U.S. patent application number 12/907493 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for peptide conjugate compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of alzheimer's disease.
Invention is credited to VICTOR M. GARSKY, JOSEPH G. JOYCE, PAUL M. KELLER, GENE KINNEY, XIAOPING LIANG, JOHN W. SHIVER.
Application Number | 20110052611 12/907493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37019042 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110052611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GARSKY; VICTOR M. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2011 |
PEPTIDE CONJUGATE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE PREVENTION AND
TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Abstract
The invention provides compositions and methods for the
treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of A.beta.
in the brain of a patient, such as Alzheimer's disease. Such
methods entail administering an immunogenic fragment of A.beta.,
lacking a T-cell epitope, capable of inducing a beneficial immune
response in the form of antibodies to A.beta.. In another aspect,
the immunogenic fragment of A.beta. is capable of elevating plasma
A.beta. levels. The immunogenic fragments comprise linear or
multivalent peptides of A.beta.. Pharmaceutical compositions
comprise the immunogenic fragment chemically linked to a carrier
molecule which may be administered with an adjuvant.
Inventors: |
GARSKY; VICTOR M.; (BLUE
BELL, PA) ; JOYCE; JOSEPH G.; (LANSDALE, PA) ;
KELLER; PAUL M.; (LANSDALE, PA) ; KINNEY; GENE;
(BURLINGAME, CA) ; LIANG; XIAOPING; (COLLEGEVILLE,
PA) ; SHIVER; JOHN W.; (DOYLESTOWN, PA) |
Family ID: |
37019042 |
Appl. No.: |
12/907493 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11919897 |
Nov 5, 2007 |
7850973 |
|
|
PCT/US2006/016481 |
May 1, 2006 |
|
|
|
12907493 |
|
|
|
|
60677886 |
May 5, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/178.1 ;
424/185.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 25/00 20180101;
A61K 2039/64 20130101; A61P 31/12 20180101; A61K 39/0007 20130101;
A61K 2039/6087 20130101; A61K 2039/6068 20130101; A61P 43/00
20180101; A61K 2039/6093 20130101; A61P 25/28 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/178.1 ;
424/185.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/00 20060101
A61K039/00; A61K 39/395 20060101 A61K039/395; A61P 25/28 20060101
A61P025/28; A61P 25/00 20060101 A61P025/00 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A method for preventing or treating a disease associated with
amyloid deposits of A.beta. in the brain of a patient comprising
administering an effective dose of a composition comprising a
multivalent branched multiple antigen peptide (MAP) linked to a
carrier to form a conjugate, wherein the MAP comprises two or more
non-identical immunogenic linear 8 amino acid peptide fragments
(8-mers) of A.beta., each fragment lacking a T-cell epitope, and
wherein one of said 8-mers is A.beta. 21-28 (AEDVGSNK) (SEQ ID NO:
22).
20. The method of claim 19 wherein one of the immunogenic fragments
of A.beta. is selected from the group consisting of an 8-mer
corresponding to amino acid regions A.beta. 1-8, A.beta. 2-9,
A.beta. 3-10, A.beta. 7-14, A.beta. 17-24, A.beta. 21-28, and
A.beta. 33-40.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the MAP is selected from the
group consisting of amino acid regions a) A.beta. 1-8 and A.beta.
21-28, b) A.beta. 3-10 and A.beta. 21-28, c) A.beta. 7-14 and
A.beta. 21-28 and A.beta. 3-10, and d) A.beta. 7-14 and A.beta.
33-40 and A.beta. 21-28 and A.beta. 3-10, wherein each of the
8-mers are linked together.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the MAP comprises the 8-mers
A.beta. 3-10 and A.beta. 21-28 linked together on a lysine-based
scaffold.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein the carrier is selected from the
group consisting of serum albumin, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH),
an immunoglobulin, a tetanus toxoid protein, a bacterial toxoid
protein, and an attenuated toxin derivative.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the carrier is the outer
membrane protein complex of Neisseria meningitidis (OMPC).
25. A method for preventing or treating a disease associated with
amyloid deposits of A.beta. in the brain of a patient, comprising
administering an effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition,
comprising the MAP of claim 19, and a pharmaceutically acceptable
adjuvant.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable
adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of an aluminum salt,
alum, a lipid, and a saponin-based adjuvant.
27. A method for preventing or treating a disease associated with
amyloid deposits of A.beta. in the brain of a patient comprising
administering an effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition
comprising a MAP linked to a carrier to form a conjugate, wherein
the MAP comprises the 8-mers A.beta. 3-10 and A.beta. 21-28 linked
together on a lysine-based scaffold and the carrier is OMPC, and a
saponin-based adjuvant.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to composition and methods for
the prevention and treatment of amyloidogenic diseases and, in
particular, Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive
memory impairment and cognitive decline. Its hallmark pathological
lesions are amyloid deposits (senile plaques), neurofibrillary
tangles and neuronal loss in specific brain regions. The amyloid
deposits are composed of amyloid beta peptides (A.beta.) of 40 to
43 amino acid residues, which are the proteolytic products of the
amyloid precursor protein (APP). Neurofibrillary tangles are the
intracellular filamentous aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau
proteins (Selkoe, Science, 275: 630-631, 1997).
[0003] The pathogenesis of AD has not been fully understood, but it
is expected to be a multi-factored event. Accumulation and
aggregation of A.beta. in brain tissue is believed to play a
pivotal role in the disease process, also know as the amyloid
cascade hypothesis (Golde, Brain Pathol., 15: 84-87, 1995).
According to this hypothesis, A.beta., particularly A.beta..sub.42,
is prone to form various forms of aggregates, ranging from small
oligomers to large, elongated profibrile structures. These
aggregates are neurotoxic and are responsible for the synaptic
pathology associated with the memory loss and cognition decline in
the early stage of the disease (Klein et al., Neurobiol. Aging, 25:
569-580, 2004). A recent publication suggests that reduction of
A.beta. in a triple transgenic mouse model also prevents
intracellular tau deposition (Oddo et al., Proc. Neuron,
43:321-332, 2004). This finding suggests that the extracellular
amyloid deposition may be causative for subsequent neurofibrillary
tangle formation, which may in turn lead to neuronal loss.
[0004] Immunization of APP transgenic mice with A.beta. antigen can
reduce the brain A.beta. deposits and mitigate disease progression.
This was first reported by Shenk et al., Nature, 400: 173-177,
1999, and has now been corroborated by a large number of studies
involving different transgenic animal models, various active
vaccines as well as passive imrannization with A.beta. specific
monoclonal antibodies (Bard et al., Nature Med, 6: 916-919, 2000;
Janus et al., Nature 408: 979-982, 2000; Morgan et al., Nature,
408: 982-985, 2000; DeMattos et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 98:
8850-8855, 2001; Bacskai et al., J. Neurosci., 22: 7873-7878, 2002;
Wilcock et al., J. Neurosci, 23: 3745-3751, 2003). Consistent with
these animal data, three published evaluations of postmortem human
brain tissues from patients who had previously received active
immunization with a pre-aggregated A.beta. (1-42) immunogen
(AN1792, Betabloc) showed regional clearance of senile plaques
(Nicoll et al., Nature Med., 9: 448-452, 2003; Ferrer et al., Brain
Pathol., 14: 11-20, 2004; Masliah et al., Neurology, 64: 129-131,
2005). This data collectively indicates that vaccines that
effectively elicit antibody responses to A.beta. antigens are
efficacious against the pathological senile plaques found in AD.
However, the mechanism of vaccine or antibody efficacy remains to
be defined.
[0005] The most advanced immunotherapy-based AD program in the
public domain had been an active immunization Phase II vaccine
trial using AN1792 (Betabloc), a vaccine composed of pre-aggregated
A.beta. (1-42) co-administered with the adjuvant, QS-21.TM.
(Antigenics, New York, N.Y.). In January 2002, this study was
terminated when four patients showed symptoms consistent with
meningoencephalitis (Senior, Lancet Neurol., 1: 3, 2002).
Ultimately, 18 of 298 treated patients developed signs of
menigoencephalitis (Orgogozo et al., Neurology, 61: 46-54, 2003).
There was no correlation between encephalitis and antibody titer
and it has been reported that the likely causative mechanism for
this effect was activation of T-cells to the self-immunogen,
particularly the mid- and carboxy-terminal portion of the
A.beta..sub.42 peptide (Monsonego et al., J. Clin. Invest., 112:
415-422, 2003). In support of this conclusion, postmortem
examination of brain tissues from two vaccine recipients that
developed encephalitis revealed substantial meningeal infiltration
of CD4.sup.+ T cells in one patient (Nicoll et al., Nature Med., 9:
448-452, 2003) and CD4.sup.+, CD8.sup.+, CD3.sup.+, CD5.sup.+,
CD7.sup.+ T cells in the other (Ferrer et al., Brain Pathol., 14:
11-20, 2004).
[0006] Current evidence suggests that increases in plasma A.beta.
levels following passive or active immunization reflect the
initiation of a peripheral sink as a precursor to subsequent
decreases in brain A.beta.. The peripheral sink refers to a change
in the equilibrium of brain and plasma A.beta. stores resulting in
a net efflux of central A.beta. to the periphery (see, for example,
Deane et al., J. Neurosci., 25: 11495-11503, 2005; DeMattos et al.,
Pro. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 98: 8931-8932, 2001). Other studies
suggest that this increase in plasma A.beta. observed following
anti-A.beta. immunotherapy is necessary for subsequent decreases in
central A.beta. to be realized (Cribbs et al., 7th International
Conference on AD/PD, Sorrento, Italy, 2005). Thus, when two amino
acids within A.beta. are substituted (for example, such as occurs
with the Dutch and Iowa mutations) the peptide is no longer able to
cross from central to peripheral compartments (Davis et al.,
Neurobiol. Aging, in press, available on line 18 Aug. 2005). When
mice expressing this mutant form of A.beta. and the Swedish
mutation were immunized, no elevations in plasma A.beta. were found
and no subsequent lowering of brain A.beta. was noted. By contrast,
mice expressing the wild-type human A.beta. sequence plus the
Swedish mutation responded to active immunization with both
increases in plasma A.beta. and subsequent decreases in central
A.beta. (Cribbs et al., 7th International Conference on AD/PD,
Sorrento, Italy, 2005). Accordingly, it is expected that any active
vaccine immunogen capable of generating an immune response that
results in the elevation of plasma A.beta. levels will be useful
for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
characterized by elevated brain A.beta. levels.
[0007] Applicants herein have surprisingly found that an antigen
which eliminated T-cell epitopes, to avoid a self T-cell response,
is immunogenic and elevates plasma A.beta. levels. This represents
a potential means to produce a safe and effective AD vaccine.
Applicants herein provide such an antigen and a formulation for use
as an AD vaccine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one embodiment, the invention provides a pharmaceutical
composition comprising an immunogenic fragment of A.beta., lacking
a T-cell epitope, capable of inducing an immune response in the
form of antibodies to A.beta.. In one aspect, this composition
comprises linear 8 amino acid peptides (8-mers) of A.beta.. In
still another aspect, this composition comprises multivalent linear
8-naers interspersed with at least one spacer or a multivalent
branched multiple antigenic peptide (MAP). The pharmaceutical
composition can be used as a vaccine for AD and related amyloid
diseases.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical
composition is an A.beta. plasma elevating agent comprising an
immunogenic fragment of A.beta., lacking a T-cell epitope, capable
of inducing an immune response in the form of antibodies to A.beta.
that elevate plasma A.beta. levels. The pharmaceutical composition
can be used as a vaccine for AD and related amyloid diseases
characterized by elevated brain A.beta. levels.
[0010] In still another embodiment of the invention, the
pharmaceutical composition is linked to a carrier molecule to form
a conjugate, wherein the carrier helps to elicit an immune response
comprising antibodies to the A.beta. fragment. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the carrier is the outer membrane
protein complex of Neisseria meningitides (OMPC).
[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical
composition is administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable
adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment the adjuvant is an aluminum
adjuvant (Merck alum adjuvant, MAA) or a saponin-based adjuvant
(ISCOMATRIX.RTM., CSL Ltd., Parkville, Australia).
[0012] In still another embodiment, the invention provides methods
for preventing or treating a disease associated with amyloid
deposits of A.beta. in the brain of a patient. Such diseases
include Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, cognitive impairment
or other forms of senile dementia. The method comprises
administering an immunogenic fragment of A.beta., lacking a T-cell
epitope, selected from the group consisting of linear 8 amino acid
peptides (8-mers), a multivalent linear peptides interspersed with
at least one spacer and a multivalent branched multiple antigenic
peptide (MAP). In a preferred embodiment the immunogenic fragment
comprises a multivalent linear peptide with a polyethylene glycol
(PEG) spacer. In a more preferred embodiment the immunogenic
fragment comprises a multivalent branched MAP, A.beta.
(3-10)/(21-28) conjugate, Construct No. 12, FIG. 6A, conjugated to
OMPC.
[0013] Such methods entail the administration of an effective dose
of an immunogenic fragment of A.beta., lacking a T-cell epitope, to
patients in need of such treatment that will induce an immune
response in the form of antibodies to A.beta.. Said antibody
response is capable of elevating plasma A.beta. levels. In another
aspect of this embodiment, the immunogenic fragment to be
administered is linked to a carrier molecule. In yet another aspect
of this embodiment, the immunogenic fragment is administered with
an adjuvant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 represents synthetic 8-amino acid peptides (8-mers)
(SEQ ID NOS: 2-36) derived from A.beta. (1-42) (SEQ ID NO: 1) from
which peptides were selected to conduct a linear peptide scan to
identify the epitopes of A.beta..
[0015] FIG. 2 represents the 8-mers selected for conjugation to KLH
(FIG. 2A) and OMPC (FIG. 2B).
[0016] FIG. 3 represents the immunogenicity of selected A.beta.
conjugates, described in FIG. 2, after the first (PD1), second
(PD2) and third dose (PD3).
[0017] FIG. 4 represents the cross-reactivity of sera extracted
from a guinea pig previously immunized with an A.beta. (3-10)-KLH
conjugate (SEQ ID NO: 40) on human AD brain tissue. FIG. 4A shows
immunoreactivity of the anti-A.beta. monoclonal antibody 6F3D
(which recognizes amino acids 8-17 of A.beta.). The staining
pattern reveals extensive amyloid pathology in this human brain.
FIG. 4B demonstrates a lack of immunoreactivity of this same brain
to the pre-immune sera from the immunized guinea pig prior to
immunization FIG. 4C shows the immunoreactivity of the sera from an
immunized guinea pig following immunization
[0018] FIG. 5 shows representative multivalent linear 8-mer
peptides, which were selected based on the immunogenicity of the
separate 8-mers in guinea pig studies (Example 3). These conjugates
were synthesized as described and conjugated to OMPC (Example 1.J
and 1.K).
[0019] FIG. 6 shows representative multivalent branched MAP
conjugates, which were selected based on the immunogenicity of the
separate 8-mers in guinea pig studies (Example 3). FIG. 6A shows
representative divalent MAPs and FIG. 6B shows representative
bromoacetyl-cysteine MAPs. These conjugates were synthesized as
described and conjugated to OMPC (Example 2).
[0020] FIG. 7 represents the anti-A.beta..sub.40 titer from sera
collected from rhesus monkeys following 1 (PD1) or 2 (PD2)
injections with an A.beta. (1-18) peptide conjugated to OMPC
formulated in Merck alum alone or Merck alum plus IMX
(ISCOMATRIX.RTM., CSL, Ltd., Parkville, Australia) as an
adjuvant.
[0021] FIG. 8 represents the increase in plasma A.beta. levels
following administration of a A.beta. conjugate. FIG. 8A shows a
greater than three-fold elevation following administration of a MAP
construct comprising A.beta. (3-10)/(21-28) (Construct No. 12, FIG.
6A) conjugated to OMPC versus the monomeric constructs, A13 (3-10)
(SEQ ID NO: 69) and A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73) (.quadrature.,
Construct No. 12, FIG. 6A; , A.beta. (3-10) (SEQ ID NO 69),
.tangle-solidup., A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73). FIG. 8B shows
that plasma A.beta. levels are independent of titer levels
(.quadrature., Construct No. 12, FIG. 6A; , A.beta. (3-10) (SEQ ID
NO 69), .tangle-solidup., A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73).
DEFINITIONS
[0022] The term "8-mer" refers to an eight amino acid peptide which
corresponds to a fragment of A.beta., an analog of a natural
A.beta. peptide or a peptide mimetic. One or more 8-mers may be
combined with at least one spacer to form a multivalent linear
peptide or to form a multivalent branched MAP.
[0023] The term "A.beta. conjugate" means an 8-mer or immunogenic
fragment of A.beta. that is chemically or biologically linked to a
carrier, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin or the outer membrane
protein complex of Nesseria meningitidies (OMPC).
[0024] The term "A.beta. peptide" means any of the A.beta. peptides
described herein, including, but not limited to, linear 8-mers,
multivalent linear peptides with at least one spacer and
multivalent branched multiple antigenic peptides (MAPS).
[0025] The term "epitope" refers to a site on an antigen to which B
and/or T cells respond. B-cell epitopes can be formed both from
contiguous amino acids or noncontiguous amino acids juxtaposed by
tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formed from contiguous
amino acids are typically retained on exposure to denaturing
solvents whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding are typically
lost on treatment with denaturing solvents. T-cell epitopes consist
of peptides which are capable of forming complexes with host MHC
molecules. T-cell epitopes for a human MHC class I molecules, which
are responsible for induction of CD8.sup.+ T-cell responses,
generally comprise 9 to 11 amino acid residues, while epitopes for
human MHC class II molecules, which are responsible for CD4.sup.+
T-cell responses, typically comprise 12 or more amino acid residues
(Bjorkman et al. Nature 329:506-512, 1987; Madden et al. Cell
75:693-708; Batalia and Collins; Engelhard Annu Rev Immunol., 12:
181-207-622. 1995; Madden, Annu Rev Imraunol, 13:587-622. 1995).
Unlike T cells, B cells are capable of recognizing peptides as
small as 4 amino acids in length. It is the T-cell epitope/MHC
complexes that are recognized by T-cell receptors leading to T cell
activation.
[0026] The term "immunogenic fragment of A.beta." or "immunogenic
fragment of A.beta., lacking a T-cell response," as used herein
refers to an 8-mer or an A.beta. fragment that is capable of
inducing an immune response in the form of antibodies to A.beta.,
but which response does not include a T-cell response to the self
antigen, A.beta..
[0027] The term "immunological" or "immune" or "immunogenic"
response refers to the development of a humoral (antibody mediated)
and/or a cellular (mediated by antigen-specific T cells or their
secretion products) response directed against an antigen in a
vertebrate individual. Such a response can be an active response
induced by administration of an immunogen or a passive response
induced by administration of an antibody.
[0028] The term "multivalent peptide" refers to peptides having
more than one antigenic determinant.
[0029] The term "pharmaceutical composition" means a chemical or
biological composition suitable for administration to a mammalian
individual. As used herein, it refers to a composition comprising
8-mers, immunogenic fragments of A.beta. and A.beta. conjugates
described herein to be administered optionally with or without an
adjuvant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] As previously described, preclinical studies suggest that
active immunization resulting in an anti-A.beta. polyclonal
antibody response provides efficacy against the pathological and
cognitive symptoms associated with AD in transgenic mice that
overexpress the amyloid precursor protein (Bard et al., Nature
Med., 6: 916-919, 2000; Janus et al., Nature, 408: 979-982, 2000;
Morgan et al., Nature, 408: 982-985, 2000; DeMattos et al., Proc.
Natl. Acad. Sci., 98: 8850-8855, 2001; Bacskai et al., J.
Neurosci., 22: 7873-7878, 2002; Wilcoc, et al., J. Neurosci., 23:
3745-3751, 2003). These preclinical studies are supported by a
single clinical trial where an aggregate form of A.beta..sub.42 was
used as an active immunogen. Preliminary evidence from this study
suggests that pathological (Nicoll et al., Nature Med., 9: 448-452,
2003; Ferrer et al., Brain Pathol., 14: 11-20, 2004; Masliah et
al., Neurology, 64:129-131, 2005) and cognitive improvements
(Gilman et al., Neurology, 64 (9): 1553-1562, 2005) were found
following treatment. While these findings are encouraging and
consistent with preclinical studies, the treatment proved unsafe
and was terminated following the appearance of meningoencephalitis
in approximately 6% of the treated patients (Orgogozo et al.,
Neurology, 61: 46-54, 2003). Thus, there exists a need for active
immunization procedures capable of an efficacious immune response
and devoid of adverse safety issues.
[0031] Progress in understanding the nature of the adverse events
in this preliminary clinical trial has been made. Several
investigators have now reported the presence of CD4.sup.+ and
CD8.sup.+ positive meningeal infiltrates on post-mortem evaluation
(Nicoll, et al., Nature Med., 9: 448-452, 2003; Ferrer et al.,
Brain Pathol., 14: 11-20, 2004) suggestive of a T-cell response
directed at the self-peptide A.beta..sub.42. However, while those
skilled in the art would recognize the need to avoid a
self-directed T-cell response while maintaining an appreciable
antibody response (B-cell mediated), the means to produce an agent
having this property is not known. This difficulty is compounded by
a lack of predictive animal models or other preclinical assays with
predictive validity for these activities.
[0032] To this end, Applicants herein used the differing nature of
T and B cell epitopes to design the peptides used for the
invention. The vaccine constructs were designed, by restricting the
linear peptide size to eight amino acids and, if necessary,
removing any potential C-terminal T-cell epitope anchor
residues.
[0033] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention was the
identification of A.beta. fragments that are immunogenic, but lack
a T-cell epitope, for use as an AD vaccine. Prior to the present
application, it was not definitively known which amino acid
fragments of the A.beta. peptide would produce an immunogenic
response that would also be deficient in a T-cell epitope. Those
skilled in the art would appreciate that previous teachings in the
field did not predict, for example, that an 8-mer would produce an
immunogenic response and did not distinguish the usefulness of
fragments from different regions of the A.beta. peptide. See, for
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,808,712 and 6,787,144.
[0034] An additional aspect of the invention herein includes the
identification of A.beta. plasma elevating agents comprising an
immunogenic fragment of A.beta., lacking a T-cell epitope, that
induce an immune response in the form of antibodies to A.beta. and
that elevate plasma A.beta. levels. Such agents can be used as an
AD vaccine and for related amyloid diseases characterized by
elevated brain A.beta. levels. Prior to Applicants' invention, it
was not known or predictable which immunogenic fragments of A.beta.
would result in elevated plasma A.beta. levels. Without wishing to
be bound by any theory, it is believed that the A.beta. plasma
elevating agents described herein act to induce an immune response
in the form of antibodies to A.beta. that, according to the
peripheral sink theory of A.beta. clearance, produce elevated
levels of plasma A.beta. that leads to subsequent decreases in
brain A.beta.. Moreover, while individual 8-mers or immunogenic
fragments of A.beta. may be capable of inducing an immune response
such that plasma A.beta. levels are elevated, Applicants found that
a multivalent branched MAP, A.beta. (3-10)/(21-28) (Construct No.
12, FIG. 6A), conjugated to OMPC, was particularly effective in
elevating plasma A.beta. levels relative to those of its
constituent monomeric constructs, A.beta. (3-10) (SEQ ID NO: 69) or
A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73).
Amyloid Diseases
[0035] The invention provides compositions and methods for
prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of disease characterized by
accumulation of amyloid deposits. Amyloid deposits comprise a
peptide aggregated to an insoluble mass. The nature of the peptide
varies in different disease but in most cases, the aggregate has a
.beta.-pleated sheet structure and stains with Congo Red dye.
Diseases characterized by amyloid deposits include Alzheimer's
disease (AD), both late and early onset. In both diseases, the
amyloid deposit comprises a peptide termed amyloid beta (A.beta.),
which accumulates in the brain of affected individuals. Thus, the
term "amyloid disease" also refers to disease characterized by
elevated brain A.beta. levels.
Therapeutic Agents
[0036] Therapeutic agents for use in the present invention induce
an immune response in the form of antibodies to A.beta.. Induction
of an immune response can be active as when an immunogen is
administered to induce antibodies or T cells reactive with A.beta.
in an individual or passive, as when an antibody is administered
that itself binds to A.beta. in the individual.
[0037] The therapeutic agent to be used in preventing or treating
amyloid diseases, such as AD, include peptide fragments of A.beta.,
which can be any of the naturally occurring forms (i.e. A.beta.39,
A.beta.40, A.beta.42, A.beta.42, or A.beta.43). These sequences are
known in the art, see, for example, Hardy et al., TINS 20: 155-158,
1997.
[0038] As used herein, the therapeutic agent is, in a preferred
embodiment, an immunogenic fragment, lacking a T-cell epitope,
capable of inducing an immune response in the form of antibodies to
A.beta.. The immunogenic fragment of A.beta. can be in the form of
an 8-mer, a multivalent linear A.beta. conjugate having at least
one PEG spacer or a multivalent branched MAP A.beta. conjugate. The
therapeutic agent can be administered in the form of a
pharmaceutical composition. In an another embodiment, the
therapeutic agent is an A.beta. plasma elevating agent capable of
inducing an immune response in the form of antibodies to A.beta.
and that elevate plasma A.beta. levels in an individual. Such
agents can comprise a naturally occurring peptide fragment or may
include one or more substitutions, additions or deletions, and may
include synthetic or non-naturally occurring amino acids. Fragments
and constructs can be screened for prophylactic and therapeutic
efficacy in the assays described in the examples herein.
[0039] While in a preferred embodiment the therapeutic agents
comprise a peptide fragment of A.beta., such agents may also
include peptides and other compounds that do not necessarily have a
significant amino acid sequence similarity with A.beta., but that
nevertheless can serve as mimetics of A.beta. and induce a similar
immune response. For example, peptides and proteins forming
.beta.-pleated sheets can be screened for suitability for the
invention herein. Similarly, combinatorial libraries and other
compounds can be screened for suitability for the invention
herein.
[0040] Such identified therapeutic agents can be linked either
chemically or biologically to a carrier to facilitate their use as
an immunogen. Such carriers include serum albumins, keyhole limpet
hemocyanin (KLH), immunoglobulin molecules, ovalbumin, tetanus
toxoid protein, or a toxoid from other pathogenic bacteria, such as
diphtheria, E. coli, cholera, or H. pylori, or an attenuated toxin
derivative. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier
is the outer membrane protein complex of Neisseria meningitides
(OMPC).
[0041] The invention herein also contemplates the use of such
therapeutic agents in a pharmaceutical composition comprising an
8-mer or immunogenic fragment of A.beta., which may be linked to a
carrier, to be administered optionally with an adjuvant. Suitable
adjuvants include aluminum salts (alum), a lipid, such as 3
De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) or a saponin-based
adjuvant. In a preferred embodiment the adjuvant is an aluminum
adjuvant (Merck alum adjuvant, MAA) or a saponin-based adjuvant
(ISCOMATRIX.RTM., CSL Ltd, Parkville, Australia.
Treatment Regimes
[0042] Effective doses of the compositions of the invention herein
for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of AD and other
amyloid diseases will vary depending upon many factors including,
but not limited to, means of administration, target site,
physiological state of the patient, other medications administered
and whether treatment is a therapeutic, i.e. after on-set of
disease symptoms, or prophylactic, i.e. to prevent the on-set of
disease symptoms. In a preferred embodiment the patient is human
and the therapeutic agent is to be administered by injection.
[0043] The amount of immunogen or therapeutic agent to be employed
will also depend on whether an adjuvant is to be administered
either concomitantly or sequentially, with higher doses being
employed in the absence of an adjuvant.
[0044] The amount of an immunogen or therapeutic agent to be
administered will vary, but amounts ranging from 0.5-50 .mu.g of
peptide (based on the A.beta. peptide content) per injection are
considered for human use. Those skilled in the art would know how
to formulate compositions comprising antigens of the type described
herein.
[0045] The administration regimen would consist of a primary
immunization followed by booster injections at set intervals. The
intervals between the primary immunization and the booster
immunization, the intervals between the booster injections, and the
number of booster immunizations will depend on the antibody titers
and duration elicited by the vaccine. It will also depend on the
functional efficacy of the antibody responses, namely, levels of
antibody titers required to prevent AD development or exerting
therapeutic effects in AD patients. A typical regimen will consist
of an initial set of injections at 1, 2 and 6 months. Another
regimen will consist of initial injections at 1 and 2 months. For
either regimen, booster injections will be given either every six
months or yearly, depending on the antibody titers and durations.
An administration regimen can also be on an as-needed basis as
determined by the monitoring of immune responses in the
patient.
Identification of AD Vaccine Epitopes.
[0046] In order to determine which 8-amino acid fragments
("8-mers") of the A.beta. peptide were sufficient to produce an
immunogenic response, Applicants systematically scanned the entire
length of A.beta..sub.42 with small (8 amino acids) overlapping
synthetic peptides derived from the naturally occurring A.beta.
sequence (SEQ ID NO. 1) as shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NOS: 2-37).
Twenty nine overlapping eight amino acid peptides, spanning the
entire length of A.beta..sub.42, were synthesized (FIG. 2A) for use
as antigens. To improve solubility, several of the peptides were
modified by the addition of triple lysine (KKK) (SEQ ID NOS: 52,
53, 54, 56, 59, 60, 62, 64 and 65) or glutamine (EEE) (SEQ ID NOS:
50, 51 and 61) residues or the use of a polyethelyene glycol (PEG)
(SEQ ID NOS: 55 and 63) spacer: For this reason, peptides spanning
the sequences of A.beta. corresponding to residues (11-18) and
(13-20) were made in multiple forms, the first with a
6-aminohexanoic acid (Aha) spacer plus a functional group for
chemical cross-linking at N-terminus and the other form with Aha
and the functional group at C-terminus. As a control, Applicants
included a longer peptide, A.beta. (1-18).
[0047] As used herein, the immunogenic fragments may be 8-mer
peptides (eight amino acid residues) derived from the naturally
occurring, i.e. wild type, or synthetic A.beta. (SEQ ID NO:1) or
any mutation or variation thereof. Such mutation or variant can be
produced by synthetic or recombinant means known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. One example of such a variant is the EV
substrate (EVEFRHDSGYEVHFIQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVVIA) (SEQ ID NO:
66) a peptide corresponding to A.beta. (1-42) in which positions 1
and 2 of wild type A.beta. have been varied. A.beta. conjugates for
use in vaccine formulation
[0048] Selection of A.beta. conjugates for use in formulating a
vaccine was based on the immunogenicity of the 8-mers. In order to
determine the immunogenicity of the 8-mer in a species with a
sequence identical to the human A.beta. sequence, the 29 peptides
(FIG. 2A) were conjugated to KLH to form an A.beta. conjugate and
tested in guinea pigs (FIG. 3). As a control immunogen, A.beta.
(1-18)-KLH (SEQ ID NO: 37) was included in this analysis.
[0049] Guinea pigs were immunized as described in Example 3.B with
conjugated immunogens formulated in alum plus 50 .mu.g of
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. (CSL, Ltd., Parkville, Australia). In order to
distinguish immunogenic from non-immunogenic A.beta..sub.42
fragments, guinea pigs were immunized three times at four week
intervals. Three weeks after each immunization, blood samples were
collected and tested by ELISA for antibody titers against
A.beta..sub.40 peptide. These titers are shown in FIG. 3 as
post-dose 1 (PD1), post-dose 2 (PD2) and post-dose 3 (PD3),
respectively.
[0050] Following the first injection (PD1) some peptide regions
elicited appreciable antibody titers as did the 18-mer control. In
particular, A.beta. conjugates corresponding to A.beta. amino acids
1-8,2-9, 3-10, 17-24, 21-28, and 33-40 all produced titers in
excess of 1:800. After the second injection (PD2), 15 of the
A.beta. conjugates elicited antibody titers in excess of 1:1000.
Analysis at post-dose 3 (PD3) further confirmed that certain
regions of A.beta. are more immunogenic relative to others. Eleven
regions demonstrated titers greater than 1:6000. These included
regions corresponding to A.beta. amino acids 1-8, 3-10, 7-14,
11-18, 13-20, 15-22, 19-26, 21-28, 23-30, 27-34 and 29-36. Of these
regions, five regions were highly immunogenic (>1:10000)
including: regions 1-8, 15-22, 21-28, 23-30 and 29-36. This data
suggests that certain 8-amino acid regions of A.beta. are highly
immunogenic, while other regions (e.g., 5-12, 25-32, 31-38 and
35-42) are non-immunogenic (titers <1:300). The results also
demonstrate that while the A.beta. conjugates were capable of
eliciting an A.beta..sub.40 peptide-specific antibody response, not
all fragments of A.beta. were equally immunogenic.
Immunoreactivity of A.beta. Peptide-KLH Conjugates
[0051] In order to demonstrate that the immune sera generated from
the guinea pigs following immunization with the A.beta. peptide-KLH
conjugates is relevant to human AD, a study was performed to
evaluate the immunoreactivity of polyclonal sera from a guinea pig
immunized with an A.beta. (3-10)-KLH (SEQ ID NO: 40) conjugate. The
serum sample collected four weeks following the second injection of
A.beta.0 (3-10)-KLH (SEQ ID NO: 40) conjugate from a guinea pig was
tested for reactivity with human AD brain tissues by
immunohistochemistry (Example 4).
[0052] As depicted in FIG. 4 the immunogenic response produced by
the A.beta. (3-10)-KLH (SEQ ID NO: 40) conjugate produced an
antibody response that was directed against human AD brain tissue.
FIG. 4A demonstrates immunoreactivity of the monoclonal
anti-A.beta. antibody 6F3D (Vector Laboratories). As shown, this
brain has extensive A.beta. deposits in a manner expected to be
typical for human AD. FIG. 4B demonstrates a lack of
immunoreactivity of sera from a pre-immunized guinea pig. FIG. 4C
shows positive immunoreactivity of sera from this same guinea pig
following two injections of the A.beta. (3-10)-KLH (SEQ ID NO: 40)
conjugate. Collectively, this data demonstrates that the
immunogenicity found by ELISA contains a significant antibody
response directed against human A.beta. found in this AD tissue.
These results confirm and extend the unexpected finding of the
differential immunogenicity imparted by particular fragments of
A.beta. to further demonstrate that this response is directed in a
manner consistent with a therapeutic application.
Generation of OMPC Conjugates and Multiple Antigenic Conjugates
[0053] On the basis of immunogenicity in guinea pigs, the relative
location of the peptide fragment within the A.beta..sub.42 amino
acid sequence, the solubility of the A.beta. fragments and the
feasibility of using OMPC as a carrier protein, Applicants selected
seven 8-mers (FIG. 2B) for OMPC conjugation. These peptide
fragments correspond to the following amino acid regions of
A.beta.: 1-8, 2-9, 3-10, 7-14, 17-24, 21-28 and 33-40.
[0054] The invention described herein includes multivalent peptide
conjugates such as those shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 613. Multivalent
branched MAP-OMPC conjugates (FIGS. 6A and 6B) were generated by
using a lysine-based scaffold, whereas multivalent linear
8-mer-OMPC conjugates (FIG. 5) were prepared using a PEG linker.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a PEG linker,
compared to conventional amino acid linkers that can also be used
herein, offers the advantage of lower immunogenicity and greater
peptide solubility. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
immunogenic fragment is a multivalent MAP conjugated to OMPC. It
should be understood by those skilled in the art that such a
conjugation is not a 1:1 ratio of peptide to carrier. Rather, a
plurality of peptides is attached in a spherical manner to each
OMPC molecule. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the use of multivalent linear constructs and MAPs will
enhance solubility, formulation stability, immunogenicity and the
diversity of the polyclonal response.
Immunogenicity of OMPC Conjugate Vaccines
[0055] In an effort to evaluate the immunogenicity of an A.beta.
peptide-OMPC conjugate and to further evaluate the benefit of an
adjuvant with this vaccine construct, Applicants initiated a study
in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys were vaccinated with an A.beta.
(1-18)-OMPC conjugate (dose based on the A.beta. peptide content),
which was formulated either in Merck alum adjuvant (MAA) or MAA and
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. (CSL, Ltd., Parkville, Australia). Blood samples
were collected and used to determine the antibody titers against
A.beta..sub.40. Interim analysis of this ongoing study demonstrated
that at post-dose 1 (PD1) the monkeys receiving 5 .mu.g vaccine in
alum failed to develop any detectable titers, while those receiving
30 .mu.g vaccine in alum developed low A.beta..sub.40 specific
titers. All monkeys that received the alum plus ISCOMATRIX.RTM.
formulation developed significant antibody titers. At post-dose 2
(PD2) both doses of the A.beta. conjugate in alum alone produced
similar titer levels, whereas the cohorts receiving the alum plus
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. developed 10-fold higher antibody titers relative
to the alum alone cohorts. The results of this study confirmed that
the A.beta.-OMPC conjugate is immunogenic in non-human primates.
The data further demonstrated that the efficacy of such a conjugate
vaccine is significantly enhanced by a saponin-based adjuvant such
as ISCOMATRIX.RTM..
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Preparation of A.beta. Conjugates
[0056] This example describes the preparation of A.beta. peptide
fragments subsequently used for the A.beta. conjugates to induce an
immune response in the form of antibodies to A.beta..
A. Preparation of A.beta. (8-mers) Peptides (SEQ ID NOS.: 37-65;
FIG. 2A)
[0057] The peptides intended for conjugation to maleimide
derivatized carrier proteins were synthesized with a cysteine
residue at the carboxy terminus. The spacer, Aha (6-aminohexanoic
acid) was incorporated between the primary peptide sequence and the
carboxy terminal cysteine as a structural element for minimizing
steric accessibility to carrier protein during conjugation.
Additionally, solubilizing residues represented by EFF, KKK or PEG
were introduced at the C-terminus in sequences 14,15,16
17,18,19,20,23,24,25,26,27,28,29. The PEG unit was introduced as,
O--(N--Fmoc-2-aminoethyl)-O'-(2-carboxyethyl)-undecaethyleneglycol
[Fmoc-NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.10CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OC-
H.sub.2CH.sub.2CO.sub.2H].
[0058] Starting with Rink Amide MBNA resin the A.beta. peptides
were prepared by solid-phase synthesis on an automated peptide
synthesizer using Fmoc chemistry protocols as supplied by the
manufacturer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Following
assembly the resin bound peptide was deprotected and cleaved from
the resin using a cocktail of 94.5% trifluoroacetic acid, 2.5%
1,2-ethanedithiol, 1% triisopropylsilane and 2.5% H.sub.2O.
Following a two hour treatment the reaction was filtered,
concentrated and the resulting oil triturated with ethyl ether. The
solid product was filtered, dissolved in 50% acetic acid/H.sub.2O
and freeze-dried. Purification of the semi-pure product was
achieved by RPHPLC using a 0.1% TFAJH.sub.2O/acetonitrile gradient
on a C-18 support. Fractions were evaluated by analytical HPLC.
Pure fractions (>98%) were pooled and freeze-dried. Identity was
confirmed by amino acid analysis and mass spectral analysis.
B. Preparation of A.beta. Peptide-KLH Conjugates (SEQ ID NOS.:
37-65; FIG. 2A)
[0059] For preparing the KLH conjugates, the A.beta. peptides
(8-mers), 2 mg, containing a C-terminal cysteine was suspended in 1
ml of commercial maleimide conjugation buffer (83 mM sodium
phosphate, 0.1 M EDTA, 0.9 M NaCl, 0.02% sodium azide, pH 7.2
(Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill.). A 2 mg sample of commercial
maleimide-activated KLH (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill.) was
added to the peptide and allowed to react at 25.degree. C. for four
hours. The conjugate was separated from unreacted peptide and
reagents by exhaustive dialysis versus PBS buffer using 100,000 Da
dialysis tubing. The amount of peptide incorporated into the
conjugate was estimated by amino acid analysis following a 70 hour
acid hydrolysis. Peptide concentrations were determined to be
between 0.24 and 0.03 mg/ml.
C. Synthesis of Bromoacetylated A.beta. Peptides (SEQ ID NOS.:
67-77; FIG. 2B)
[0060] Bromoacetylated peptides were prepared by standard t-Boc
solid-phase synthesis, using a double coupling protocol for the
introduction of amino acids on the Applied Biosystems model 430A
automated synthesizer. Starting with p-methylbenzhydrylanaine resin
the carboxy terminal amino acid t-Boc-Lys (Fmoc)-OH was introduced
followed by the subsequent amino acids in the sequence. Aha was
introduced as a spacer to all of these sequences and a PEG unit in
sequences 35 and 37 to aid in aqueous solubility. The PEG unit was
introduced as
O--(N-Boc-2-aminoethyl)-0'-(N-diglycolyl-2-aminoethyl)
hexaethyleneglycol
[Boc-NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.6CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NHCO-
CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CO.sub.2H]. The amino terminous was capped by the
coupling of acetic acid. After assembly of the primary sequence the
Fmoc protecting group on the epsilon amino group of the carboxy
terminal lysine was removed by treatment with piperidine.
Subsequently the N.sup..epsilon. amino group was reacted with
Bromoacetic anhydride in methylene chloride as the solvent for 30
minutes. Deprotection and removal of the peptide from the resin
support were achieved by treatment with liquid hydrofluoric acid
and 10% anisole as a scavenger. The peptides were purified by
preparative HPLC on reverse phase C-18 silica columns using a 0.1%
TFA/acetonitrile gradient. Identity and homogeneity of the peptides
were confirmed by analytical HPLC and mass spectral analysis.
D. Synthesis of Bromoacetylated Divalent MAP, Construct No. 8, FIG.
6A
[0061] The synthesis of bromoacetylated branched multiple antigenic
peptides (MAPs) is similar to that described in Example 1.C.
Following coupling of the carboxyterminal Fmoc-Lys(ivDde)-OH
[ivDde=1, (4,4-Dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-cyclohexylidene)-3-methyl-butyl]
to MBHA resin the .alpha.-amino Fmoc protecting group was removed
using piperidine and the synthesis continued with the introduction
of t-Boc-Lys(Fmoc)-OH. After deprotection of the t-Boc group the
sequence was extended with the following t-Boc protected amino
acids: Aha, Y, G, S, D, H, R, F, E and the amino terminous capped
by coupling acetic acid on the ABI synthesizer. The side chain
lysine Fmoc protecting group was removed with piperidine and the
N.sup..epsilon. arm of lysine extended on the ABI synthesizer with
the introduction of the following protected amino acids: Aha, H, H,
V, E, Y, G, S, D and the amino terminous capped by coupling acetic
acid. Removal of the ivDde protecting group was by treatment with
5% hydrazine in dimethylformamide for 5 minutes providing the
unblocked N.sup..epsilon. amino group on the carboxy terminal
lysine which was further elaborated with bromoacetic anhydride as
described in Example 1.C. Cleavage of the peptide from the resin,
its subsequent purification and characterization are as described
in Example 1.C.
E. Synthesis of Bromoacetylated MAPS, Construct Nos. 11 and 12,
FIG. 6A
[0062] MAP Constructs Nos. 11 and 12 were prepared as described in
Example 1.D.
F. Synthesis of Cysteine Multivalent MAP, Construct No. 9, FIG.
6A
[0063] Starting with MBHA resin the following t-Boc protected amino
acids were assembled on the ABI automated synthesizer C, Lys(Fmoc),
Alta, Y, G, S, D, H, R, F, E followed by coupling with acetic acid.
The N.sup..epsilon. amino Fmoc protecting group of lysine was
removed and the synthesis continued with the introduction of the
following t-Boc protected amino acids: Aha, H, H, V, E, Y, G, S, D
followed by coupling with acetic acid. The resin bound peptide was
isolated, purified and characterized as in Example 1.C. Note:
Instead of 10% anisole as in Example 1.C, a 1:1 mixture of
p-cresol: p-thiocresol was used as a scavenger during BF
cleavage.
G. Synthesis of Cysteine Divalent MAPs, Construct Nos. 10, 13 and
14, FIG. 6A
[0064] Divalent MAPs, Construct Nos. 10, 13 and 14, FIG. 6A, were
prepared as described in Example 6.F. The PEG unit was introduced
as O--(N-Boc-2-aminoethyl)-O'--(N-diglycolyl-2-aminoethyl)
hexaethyleneglycol
(t-Boc-NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2--O--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.6
CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NHCOCH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CO.sub.2H).
H. Synthesis of Bromoacetylated Multivalent MAP, Construct No. 16,
FIG. 6B
[0065] Using the ABI automated synthesizer Fmoc-Lys (t-Boc)-OH was
coupled to MBHA resin. Following removal of the t-Boc protecting
group on the N.sup..epsilon. amino group of lysine the sequence was
extended with the introduction of the following t-Boc protected
amino acids: Aha, Y, G, S, D, H, R, F, E, followed by coupling of
acetic acid. The N.alpha. Fmoc protecting group on lysine was
removed by manual treatment with piperidine. The sequence was
further elaborated (on ABI synthesizer) with the introduction of
Fmoc-Lys (t-Boc)-OH followed by the following t-,Boc protected
amino acids: Aha, H, H, V, E, Y, G, S, D and coupling of acetic
acid. The lysine Fmoc N.sup..alpha. amino protecting group was
removed as previously described and the synthesis continued with
the introduction of Fmoc-Lys(t-Boc)-OH followed by the t-Boc
protected amino acids: Aha, K, N, S, G, V, D, E, A and acetic acid
coupling. The N.sup..alpha. Fmoc protecting on lysine was removed
and the synthesis continued with the introduction
Fmoc-Lys(t-Boc)-OH followed by the following t-Boc protected amino
acids: Aha, V, V, G, G, V, M, L, G and acetic acid coupling.
Following removal of the N.alpha. Fmoc protecting group of lysine
the resin bound peptide was reacted with bromoacetic anhydride as
in Example 1.C. Isolation and characterization of the final product
was as in Example 1.C.
I. Synthesis of Multivalent MAPs, Construct Nos. 15 and 17, FIG.
6B
[0066] The synthesis of MAP A.beta. conjugates, Construct Nos. 15
and 17, FIG. 6B, are as described in Example 1.F and 1.H.
J. Synthesis of Bromoacetylated Multivalent Linear Peptide,
Construct No. 1, FIG. 5
[0067] Starting with MBHA resin the primary sequence was
synthesized using t-Boc chemistry on the ABI automated synthesizer
as described in Example 6.A. The interspaced PEG units were
manually introduced as the Fmoc-1-amino-4,7,10-trioxa
13-tridecanamine succinic acid
[Fmoc-NHCH.sub.2CH,CH.sub.2--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2O).sub.2
CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CO.sub.2H] using BOP
reagent as the coupling agent. Piperidine was used for deprotection
of the Fmoc group. Brornoacetylation of the amino terminus was as
described in Example 1.C. Isolation and characterization of the
desired product was as in Example 1.C.
K. Synthesis of Multivalent Linear A.beta. peptides, Construct Nos.
2, 5, 6 and 7, FIG. 5
[0068] The synthesis of multivalent linear A.beta. peptides,
Construct Nos. 2, 5, 6 and 7 are as described in Example 1.J.
Example 2
Chemical Conjugation of A.beta. Peptides to OMPC
[0069] This example presents the chemical conjugation of peptides
derived from human A.beta..sub.42 to purified Outer Membrane
Protein Complex (OMPC) of Neisseria meningitidis, type B. The
chemical nature of the coupling is reaction between
haloacetyl-derivatized peptide and thiol-derivatized protein of the
membrane complex. Amyloid peptides were synthesized as described
above with a bromoacetyl functionality on the N-terminus for
divalent linear epitope peptides or on the C-terminus or attached
through the epsilon amino group of a lysine residue for monovalent
linear and branched MAP forms. The BrAc group was separated from
the mature peptide by a spacer consisting of 6-aminohexanoic acid
(Aha). Refer to sequences described above. Conjugation will be
described for the representative peptide, A.beta. (3-10). All
manipulation of OMPC-containing solutions was performed in a
laminar flow environment following standard aseptic techniques.
A. Thiolation of OMPC
[0070] Purified, sterile OMPC, obtainable from a process such as
that described in Fu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,808 used for the
production of PedvaxHIB.RTM. and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines,
was thiolated on a portion of its surface-accessible lysine
residues using the reagent N-acetylhomocysteinethiolactone (NAHT,
Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.). OMPC in water, 117 mg, was pelleted by
centrifugation at 289,000.times.g for 60 minutes at 4.degree. C.
and the supernatant was discarded. N2-sparged activation buffer
(0.11 M sodium borate, pH 11) was added to the centrifuge tube and
the pellet was dislodged with a glass stir rod. The suspension was
transferred to a glass Dounce homogenizer and resuspended with 30
strokes. The centrifuge tube was washed and the wash dounced with
30 strokes. Re-suspended pellet and wash were combined in a clean
vessel to give a OMPC concentration of 10 mg/mL. Solid DTT and EDTA
were dissolved in N2-sparged activation buffer and charged to the
reaction vessel at a ratio of 0.106 mg DTT/mg OMPC and 0.57 mg
EDTA/mg OMPC. After gentle mixing, NAHT was dissolved in N2-sparged
water and charged to the reaction at the ratio of 0.89 mg NAHT/mg
OMPC. Reaction proceeded for three hours at ambient temperature,
protected from light in a N2 hood. At completion, OMPC was pelleted
as described above and re-suspended at 6 mg/mL by Dounce
homogenization in N2-sparged conjugation buffer (25 mM sodium
borate, pH 8.5, 0.15 M NaCl) to wash the pellet. For final
re-suspension, the OMPC was pelleted as above and re-suspended at
10 mg/mL by Dounce homogenization in N2-sparged conjugation buffer.
An aliquot was removed for free thiol determination by Ellman assay
and the bulk product was stored on ice in dark until use. Measured
thiol content was between 0.2 to 0.3 .mu.mol/mL.
B. Conjugation of A.beta. Peptide to OMPC
[0071] Functional BrAc content of peptide was assumed to be 1:1 on
a molar basis. Sufficient peptide was weighed to give a 1.6 molar
excess of BrAc over total thiol. The targeted total OMPC protein
for each conjugation was 15 mg. Peptides were re-suspended in
N2-sparged conjugation buffer at 2.6 mg/mL and slowly added to
thiolated OMPC solution. The reactions were protected from light
and incubated at ambient temperature for about 22 hours. Residual
free OMPC thiol groups were quenched with a 5-fold molar excess of
N-ethylmaleimide for 18 hours at ambient temperature. A thiolated
OMPC-only control was carried through the conjugation protocol in
parallel. Upon completion of quenching, conjugate and control were
transferred to 100,000 Da molecular weight cut-off dialysis units
and dialyzed exhaustively against at least five changes of
conjugation buffer. Upon completion of dialysis, samples were
transferred to 15 ml polypropylene centrifuge tubes and centrifuged
at 2,280.times.g for five minutes at 4.degree. C. to remove any
aggregated material. Aliquots were removed for analysis and the
bulk was stored at 4.degree. C.
C. Analysis of A.beta. Peptide-OMPC Conjugates
[0072] Total protein was determined by the modified Lowry assay and
samples of conjugate and control were analyzed by quantitative
amino acid analysis (AAA). Peptide to OMPC molar ratios were
determined from quantitation of the unique residue
S-carboxymethylhomocysteine which was released upon acid hydrolysis
of the nascent peptide-OMPC bond. The OMPC-specific concentration
was determined from hydrolysis-stable residues which were absent
from the peptide sequence and thus unique to OMPC protein. Assuming
1 mol of peptide for every mol SCMHC, the ratio of SCMHC/OMPC was
thus equivalent to the peptide/OMPC content. The mass loading of
peptide could be calculated from this ratio using the peptide
molecular weight and an average OMPC mass of 40,000,000 Da.
[0073] The covalent nature of the conjugation was qualitatively
confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis using 4-20% Tris-glycine gels
(Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) where an upward shift in mobility
was observed for the Coomassie-stained conjugate bands relative to
control.
[0074] The calculated molar loading ratios (mol peptide/mol OMPC)
for all conjugated BrAc peptides were:
TABLE-US-00001 Peptide/OMPC Peptide Peptide Mw (mol/mol) A.beta.
(3-10) - BrAc 1,412 2,793 Ab (7-14) - BrAc 1,344 2,283 Ab (21-28) -
BrAc 1,222 2,126 Ab (17-24) - BrAc 1,809 1,795 Ab (33-40) - BrAc
1,601 2,139 A-D-MAP-BrAc 2,498 2,173 A-B-MAP-BrAc 2,622 2,147
BrAc-linear-D-A 2,649 2,263 BrAc-linear-B-A 2,773 2,178 Ab (1-8) -
BrAc 1,378 2,759 F-D-MAP-BrAc 2,463 1,318 BrAc-linear-D-F 2,615
1,812 F-G-A-D-MAP-BrAc 5,111 636
Example 3
Immunogenicity of A.beta. Conjugates
[0075] This example describes the formulation and administration of
the A.beta. conjugates capable of inducing an immune response in
the form of antibodies to A.beta..
A. Formulation of Vaccine Conjugates
[0076] The A.beta. peptide-KLH conjugate vaccines were formulated
in ISCOMATRIX.RTM. (CSL Ltd., Parkville, Australia). All A.beta.
peptide-OMPC conjugate vaccines were formulated in alum, either
with or without a second adjuvant, such as the saponin-based
adjuvant, ISCOMATRIX.RTM. (CSL Ltd., Parkville, Australia). All the
sample manipulations were performed under sterile conditions.
[0077] For the alum formulations, conjugates are diluted one times
saline at a designated peptide concentration and mixed with two
times alum (Merck, Product No. 39943), which corresponds to 900
.mu.g/mL Merck alum prepared in sterile saline (150 mM sterile
sodium chloride solution). Thus, target concentration in the
vaccine is 450 .mu.g/mL Merck alum or one time Merck alum. Target
peptide (antigen) concentrations for animal studies were as
follows: for mice--12.1 .mu.g/mL, (Dose 0.1 mL); for monkeys--10
.mu.g/mL or 60 .mu.g/mL (Dose 0.5 mL) and for guinea pigs--12.5
.mu.g/mL (Dose 0.4 mL). The mix is incubated for two hours at room
temperature. To obtain the injection dose, the alum-absorbed
conjugates are diluted with one time alum to reach the target
peptide concentration. Where a second adjuvant is needed, i.e.
ISCOMATRIX.RTM., the target concentration was 10 .mu.g/ML for mice
studies, 0, 100 or 200 .mu.g/mL for monkey studies and 125 .mu.g/mL
for guinea pigs.
[0078] 1. ISCOMATRIX.RTM. Preparation
[0079] Using a cassette membrane (Slide-A-Lyzer Dialysis Cassett,
10K MWCO, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.), ISCOMATRIX.RTM. is dialyzed into
sterile spline solution at 2-8.degree. C. Sterile saline solution
is changed 2-3 times during dialysis. After completion of dialysis,
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. is filter sterilized using a syringe filter (0.22
.mu.M Millex-GV syringe filter, Millipore, Billerica, Mass.). The
concentration of sterile, dialyzed ISCOMATRIX.RTM. is determined by
RP-HPLC. ISCOMATRIX.RTM. is stored sterile at 2-8.degree. C. until
use.
[0080] 2. A.beta. peptide-OMPC Conjugate and Merck Alum
Preparation
[0081] A.beta. peptide-OMPC conjugate stocks are diluted into
sterile 1.times. saline solution. The diluted AD peptide-OMPC
conjugate stocks are then added to 2.times. Merck alum in 1.times.
sterile saline solution and mixed for one hour on a rotating wheel
at room temperature. The mixture is allowed to settle on the bench
top for 15 minutes at room temperature and is then centrifuged at
1500 rpm for ten minutes. The supernatant is decanted off gently
(UV analysis of supernatant is performed to determine % A.beta.
peptide-OMPC conjugate bound to alum) and the pellet is resuspended
in sterile 1.times. saline. The mixture is aliquoted into sterile 3
mL tubing glass vials and then stored at 2-8.degree. C. until final
formulation with ISCOMATRIX.RTM..
[0082] 3. Formulation of A.beta. Peptide-OMPC/Alum and
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. Vaccine
[0083] Prior to final formulation with ISCOMATRIX.RTM., the
particle size of the A.beta. peptide-OMPC/alum in saline is
determined by static light scattering to confirm binding and
monitor particle stability. The sterile, dialyzed ISCOMATRIX.RTM.
in 1.times. saline is added to A.beta. peptide-OMPC/alum in sterile
150 mM NaCl while vortexing. Vials are stoppered, capped and
crimped to completely seal. Vaccine is stored at 2-8.degree. C.
prior to injection. Prior to injection, each vaccine is vortexed
for 3-5 minutes.
[0084] B. Immunogenicity of Conjugate Vaccines in Guinea Pigs
[0085] Six to ten week old female guinea pigs were obtained from
Harlan Inc., Indianapolis, Iowa and maintained in the animal
facilities of Merck research Laboratories in accordance with
institutional guidelines. All animal experiments were approved by
Merck Research Laboratories Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (IACUC). Antigens were prepared in phosphate-buffered
saline and formulated in the designated adjuvant.
[0086] Two animals per group were immunized with the A.beta.
peptide-KLH conjugates shown in FIG. 2A intramuscularly with 400
.mu.l of a conjugate vaccine (8 .mu.g by peptide content or 50
.mu.g by total conjugate) in the presence of 40 .mu.g of
ISCOMATRIX.RTM.. The immunizations were performed three times in
four-week intervals. Serum samples were collected before first
immunization (pre-bleeds) and three weeks after each immunization
and stored at 4.degree. C. prior to antibody titer determinations.
The antibody titers were determined by ELISA according to the
protocol that follows using A.beta..sub.40 as the target
antigen.
[0087] The ELISA based analysis is as follows: Ninety six-well
plates were coated with 50 .mu.l per well of A.beta. at a
concentration of 4 .mu.g/ml in 50 mM bicarbonate buffer, pH 9.6, at
4.degree. C. overnight. Plates were washed with phosphate buffered
saline (PBS) and blocked with 3% skim milk in PBS containing 0.05%
Tween-20 (milk PBST). Testing samples were diluted in a 4-fold
series in PBST. One hundred .mu.l of a diluted sample was added to
each well, and the plates were incubated at 24.degree. C. for two
hours and then washed six times with PBST. Fifty .mu.l of
HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies at 1:5000 dilution in milk PBST
was added per well and the plates were incubated at 24.degree. C.
for one hour. The plates were washed three times and 100 .mu.l of 1
mg/ml o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride in 100 mM sodium citrate,
pH 4.5 was added per well. After 30 minutes incubation at
24.degree. C., the reaction was stopped by adding 100 .mu.l of 1N
H.sub.2SO.sub.4 per well, and the plates were read at 490 nm using
an ELISA plate reader. The antibody titer was defined as the
reciprocal of the highest dilution that gave an OD490 nm value
above the mean plus two standard deviations of the conjugate
control wells.
[0088] The results of this analysis, shown in FIG. 3, demonstrated
that following the first injection (PD1) some peptide regions
elicited appreciable antibody titers as did the 18-mer control. In
particular, A.beta. peptide fragments corresponding to A.beta.
amino acids 1-8, 2-9, 3-10, 17-24, 21-28, and 33-40 all produced
titers in excess of 1:800. After the second injection (PD2), 15 of
the 8-mer conjugates elicited antibody titers in excess of 1:1000.
Analysis at post-dose 3 (PD3) further confirmed that certain
regions of the A.beta. peptide were more immunogenic relative to
others. Eleven regions demonstrated titers greater than 1.6000.
These included regions corresponding to A.beta. amino acids 1-8,
3-10, 7-14, 11-18, 13-20, 15-22, 19-26, 21-28, 23-30, 27-34 and
29-36. Of these regions, five regions were highly immunogenic
(>1:10000) including: regions 1-8, 15-22, 21-28, 23-30 and
29-36. The results demonstrate that 8-mer conjugates are capable of
eliciting an A.beta..sub.40 specific antibody response.
Unexpectedly, and contrary to previous teachings, not all fragments
of A.beta. were equally immunogenic. In fact, these data suggest
that certain 8-mers are highly immunogenic, while other regions of
A.beta. (e.g., 5-12, 25-32, 31-38 and 35-42) are non-immunogenic
(titers <1:300).
C. Immunogenicity of Conjugate Vaccines in Rhesus Monkeys
[0089] A study was conducted in non-human primates, i.e. rhesus
monkeys, comparable to that done with guinea pigs to determine
whether A.beta. peptide-OMPC conjugates and an alum and
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. adjuvant provided an immune response. Rhesus
monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were maintained in accordance with the
institutional animal care protocols of Merck Research Laboratories
and New Iberia Research Center (The University of Louisiana at
Lafayette, New Iberia, La.).
[0090] Applicants used A.beta. peptides conjugated to OMPC as the
model antigens, including, the 8-mers shown in FIG. 2B: A.beta.
(1-8) (SEQ. ID NO: 67), A.beta. (3-10) (SEQ. ID NO: 69), A.beta.
(7-14) (SEQ ID NO: 70), A.beta. (17-24) (SEQ ID NO. 72), A.beta.
(21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73) and A.beta. (33-40) (SEQ ID NO. 74); the
divalent linear peptides shown in FIG. 5: A.beta. (3-10) (7-14)
(Construct No. 1), A.beta. (3-10) (21-28) (Construct No. 2),
A.beta. (1-8)(21-28) (Construct No. 5); and the multivalent
branched MAPs shown in FIG. 6A: A.beta. (3-10)(7-14) (Construct No.
8), A.beta. (1-8)(21-28) (Construct No. 11), A.beta. (3-10) (21-28)
(Construct No-12).
[0091] Rhesus macaques (N=3) were immunized with 5 .mu.g of each of
the vaccine formulated in Merck alum adjuvant (MAA) plus 100 ug of
ISCOMATRIX.RTM. every four weeks. Serum samples were collected four
weeks following each injection and determined for A.beta. specific
antibody responses by ELISA. Consistent with the results from the
guinea pig studies, all conjugates were found to be immunogenic in
monkeys. A.beta. specific antibody titers were detectable after
single injections and further boosted after the subsequent
injections. Generally for the conjugates tested, the peak titers
were reached after the second or third immunization where geometric
mean titers ranged from 25,000 to 500,000. These results confirm
the finding that the A.beta. conjugates described herein are
capable of eliciting an A.beta. specific antibody response.
D. Adjuvant Effect on Immunogenicity of Conjugate Vaccines in
Rhesus Monkeys
[0092] An additional study was conducted in non-human primates,
i.e. rhesus monkeys, to determine whether an A.beta. peptide-OMPC
conjugate and a saponin-based adjuvant, such as ISCOMATRIX.RTM.,
can provide an improved immune response. Applicants used an A.beta.
(1-18) peptide conjugated to OMPC as the model antigen. Rhesus
monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were maintained in accordance with the
institutional animal care protocols of Merck Research Laboratories
and New Iberia Research Center (The University of Louisiana at
Lafayette, New Iberia, La.).
[0093] Five groups of monkeys, three per group, were given the
following A.beta. (1-18)-OMPC conjugates: (1) 5 .mu.g conjugate
(based on peptide content) in alum, (2) 5 .mu.g conjugate in
alum+100 .mu.g ISCOMATRIX.RTM., (3) 5 .mu.g conjugate in alum+50 mg
ISCOMATRIX.RTM., (4), 30 .mu.g conjugate in alum, (2) 30 .mu.g
conjugate in alum+100 .mu.g ISCOMATRIX.RTM.. The immunizations were
carried out by intramuscular injections in 0.5 ml aliquots at weeks
0, 8 and 24 using tuberculin syringes (Becton-Dickinson, Franklin
Lakes, N.J.). Serum samples were collected at four week intervals
starting from week 0 (pre-bleed) and the tested for antibody titers
against A.beta..sub.40 by ELISA, performed as described in the
preceding example.
[0094] Interium analysis of this ongoing study demonstrated that at
PD1 the monkeys receiving 5 mcg conjugate vaccine in alum failed to
develop any detectable titers, while those receiving 30 .mu.g
conjugate vaccine in alum developed low A.beta..sub.40 specific
titers. All monkeys that received the alum plus ISCOMATRIX.RTM.
formulation developed significant antibody titers. At PD2, both
doses of immunogen in alum alone produced similar titer levels,
whereas the cohorts receiving the alum plus ISCOMATRIX.RTM.
developed 10-fold higher antibody titers relative to the alum alone
condition. The results of this study confirmed that this A.beta.
peptide-OMPC conjugate is immunogenic in non-human primates. The
data further demonstrate that the efficacy of such a conjugate
vaccine is significantly enhanced by a saponin-based adjuvant such
as ISCOMATRIX.RTM..
Example 4
Immunoreactivity of Guinea Pig Polyclonal Sera
[0095] In order to demonstrate that the immune sera generated from
the guinea pigs above (Example 3.B) following immunization with
8-mer KLH conjugates is relevant to human AD, a study was performed
to evaluate the immunoreactivity of polyclonal sera from a guinea
pig immunized with an A.beta. (3-10)-KLH immunogen. Four weeks
following a second injection of this construct blood was collected
from a representative guinea pig according to the following
methodology.
[0096] Reactivity of the polyclonal sera was evaluated on human AD
brain sections (BioChain Institute, Inc., Hayward, Calif.). Human
brain sections were prepared by incubating at 60.degree. C. for
thirty minutes followed by two five minute xylene washes at room
temperature. Sections were subsequently immersed in 100% EtOH twice
for five minute each followed by a five minute immersion in ddH2O,
Sections were immersed for three minutes in 99% formic acid
followed by a brief wash in ddH2O and a five minute immersion in
phosphate buffered solution (PBS). Sections were then incubated
with a peroxidase blocker for ten minutes followed by a five minute
PBS wash. Sections were blocked by a ten minute exposure to 10%
goat serum followed by a five minute wash with PBS. Sections were
then incubated with diluted guinea pig sera at 4.degree. C.
overnight or for one hour at room temperature. Following a five
minute PBS wash, sections were incubated for ten minutes with
diluted biotinylated goat anti-guinea pig IgG or biotinylated horse
anti-mouse antibody (1 drop in 5 ml PBS). Sections were washed for
five minutes in PBS and subsequently incubated with ABC solution
(Vectorstain ABC kit; Vector Laboratories, Inc.) for thirty
minutes. Sections were washed with PBS for five minutes. Sections
were then stained with DAB (DakoCytomation) for five minutes and
washed with dd H.sub.2O, Sections were then counterstained in
hematoxylin for thirty seconds and dehydrated in graded EtOH and
Xylenes (70% EtOH for five minutes, 80% EtOH for five minutes, 100%
EtOH for five minutes and xylenes for five minutes). Sections were
then cover-slipped and evaluated by light microscopy.
[0097] The immunogenic response produced by the A.beta. (3-10)-KLH
conjugate produced an antibody response that was directed against
human AD brain tissue. As shown in FIG. 4, this human brain section
has extensive A.beta. deposition in a manner typical to that
expected for human AD. While pre-immunized guinea pig sera
demonstrates a lack of immunoreactivity when exposed to this
tissue, positive immunoreactivity of sera from this same guinea pig
is noted following two injections of the A.beta. (3-10)=-KLH
construct. These data demonstrate that the immunogenicity found by
ELISA, and illustrated in FIG. 3, contains a significant antibody
response directed against human A.beta. found in this AD tissue.
Thus, the results extend the unexpected finding of differential
immunogenicity by some A.beta. fragments to further demonstrate
that this response is directed in a manner consistent with
therapeutic application.
Example 5
Identification of Immunogenic Fragments Lacking T-Cell Epitopes
[0098] To identify immunogenic fragments lacking a T-cell epitope
for use in the invention herein, the following Enzyme-Linked
ImmunoSpot (ELISpot) assay can be used as a method to assess T-cell
responses to a particular antigen. Immunogen fragments possessing
T-cell epitopes are identified by the presence of a dark spot on
the surface of a white membrane; each spot indicates the presence
of a T-cell that has secreted interferon gamma (IFN-.gamma.) in
response to the antigen (i.e. immunogenic fragment). Those skilled
in the art of vaccines and immunology are familiar with this assay,
see, for example, Larsson et al., AIDS 3: 767-777, 1999, and Mwau
et al., AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 18: 611-618, 2002. A
recent review can be found in A. E. Kalyuzhny, Methods Mol. Biol.
302: 15-31, 2005.
[0099] Applicants used peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) from
rhesus macaques (New Iberia Research Center, The University of
Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, La.) for response to the
peptides A131-40 (American Peptide Co., Sunnyvale, Calif.) (amino
acid sequence DAEFREIDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVG SNKGAIIGLMVGGVV) (SEQ ID
NO: 78) and A.beta.1-20 (Synpep, Dublin, Calif.) (amino acid
sequence DAEFRHDSG YEVHEIQKINFF) (SEQ ID NO: 79).
[0100] Purified monoclonal mouse anti-monkey IFN-.gamma. (clone
MD-1, Cat No. CT 525, U-CyTech biosciences, Utrecht, The
Netherlands) was diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with 1%
penicillin and streptomycin sulfate (GIBCO.RTM.
Penicillin-Streptomycin, Cat. No. 15140-122, Invitrogen, Carlsbad,
Calif.), then added to 96-well HTS IP sterile plates (Cat. No.
MSIPS4W10, Millipore, Billerica, Mass.), and incubated for greater
than twelve hours at 4.degree. C. Plates were washed and R10 [RPMI
medium 1640 (GIBCO.RTM. Cat. No. 11875-093), 10% Fetal bovine serum
(HyClone SH30070.03, Logan, Utah), 0.1% 50 mM 2-Mercaptoethanol
(GIBCO.RTM. Cat. No. 21985-023), 1% 1M HEPES Buffer (GIBCO.RTM.
15630-080), 1% 200 mM L-glutamine (GIBCO.RTM. Cat. No. 25030-081),
1% 100 mM MEM sodium pyruvate solution (GIBCO.RTM. Cat. No.
11360-070), 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution (GIBCO.RTM. Cat.
No. 15140-122)] was added before incubation for at least two hours
at 37.degree. C. PBMCs were centrifuged and re-suspended in R10.
PBMCs were counted on a Z2 Coulter counter (Beckman Coulter,
Fullerton, Calif.). Each well of the aspirated plate received
either 0.4 .mu.g of A.beta.1-40, A.beta.1-20, PHA
(phytohemagglutinin, Cat No. L-8902, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.,
positive control), or diluted DMSO (Sigma, negative control);
400000 PBMCs were then added to each well. Plates were incubated
for 18-24 hours at 37.degree. C. in a humid CO.sub.2 incubator.
Plates were washed in PBS with 5% FBS and 0.005% Tween;
biotin-conjugated anti-monkey IFN-.gamma. polyclonal antibodies
(U-CyTech biosciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands) were diluted in
the same media and added to each plate; plates were then incubated
at 4.degree. C. for 18-24 hours. Streptavidin-AP (Cat. No. 13043E,
BD PharMingen, Franklin Lakes, NT) was diluted in the same media
and added to washed plates; plates were incubated at room
temperature and in the dark for two hours. Filtered 1-Step NBT/BCIP
Substrate (Pierce, Rockford, Ill., Cat. No. 34042) was added and a
further incubation at room temperature in the dark for ten minutes
was performed. After washing, plates were allowed to dry before
being imaged with a CCD camera and the spots within each well were
automatically counted by computer.
[0101] Applicants have established that spot forming cells per
million PBMCs (SFC/10.sup.6 PBMCs) must exceed 55 and must exceed
4-fold the negative control to be defined as a positive result;
failing to meet both these criteria defines a negative result.
Rhesus macaques were vaccinated with either a MAP construct
comprising A.beta. (3-10)/(21-28) (Construct No. 12, FIG. 6A)
conjugated to OMPC or with both of two monomeric constructs,
A.beta. (3-10) (SEQ ID NO: 69) and A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73)
conjugated to OMPC. Each macaque was assayed during the vaccination
regimen at monthly intervals for three or four months; the highest
signal ever recorded against either A.beta. 1-40 or A.beta.1-20 is
only 18 SFC/10.sup.6 PBMCs, significantly below the 55 SFC/10.sup.6
PBMCs criterion. Thus, all resulted in a negative score, providing
strong evidence that the vaccines did not elicit T-cell responses
and, as such, did not include a T-cell epitope.
Example 6
Elevation of Plasma A.beta.
[0102] Rhesus macaque non-human primates (N=3) were immunized with
5 .mu.g of the MAP A.beta. (3-10)/(21-28) conjugate (Construct No.
12, FIG. 6A) or its monomeric constituent conjugate, A.beta. (3-10)
(SEQ ID NO: 69) and A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73) linked to OMPC
as the carrier and formulated in MAA plus 100 .mu.g
ISCOMATRIX.RTM.. The rhesus primates received vaccinations every
four weeks with bleeds collected and analyzed four weeks following
each injection. Anti-A.beta..sub.40 titers and total
A.beta..sub.1-40 levels were determined.
[0103] Plasma A.beta..sub.1-40 levels were determined in these
immunized animals using a 6E10/G210 FT ISA. This assay measures
A.beta..sub.1-40 using a sandwich ELISA comprising an N-terminal
capture antibody 6E10 (A.beta. 1-8) (Signet Laboratories, Dedham,
Mass.) and a C-terminal A.beta..sub.40 neo-epitope antibody (G210)
(The Genetics Company, Inc., Zurich, Switzerland) conjugated with
alkaline phosphatase. The antibody, 6E10, was coated onto plates at
a concentration of 5 ug/ml. Diluted plasma samples (1:3) were used
at 50 .mu.l/well in triplicates. A.beta..sub.1-40 standards were
prepared from 400 pM-3 pM in 6E10 immuno-depleted rhesus plasma
matrix. This assay has a signal-to-noise ratio of about 5-20. The
CDP-star alkaline phosphatase substrate was obtained from Applied
Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. SuperBlock.RTM., a pre-formulated
blocking buffer, was obtained from Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford,
Ill. (Cat#37515). Counts from individual samples, run in
triplicate, were converted to actual analyte concentrations using a
third order spline fit to the standards. QC samples were run to
evaluate plate to plate variability of the signal.
[0104] As depicted in FIG. 8A, the results of these analyses
demonstrated a greater than 3-fold increase in plasma
A.beta..sub.40 at PD3 following immunization with the MAP A.beta.
(3-10)/(21-28) construct (Construct No. 12, FIG. 6A). This increase
in plasma A.beta..sub.40 was not observed in animals immunized with
the monomeric A.beta. conjugate/OMPC vaccine constructs.
Specifically, immunization using either A.beta. (3-10) (SEQ ID NO:
69) or A.beta. (21-28) (SEQ ID NO: 73) produced a lack of, or
appreciably lower, response on this measure. It was notable that
these differences were independent of titer levels as depicted in
FIG. 8B.
[0105] Collectively, these data demonstrate that some constructs
have an advantage relative to other immunogenic constructs with
respect to their ability to elevate plasma A.beta. levels. Those
skilled in the art would appreciate that this selectivity of
immunogenic fragments, i.e. the ability to elevate plasma A.beta.
levels, has not been shown prior to the invention herein and was
not predictable from the prior art. As such, the identification of
immunogens, either 8-mers or MAPs, lacking a T-cell epitope, that
elevate plasma A.beta. following immunization, provides a method
for selecting said 8-mers or MAPs for use in a vaccine construct.
As a result of the invention herein, those skilled in the art are
now able to characterize said vaccine constructs both
quantitatively (i.e., immunogenicity) and qualitatively (i.e.,
nature of the polyclonal antibody response--ability to elevate
plasma AB levels). It will be further appreciated by those skilled
in the art that the invention herein is not limited to 8-amino acid
A.beta. fragments, but is inclusive of any antigen capable of
producing a polyclonal antibody response in the host organism that
is reactive to A.beta..
Sequence CWU 1
1
79142PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 1Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg
His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln Lys1 5 10 15Leu Val Phe Phe
Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile Ile 20 25 30Gly Leu Met
Val Gly Gly Val Val Ile Ala 35 4028PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 2Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser1 538PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 3Ala Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly1
548PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 4Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser
Gly Tyr1 558PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 5Phe Arg His
Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu1 568PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide
6Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val1 578PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 7His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His1
588PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 8Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val
His His1 598PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 9Ser Gly Tyr
Glu Val His His Gln1 5108PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide
10Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln Lys1 5118PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 11Tyr Glu Val His His Gln Lys Leu1
5128PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 12Glu Val His His Gln
Lys Leu Val1 5138PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 13Val His
His Gln Lys Leu Val Phe1 5148PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 14His His Gln Lys Leu Val Phe Phe1 5158PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 15His Gln Lys Leu Val Phe Phe Ala1
5168PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 16Gln Lys Leu Val Phe
Phe Ala Glu1 5178PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 17Lys Leu
Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp1 5188PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 18Leu Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp Val1 5198PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 19Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp Val Gly1
5208PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 20Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp
Val Gly Ser1 5218PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 21Phe Ala
Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn1 5228PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 22Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys1 5238PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 23Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly1
5248PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 24Asp Val Gly Ser Asn
Lys Gly Ala1 5258PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 25Val Gly
Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile1 5268PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 26Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile Ile1 5278PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 27Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile Ile Gly1
5288PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 28Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile
Ile Gly Leu1 5298PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 29Lys Gly
Ala Ile Ile Gly Leu Met1 5308PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 30Gly Ala Ile Ile Gly Leu Met Val1 5318PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 31Ala Ile Ile Gly Leu Met Val Gly1
5328PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 32Ile Ile Gly Leu Met
Val Gly Gly1 5338PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 33Ile Gly
Leu Met Val Gly Gly Val1 5348PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 34Gly Leu Met Val Gly Gly Val Val1 5358PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 35Leu Met Val Gly Gly Val Val Ile1
5368PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 36Met Val Gly Gly Val
Val Ile Ala1 53718PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 37Asp Ala
Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln Lys1 5 10 15Leu
Val388PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 38Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg
His Asp Ser1 5398PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 39Ala Glu
Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly1 5408PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 40Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr1 5418PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 41Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu1
5428PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 42Arg His Asp Ser Gly
Tyr Glu Val1 5438PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 43His Asp
Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His1 5448PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 44Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His1 5458PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 45Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln1
5468PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 46Gly Tyr Glu Val His
His Gln Lys1 5478PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 47Tyr Glu
Val His His Gln Lys Leu1 5488PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 48Glu Val His His Gln Lys Leu Val1 5498PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 49His His Gln Lys Leu Val Phe Phe1
55011PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 50Glu Val His His Gln
Lys Leu Val Glu Glu Glu1 5 105111PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 51His His Gln Lys Leu Val Phe Phe Glu Glu Glu1 5
105211PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 52His His Gln Lys Leu
Val Phe Phe Lys Lys Lys1 5 105311PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 53Gln Lys Leu Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Lys Lys Lys1 5
105411PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 54Leu Val Phe Phe Ala
Glu Asp Val Lys Lys Lys1 5 10558PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 55Leu Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp Val1 55611PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 56Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Lys Lys
Lys1 5 10578PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 57Ala Glu Asp
Val Gly Ser Asn Lys1 5588PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide
58Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala1 55911PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 59Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile Ile Lys Lys
Lys1 5 106011PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 60Asn Lys Gly
Ala Ile Ile Gly Leu Lys Lys Lys1 5 106111PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 61Gly Ala Ile Ile Gly Leu Met Val Glu Glu
Glu1 5 106211PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 62Ile Ile Gly
Leu Met Val Gly Gly Lys Lys Lys1 5 10638PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 63Gly Leu Met Val Gly Gly Val Val1
56411PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 64Gly Leu Met Val Gly
Gly Val Val Lys Lys Lys1 5 106511PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 65Met Val Gly Gly Val Val Ile Ala Lys Lys Lys1 5
106642PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 66Glu Val Glu Phe Arg
His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln Lys1 5 10 15Leu Val Phe Phe
Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile Ile 20 25 30Gly Leu Met
Val Gly Gly Val Val Ile Ala 35 40678PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 67Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser1 5688PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 68Ala Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly1
5698PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 69Glu Phe Arg His Asp
Ser Gly Tyr1 5708PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 70Asp Ser
Gly Tyr Glu Val His His1 5718PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 71Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln1 5728PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 72Leu Val Phe Phe Ala Glu Asp Val1
5738PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 73Ala Glu Asp Val Gly
Ser Asn Lys1 5748PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 74Gly Leu
Met Val Gly Gly Val Val1 57518PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 75Glu Val Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His
Gln Lys1 5 10 15Leu Val7610PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide
76Glu Val Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr1 5 10778PRTArtificial
SequenceSynthetic Peptide 77Glu Val Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser1
57840PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic Peptide 78Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg
His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His Gln Lys1 5 10 15Leu Val Phe Phe
Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Ser Asn Lys Gly Ala Ile Ile 20 25 30Gly Leu Met
Val Gly Gly Val Val 35 407920PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic
Peptide 79Asp Ala Glu Phe Arg His Asp Ser Gly Tyr Glu Val His His
Gln Lys1 5 10 15Leu Val Phe Phe 20
* * * * *