Abstract: The current invention involves the use of protein lectins produced by plants including the non-toxic carbohydrate binding subunits (B subunits) of plant “AB toxins” (PTB lectins) as delivery vehicles for mobilizing associated drug substances for delivery to animal and human cells. The resulting protein fusions or conjugates retain lectin carbohydrate specificity for binding to cells and cellular trafficking activity so as to deliver an associated drug compound to the site of disease manifestation. One embodiment of this invention concerns the ability of ricin toxin B subunit, as a model PTB lectin, to deliver enzyme replacement therapeutic drugs to cells of several organs of the body including the brain and central nervous system, eyes, ears, lungs, bone, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen for treating lysosomal diseases.

Abstract: The current invention involves the use of protein lectins produced by plants including the non-toxic carbohydrate binding subunits (B subunits) of plant “AB toxins” (PTB lectins) as delivery vehicles for mobilizing associated drug substances for delivery to animal and human cells. The resulting protein fusions or conjugates retain lectin carbohydrate specificity for binding to cells and cellular trafficking activity so as to deliver an associated drug compound to the site of disease manifestation. One embodiment of this invention concerns the ability of ricin toxin B subunit, as a model PTB lectin, to deliver enzyme replacement therapeutic drugs to cells of several organs of the body including the brain and central nervous system, eyes, ears, lungs, bone, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen for treating lysosomal diseases.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials, compositions, and methods for treating diseases or injury of, or involving skeletal, muscular or connective tissues in a subject. Compounds/fusions and compositions of the invention utilize plant lectins for delivery of therapeutic agents and/or other associated molecules to cells, tissue, and/or organs of the musculoskeletal system including bone, muscle, cartilage, and/or connective tissue.

Abstract: The current invention involves the use of protein lectins produced by plants including the non-toxic carbohydrate binding subunits (B subunits) of plant “AB toxins” (PTB lectins) as delivery vehicles for mobilizing associated drug substances for delivery to animal and human cells. The resulting protein fusions or conjugates retain lectin carbohydrate specificity for binding to cells and cellular trafficking activity so as to deliver an associated drug compound to the site of disease manifestation. One embodiment of this invention concerns the ability of ricin toxin B subunit, as a model PTB lectin, to deliver enzyme replacement therapeutic drugs to cells of several organs of the body including the brain and central nervous system, eyes, ears, lungs, bone, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen for treating lysosomal diseases.

Abstract: The current invention involves the use of protein lectins produced by plants including the non-toxic carbohydrate binding subunits (B subunits) of plant “AB toxins” (PTB lectins) as delivery vehicles for mobilizing associated drug substances for delivery to animal and human cells. The resulting protein fusions or conjugates retain lectin carbohydrate specificity for binding to cells and cellular trafficking activity so as to deliver an associated drug compound to the site of disease manifestation. One embodiment of this invention concerns the ability of ricin toxin B subunit, as a model PTB lectin, to deliver enzyme replacement therapeutic drugs to cells of several organs of the body including the brain and central nervous system, eyes, ears, lungs, bone, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen for treating lysosomal diseases.

Abstract: The invention is a plant-based production of biologically active avian interleukin-12 protein and functional units for increasing the protective and/or immunological response in an animal, for use as an adjuvant with a vaccine to control avian infectious diseases, and methods of producing and using the same. Specifically, avian interleukin-12 was produced from a plant-based expression system and demonstrated that it stimulates production of immune responses in birds.

Abstract: A method of preparing molecules of interest for delivery to eukaryotic cells is shown, wherein a ricin B chain subunit not having a ribosome inactivating subunit and retaining lectin activity is modified by modifying the first cysteine residue to be absent or substituted with an amino acid other than cysteine, or removing a protease sensitive site at the N-terminal of the subunit, or adding an endoplasmic reticulum retrieval signal, and operatively associating the subunit with a molecule of interest. Methods of operatively associating the subunit and molecule of interest include chemical conjugation at primary amines, conjugation with N-glycans of the subunit, a disulfide bond, and assembly of immunoglobulin domains. The invention provides for operatively associating multiple molecules of interest with a ricin B chain subunit, and delivery into targeted cells, cell components, and combination of cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants having recombinant expression constructs comprising human hGC and IDUA nucleotide sequences produced enzymatically active modified human glucocerebrosidase and human .alpha.-L-iduronidase. The recombinant lysosomal enzymes produced in accordance with the invention may be used for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to enzyme replacement therapy for the therapeutic treatment of human and animal lysosomal storage diseases.