NIH Invention Disclosures, May 9, 1997
NIH invention disclosures forwarded for publication in the Federal Register on about May 9, 1997
Isolation and Use of Tissue Growth-Inducing FRZB Protein
Description of Invention:
A secretable protein, named FRZB because of its homology to the Drosophila gene frizzled, has been isolated from cartilage. This protein appears to be involved in the formation of cartilage, bone, neural and muscle tissue. A pharmaceutical composition of this protein may used as regenerative agent to treat degenerative disorders, (i.e., Huntingdon's, Alzheimer's or spinal cord injuries), myodegenerative disorders (i.e., muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis or myotonic myopathies) and osteodegenerative disorders (i.e., osteoporosis or osteoarthritis). In addition, FRZB directly interacts with the Wnt family of signaling molecules and inhibits their biological function in vivo. This provides the opportunity to selectively block Wnt driven diseases including neoplasias.
Potential Areas of Application:
* osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
* wound healing
* neurodegenerative disorders
* growth and repair of musculosketelal tissues
Main Advantages of Invention:
* human cDNA and protein sequences provided
* production and purification described
* biological activities supported by in vivo data
Further Development Required:
* identification of receptor and associated proteins
* identification of the signal transduction pathway
Inventors:
FP Luyten (NIDR), M Moos Jr. (FDA), B Hoang (FDA), S Wang (FDA)
Patent Status:
Serial No. 08/729,452 filed 11 Oct 96
Recent Relevant Publication:
B Hoang, M Moos Jr., S Vukicevic, FP Luyten, "Primary structure and tissue distribution of FRZB, a novel protein related to Drosophila frizzled, suggests a role in skeletal morphogenesis," J Biol Chem 271:26131-26137, 1996.
Licensing Status:
Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing
Portfolio:
Central Nervous System - Therapeutics, neurological, antiparkinsonian
Central Nervous System - Therapeutics, neurological, Alzheimer's
Central Nervous System - Therapeutics, neurological, other
Internal Medicine - Therapeutics
For additional information, please contact:
Jaconda Wagner, J.D.
Office of Technology Transfer
National Institutes of Health
6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 284
Fax: 301/402-0220
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF)
Description of Invention:
The protein known as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was one of the first cytokines to be discovered. Thirty-years ago it was described as a T-cell-derived factor that inhibited the random migration of macrophages in vitro. Today, MIF is known to be a mediator of the function of macrophages in host defense and its expression correlates with delayed hypersensitivity and cellular immunity. It plays an important role in the inflammatory response and is associated with cell differentiation. As with other lymphokines, MIF could have therapeutic values in stimulating the immune system and other cells. Hardly abundant from other sources, the high concentration of the protein that has been found in the eye lens could be a useful source for research. The present invention provides the DNA that encodes MIF. A related invention provides a method for isolating MIF from the ocular lens.
Potential Areas of Application:
* research reagent
* therapeutic for inflammatory conditions
* stimulation of the immune system
Main Advantages of Invention:
* abundant source
* purified MIF
Inventors:
GJ Wistow (NEI)
Patent Status:
* USSN 08/202,486 entitled "DNA Encoding Macrophage Migration Inhibition Factor from Ocular Lens" filed February 28, 1994, allowed
* No foreign rights
Related Technology:
U.S. Patent 5,328,990 entitled "Isolation of Macrophage Migration Inhibition Factor from Ocular Lens" issued July 12, 1994
Recent Relevant Publication:
V Paralkar, G Wistow, "Cloning the human gene for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)," Genomics 1994 Jan 1;19(1):48-51
Licensing Status:
Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing
Portfolios:
Ophthalmology - Therapeutics
Internal Medicine - Therapeutics, anti-inflammatory
For additional information, please contact:
Jaconda Wagner, J.D.
Office of Technology Transfer
National Institutes of Health
6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-2804
Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 284
Fax: 301/402-0220
Immortal Human Prostate Epithelial Cell Cultures and Their Applications in the Research and Therapy of Prostate Cancer
Description of Invention:
The invention describes the further characterization of single cell clones derived from the prostate tumor cell lines disclosed in the earlier application (E-053-96/0). The isolation and characterization of long-term human prostatic epithelial cell cultures from primary adenocarcinomas of the prostate is significant in that efforts to establish long-term cultures of cells of this type have been exceptionally difficult.
The present invention describes the characterization of single cell clones derived from the prostate tumor cell lines disclosed in the earlier application. These new clones exhibit traits which may indicate their usefulness as an in vitro model of human prostate cancer. The single cell clones exhibit allelic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) indicating the presence of unique genetic deletions. This loss may suggest that these cells express unique proteins or antigens which might be of tremendous value in prostate cancer research. The subject matter of both the parent and CIP applications were combined in a subsequent PCT application filed January 30, 1997.
Possible uses of these cells include testing various anti-cancer agents and subtraction studies for identification of gene deletions. These lines could establish a new basis for possible cancer vaccines and also be used to develop monoclonal antibodies against specific prostate cancer antigens.
Inventors:
SL Topalian, WM Linehan, RK Bright, CD Vocke (NCI)
Patent Status:
* OTT Reference No. E-053-96/0 (USSN 60/011,042 filed 02 Feb 96)
* OTT Reference No. E-017-97/0 (CIP of E-053-96/0)
Portfolios:
Cancer - Therapeutics, vaccines
Cancer - Therapeutics, immunomodulators and immunostimulants
For additional information, please contact:
Joseph Contrera, J.D.
Office of Technology Transfer
National Institutes of Health
6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: 301/496-7056 ext 244
Fax: 301/402-0220