Objective We will develop novel, specific, therapeutics to treat the model autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis, which is caused by antibodies to the muscle acetylcholine receptor (Ache). The therapeutics (to be tested extensively in vitro and in vivo experiments) will target different aspects of the immune response and involve(a) ex vivo immunoadsorption of the anti-Ache antibodies by immobilized polypeptide fragments of the Ache;(b) protection of the Ache and reduction of B cell activation by modified non-pathogenic engineered monoclonal anti-Ache antibodies;(c) selection of active subtractions of normal human lag for in vivo intravenous lag (Ivy) therapy; (d) induction of mussel tolerance by the use of recombinant Ache polypeptides;(e) peptide vaccination against a dominant T cell receptor;(f) peptide:MHC multimedia complexes to identify T cells ex vivo and tolerate them in vivo; (9) antilogous, Specific-specific, tolerogenic dendrite cells for in vivo use;(h) combinations of selected therapies; (I) for the more efficient therapies, we will study gene expression levels by micro array technology in order to explore their mechanisms of action, and to identify potential new drug targets. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyautoimmune diseases Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory" Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator HELLENIC PASTEUR INSTITUTE EU contribution No data Address 127,Vassilissis Sofias Av. 127 11521 ATHENS Greece See on map Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE France EU contribution No data Address Avenue de la Resistance 133 92350 LE PLESSIS-ROBINSON See on map Total cost No data DIAMED EUROGEN N.V. Belgium EU contribution No data Address Transportstraat 4 3980 TESSENDERLO See on map Total cost No data KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE Sweden EU contribution No data Address Solnavagen 1 171 77 STOCKHOLM See on map Total cost No data THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way OX1 2JD OXFORD See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITE DE PARIS-SUD XI France EU contribution No data Address Avenue de la Resistance, 133 - Hopital Marie Lanne 92350 LE PLESSIS-ROBINSON See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF MAASTRICHT Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Dr Tanslaan 10 6229 ET MAASTRICHT See on map Total cost No data WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE Israel EU contribution No data Address Herzel Street 2 76100 REHOVOT See on map Total cost No data