&bgr;2 microglobulin fusion proteins and high affinity variants

US6682741B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Randall K. Ribaudo · Silver Spring, US
• Michael Shields · Ware, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 19, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 27, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 19, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K2319/02
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

&bgr;2-microglobulin fusion proteins and modified forms of &bgr;2-microglobulin are disclosed. The fusion proteins are shown to incorporate onto the surface of MHC I expressing mammalian cells and to cause an increased cytotoxic T-cell response to antigens presented by such cells. The fusion proteins are useful in methods of tumor therapy. Modified forms of human &bgr;2-microglobulin, particularly a form having a serine to valine transition at amino acid position 55 of the mature protein are shown to have an enhanced affinity for MHC I heavy chain, and are useful both in the disclosed fusion proteins and as a vaccine adjuvant where enhanced cytotoxic T-cell response is desired.