains D-histidine at position 88 and alanine at position 91 competed as effectively as MBP (87-99) for MHC against MBP (87-99). At 200 &mgr;M, MBP (87-99) inhibited binding by 68.4% and h88/A91 inhibited binding by 67.64%. At 100 &mgr;M, MBP (87-89) inhibited binding by 40% and a83, A89, A91 inhibited binding by 25%.

EXAMPLE5

Antigen-Specific Lymph Node Cell Proliferation Assay

[0101] Female Lewis rats, approximately six weeks old, were purchased from Harlan Sprague, Indianapolis, Ind. MBP peptides were dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and emulsified with an equal volume of complete Freund's adjuvant (Difco Laboratories, Inc., Detroit, Mich.) supplemented with 2 mg/ml of heat-killed Myobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra in oil (Difco). Rats were immunized subcutaneously in the base of the tail with 0.1 ml containing 100 &mgr;g of the peptide in the emulsion. Nine to ten days following immunization, rats were sacrificed, their draining lymph node removed and a single cell suspension made. Cells were resuspended to 5×106 cells per ml in stimulation medium containing Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 2 mercaptoethanol (5×10−5 M), L-glutamine (2 mM), sodium pyruvate (1 mM), penicillin (100 &mgr;g/ml), streptomycin (100 &mgr;g/ml), and 1% normal rat serum.

[0102] For the assay, 100 &mgr;l of the lymph node cell suspension was added to 96-well flat-bottom wells in the presence of an equal volume of medium containing 10 &mgr;M of various peptides (including: motilin as a negative control; MBP87-99; medium only or alanine or D-amino acid substituted at position 91, 95, or 97). Cultures were then incubated at 37° C. in humidified air containing 7.5% CO2. After 3 days of incubation, 1.0 &mgr;Ci of tritiated thymidine (20 Ci/mM; New England Nuclear) was added to each well and the plates reincubated for an additional 12-16 hours. The plates were then harvested with a Matrix filtermate harvester (Packard) and counted using an Automatic Direct Beta Counter (Packard). Mean cpm and the standard error of the mean were calculated from triplicate wells.

[0103] As seen in FIG. 2, MBP (87-99) stimulated lymph node cells in contrast to the peptide analogs. Alanine alterations at positions 95 and 97 and D-amino acid alterations at residues 91, 95, and 97 failed to stimulate cells above the control peptide, motilin.

EXAMPLE 6

Antigen-Specific T Cell Line Proliferation Assays

[0104] Assays for the antigen-specific proliferation assay of T cell lines were performed in 96-well flat bottom microtiter plates as described (Zamvil et al., Nature 317:355-358, 1985; Offner et al., J Immunol. 148:1706-1711, 1992; Gold et al., J Immunol. 148:1712-1717, 1992; Karin et al., J Exp. Med 180:2227-2237, 1994). T cell lines were established as described in Example 3. An initial 1:10 dilution of a 1.5 mM stock solution of MBP or the peptide analogs were added into tissue culture medium. The samples were diluted by three-fold serial dilutions (final volume 100 &mgr;l). The responding continuous T cell lines were resuspended to 4×105 cells per ml and 50 &mgr;l aliquots added to each well (5×104 cells per well). Approximately 1×106 irradiated (3000R) splenocyte feeder cells were also added to each well. Cultures were then incubated at 37° C. in humidified air containing 7.5% CO2 for 3 days. Twelve to sixteen hours prior to harvesting, 0.5-1.0 &mgr;Ci of [3H]-thymidine (20 Ci/mM; New England Nuclear) was added to each well and the cultures reincubated. Plates were then harvested with a Matrix filtermate harvester (Packard) and counted using an Automatic Direct Beta Counter (Packard). Mean cpm and the standard error of the mean were calculated from triplicate wells.

[0105] As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 a peptide analog with any substitution of position 91, 95, or 97 failed to stimulate proliferation of a MBP (87-99)-reactive T cell line The effect was dramatic as even 150 &mgr;M of peptide analog was 1 to 2 logs less effective at causing proliferation.

EXAMPLE 7

Antagonism of T Cell Proliferation Assay

[0106] T cell antagonism was detected in a prepulsed proliferation assay as described by De Magistris et al. (Cell 58:625, 1992) with minor modifications. Antigen presenting spleen cells were y-irradiated (3000 rad) and incubated with shaking at a concentration of 107 cells/well with 0.2-2.0 &mgr;M of the native peptide MBP (87-99) in stimulation medium in 10 ml tissue culture plates for 2 to 4 hours at 37° C. in humidified air containing 6.5% CO2. Spleen cells were then washed and re-cultured at a concentration of 5×105 cells/well in U-shape 96-well microculture plates together with 5×104 resting MBP (87-99) reactive T cells. Various concentrations of antagonist peptides, ranging from 5-150 &mgr;M, were added for an additional 72 hours. Each well was pulsed with 0.5-1 &mgr;Ci of [3H]-thymidine (specific activity 10 Ci/mmol) for the final 12-16 hours. The cultures were then harvested on fiberglass filters and the proliferative response expressed as CPM±SEM.

[0107] The data presented in FIG. 6 demonstrates that the double altered peptide analog, h88/A91, and the triple altered peptide analog, h88/A91/p99, significantly inhibited proliferation of a MBP reactive T cell line. The triple altered analog caused inhibition at 50 &mgr;M and higher concentration, while the double altered analog caused inhibition at 150 &mgr;M.

EXAMPLE 8

Treatment of MBP (87-99)-Induced EAE in Lewis Rats

[0108] Female Lewis rats, which were 6-8 weeks old, were injected with 500 &mgr;g of MBP (87-99) in CFA containing 500 &mgr;g of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the base of the tail in 200 &mgr;l volume. Rats were divided in groups of 5. The control group received 0.5 ml of PBS and the treatment group received the h88/A91 peptide analog (1 mg/0.5 ml PBS) intraperitoneally, twice, on days 9 and 10 after immunization. Animals were monitored for disease symptoms on a daily basis. EAE was recorded on the following scale: 0, no symptoms; 1, tail paralysis; 2, hind limb weakness; 3, hind limb paralysis; 4, hind and front limbs affected.

[0109] Data from two different experiments was obtained as mean cumulative score of 5 animals (FIG. 7). Untreated control animals went on to develop high level of disease whereas h88/A91 analog of the MBP peptide 87-99 was effective in preventing significantly the development of EAE in two experiments. Though the analog was given just before the onset of overt symptoms, it was able to arrest the development of EAE.

EXAMPLE 9

Induction of EAE by Peptide Analog

[0110] The ability of peptide analogs to cause EAE is assessed in vivo. Rats were injected with MBP (87-99) or h88/A91 peptide analog as described in Example 2. Animals were monitored daily for evidence of EAE. Rats receiving MBP (87-99) had 100% incidence (18/18 rats) of EAE with a mean maximum clinical score of 2.4±0.2. In contrast, 0/12 rats receiving the peptide analog h88/A91 had EAE. Therefore, this peptide analog does not induce EAE.

EXAMPLE 10

Treatment of EAE With Peptide Analogs

[0111] The 91K>A peptide analog is capable of inhibiting the adoptive transfer of disease by immune T cells in the Lewis rat strain (Karin et al., 1994). Further characterization of the effects of the peptide analog or altered peptide ligand (APL) on the immune system was investigated in Lewis rates injected with MBP (83-99).

[0112] In this system, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in twelve female Lewis rats by injection of MBP(83-99) peptide in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) at the base of the tail. Nine days later, rats were divided into two groups of six animals and subcutaneously injected with 13.2 mg/kg of either peptide analog or a control peptide, sperm whale myoglobin (SWM) (110-121). Animals were monitored daily for disease symptoms and scored in a blinded fashion on a nonlinear ascending scale of 0-4 with increments denoting increasing paralysis. Each individual score was averaged with group cohorts to obtain the mean clinical score. The results from one such experiment are shown in FIG. 9.

[0113] As seen in FIG. 9, the disease severity in those animals treated with the APL NBI-5788 (FIG. 8) was about 50% reduced compared to the control group. FIG. 10 shows the average disease severity of the results from three separate therapy experiments. The APL NBI-5788 significantly reduced the severity and duration of the disease in this model system. FIG. 11 shows the results from treatment using another APL, NBI-5765 (FIG. 8). This APL also significantly reduced the magnitude of the disease in the treated group over the control animals.

[0114] Although these results clearly demonstrate that APL inhibits the development of EAE, a murine animal model system of EAE has also been developed. The SJL/J (H-25) mouse develops a chronic relapsing form of EAE in response to immunization with MBP(83-99) peptide in the presence of pertussis vaccine. The ability of the peptide analogs NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6) to inhibit the disease was evaluated (see FIG. 12).

[0115] Groups of 10 animals were injected intraperitoneally weekly for 4 weeks with 20 mg/kg of either a control peptide or the peptide analog. The animals were then monitored for disease over the next 2-3 months. As can be seen in FIG. 12, SJL/J mice developed symptoms of EAE beginning around day 20 in the control group that lasted for approximately 3 weeks. Beginning around day 70, a relapse occurred reaching a mean clinical score of about I However, weekly injection with the APL NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6) or NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4) for four weeks not only reduced the level of the disease in the first phase, but also reduced the severity of the relapse. This is particularly striking since the animals had not been exposed to the APL for approximately one month.

EXAMPLE 11

Effects of Peptide Analogs on Human T Cell Proliferation

[0116] The ability of the peptide analogs NBI-5719, 5748, 5765, 5788 and 5789 (SEQ ID NOs: 4-8 respectively) to affect human T cell proliferation was assessed. A constant amount of peptide analog or the control peptide SWM (50 &mgr;M) was cultured with varying concentrations of native MBP(83-99) peptide (1.1-30 &mgr;M) in the presence of irradiated, DR matched peripheral blood cells and T cell clones derived from various MS patients. Human T cells (1×106) were cultured with DR matched, irradiated peripheral blood cells (PBL, 5×106) in medium containing IMDM supplemented with 3 &mgr;M MBP83-99, 2 mM L-glutamine, 50 &mgr;g/ml gentamicin penicillin/streptomycin, 100 U/ml rlL-2 and 10% human AB-negative serum. Cells were cultured for approximately 60 hours, pulsed with tritiated thymidine for 12 hours, and harvested. The amount of tritiated thymidine incorporated was measured, and the data represented as the mean plus or minus the standard error of the mean of replicate samples. Representative results are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0117] As seen in FIG. 13, the peptide analog NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) corresponding to MBP(83-99) (83E>a, 84N>K, 89F>L, and 91K>A) inhibited the ability of a human Dr2a restricted T cell clone to respond to varying concentrations of MBP(83-99), where the irrelevant peptide (sperm whale myoglobin, SWM 110-121) had little effect on the proliferative capacity of the T cells. FIG. 14 shows that all the peptides inhibited the ability of the Dr2a restricted T cells to respond to native MBP peptide in a concentration dependent fashion.

[0118] The potency of NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) was then determined by varying concentrations of the APL (2, 10, or 50 &mgr;M) in the presence of varying amounts of the native MBP(83-99) (1.1-30 &mgr;M). As seen in FIG. 15, at both 10 and 50 &mgr;M, NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) significantly altered the ability of the Dr2a T cell line to respond to MBP(83-99), but no significant inhibition was seen with the irrelevant peptide SWM.

[0119] The ability of the peptide analog to inhibit the proliferative response of MBP-reactive T cells isolated from Dr2b (DrB1*1501) individuals was determined. A constant amount of NBI-5788 (50 &mgr;M) was cultured with varying concentrations of native peptide (1.1-30 &mgr;M) in the presence of irradiated, DR matched peripheral blood cells and T cell clones derived from various MS patients.

[0120] FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 depict results using three different T cell lines. Each T cell clone varies in the amount of thymidine incorporated in response to MBP peptide. Nevertheless, NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) inhibited the ability of the T cell clones to respond to MBP peptide in a concentration dependent fashion. The irrelevant peptide SWM had little influence on the ability of the T cells to respond to MBP peptide.

[0121] FIG. 19 depicts the ability of NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4), NBI-5748 (SEQ ID NO: 5), NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6), NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7), and NBI-5789 (SEQ ID NO: 8) to inhibit the MBP-dependent proliferation of the Dr2b restricted human T cell clone 5F6. As seen above with the Dr2b restricted T cells (FIG. 14), the APL inhibited the MBP-dependent proliferation in a concentration dependent fashion. However, the control peptide SWM had little effect on the proliferative response.

[0122] FIG. 20 depicts the ability of NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6) to inhibit the MBP-dependent proliferation of the Dr4 Dw4 restricted human T cell clone MS-1. As seen above with the Dr2 restricted T cells, the APL inhibited the MBP-dependent proliferation in a concentration dependent fashion.

[0123] The ability of the peptide analog ligand to influence cytokine production was next measured. The Dr2b-restricted T cell clone 5F6 was incubated in the presence of 3 &mgr;M MBP peptide with either 10 &mgr;M of NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO. 7) or SWM or medium only. As a control, cells were cultured in the presence of medium alone. After 24 hours, supernatants were removed and the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&agr;) and interferon-&ggr; (IFN-&ggr;) determined using commercially available EIA kits.

[0124] As can be seen in FIG. 21, MBP stimulated the production of both TNF-&agr; and IFN-&ggr; (approximately 200 and 160 pg/ml, respectively). However, the peptide analog ligand NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) dramatically inhibited the production of both pro-inflammatory cytokines to approximately levels achieved with medium only. The irrelevant peptide SWM had minimal effect on cytokine production. None of the peptide analogs NBI-5719 (SEQ ID NO: 4), NBI-5748 (SEQ ID NO: 5), NBI-5765 (SEQ ID NO: 6), NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7), or NBI-5789 (SEQ ID NO: 8) stimulated cytokine production over background, even at concentrations of 50 &mgr;M (data not shown).

EXAMPLE 12

Induction of Peptide Analog-specific T cells

[0125] This example illustrates the generation of a cellular immune response in patients following administration of APL NBI-5788, corresponding to MBP(83-99) (83E>a, 84N>K, 89F>L, and 91K>A).

[0126] Patients received either 10 or 20 mg of APL NBI-5788 (weekly for four weeks). Peripheral blood cells were collected from four patients approximately one year after dosing, as well as from 14 MS patients who had not received the APL and from two normal, healthy volunteers. The frequency of response to the peptide was determined using the split-well technique. Cells were seeded in 48 wells/plate, as well as 12 control wells without antigenic stimulation, at a density of 1×105 cells/well. Cells were set up in IMDM+10% human plasma pool+penicillin/streptomycin 100 U/ml+gentamycin 50 &mgr;g/ml+2 mM L-glutamine (or complete media, CM). Peptide antigen (25 &mgr;g) was added and then included for no more than one feeding with media. At day 12, the medium was changed to CM without IL-2. Two days later, the split-wells were established. The wells were resuspended with a multichannel pipetor, 100 &mgr;l of the cell suspension was transferred to adjacent wells on a new plate (daughter plate) and mixed with 100 &mgr;l of media containing 1×105 antigen presenting cells (peripheral blood lymphocytes, PBL irradiated with 3000 R in CM with or without antigen; 25 &mgr;g/ml). After 48 hours of culturing, 100 &mgr;l of supernatant was removed from the daughter plate for later cytokine determination and stored at −70° C.

[0127] For the proliferation assay, 3H-thymidine (0.5 &mgr;Ci) was added to the daughter plate and the plates reincubated for an additional 8 hours. The wells were then harvested onto filter mats and the level of 3H-thymidine incorporation determined using beta scintillation. Counts greater than three-fold over background were considered positive.

[0128] The frequency of APL responsive wells (SI>3) for the three patients treated with 20 mg of APL was 11, 32 and 72%, and 23% for the patient who received 10 mg (FIG. 22). Mean frequency for all controls was 10±2%, n=14. APL specific cell lines were subsequently generated by repeated co-culture with APL antigen; 6/31 lines from treated patients cross reacted with native MBP (83-99); 4/31 reacted with whole MBP. Three of the 23 APL lines from untreated MS patients cross-reacted with MBP peptide 83-99; two of the 23 reacted with whole MBP. The cross reactivity is shown in Tables 1 and 2. 1 TABLE 1 Frequency and Cross-reactivity of APL NBI-5788-reactive T Cells Isolated from MS Patients Treatment Group Percent Reactivity APL NBI-5788 20 mg (n = 3) 39 ± 18 APL NBI-5788 10 mg (n = 1) 23 MS Controls (n = 14) 10 ± 2 

[0129] 2 TABLE 2 Frequency and Cross-reactivity of APL NBI-5788-reactive T Cells Isolated from MS Patients Percent Cross Reactivity Treatment Group Whole MBP MPB Peptide APL NBI-5788 20 mg (n = 3) 17 (4/24) 17 (4/24) APL NBI-5788 10 mg (n = 1)  0 (0/7) 29 (2/7) MS Controls (n = 14)  9 (2/23) 13 (3/23)

[0130] The results indicate that administration of 10-20 mg of the APL weekly for four weeks generated a persistent systemic immune response. The response was polyclonal in nature, with some of the responding cells being specific for the APL and others cross-reactive to both the native and altered peptide.

EXAMPLE 13

Functional Phenotype of T Cells Induced by Peptide Analog

[0131] This example illustrates the functional phenotype of T cells induced by the representative peptide analog APL NBI-5788.

[0132] Four cell cultures from one patient (LW, 32% frequency) showing a response (>three-fold over background) were expanded into cell lines (LW 80, 88, 90 and 93) by incubation in IL-2 for 11-14 days (1-2 passages). Once sufficient cells had grown up, they were cultured with either medium alone or 25 &mgr;g/ml of either whole MBP, MBP (83-99) or APL NBI-5788. After 24 hours, the supernatants were collected and the level of cytokines determined (see FIGS. 22 to 26). The remaining cultures were pulsed with radiolabeled thymidine and the extent of incorporation determined. The results, expressed as the mean in cpm± the standard error of the mean are presented in Table 3. 3 TABLE 3 Specificity of APL 5788 Reactive T Cells Isolated from Patient LW Line Medium Only Whole MBP MBP (83-99) NBI 5788 80   940 ± 87 1,457 ± 195 1,509 ± 1,106 25,696 ± 408 88 1,590 ± 199   977 ± 121 1,033 ± 112 11,603 ± 424 90 1,047 ± 18 1,604 ± 328 1,272 ± 192 25,317 ± 8,221 93   557 ± 2   630 ± 28   898 ± 643 16,197 ± 2,095

[0133] These results demonstrate that immune response generated by administration of 10-20 mg of the APL weekly for four weeks appears to be Th2 in nature. In particular, the extent of interleukin 5 and 13 that was produced is consistent with a Th2 type response.

EXAMPLE 14

Protective Effect of Th2 Cells Specific for a Representative Peptide Analog

[0134] This example illustrates the ability of T cells specific for a representative peptide analog to confer a protective effect.

[0135] SJL mice were immunized with peptide analog, also referred to as an altered peptide ligand (APL), in which position 91 has been altered to alanine. This immunization resulted in a Th2 response. Th2-APL-specific cells were isolated from the mouse lymph nodes and cultured. These cultured Th2-APL-specific cells were then introduced into animals in which EAE had been induced. To induce EAE, SJL/J female mice (5 per group) were injected in the base of the tail with MBP (83-99) (250 &mgr;g) on Day 0, and on Day 6 with proteolipid peptide (PLP 139-15 1), both emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (DIFCO, Detroit, Mich.) to which 10 (Day 0) or 2 mg/ml (Day 6) of heat killed Mycobacterium H37Ra was added. Mice also received intravenously 200 ng (in 200 &mgr;l PBS) of Bordetella pertussis toxin on Day 6 and Day 8. On Day 7, animals were given 30×106 Th2-APL-specific cells, or as a control syngeneic spleen cells, intravenously and the effect on disease was monitored. This effect, shown as mean clinical score, is presented in FIG. 27.

[0136] The surprising results of this experiment show that administration of APL-specific Th2 cells result in a very strong reduction in the disease and accordingly confer resistance. The Th2-APL-specific cells appear to be central to the protective effect. Animals receiving control cells exhibited a relapsing/remitting type of disease characteristic of PLP. Animals receiving the APL-reactive Th2 cells had significantly less disease throughout the course of the experiment, and the protection seen in the relapse phase of the disease (day 50-75) was even more impressive than that seen in the primary phase. These results indicate that an APL that comprises an alteration at position 91 and analogs thereof have a protective effect.

EXAMPLE 15

Induction of Th2 Response by a Representative Peptide Analog

[0137] This example illustrates the induction of a Th2 response in SJL mice by administration of APL NBI-5788, corresponding to MBP(83-99) (83E>a, 84N>K, 89F>L, and 91K>A).

[0138] SJL/J female mice (3 per group) were injected weekly on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 subcutaneously with 20 mg/kg of NBI-5788 in the flanks. On day 28, the mice were sacrificed, the draining lymph node removed, a single cell suspension was made and the ability of the cells to proliferate in response to 25 &mgr;M NBI-5788 was determined. The data, shown in FIG. 28, represent the mean of triplicate wells.

[0139] The results show that repeated dosing with NBI 5788 induces a Th2 response in the animal model as measured by T-cell proliferation ex vivo, in the presence of NBI 5788. The four subsequent doses which were made at weekly intervals each resulted in a stronger response after each subsequent dose.

EXAMPLE 16

Induction of APL-Reactive Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis Patients by a Representative Peptide Analog

[0140] This Example illustrates the ability of peptide analog NBI-5788, corresponding to MBP(83-99) (83E>a, 84N>K, 89F>L, and 91K>A), to induce a NBI-5788-reactive immune response in MS patients.

[0141] MS patients studied were those participating in phase I clinical trials using NBI-5788 administered subcutaneously (5, 10 or 20 mg) weekly for four weeks Patients had MRI evaluations performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks. Clinical data of the patients are presented in Table 4. All but 1 patient had secondary or primary progressive disease (SP or PP, respectively). For patients in group A, immunologic evaluations involving use of NBI-5788 as antigen could be performed only 9 months after completion of the treatment phase of the study. For patients in group B, immunologic evaluation was performed just prior to entry into the study (pre-treatment) and after 3 months following completion of the 1 month treatment phase. Two additional patients with SP MS, one with relapsing remitting (RR) MS and 3 normal controls were also studied. 4 TABLE 4 Patient Data Disease Disease Duration APL Group Patient typea Age Sex HLA-DRb (years) EDSSc Treatment A MS-1 PP 45 F 17 (3) 4 3 6.5 20 mg A MS-2 PP 52 M 1 4 24 6.0 20 mg A MS-3 SP 54 F 15 (2) 13 (6) 14 7.0 20 mg A MS-4 SP 49 F 4 11 (5) 8 6.5 10 mg B MS-5 SP 53 F 17 (3) 11 (5) 19 6.5 20 mg B MS-6 PP 29 M 1 11 (5) 12 6.5 20 mg B MS-7 SP 51 M 15 (2) 11 (5) 16 6.5  5 mg B MS-8 RR 45 F 11 (5) 19 2.5 Placebo MS-9 SP 44 F N.D. 3 6.5 None MS-10 SP 51 M N.D. 16 5.0 None MS-11 RR 49 F N.D. 20 3.5 None aPP, primary progressive; SP. secondary progressive; RR, relapsing-remitting bHLA-DR haplotype as determined by serotyping; N.D., Not determined cKurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale

[0142] Immune response to the peptide analog was assessed by measuring the frequency of proliferating peripheral blood T cells using a split-well microtiter method (i.e., number of positive wells {&Dgr;cpm>1000, stimulation index >3} divided by the total number of wells assayed). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from venous blood by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation, washed twice and resuspended in complete tissue culture medium (Iscove's modification of Dulbecco's medium containing 10% heat-inactivated, pooled, human A-B serum, 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin/streptomycin and 50 &mgr;g/ml gentamycin). PBMC from each patient were seeded at 105/well in 96 well, U-bottom microtiter plates containing 25 &mgr;g/ml whole MBP, 10 &mgr;g/ml NBI-5788 or medium alone in a volume of 200 &mgr;l. Three days later supernatants were collected and frozen at −80° C. and fresh medium containing IL-2 (10 U/ml) was added. IL-2-containg medium was refreshed on Day 7 and Day 11. On Day 14, the frequency of antigen response was determined by the “split well” technique. Briefly, cells from one primary well were split into replicate experimental wells in the presence of 105 freshly isolated autologous, irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (APCs): one containing the original antigen (25 &mgr;g/ml) and one without antigen. Two days later supernatants were collected and the wells pulsed with 1 &mgr;Ci/well [3H]-thymidine (25 Ci/mmol) for the final 18 hours of culture. 3H-Thymidine uptake was measured in a beta counter. Antigen-reactive cell lines were defined as those exhibiting a stimulation index >3 and a &Dgr;cpm of>1000. The association between T cell frequency and NBI-5788 treatment was evaluated by x2 contingency analysis.

[0143] The mean frequency of NBI-5788-reactive T cells was 6.2±1.3% (n=7) with individual responses ranging from 2.3 to 11.4%, whereas the mean frequency of MBP-reactive T cells in untreated MS patients was 18.0±6.3% (n=7) and ranged from 2.3 to 52.3% (Table 5). A low frequency of MBP-reactive T cells was detected in one of two healthy subjects (6.3%); however, no NB1-5788-reactive T cells were detected in either healthy donor. Following treatment with NBI-5788 (5, 10 or 20 mg, four times weekly), the mean frequency of NBI-5788-reactive T cells from seven MS patients was 35.8±12.8% with individual responses ranging from 9 1 to 93.2% (Table 6). After treatment with NBI-5788, the mean frequency of MBP-reactive T cells in MS patients was 16.4±5.7% (n=7) with individual responses ranging from 2.1 to 43.8%. There was no correlation between individuals' frequency of MBP-reactive T cells and NBI-5788-reactive T cells after APL administration. (r2=0.38). The frequency data from Tables 5 and 6 are summarized in FIG. 29. A significant (X2=82.7, p<0.001) increase in NBI-5788-reactive T cells is detectable in peripheral blood of MS patients after subcutaneous administration of the soluble peptide analog compared to an untreated MS patient cohort. However, in contrast to NBI-5788 T cell reactivity, the frequency of MBP-reactive T cells does not change markedly following administration of NBI-5788. Taken together, these results illustrate that patients exhibit an immune response to the subcutaneously administered soluble peptide analog as judged by frequency analysis. 5 TABLE 5 Frequency of Whole MBP- or NBI-5788-reactive T cells in Peripheral Blood of Untreated MS Patients and Healthy Donors Whole MBP-reactive T Cells NBI-5788-reactive T Cells Positive/ Positive/ Subject total wells % Positive total wells % Positive MS patients MS-2 3/44 6.8 3/44 6.8 MS-3 11/44  25.0 1/44 2.3 MS-7 5/44 11.4 3/44 6.8 MS-8 23/44  52.3 5/44 11.4 MS-9 8/48 16.7 4/44 9.1  MS-10 1/44 2.3 2/44 4.5  MS-11 5/44 11.4 1/44 2.3 Total 56/312 19/308 Healthy donors HD-1 3/48 6.3 0/48 0 HD-2 0/48 0 0/48 0 Total 3/96 0/96

[0144] 6 TABLE 6 Frequency of NBI-5788- or Whole MBP-reactive T cells in Peripheral Blood of APL-treated MS Patients Whole MBP-reactive T Cells NBI-5788-reactive T Cells % % Patient Positive/total wells Positive Positive/total wells Positive MS-1 21/48  43.8 35/48 72.7 MS-2 13/44  29.5  4/44 9.1 MS-3 7/44 15.9 41/44 93.2 MS-4 1/48 2.1 31/96 32.3 MS-5 4/48 8.3  5/44 11.4 MS-6 2/48 4.2 10/44 22.7 MS-7 5/44 11.4  4/44 9.1 Total 53/324 130/364

[0145] NBI-5788-reactive T cell lines generated from NBI-5788-treated patients exhibited an increased frequency of cross-reactivity with MBP peptide 83-99 and whole MBP compared to NBI-5788-reactive lines from control MS patients. Further analyses demonstrated that cytokine secretion by NBI-5788- or MBP-reactive T cell lines from NBI-5788-treated MS patients were more frequently Th2-like, compared to T cell lines from untreated MS patients. These results demonstrate that subcutaneous administration of a soluble peptide analog based on the MBP peptide 83-99 in MS patients can induce an analog-reactive immune response in which T lymphocytes cross-reactive with the immunodominant neuroantigen MBP secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines.

[0146] That NBI-5788-reactivity, but not MBP-reactivity, was induced by NBI-5788 administration suggested that the peptide analog activated a population of T cells different from that reacting with the native MBP antigen. To evaluate the degree of NBI-5788-specific reactivity induced by NBI-5788 treatment, we determined whether NBI-5788-reactive T cell lines generated from untreated or NBI-5788-treated patients cross-reacted with whole MBP or MBP peptide 83-99. T cell lines were generated from positive cultures in the frequency analysis by an additional cycle of co-culture with antigen. Specificity of positive lines was tested by culturing 2×104 T cells/well in triplicate with whole MBP, MBP83-99, NBI-5788 or medium alone in the presence of 105 APCs in a final volume of 200 &mgr;l/well. Two days later supernatants were pooled from replicate wells and frozen at −80° C. Wells were then pulsed with [3H]-thymidine (1 &mgr;Ci/well) for the final 18 hours of culture.

[0147] None of 12 NBI-5788-reactive T cell lines generated from untreated MS patients cross-reacted with either whole MBP or MBP peptide. In contrast, of 43 NBI-5788-reactive T cell lines generated from NBI-5788-treated MS patients, 12 (27.9%) cross-reacted with MBP83-99, 1 (2.3%) cross-reacted with whole MBP and 2 (4.7%) cross-reacted with both MBP83-99 and whole MBP (Table 7 and FIG. 30A). These results suggest that there is a significant association between NBI-5788 treatment and NBI-5788 TCL cross-reactivity (X2=5.24, p<0.05). Cross-reactivity of NBI-5788 TCL does not, however, appear to correlate with frequency responses to the APL for individual patients. 7 TABLE 7 Cross-reactivity of NBI-5788-reactive TCL with MBP peptide 83-99 or whole MBP Patient Dose TCL None NBI-5788 MBP83-99 Whole MBP MS-1 20 mg 36 1,665 ± 157   18,259 ± 2011   5,443 ± 669   2,515 ± 532   4 338 ± 75  4,112 ± 349   1,856 ± 828   772 ± 341 MS-3 20 mg 2 1,054 ± 270   19,315 ± 1,310  4047 ± 868  1,785 ± 66   4 341 ± 228 50,630 ± 11,709 34,314 ± 1,875  298 ± 41  18 200 ± 36  10,308 ± 1,283  35,566 ± 3,817  437 ± 191 30 548 ± 58  48,278 ± 1,070  2,547 ± 273   557 ± 210 MS-4 20 mg 18 1,210 ± 742   26,017 ± 802   6,772 ± 3746  5,983 ± 5602  MS-5 20 mg 15 1,095 ± 70   32,597 ± 1,856  865 ± 24  13,151 ± 9,967  39 1,512 ± 422   24,326 ± 3,724  7,066 ± 2,446 6,717 ± 558   43 679 ± 96  16,726 ± 1,121  6,409 ± 858   3,584 ± 1,068 MS-6 10 mg 22 1,456 ± 57   43,085 ± 1,376  20,158 ± 4,589  2,167 ± 53   38 931 ± 87  24,195 ± 613   6,358 ± 4,682 935 ± 65  MS-7  5 mg 12 1,764 ± 189   17,749 ± 1,784  5,808 ± 2,540 1,343 ± 498   28 1,403 ± 345   3,505 ± 1,446 6,843 ± 3,170 2,326 ± 1,300

[0148] Although the frequency of whole MBP reactivity did not change with NBI-5788 administration, it was of interest to determine whether the specificity of MBP-reactive T cells was altered by NBI-5788. Of 35 whole MBP-reactive TCL isolated from untreated MS patients, 6 (17.1%) cross-reacted with MBP83-99 and 1 (2.9%) cross-reacted with NBI-5788 and MBP83-99. By comparison, of 35 whole MBP-reactive TCL derived from NBI-5788-treated MS patients 6 (17.1%) cross-reacted with MBP83-99, 1 (2.9%) cross-reacted with NBI-5788 and 3 (8.6%) cross-reacted with MBP83-99 and NBI-5788 (Table 8 and FIG. 30B). These results suggest that although more NBI-5788 cross-reactive MBP TCL are detectable after NBI-5788 treatment, there is no significant association between NBI-5788 treatment and MBP TCL cross-reactivity (X2=0.70). These data demonstrate that the cross-reactive, but not MBP-reactive TCL is increased after APL treatment. 8 TABLE 8 Cross-reactivity of MBP-reactive TCL with NBI-5788 or MBP peptide 83-99 Patient Dose TCL None NBI-5788 MBP83-99 Whole MBP MS-1 20 mg 2 1,220 ± 26   6090 ± 102  32,994 ± 819   25,700 ± 5,266  4 266 ± 380 4,164 ± 123   8,150 ± 1,324 9,498 ± 745   5 1,801 ± 150   3,115 ± 56   16,754 ± 614   13,102 ± 1,286  10 2,023 ± 714   2,794 ± 152   70,714 ± 340   54,562 ± 207   14 1,642 ± 793   15,780 ± 214   35,815 ± 3,060  23,564 ± 854   26 1,470 ± 603   2,559 ± 74   44,269 ± 527   48,157 ± 1,207  45 1,154 ± 72   2,559 ± 637   61,847 ± 931   63,810 ± 1,117  MS-2 20 mg 14 3,516 ± 1,090 2,566 ± 421   15,078 ± 1,500  16,000 ± 1,133  MS-4 20 mg 7 883 ± 321 7,492 ± 716   1,355 ± 561   5,308 ± 1,269 MS-7  5 mg 46 1,918 ± 277   1,298 ± 113   6,845 ± 3,387 17,019 ± 2,294  MS-8 Placebo 26 880 ± 283 944 ± 259 56,754 ± 18,558 68,704 ± 19,348 28 1,647 ± 392   1,437 ± 97   52,609 ± 964   47,279 ± 4,549  38 3,445 ± 598   16,931 ± 1938   70,818 ± 1,489  63,253 ± 5,006  MS-3 Pretreat. 9 4,040 ± 2,607 6,468 ± 586   12,434 ± 4,413  9,736 ± 247   MS-8 Pretreat. 22 3,340 ± 912   2,636 ± 270   85,426 ± 2,333  91,447 ± 3,368  31 1,011 ± 29   936 ± 123 9,899 ± 105   7,379 ± 123   47 1,562 ± 416   3,448 ± 1,980 10,412 ± 8,426  47,975 ± 10,326

[0149] To more fully characterize the nature of the immune response generated following APL administration, proliferating NBI-5788- or MBP-reactive TCL were established from untreated or NBI-5788-treated MS patients. IFN-&ggr; and IL-5 were used as markers of Th1 and Th2 responses, although data from IL-10 and IL-13 showed similar trends as the IL-5. Levels of Th2 cytokine IL-5 and Th1 cytokine IFN-&ggr; were measured in culture supernatants collected 48 hours after stimulation with the selecting antigen, either NBI-5788 or whole MBP. Cytokines produced by T cell lines were assayed by ELISA. To measure cytokine levels, a sandwich ELISA method was used as follows: Nunc Maxisorp microtiter plates (Nalge Nunc, Denmark) were coated with capture mAb (Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.) at 2 &mgr;g/ml for IL-4, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-&ggr; or at 1 &mgr;g/ml for IL-5. The capture mAb was diluted with 0.1 M NaHCO3, dispensed on the plate and incubated at 4° C. overnight. Plates were then blocked for at least 30 minutes at RT with 1% BSA (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) for IL4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 or 1% casein (Sigma) for IFN-&ggr;. Standards were serially diluted (1000-1 pg/ml for IL4 and 4000-5.5 pg/ml for IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-&ggr;) in blocking buffer and added to the plate. Samples were diluted at least 1:2 in blocking buffer and added to the plate. The plates were incubated at room temperature for one hour. The plates were washed and the biotinylated detection mAb (Pharmingen) was added to the plates at 1 &mgr;g/ml for IL-5 and IFN-&ggr; or 2 &mgr;g/ml for IL4, IL-10, and IL-13. The plates were incubated for 1.5 hours at RT. After washing the plates streptavidin-peroxidase (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) was added at 1 &mgr;g/ml for IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 or 2 &mgr;g/ml for IL-4 and IFN-65 . The plates were incubated for 20-30 minutes. After washing thoroughly, TMB (Calbiochem, San Diego, Calif.) was added and the color was allowed to develop. The reaction was stopped by 0.2N H2SO4 and absorbance at 450 nm was determined. The association between cytokine phenotype and NBI-5788 treatment was evaluated by &khgr;2 contingency analysis. Mean cytokine secretion levels were compared using Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data. Probability values≦0.05 were considered significant.

[0150] As expected, levels of cytokine secretion covered a wide range for both treated and untreated patient groups and for individual patients. There was, however, a significant (p<0.05) decrease in mean IFN-&ggr; secretion for MBP-reactive T cells and APL-reactive T cell lines derived from APL-treated compared to non-treated MS patients (FIGS. 31A and 31B). Moreover, there was a concomitant increase in mean IL-5 secretion which was significant (p<0.05) for APL-reactive TCL, but not for MBP-reactive TCL.

[0151] In order to evaluate the cytokine phenotype of individual TCL, the data were expressed as the ratio of IFN-&ggr; to IL-5 secretion for each TCL (FIGS. 32A-32D). The majority of TCL reacting with either NBI-5788 (8 of 12, 67%) or MBP (24 of 33, 73%) from untreated patients secreted more IFN-&ggr; than IL-5 (IFN-&ggr;:IL-5 ratio>1) (FIGS. 32A and 32B). Several of these TCL exhibited ratios>100 demonstrating a strong Th1 bias. None of the TCL from untreated patients had an IFN-&ggr;:IL-5 ratio<0.1 indicating that these were not strongly polarized towards a Th2-like phenotype. In contrast, the majority of TCL reacting with either APL (19 of 32, 59%) or MBP (13 of 23, 56%) from APL-treated MS patients secreted more IL-5 than IFN-&ggr;, and for many of these lines, the ratio was <0.1 indicating that they were strongly polarized towards a Th2-like phenotype (FIGS. 32C and 32D). One treated patient (MS3) yielded only Th1-like TCL whereas the other patients tended to give mostly Th2-like TCL. There did not appear to be a correlation between TCL cross-reactivity and cytokine phenotype. Collectively, these results demonstrate a significant association between overall T cell cytokine phenotype and APL treatment (&khgr;2=10.21, p<0.05).

[0152] These results show that NBI-5788-reactive T cells, present at a very low frequency in the peripheral blood of untreated MS patients, are strongly induced following subcutaneous administration of the peptide analog. Moreover, NBI-5788-reactive TCL from APL-treated MS patients tend to be more Th2-like than NBI-5788-reactive TCL from untreated patients, secreting more IL-5 than IFN-&ggr;. These findings demonstrate that 1) a peptide analog based upon an autoantigenic epitope can be highly immunogenic in humans and 2) the immune response to NBI-5788 has characteristics consistent with a protective, anti-inflammatory response. Thus, peptide analogs such as NBI-5788 may be used for inducing a Th2 immune response in MBP in a patient.

EXAMPLE 17

Investigation of the T Cell Response in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

[0153] This Example illustrates the effect of varying doses of NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) as described above on the prevalence of Th2-type T cell activity in multiple sclerosis patients.

[0154] A. Materials and Methods

[0155] T cell analyses (cytokine production) were performed at Week 1 (pre-dosing), at Week 3 (=just prior to third dose), at Week 5 (1 week after last dose) and Week 8 (4 weeks after last dose). Tritiated thymidine uptake was measured using a beta scintillation counter (Topcount, Packard).

[0156] Cytokine Analysis

[0157] Interferon-&ggr; (marker for Th1 activity) and IL-13 (marker for Th2 activity) were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Assay (ELISA) in T cell culture supernatants collected prior to [3H]-thymidine incorporation (proliferation assay).

[0158] ELISA Procedure for IFN-&ggr;

[0159] To measure IFN-&ggr; produced by T cell cultures, a sandwich ELISA method was employed. Microtiter plates were coated with 2 &mgr;g/ml capture antibody (Pharmingen, San Diego) in 0.1 M NaHCO3 (pH=8.2) overnight at 4° C. Plates were then incubated with blocking buffer (1% solution [w/v] of casein [Sigma] in water, pH=8.2) for at least 30 minutes at room temperature to block non-specific binding sites. An IFN-&ggr; reference standard from Pharmingen was serially diluted (4000-5.5 pg/ml) in blocking buffer and added to the plate. Supernatant samples from T cell cultures were diluted at least 1:2 in blocking buffer and added to the plate. The plates were incubated at room temperature for one hour and then washed three times with wash buffer (1×phosphate buffered salt solution containing 0.05% Tween-20 [Sigma]. The plates were washed and biotinylated detection antibody (Pharmingen) was added to the plates at 1 &mgr;g/ml in blocking buffer. The plates were incubated for 1.5 hours at room temperature and then washed three times. Streptavidin-peroxidase (Pierce, Rockford) was added at 1 &mgr;g/ml in blocking buffer. The plates were incubated for 20-30 minutes at room temperature. After washing three times, TMB substrate solution (Calbiochem, San Diego) was added and the color was allowed to develop. The reaction was stopped by the addition of 0.2N H2SO4 and absorbance at 450 nm was determined using a microplate spectrophotometer (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif., USA). The linear range of the standard curve was typically 30-2000 pg/ml with a sensitivity <10 pg/ml.

[0160] ELISA Procedure for IL-13

[0161] To measure IL-13 produced by T cell cultures, a sandwich ELISA method was employed. Microtiter plates were coated with 2 &mgr;g/ml capture antibody (Pharmingen, San Diego) in 0.1 M NaHCO3 (pH=8.2) overnight at 4° C. Plates were then incubated with blocking buffer (1% solution [w/v] of BSA [Sigma] in water, pH=8.2) for at least 30 minutes at room temperature to block non-specific binding sites. An IL-13 reference standard from Pharmingen was serially diluted (4000-5.5 pg/ml) in blocking buffer and added to the plate. Supernatant samples from T cell cultures were diluted at least 1:2 in blocking buffer and added to the plate. The plates were incubated at room temperature for one hour and then washed three times with wash buffer (1×phosphate buffered salt solution [Gibco] containing 0.05% Tween-20 [Sigma]. The plates were washed and biotinylated detection antibody (Pharmingen) was added to the plates at 2 &mgr;g/ml in blocking buffer. The plates were incubated for 1.5 hours at room temperature and then washed three times. Streptavidin-peroxidase (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) was added at 1 &mgr;g/ml in blocking buffer. The plates were incubated for 20-30 minutes at room temperature. After washing three times, TNB substrate solution (Calbiochem, San Diego, Calif., USA) was added and the color was allowed to develop. The reaction was stopped by the addition of 0.2N H2SO4 and absorbance at 450 nm was determined using a microplate spectrophotometer (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif., USA). The linear range of the standard curve was typically 30-2000 pg/ml with a sensitivity<4 pg/ml.

[0162] B. Data Analysis

[0163] The frequency of positive T-cell cultures derived from an individual patient at a given timepoint was defined as the fraction of split-cultures (as a percent of all cultures analyzed) that showed an IFN-&ggr; titer of ≧100 pg/ml and those with an IL-13 titer of ≧100 pg/ml in one or both wells.

[0164] The mean titer of positive cultures for individual patients at a given timepoint was defined as the sum of titer's divided by the number of positive cultures.

[0165] Overall Th1 activity: Frequency of IFN-&ggr; positive cultures multiplied by mean IFN-&ggr; titers.

[0166] Overall Th2 activity: Frequency of IL-13 positive cultures multiplied by mean IL-13 titers.

[0167] Procedure of Data Evaluation

[0168] The frequency (%) of positive cultures (≧100 pg/ml) obtained from each blood sample was determined and used to calculate the mean frequency within all cultures per treatment group and time-point (FIGS. 33A, 33D, 33G, 33J and 33M).

[0169] The mean cytokine titer (ng/ml) of positive cultures obtained from each blood sample was determined and used to calculate the mean cytokine titer within all positive cultures per treatment group and time-point (FIGS. 33B, 33E, 33H, 33K and 33N).

[0170] The overall cytokine activity for IFN-&ggr; (Th1) and IL-13 (Th2) for each treatment group and each time-point was calculated by multiplying the respective mean frequency with the respective mean cytokine titer (FIG. 33C, 33F, 33I, 33L and 33O).

[0171] The overall IFN-&ggr; activity and overall IL-13 activity integrated over weeks 3, 5 and 8 were calculated by multiplying the overall mean frequency (FIGS. 33A, 33D, 33G, 33J and 33M) with the overall mean titer (FIGS. 33B, 33E, 33H, 33K and 33N) within this time period (FIG. 33C, 33F, 33I, 33L and 33O; IFN-&ggr;, top panels; IL-13, bottom panels).

[0172] The overall Th2/Th1 (IL-13/IFN-&ggr;) activity ratio over the entire treatment and post-treatment period (weeks 3, 5 and 8) was determined by dividing the overall integrated (Week 3, 5, 8) mean IL-13 activity by the overall integrated (Week 3, 5, 8) mean IFN-&ggr; activity (FIG. 34).

[0173] C. Results and Conclusions

[0174] FIG. 34 shows the ratio of overall Th2-type to overall Th1-type activities in each treatment group throughout the whole treatment and post-treatment observation period (week 3, 5 and 8). In the placebo group there is a prevalence of IFN-&ggr; indicating a predominance of Th1 over Th2 activity. In the 1, 5 and 20 mg NBI-5788 (SEQ ID NO: 7) dose groups there is a clear shift to an overall Th2 activity, most prominently seen in the 5 and 20 mg dose groups.

[0175] From the foregoing, it will be evident that although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for inducing a Th2 immune response to myelin basic protein or a peptide analog thereof in a patient, comprising:

administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog selected from the group consisting of:

(a) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid, and one to three L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine at position 86, valine at position 87, histidine at position 88, threonine at position 95, threonine at position 98 and proline at position 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position;

(b) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 97, wherein the L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid and one to three L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine at position 86, valine at position 87, histidine at position 88, threonine at position 95, threonine at position 98 and proline at position 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position;

(c) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 95, wherein the L-threonine at position 95 is altered to another amino acid and one to three L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine at position 86, valine at position 87, histidine at position 88, threonine at position 98 and proline at position 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position;

(d) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid, such that upon administration of the peptide analog in vivo proteolysis is reduced;

(e) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 95, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid, such that upon administration of the peptide analog in vivo proteolysis is reduced;

(f) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 97, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid, such that upon administration of the peptide analog in vivo proteolysis is reduced;

(g) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid;

(h) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 95, wherein the L-threonine at position 95 is altered to another amino acid; and

(i) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 97, wherein the L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid;

wherein the peptide analog is administered in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier/adjuvant or diluent.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein L-lysine at position 91 is altered to a non-conservative amino acid.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to D-lysine.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to an amino acid selected from the group consisting of arginine, asparagine, histidine, leucine, serine, glycine, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, alanine and D-lysine.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to alanine and residue 87 is altered to D-valine.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to alanine and residue 88 is altered to D-histidine.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to alanine and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to alanine, residue 87 is altered to D-valine, and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is altered to alanine, residue 88 is altered to D-histidine, and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid, and wherein residue 88 is altered to an amino acid selected from the group consisting of serine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, leucine, D-histidine, glutamine, phenylalanine and lysine.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the L-arginine at position 97 is altered to a non-conservative amino acid.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to D-arginine.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to an amino acid selected from the group of D-alanine, D-arginine, glycine, lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid, threonine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine and alanine.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to alanine and residue 87 is altered to D-valine.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to alanine and residue 88 is altered to D-histidine.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to alanine and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to alanine, residue 87 is altered to D-histidine and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is altered to alanine, residue 88 is altered to D-histidine and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid, and wherein residue 88 is altered to an amino acid selected from the group consisting of serine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, leucine, D-histidine, glutamine, phenylalanine and lysine.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the L-threonine at position 95 is altered to a non-conservative amino.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to D-threonine.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to an amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, D-threonine, glycine, isoleucine, tyrosine, glutamine, serine, lysine, glutamic acid and histidine.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to alanine and residue 87 is altered to D-valine.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to alanine and residue 88 is altered to D-histidine.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to alanine and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to alanine, residue 87 is altered to D-valine, and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is altered to alanine, residue 88 is altered to D-histidine, and residue 99 is altered to D-proline.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein the N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acids are D-amino acids.

29. A method according to claim 1, wherein the peptide analog comprises seven to seventeen amino acids.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the peptide further comprises one to three additional altered residues selected from residues 83-90, 92-96, 98 and 99 to another amino acid.

31. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is alanine, residue 88 is D-histidine and residue 99 is D-proline.

32. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is alanine, residue 87 is D-valine and residue 99 is D-proline.

33. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is alanine and residue 88 is D-histidine.

34. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is alanine and residue 87 is D-valine.

35. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 91 is alanine and residue 99 is D-proline.

36. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is alanine, residue 87 is D-valine, and residue 99 is D-proline.

37. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is alanine, residue 88 is D-histidine and residue 99 is D-proline.

38. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is alanine and residue 88 is D-histidine.

39. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is alanine and residue 99 is D-proline.

40. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 95 is alanine and residue 87 is D-histidine.

41. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is alanine, residue 87 is D-valine, and residue 99 is D-proline.

42. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is alanine, residue 88 is D-histidine and residue 99 is D-proline.

43. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is alanine and residue 87 is D-valine.

44. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is alanine and residue 88 is D-histidine.

45. A method according to claim 1, wherein residue 97 is alanine and residue 99 is D-proline.

46. A method for inducing a Th2 immune response to myelin basic protein or a peptide analog thereof in a patient, comprising:

administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog, wherein the peptide analog comprises at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid, and two to four additional L-amino acids selected from residues 83 to 90 and 92 to 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position,

wherein the peptide analog is administered in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein L-lysine at position 91 is altered to alanine.

48. A method according to claim 46, wherein the phenylalanine at position 89 is substituted with another amino acid.

49. A method according to claim 46, wherein the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid.

50. A method according to claim 46, wherein the N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acids are altered to a D-amino acid.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein the N-terminal amino acid is residue 83 of human myelin basic protein.

52. A method according to claim 46, wherein at least one of the additional L-amino acids selected from residues 83 to 90 and 92 to 99 is substituted with a charged amino acid.

53. A method according to claim 46, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-leucine, and L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine.

54. A method according to claim 46, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-alanine and L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine.

55. A method according to claim 46, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-alanine, and L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine.

56. A method according to claim 46, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-alanine, L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine, and L-threonine and position 98 is altered to D-alanine.

57. A method according to claim 46, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-leucine, L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine, and L-threonine at position 98 is altered to D-alanine.

58. A method according to claim 46, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 and the L-phenylalanine at position 89 are altered to other amino acids.

59. A method according to claim 1 or claim 47, wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises an adjuvant.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein the adjuvant is alum.

61. A method for inducing a Th2 immune response to myelin basic protein or a peptide analog thereof in a patient, comprising:

administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog comprising the sequence D-Ala-Lys-Pro-Val-Val-His-Leu-Phe-Ala-Asn-Ile-Val-Thr-Pro-Arg-Thr-Pro (SEQ ID NO: 7).

62. A method for inducing a persistent systemic immune response to myelin basic protein or a peptide analog thereof in a patient, comprising:

administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide analog selected from the group consisting of

(a) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid, and one to three L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine at position 86, valine at position 87, histidine at position 88, threonine at position 95, threonine at position 98 and proline at position 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position;

(b) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 97, wherein the L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid and one to three L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine at position 86, valine at position 87, histidine at position 88, threonine at position 95, threonine at position 98 and proline at position 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position;

(c) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 95, wherein the L-threonine at position 95 is altered to another amino acid and one to three L-amino acids selected from the group consisting of valine at position 86, valine at position 87, histidine at position 88, threonine at position 98 and proline at position 99 are altered to an amino acid other than the amino acid present in the native protein at that position;

(d) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid, such that upon administration of the peptide analog in vivo proteolysis is reduced;

(e) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 95, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid, such that upon administration of the peptide analog in vivo proteolysis is reduced;

(f) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 97, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid and the N-terminal amino acid and/or the C-terminal amino acid are altered to another amino acid, such that upon administration of the peptide analog in vivo proteolysis is reduced;

(g) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 91, wherein the L-lysine at position 91 is altered to another amino acid;

(h) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 95, wherein the L-threonine at position 95 is altered to another amino acid; and

(i) peptide analogs comprising at least seven amino acids selected from residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, including residue 97, wherein the L-arginine at position 97 is altered to another amino acid;

wherein the peptide analog is administered in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent.

63. A method according to claim 62, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-leucine, and L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine.

64. A method according to claim 62, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-alanine and L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine.

65. A method according to claim 62, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-alanine, and L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine.

66. A method according to claim 62, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-alanine, L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine, and L-threonine and position 98 is altered to D-alanine.

67. A method according to claim 62, wherein the peptide analog comprises residues 83 to 99 of human myelin basic protein, wherein the L-glutamic acid at position 83 is altered to D-alanine, L-asparagine at position 84 is altered to L-lysine, L-phenylalanine at position 89 is altered to L-leucine, L-lysine at position 91 is altered to L-alanine, and L-threonine at position 98 is altered to D-alanine.