AQP4 Peptide Compositions for NMO Immune Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are limited in effectively managing relapses and inducing immune tolerance, with existing immunosuppressants having significant side effects and limited ability to target specific autoimmune responses.
Innovation Solution
Development of human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides and their homologs for use in diagnosing and treating NMO, which include specific amino acid sequences that can induce immune tolerance and inhibit T cell proliferation, thereby addressing the autoimmune response at its core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional immunosuppressants are used to treat NMO, then immune suppression is achieved, but side effects increase and treatment precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the immune system targeting approach by using specific AQP4 peptide antigens (such as AQP4 p58-79, AQP4 p63-76, AQP4 p66-75) that correspond to specific autoimmune responses in NMO, rather than using broad-spectrum immunosuppressants. This allows selective targeting of pathogenic T cells while preserving other immune functions, thereby reducing side effects while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using peptide compositions with specific amino acid sequences that match the immunodominant regions of AQP4 protein recognized by NMO-pathogenic T cells. This localized targeting at the molecular level enables precise immune modulation at the site of autoimmune pathology without affecting the entire immune system, thus reducing harmful side effects
2Reliability
If broad-spectrum immunosuppressants are used, then immune response is suppressed, but treatment precision and ability to target specific autoimmune responses decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the immune suppression function into specific peptide-targeted responses by identifying and using AQP4 peptide antigens that correspond to specific T cell epitopes involved in NMO pathology. This segmentation enables precise targeting of pathogenic immune responses while sparing protective immune functions, achieving both immune suppression and treatment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of immune targeting specificity by using defined peptide sequences (such as AQP4 p58-79, AQP4 p63-76, AQP4 p66-75) with specific amino acid compositions and structures. These parameter changes at the molecular level enable selective recognition and modulation of pathogenic T cells, achieving precise treatment of the specific autoimmune response in NMO
3Reliability
If current NMO treatments are used, then acute attacks are managed, but ability to induce immune tolerance and prevent relapses is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using AQP4 peptide compositions to induce immune tolerance before relapses occur. The peptide-based therapy works by presenting specific AQP4 epitopes to the immune system in a controlled manner, thereby preemptively retraining the immune system to tolerate AQP4 and preventing future autoimmune attacks, rather than merely responding to acute episodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses AQP4 peptide compositions as intermediaries between the immune system and the AQP4 protein target. These peptides serve as safe, controlled mediators that can induce immune tolerance by presenting AQP4-specific epitopes without causing the full pathological autoimmune response, thereby enabling long-term prevention of relapses through immune reeducation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides and peptides having homology to human Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) peptides. Also provided herein are methods for using human AQP4 peptides and peptides homologous to human AQP4 peptides for diagnosing and/or treating Neuromyelitis Optica.