Text of invention disclosure forwarded by NIH on January 13, 1996 for publication in the Federal Register
Hepatitis A Virus Receptor and Methods of Use
Description of Invention:
This invention describes the discovery and isolation of HAVcr-1, a simian cellular receptor
for the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Cells nonpermissive to HAV infection transfected with
HAVcr-1 cDNA, a novel cell surface mucin-like glycoprotein, gain susceptibility to HAV
infection. The invention claims nucleic acids encoding cellular receptors for HAV which
hybridize with HAVcr-1 probes. The invention also claims peptides coded by the above-
mentioned HAV receptor nucleic acid.
Potential Areas of Application:
Use of HAVcr-1 receptor for diagnostics. Diagnosis of HAV infection is currently done
using anti-HAV antibodies. The HAVcr-1 receptor binds specifically to HAV and therefore
could be used instead of anti-HAV antibodies and increase the safety, specificity, and
sensitivity of currently available tests.
Use of HAVcr-1 receptors for treatment of patients infected with HAV.
Development of compounds capable of interacting with HAVcr-1 receptors which could
inhibit HAV infection and be used to treat HAV infected patients.
Development of transgenic animals for HAV vaccine production and testing.
Main Advantages of Invention:
HAVcr-1 receptors bind HAV and could potentially neutralize the virus and also be used
for diagnostic purposes.
Binding of HAVcr-1 to HAV is specific and could be blocked with specially designed
compounds.
Transgenic animals could be used to develop attenuated HAV vaccines which could induce
a long-lasting immunity.
The HAV antigen in killed vaccines could also be produced in transgenic animals which
could reduce the cost of currently available killed vaccines.
Stage of Development:
HAVcr-1 has been recently molecularly cloned and its cDNA is available for further
development.
Further Development Required:
Transgenic animals carrying HAVcr-1 should be further developed.
HAVcr-1 receptors should be expressed at higher levels and purified.
Use of purified HAVcr-1 receptors for diagnostic purposes should be further evaluated.
Neutralization of HAV by HAVcr-1 receptors should be investigated.
Inventors:
G Kaplan, SM Feinstone (FDA)
Recent Relevant Publication:
G Kaplan, A Totsuka, P Thompson, T Akatsuka, Y Moritsugu, and SM Feinstone,
"Identification of a surface glycoprotein on African green monkey kidney cells as a receptor
for hepatitis A virus." EMBO J. 15: 4282-4296, 1996.
Patent Status:
Serial No. 08/287,001 filed 05 Aug 94
Foreign rights available
Portfolios:
Infectious Diseases - Diagnostics, viral
Infectious Diseases - Therapeutics, anti-virals
Infectious Diseases - Vaccines, viral, non-AIDS
For additional information, please contact:
George Keller, Ph.D.
Office of Technology Transfer
National Institutes of Health
6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 246
Fax: 301/402-0220