Abstract: The present invention employs a dissolved activated polyethylene glycol (aPEG) or related molecule that has been passed through a filtration means for the substantial reduction of bioburden or endotoxin levels in the aPEG solution. The resulting filtered aPEG solution can be used for the preparation of a PEGylated hemoglobin solution containing substantially reduced levels of bioburden or endotoxin.

Abstract: The present invention employs a filtration step during the hemoglobin purification process that substantially decreases viral contamination of a hemoglobin solution. The filtration means can be used to separate hemoglobin and several endogenous antioxidant enzymes from red blood cell stroma and potential adventitious agents. The purified hemoglobin/antioxidant composition is then subjected to a chemical modification process. The resulting modified hemoglobin/antioxidant composition is then fractionated to remove unmodified hemoglobin species and residual reactants, formulated in electrolytes and rendered sterile. The resulting modified hemoglobin product is substantially free of viral contamination and contains at least one endogenous antioxidant enzyme that retains antioxidant activity.

Abstract: The present invention employs a dissolved activated polyethylene glycol (aPEG) or related molecule that has been passed through a filtration means for the substantial reduction of bioburden or endotoxin levels in the aPEG solution. The resulting filtered aPEG solution can be used for the preparation of a PEGylated hemoglobin solution containing substantially reduced levels of bioburden or endotoxin.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for deleterious physiological effects such as systemic hypotension caused by nitric oxide production induced by a biological response modifier. Examples of such biological response modifiers include but are not limited to a cytokine and an endotoxin. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a substantially pure mammalian globin chain or heme-binding fragment thereof. The invention is further directed to recombinant DNA vectors capable of expressing at least one globin chain or substantially homologous variant thereof in yeast. The invention also relates to methods for expressing at least one globin chain or substantially homologous variant thereof in yeast. Expressed alpha-like globin and beta-like globin chains or variants thereof may be combined with a source of heme to produce hemoglobin or a substantially homologous variant thereof. Additionally, expressed gamma-globin chains may be combined with a source of heme to produce hemoglobin or a substantially homologous variant thereof. The invention also relates to methods for expressing hemoglobin or variants thereof in yeast where the heme is produced by the yeast and ligated to globins to form hemoglobin in vivo.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for deleterious physiological effects such as systemic hypotension caused by nitric oxide production induced by a biological response modifier. Examples of such biological response modifiers include but are not limited to a cytokine and an endotoxin. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of an inhibitor of NO activity, such as a nitric oxide scavenger or an NO synthase inhibitor, as as an adjunct to treatment of inappropriate tissue vascularization disorders.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for deleterious physiological effects such as systemic hypotension caused by nitric oxide production induced by a biological response modifier. Examples of such biological response modifiers include but are not limited to a cytokine and an endotoxin. The invention is also direction to a method for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a substantially pure mammalian globin chain or heme-binding fragment thereof. The invention is further directed to recombinant DNA vectors capable of expressing at least one globin chain or substantially homologous variant thereof in yeast. The invention also relates to methods for expressing at least one globin chain or substantially homologous variant thereof in yeast. Expressed alpha-like globin and beta-like globin chains or variants thereof may be combined with a source of heme to produce hemoglobin or a substantially homologous variant thereof. Additionally, expressed gamma-globin chains may be combined with a source of heme to produce hemoglobin or a substantially homologous variant thereof. The invention also relates to methods for expressing hemoglobin or variants thereof in yeast where the heme is produced by the yeast and ligated to globins to form hemoglobin in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of an inhibitor of NO activity, such as a nitric oxide scavenger or an NO synthase inhibitor, as an antitumor therapy to reduce tumor blood flow and oxygenation. The invention is also directed to administration of a nitric oxide scavenger or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor to enhance the effectiveness of tumor therapy with hypoxic or acidic chemotherapeutic agents or hyperthermia. The invention is also directed to the administration of a nitric oxide synthase substrate to a subject previously administered a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, in order to selectively inhibit tumor perfusion. In a specific example, administration of cell free hemoglobin, a nitric oxide scavenger, in conjunction with mitomycin C, a hypoxic cytotoxin, results in a significant delay in tumor growth of a human tumor xenograft in a mouse compared to mitomycin C alone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for deleterious physiological effects such as systemic hypotension caused by nitric oxide production induced by a biological response modifier. Examples of such biological response modifiers include but are not limited to a cytokine and an endotoxin. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to administration of a nitric oxide scavenger or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor to enhance the effectiveness of tumor therapy with hypoxic or acidic chemotherapeutic agents or hyperthermia. In a specific example, administration of cell free hemoglobin, a nitric oxide scavenger, in conjunction with mitomycin C, a hypoxic cytotoxin, results in a significant delay in tumor growth of a human tumor xenograft in a mouse compared to mitomycin C alone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of an inhibitor of NO activity, such as a nitric oxide scavenger or an NO synthase inhibitor, as an antitumor therapy to reduce tumor blood flow and oxygenation. The invention is also directed to administration of a nitric oxide scavenger or a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor to enhance the effectiveness of tumor therapy with hypoxic or acidic chemotherapeutic agents or hyperthermia. The invention is also directed to the administration of a nitric oxide synthase substrate to a subject previously administered a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, in order to selectively inhibit tumor perfusion. In a specific example, administration of cell free hemoglobin, a nitric oxide scavenger, in conjunction with mitomycin C, a hypoxic cytotoxin, results in a significant delay in tumor growth of a human tumor xenograft in a mouse compared to mitomycin C alone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of an animal for deleterious physiological effects such as systemic hypotension caused by nitric oxide production induced by a biological response modifier. Examples of such biological response modifiers include but are not limited to a cytokine and an endotoxin. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of septic shock. Hemoproteins such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, hemalbumin and methemalbumin, for example, are useful when administered to a hypotensive patient.