Viral fusion protein treatment for ccr8 mediated diseases

Abstract

Compositions, methods, and kits are provided for treating CCR8 mediated diseases with applicability to atopic dermatitis and potential applicability to asthma, prurigo nodularis, nummular dermatitis, neurodeimatitis, and lichen simplex chronicus and some lymphomas, multiple sclerosis, acquired immunodeficiency disease, peritoneal adhesions, Kaposi's sarcoma and atherogenesis—the expression of all of which, at least in part, is mediated by cells expressing the chemokine receptor CCR8. The compositions include proteins and fusion proteins from Molluscum contagiosum Virus (MCV) or variants, analogs and derivatives thereof which exhibit inhibitory activity. Examples of such MCV proteins are MC 148 fusion protein (MC148fp) identified as MC148P-TAT-6xHis (“6xHis” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 11), and its variants, fragments, analogs and derivatives which possess inhibitory activity. The variants, fragments, analogs and derivatives of MC148p and of MC148fp may be less than 100% homologous to MCV proteins as long as they are sufficiently homologous that inhibitory activity is preserved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for treating at least one of atopic dermatitis, an atopic dermatitis-related atopic diseases, an allergic disease, a Th2 mediated disorder or a CCR8 mediated disorder, comprising:
 multiple separately packaged portions of a composition adapted for such treatment comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein MC148p-TAT-polyHis (MC148fp) which possesses at least one of atopic dermatitis inhibitory activity, an atopic dermatitis-related atopic disease inhibitory activity, an allergic disease inhibitory activity, a Th2 mediated disorder inhibitory activity and a CCR8 mediated disorder inhibitory activity.   
     
     
         2 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the MC148fp is selected from the group consisting of Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein 148fp1 (MC148fp1), Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein 148fp2 (MC148fp2), Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein 3 (MC148fp3) and a fragment, a variant, an analog and a derivative of these compositions, fused with C-terminal TAT and polyHis. 
     
     
         3 . The kit according to  claim 2  wherein the MC148fp is selected from the group consisting of Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein 148fp1 (MC148fp1), Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein 148fp2 (MC148fp2), Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein 3 (MC148fp3) and a fragment, a variant, an analog and a derivative of these compositions, fused with C-terminal TAT and 6xHis (SEQ ID NO: 11) wherein the 6XHis (SEQ ID NO: 11) is C-terminal to the TAT. 
     
     
         4 . The kit according to  claim 1 , wherein the kit further includes instructions teaching administration of the composition to a patient having at least one of the above-mentioned ailments. 
     
     
         5 . The kit according to  claim 4 , wherein the instructions teach local delivery of the composition to a patient skin area having, adjacent to, or distant from at least one of the above-mentioned ailments. 
     
     
         6 . The kit according to  claim 4 , wherein the instructions teach topical application of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The kit according to  claim 4 , wherein the instructions teach injection of the composition. 
     
     
         8 . The kit according to  claim 4 , wherein the instructions teach administering a composition that includes a liposomal carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The kit according to  claim 4 , wherein the instructions teach administering a composition that includes a skin penetration enhancer. 
     
     
         10 . The kit according to  claim 4 , wherein the instructions teach administering a composition that includes nanoparticles. 
     
     
         11 . A composition of matter comprising:
 a Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein (MC148p-TAT-polyHis) which possesses atopic dermatitis inhibiting activity.   
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the Molluscum contagiosum viral fusion protein (MC148p-TAT-polyHis) which possesses atopic dermatitis inhibiting activity comprises (MC148p-TAT-6XHis (“6XHis” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 11)). 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11  further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13  further comprising a skin penetration enhancer. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13  further comprising nanoparticles. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13  further comprising dimethylsulfoxide. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 13  further comprising a liposomal carrier. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the MC148p-TAT-polyHis is selected from the group consisting of: MC148fp1, MC148fp2, and MC148fp3.