Inventors:
Irwin J. Griffith - North Reading MA
Joanne Pollock - Arlington MA
Julian F. Bond - Weymouth MA
Richard D. Garman - Arlington MA
Mei-chang Kuo - Winchester MA
Stephen P. Powers - Waltham MA
Mark A. Exley - Brookline MA
Xian Chen - North Chelmsford MA
Ze'ev Shaked - Berkeley CA
International Classification:
A61K 3810, A61K 3936, C07K 708, C07K 14415
Abstract:
The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences coding for the Cryptomeria japonica major pollen allergen Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and fragments or peptides thereof. The present invention also provides purified Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and at least one fragment thereof produced in a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid sequence coding for Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I or at least one fragment thereof, and fragments of Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I or Jun v I or at least one fragment thereof, and fragments of Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I or Jun v I prepared synthetically. Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and fragments thereof are useful for diagnosing, treating, and preventing Japanese cedar pollinosis. The present invention also provides isolated peptides of Cry j I and Cry j II. Peptides within the scope of the invention comprise at least one T cell epitope, or preferably at least two T cell epitopes of Cry j I or Cry j II.