Patents by Inventor Raphael Hirsch
Raphael Hirsch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8741584Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosis of inflammatory disorders, and in non-limiting embodiments, of inflammatory disorders associated with elevated interleukin-1? (“IL-1?”), based on increased levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (“FSTL-1”). In particular non-limiting embodiments, the invention further provides for methods of identifying subjects with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (“SOJIA”) who are at increased risk for developing macrophage activation syndrome (“MAS”) comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1. In additional non-limiting embodiments, the invention provides for methods of identifying subjects with Kawasaki disease who are at increased risk of developing aortic aneurysms comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Raphael Hirsch, David C. Wilson
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Patent number: 8658379Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosing systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis using levels of FSTL-1.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventor: Raphael Hirsch
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Publication number: 20130011863Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosing systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis using levels of FSTL-1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventor: Raphael Hirsch
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Patent number: 8334274Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: University Of Pittsburg—Of The Commonwealth of Higher EducationInventors: Raphael Hirsch, Anthony D. Marinov, David C. Wilson
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Patent number: 8211652Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosing severity of particular types of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatic diseases, by assessing protein levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1). The level of FSTL-1 protein present in the serum or synovial fluid of individuals suspected of having certain inflammatory disease (e.g, rheumatoid arthritis) is positively correlated with the severity of the disease.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventor: Raphael Hirsch
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Publication number: 20110274698Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATIONInventors: Raphael Hirsch, Anthony D. Marinov, David C. Wilson
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Patent number: 7972599Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, Anthony D. Marinov, David C. Wilson
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Publication number: 20110045507Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosing severity of particular types of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatic diseases, by assessing protein levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1). The level of FSTL-1 protein present in the serum or synovial fluid of individuals suspected of having certain inflammatory disease (e.g, rheumatoid arthritis) is positively correlated with the severity of the disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATIONInventor: Raphael Hirsch
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Patent number: 7734077Abstract: A method of objectively quantifying assessments of joints having arthritis for purposes of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The objective measurements utilize known imaging modalities including 3D scanning, thermal imaging, visible and near-infrared imaging and two-dimensional imaging to quantify swelling, heat distribution, erythema, and range or motion. The objective measurements can be combined in various ways to assess the extent of the disease and can be used to adjust treatment protocols.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: University of Pittsburgh - Of The Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Raphael Hirsch, James Osborn, Chian Kent Kwoh, Louis J. Denes, Daniel Huber
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Patent number: 7702140Abstract: A method of assessing a body part includes obtaining two or more types of data through a combination of two or more of the following four imaging modalities: (1) obtaining surface topography data of the body part, (2) obtaining thermographic data of the body part, (3) obtaining range of motion data for the body part, and (4) obtaining spectral data of light reflected from the body part. The two or more types of data are integrated to allow them to be interacted with simultaneously, and the body part is assessed based on the integrated data.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Raphael Hirsch, James Osborn, Chian Kent Kwoh, Louis J. Denes, Daniel Huber
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Publication number: 20090216130Abstract: A method of objectively quantifying assessments of joints having arthritis for purposes of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The objective measurements utilize known imaging modalities including 3D scanning, thermal imaging, visible and near-infrared imaging and two-dimensional imaging to quantify swelling, heat distribution, erythema, and range or motion. The objective measurements can be combined in various ways to assess the extent of the disease and can be used to adjust treatment protocols.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, James Osborn, Chian Kent Kwoh, Louis J. Denes, Daniel Huber
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Publication number: 20090214092Abstract: A method of assessing a body part includes obtaining two or more types of data through a combination of two or more of the following four imaging modalities: (1) obtaining surface topography data of the body part, (2) obtaining thermographic data of the body part, (3) obtaining range of motion data for the body part, and (4) obtaining spectral data of light reflected from the body part. The two or more types of data are integrated to allow them to be interacted with simultaneously, and the body part is assessed based on the integrated data.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicants: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Raphael Hirsch, James Osborn, Chian Kent Kwoh, Louis J. Denes, Daniel Huber
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Patent number: 7519210Abstract: A method of objectively quantifying assessments of joints having arthritis for purposes of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The objective measurements utilize known imaging modalities including 3D scanning, thermal imaging, visible and near-infrared imaging and two-dimensional imaging to quantify swelling, heat distribution, erythema, and range or motion. The objective measurements can be combined in various ways to assess the extent of the disease and can be used to adjust treatment protocols.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, James Osborn, Chian Kent Kwoh, Louis J. Denes, Daniel Huber
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Publication number: 20070253962Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, Anthony Marinov, David Wilson
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Publication number: 20060062448Abstract: A method of objectively quantifying assessments of joints having arthritis for purposes of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The objective measurements utilize known imaging modalities including 3D scanning, thermal imaging, visible and near-infrared imaging and two-dimensional imaging to quantify swelling, heat distribution, erythema, and range or motion. The objective measurements can be combined in various ways to assess the extent of the disease and can be used to adjust treatment protocols.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, James Osborn, Chian Kwoh, Louis Denes, Daniel Huber
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Publication number: 20050202421Abstract: The onset and progression of chronic autoimmune diseases, including human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are likely determined by differential expression of genes that influence inflammatory and immune responses. The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model for RA exhibits many of the same genetic and immunological features of RA; however, the profiles of gene expression during the inflammatory and immune responses of CIA or RA have not been well characterized. Previous studies have demonstrated that mRNA levels, particularly that of cytokines, can change over the course of CIA. To determine the contribution of various genes in the pathogenesis of CIA, microarray technology was used to simultaneously monitor 8,734 target cDNAs to discover arthritic stage-specific genes. The resulting gene expression profile identified 333 genes that were at least 2-fold up-regulated in all synovial samples: normal, acute disease and chronic disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: September 15, 2005Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, Sherry Thornton
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Publication number: 20030003583Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for regulating gene expression both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the present invention provides for methods of using adeno-associated virus for transduction of a target gene in a variety of tissues wherein the expression of the transgene is regulated by administration of a proteasome inhibitor. As an example, a therapeutic gene can be delivered in vivo by an adeno-associated virus to a tissue that is not normally transduced by adeno-associated virus. The host would then be administered a proteasome inhibitor in order to induce expression of the therapeutic gene. Hence, the proteasome inhibitor would be administered only when gene expression is desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Raphael Hirsch, Kristi Jennings
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Patent number: 6211342Abstract: The present invention describes a soluble fusion protein composed of a plurality of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules linked together by a stabilizing structure herein referred to as the “linker,” the MHC molecules being loaded with a specific peptide or peptides. Such fusion proteins can be used as a method for stimulating or inhibiting specific T cell clones expressing T cell receptors (TCR) restricted to the specific MHC-peptide combination. Such fusion proteins can thus be used as delivery systems to stimulate T cell immunity and as a treatment for diseases such as transplant rejection or autoimmunity.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1996Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Children's Hospital Medical CenterInventors: Raphael Hirsch, Constance M. Cullen
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Patent number: 6197302Abstract: The present invention describes a soluble fusion protein composed of a plurality of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules linked together by a stabilizing structure herein referred to as the “linker,” the MHC molecules being loaded with a specific peptide or peptides. Such fusion proteins can be used as a method for stimulating or inhibiting specific T cell clones expressing T cell receptors (TCR) restricted to the specific MHC-peptide combination. Such fusion proteins can thus be used as delivery systems to stimulate T cell immunity and as a treatment for diseases such as transplant rejection or autoimmunity.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Children's Hospital Medical CenterInventors: Raphael Hirsch, Constance M. Cullen
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Patent number: 5428132Abstract: The present invention describes a DNA-antibody conjugate and a method for integration of foreign DNA into cells in a tissue-specific manner by conjugating the foreign DNA with a target specific antibody.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1993Date of Patent: June 27, 1995Assignee: United States of AmericaInventors: Raphael Hirsch, Francois Hirsch