Use of prion conversion modulating agents

Abstract

The use of Apolipoprotein B, Apoliporpotein E, fragments and mimetics thereof is provided for diagnostic, detection, prognostic and therapeutic applications in prion diseases. More specifically, the invention provides the use of Apolipoprotein B or fragments thereof for modulating or identifying modulators of the prion protein replication which are implicated in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and other prion diseases.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method for treatment of a prion disease, comprising:
 administering to a subject in need thereof an Apolipoprotein B modulator in an amount sufficient to treat the prion disease.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , comprising administering a modulator that is an antagonist of Apolipoprotein B. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , comprising administering a modulator that is an antibody that binds to Apolipoprotein B. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , comprising administering a modulator that is a peptide or a protein that contains the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , comprising administering a modulator that is an isolated peptide or a protein that:
 has a molecular weight from 30 and 40 kDa and   comprises residues 3201-3558, 3548-3905, 3201-3905, 3291-3558, 3548-3815, or 3291-3815 of Apolipoprotein B.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , comprising administering a modulator that is an isolated peptide or a protein that:
 has a molecular weight from 30 and 40 kDa and   consists of a fragment of Apolipoprotein B containing residues 3201-3558, 3548-3905, 3201-3905, 3291-3558, 3548-3815, or 3291-3815 of Apolipoprotein B.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the modulator is an antagonist of a LDL-receptor. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the prion disease is bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the prion disease is Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the prion disease is variant Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (vCJD). 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the modulator is administered to the subject prior to the detection of any disease symptoms. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the modulator is an antibody that binds to Apolipoprotein B which is administered parenterally to said subject. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the modulator is a peptide a fragment of Apolipoprotein B that contains residues 3201-3558, 3548-3905, 3201-3905, 3291-3558, 3548-3815, or 3291-3815 of Apolipoprotein B which is administered parenterally to said subject.