Immunoregulatory structures from normally occuring proteins

Abstract

The present invention relates to isolated protein sequences that correspond to cell binding peptides, fragments, neo-structures and/or neo-epitopes of a normally occurring serum protein present in human tissue, wherein the peptide, fragment, neo-structure and/or neo-epitope has an immunoregulatory activity and is the result of either an enhanced proteolytic activity and/or conformational changes in a tissue, or a malignant tumour. In the present patent application, a common structure of several of these peptides, fragments, neo-structures and/or neo-epitopes, having immunoregulatory activity by binding to receptors on immune cells, has been identified. The present invention further also relates to monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies directed to a cell binding fragment of a normally occurring serum protein present in human tissue, as described above.

1 . 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of treating or inhibiting a malignant tumor, the method comprising administering to a subject having a malignant tumor a human or humanized antibody or binding fragment thereof with specificity against a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 80. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody or binding fragment thereof is monoclonal. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody or binding fragment thereof is a full-length antibody. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said antibody or binding fragment thereof is the binding fragment. 
     
     
         31 . A research method comprising testing an immunomodulatory effect of a rabbit polyclonal antibody against a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:80, said immune modulatory effect comprising IL-2 induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). 
     
     
         32 . An in vitro method for diagnosing a malignant tumour, the method comprising:
 contacting a sample with an antibody directed against a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:80; and   determining the presence or absence of a peptide or protein fragment specifically bound by the antibody.