Abstract: A method of delivering heterologous nucleic acid (e.g., a gene sequence) into a cell comprises attaching a virus containing a heterologous gene sequence to a G protein coupled receptor (i.e., a seven transmembrane receptor such as the P2Y2 receptor). The virus may be attached to the receptor by means of a bridging antibody, or by binding an antibody specific for the receptor with an antibody specific for the virus, wherein the antibody that specifically binds with the receptor and the antibody that specifically binds to the virus are cross-linked. Alternatively, the virus may express a peptide that specifically binds to the receptor. The receptor may be induced to internalize by means of the addition of a ligand known to trigger internalization of the receptor into the cell.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of stimulating tear secretion and mucin production in eyes. The method comprises the step of administering to the eyes of a subject a composition comprising a compound of Formula I, II, III, or IV and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in an amount effective to stimulate tear fluid secretion. The method of the present invention may be used to increase tear production for any reason, including, but not limited to, treatment of dry eye disease and corneal injury. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating cervical and vaginal secretions in a mammal by treatment with P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 purinergic receptor agonists. Treatment of vaginal dryness associated with menopause, chemotherapy, and various disease states as well as the treatment of vulvar pain is discussed. Suitable agonists such as UTP, CTP, ATP, dinucleotides and analogs thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I: wherein: X1, and X2 are each independently either O− or S−; X3 and X4 are each independently either —H or —OH, with the proviso that X3 and X4 are not simultaneously —H; R1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene and dihalomethylene; R2 is selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxyl, nitro and azido; R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, acyl, aryl, and arylalkyl; and R4 is selected from the group consisting of —OR′, —SR′, —NR′, and —NR′R″, wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyl, and aryloxyl, with the proviso that R′ is absent when R4 is double bonded from an oxygen or sulfur atom to the carbon at the 4-position of the pyrimidine ring, are used in methods of hydrating lung mucus secr

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of mucosal hydration in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mucosal surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP), dinucleotide triphosphates; cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate mucin secretion. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of tear secretion in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the ocular surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), dinucleotides, cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP), adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate tear fluid secretion and enhance drainage of the lacrimal system. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: A method of promoting drainage of congested middle ear fluid in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the middle ear of the subject a uridine triphosphate such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), an analog of UTP, or any other analog, in an amount effective to promote drainage of congested middle ear fluid by hydrating mucous secretions in the middle ear or by stimulating ciliary beat frequency in the middle ear or eustachian tube. The method is useful for treating patients afflicted with otitis media and other middle ear diseases, otitis externa, and inner ear diseases including Ménière's Disease. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include any liquid suspension (including nasal drops or spray), oral, inhaled by nebulization, topical, injected or suppository form.

Abstract: A method of stimulating ciliary beat frequency in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the airways, ears, eyes, or genito-urinary tract of the subject a triphosphate nucleotide such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), an analog of UTP, or any other analog, in an amount effective to stimulate ciliary beat frequency. This method is useful for treating patients afflicted with ciliary dyskinesia, Kartagener's syndrome, or any other disease involving dysfunction of ciliary movement, such as male infertility caused by impairment of propulsion of the spermatozoa or immune deficiency caused by impairment of ciliary movement in neutrophils or macrophages. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel dinucleotides and formulations thereof which are highly selective agonists of the P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 purinergic receptor. They are useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis, PCD, cystic fibrosis, as well as prevention of pneumonia due to immobility. Furthermore, because of their general ability to clear retained mucus secretions and stimulate ciliary beat frequency, the compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of sinusitis, otitis media and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. They are also useful for treatment of dry eye disease and retinal detachment as well as facilitating sputum induction and expectoration.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of tear secretion in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the ocular surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), dinucleotides, cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP), adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate tear fluid secretion and enhance drainage of the lacrimal system. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of mucosal hydration in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mucosal surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP), dinucleotide triphosphates; cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate mucin secretion. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of regulating water and mucin secretions and fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract. The invention also provides a method for treating a gastrointestinal disease in which the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal system is impaired. The invention additionally provides a method for correcting disorders of fluid secretion or absorption in the gastrointestinal system. The method comprises administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising a purinergic P2Y receptor agonist, in an amount effective to regulate water and mucin secretions or to correct abnormal fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel dinucleotides and formulations thereof which are highly selective agonists of the P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 purinergic receptor. They are useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis, PCD, cystic fibrosis, as well as prevention of pneumonia due to immobility. Furthermore, because of their general ability to clear retained mucus secretions and stimulate ciliary beat frequency, the compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of sinusitis, otitis media and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. They are also useful for treatment of dry eye disease and retinal detachment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating cervical and vaginal secretions in a mammal by treatment with P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 purinergic receptor agonists. Treatment of vaginal dryness associated with menopause, chemotherapy, and various disease states as well as the treatment of vulvar pain is discussed. Suitable agonists such as UTP, CTP, ATP, dinucleotides and analogs thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of mucosal hydration in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mucosal surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP), dinucleotides, cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate mucin secretion. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to P1-(cytidine 5′-)-P-(uridine 5′-)tetraphosphates and its salts, esters and amides, and formulations thereof which are highly stable and selective agonists of the P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 purinergic receptor. The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, cystic fibrosis, as well as prevention of pneumonia due to immobility, and the induction of sputum and its expectoration. Furthermore, because of their general ability to clear retained mucus secretions and stimulate ciliary beat frequency, the compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of sinusitis and otitis media.

Abstract: A method of promoting clearance of retained mucous secretions in the bronchi, bronchioles and small terminal airways of a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the bronchi of the subject a uridine phosphate such as uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), or P.sup.1,P.sup.4 -di(uridine-5') tetraphosphate (U.sub.2 P.sub.4), an analog of UTP, or any other analog, in an amount effective to promote mucociliary clearance and/or cough clearance of retained fluid in the bronchi, bronchioles and small terminal airways. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: aerosol inhalation, any liquid suspension (including nasal drops or spray), oral form (liquid or pill), injected, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein: X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are each independently either O.sup.- or S.sup.- ;X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are each independently either --H or --OH, with the proviso that X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are not simultaneously --H;R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene and dihalomethylene;R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxyl, nitro and azido;R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, acyl, aryl, and arylalkyl; andR.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of --OR', --SR', --NR', and --NR'R", wherein R' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyl, and aryloxyl, with the proviso that R' is absent when R.sub.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I: ##STR1## wherein: X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are each independently either O.sup.- or S.sup.- ;X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are each independently either --H or --OH, with the proviso that X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are not simultaneously --H;R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of O, imido, methylene and dihalomethylene;R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxyl, nitro and azido;R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, acyl, aryl, and arylalkyl; andR.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of --OR', --SR', --NR', and --NR'R", wherein R' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyl, and aryloxyl, with the proviso that R' is absent when R.sub.

Abstract: Novel pharmaceutical compositions of uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) for use in promoting increased mucociliary clearance of retained mucous secretions of the human airways, middle/inner ears or sinuses are disclosed. Novel Formulation I comprises UTP and aqueous solution having a therapeutic concentration between 5 and 45 mg/mL, a controlled tonicity within the range of 250 to 100 mOsM, a pH between 7.0 and 7.5, and is sterile. The pH-adjusted composition is capable of long-term storage in the refrigerated state with a shelf life of up to 30 months. Formulation I may be delivered therapeutically either in a nebulized form or in a liquid form. Novel Formulation II comprises UTP in an aqueous solution or suspension having a therapeutic concentration approaching the limit of UTP's solubility at ambient temperature. This high concentration allows delivery of a therapeutic amount of UTP in very small volumes (50 to 100 .mu.L) suitable for administration via portable hand-held devices such as metered dose inhalers.