Parasite-derived anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory protein

Abstract

A protein with anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory functions was identified and isolated from the excretory/secretions of a human parasite, Schistosoma mansoni. This protein, designated herein as Sm 16.8, is released by schistosomes upon entry into human skin. Under in vitro conditions Sm 16.8 is shown to stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in human keratinocytes and transcriptionally down regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-1.

We claim:  
     
         1 . Isolated purified polypeptide Sm 16.8, and biologically active variants, fragments, derivatives, homologs or analogs thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The isolated purified polypeptide of  claim 1  wherein said polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 16.8 kDa on a non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel.  
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 2  wherein said polypeptide has an isoelectric point of about 5.9.  
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  wherein said polypeptide is obtainable from  Schistosoma mansomi.    
     
     
         5 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  wherein said polypeptide is an anti-inflammatory polypeptide.  
     
     
         6 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide according to  claim 1  in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent adjuvant or carrier.  
     
     
         7 . A method for suppressing or preventing inflammation, the method comprising administering to a subject an effective dose of a polypeptide of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . A method for treating cutaneous diseases, the method comprising administ ering to a subject a therapeutically effective dose of a polypeptide according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cutaneous disease is selected from the group consisting of urticaria, atopic dermatitis, contact sensitivity, and psoriasis.  
     
     
         10 . A method for treating an inflammatory disease comprising the steps of administering to a subject having the inflammatory disease a therapeutically effective dose of a polypeptide according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . A vaccine comprising an immunologically effective dose of a polypeptide according to  claim 1  in a suitable diluent, adjuvant, or carrier.