Abstract: A method is disclosed to identify a T cell receptor (TCR) variable (V) peptide of use as a therapeutic agent in a subject. A method is also disclosed for monitoring the efficacy of a T Cell Receptor (TCR) V peptide for the treatment of a subject. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for selecting a TCR V peptide of use in therapy for a subject having an autoimmune disease.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 14, 2003
Publication date:
October 9, 2003
Applicants:
Oregon Health and Science University, The Government of the United States of America, dba The Department of Veterans Affairs
Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant expression constructs comprising nucleic acid encoding mammalian melanocortin receptors, in particular MC-4 melanocortin receptor, and mammalian cells into which said recombinant expression constructs have been introduced that express functional mammalian MC-4 melanocortin receptors. The invention particularly provides such genetically engineered cells expressing the human MC4-R melanocortin receptor for screening compounds for receptor agonist and antagonist activity. The invention also provides screening methods using genetically engineered cells expressing the human MC-4 melanocortin receptor to specifically detect and identify agonists and antagonists for this melanocortin receptor. Such screening methods are provided identifying compounds with MC-4 melanocortin receptor antagonist activity having the capacity to influence or modify metabolism and feeding behavior, particularly pathological feeding behavior such as illness-induced cachexia.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 13, 2002
Publication date:
June 19, 2003
Applicant:
Oregon Health and Sciences University, a non-profit organization
Abstract: A method for improving cellular gallium uptake (particularly of tumor cells) by exposing cells to a nifedipine photodegradation product, or an analog thereof. In particular embodiments, the gallium uptake enhancer is selected from the group of A-B and formula (I), wherein A is a pyridine and B is a nitrosophenyl, and n=1-10. In yet other embodiments, the uptake enhancer is formula (II), wherein R1-9 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, haloalkyl, NO2, NO, SO2, a C1-6 alkyl, a COOR10 wherein R10 is H or C1-6 alkyl, and an —OR11 wherein R11 is H or C1-6 alkyl; wherein at least one of R5 and R7 is NO. The uptake enhancers are particularly useful in imaging tumors, using such techniques as gallium scanning, in which the dose of the gallium isotope can be decreased or its imaging efficiency improved.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 6, 2003
Assignee:
Oregon Health and Science University
Inventors:
Kathryn A. Morton, Jean-Baptiste Roullet
Abstract: A mammalian D2 dopamine receptor gene has been cloned. Thus, DNA sequences encoding all or a part of the dopamine receptor are provided, as well as the corresponding polypeptide sequences and methods for producing the same both synthetically and via expression of a corresponding sequence from a host transformed with a suitable vector carrying the corresponding DNA sequence. The various structural information provided by this invention enables the preparation of labeled or unlabeled immunospecific species, particularly antibodies, as well as nucleic acid probes labeled in conventional fashion. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using various products of this invention are also provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 29, 2002
Publication date:
February 27, 2003
Applicant:
Oregon Health and Sciences University
Inventors:
Olivier Civelli, James R. Bunzow, David K. Grandy, Curtis A. Machida
Abstract: This invention herein describes a method of facilitating the entry of drugs into cells and tissues at physiologically protected sites at pharmicokinetically useful levels and also a method of targeting drugs to specific organelles within the cell. This polar lipid/drug conjugate targeting invention embodies an advance over other drug targeting methods known in the prior art, because the invention provides drug concentrations in such physiologically protected sites that can reach therapeutically-effective levels after administration of systemic levels much lower than are currently administered to achieve a therapeutic dose. This technology is appropriate for use with psychotropic, neurotropic and neurological drugs, agents and compounds, for rapid and efficient introduction of such agents across the blood-brain barrier.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 2000
Date of Patent:
August 20, 2002
Assignee:
Oregon Health and Science University
Inventors:
Milton B. Yatvin, Michael H. B. Stowell, Michael J. Meredith
Abstract: This invention herein describes a method of facilitating the entry of drugs into cells and tissues at pharmokinetically useful levels and also a method of targeting drugs to specific organelles within the cell. This polar lipid/drug conjugate targeting invention embodies an advance over other drug targeting methods because through this method, intracellular drug concentrations may reach levels which are orders of magnitude higher than those achieved otherwise. Furthermore, it refines the drug delivery process by allowing therapeutic agents to be directed to certain intracellular structures. This technology is appropriate for use with antiproliferative, antibiotic, antimycotic, antiviral and antineoplastic drugs, in particular in combination with a multiplicity of other emollients and agents to make up topically-active substances such as salves, for rapid and efficient introduction of such agents through the epidermis for treatment of skin diseases and other disorders.
Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mammalian amino acid transporter proteins and the genes that encode such proteins. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of a human amino acid transporter protein termed EAAT4 and genes encoding such a transporter. The invention specifically provides isolated complementary DNA copies of mRNA corresponding to this transporter gene. Also provided are recombinant expression constructs capable of expressing this amino acid transporter gene in cultures of transformed prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as such cultures of transformed cells that synthesize the human amino acid transporter protein encoded therein. The invention also provides methods for screening in vitro compounds having transport-modulating properties using preparations of transporter proteins from such cultures of cells transformed with recombinant expression constructs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 3, 1999
Date of Patent:
December 25, 2001
Assignee:
Oregon Health and Science University
Inventors:
Susan G. Amara, Jeffrey L. Arriza, Wendy A. Fairman
Abstract: This invention provides methods and reagents for developing naturally-occurring and synthetic agonists and antagonists specific for a mammalian melanocortin receptor, and the use of such agonists and antagonists for treatment and alleviation of dysfunction and disease. The invention specifically provides reagents and methods for developing naturally-occurring and synthetic agonists and antagonists specific for a mammalian melanocortin receptor termed MC5-R. The naturally-occurring and synthetic agonists and antagonists specific for the MC5-R receptor are provided by the invention for the treatment, control, amelioration and alleviation of diseases, and dysfunctional and abnormal states related to thermoregulatory disorders, as well as other diseases relating to exocrine gland disorders, including lacrimal gland dysfunction and sebaceous gland disorders including acne and other skin problems.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 21, 2001
Assignee:
Oregon Health and Science University
Inventors:
Roger D. Cone, Wenbiao Chen, Malcolm J. Low