Abstract: The invention includes methods and compositions for the generation of antibody-producing cells without the need for hybridoma formation. In one embodiment, the method includes the generation of monoclonal antibody producing cells by harvesting cells from a transgenic mouse with an immortalized cell population. In other embodiments, the method includes the use of a transgenic mouse with an immortalized cell population crossed with a transgenic mouse capable of producing humanized antibodies to produce a human and immortalized monoclonal antibody producing cell line.

Abstract: Neonatal mice with classic inherited retinal degeneration (Pdebrd1/Pdebrd1) are disclosed which fail to mount reactive retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced proliferative retinopathy. Also disclosed is a comparable human paradigm: spontaneous regression of retinal neovascularization associated with long-standing diabetes mellitus which occurs when retinitis pigmentosa becomes clinically evident. Both mouse and human data indicate that reactive retinal neovascularization either fails to develop or regresses when the number of photoreceptor cells is markedly reduced. The results show that a functional mechanism underlying this anti-angiogenic state is failure of the predicted up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), although other growth factors may also be involved. Preventive and therapeutic methods useful against both proliferative and degenerative retinopathies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for in vivo and in vitro targeting. A large number of targeting peptides directed towards human organs, tissues or cell types are disclosed. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to gene therapy vectors. A novel class of gene therapy vectors is disclosed. Certain of the disclosed peptides have therapeutic use for inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pregnancy or inducing weight loss. Methods of identifying novel targeting peptides in humans, as well as identifying endogenous receptor-ligand pairs are disclosed. Methods of identifying novel infectious agents that are causal for human disease states are also disclosed. A novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis is further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a membrane dipeptidase (MDP)-binding homing molecule that selectively homes to lung endothelium. The method includes the steps of contacting MDP with one or more molecules; and determining specific binding of a molecule to the MDP, where the presence of specific binding identifies the molecule as a MDP-binding homing molecule that selectively homes to lung endothelium. Such MDP-binding homing molecules can be linked to a moiety and, when administered to a subject as a conjugate, can selectively direct the moiety to lung endothelium in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor homing molecules, which selectively home to a tumor. The invention also provides methods of using a tumor homing molecule to target an agent such as a drug to a selected tumor or to identify the target molecule expressed by the tumor. The invention also provides methods of targeting a tumor containing angiogenic vasculature by contacting the tumor with a molecule that specifically binds an &agr;v-containing integrin. The invention further provides molecules that can selectively home to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a target molecule, which is specifically bound by a tumor homing molecule and is expressed by angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to the target molecule and peptidomimetics that competitively inhibit binding of a ligand to the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules that home to a selected organ. For example, the invention provides peptides that selectively home to brain or to kidney.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature by contacting a substantially purified NGR receptor with one or more molecules and determining specific binding of a molecule to the NGR receptor, where the presence of specific binding identifies the molecule as a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides a method of directing a moiety to angiogenic vasculature in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate including a moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor, whereby the moiety is directed to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a method of imaging the angiogenic vasculature of a tumor in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate having a detectable moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor and detecting the conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for in vivo panning of a library to identify molecules that specifically home to a selected organ.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and comositions for in vivo and in vitro targeting. A large number of targeting peptides directed towards human organs, tissues or cell types are disclosed. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to gene therapy vectors. A novel class of gene therapy vectors is disclosed. Certain of the disclosed peptides have therapeutic use for inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pregnancy or inducing weight loss. Methods of identifying novel targeting peptides in humans, as well as identifying endogenous receptor-ligand pairs are disclosed. Methods of identifying novel infectious agents that are causal for human disease states are also disclosed. A novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis is further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules that selectively home to various normal organs or tissues, including to lung, pancreas, skin, retina, prostate, ovary, lymph node, adrenal gland, liver or gut; and provides molecules that selectively home to tumor bearing organs or tissues, including to pancreas bearing a pancreatic tumor or to lung bearing a lung tumor. The invention also provides conjugates, comprising an organ or tissue homing molecule linked to a moiety. Such a moiety can be, for example, a therapeutic agent or a detectable agent. In addition, the invention provides methods of using an organ homing molecule of the invention to identify a particular organ or tissue by contacting the organ or tissue with a molecule of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor homing molecules, which selectively home to a tumor. The invention also provides methods of using a tumor homing molecule to target an agent such as a drug to a selected tumor or to identify the target molecule expressed by the tumor. The invention also provides methods of targeting a tumor containing angiogenic vasculature by contacting the tumor with a molecule that specifically binds an &agr;v-containing integrin. The invention further provides molecules that can selectively home to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a target molecule, which is specifically bound by a tumor homing molecule and is expressed by angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to the target molecule and peptidomimetics that competitively inhibit binding of a ligand to the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature by contacting a substantially purified NGR receptor with one or more molecules and determining specific binding of a molecule to the NGR receptor, where the presence of specific binding identifies the molecule as a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides a method of directing a moiety to angiogenic vasculature in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate including a moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor, whereby the moiety is directed to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a method of imaging the angiogenic vasculature of a tumor in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate having a detectable moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor and detecting the conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor homing molecules, which selectively home to a tumor. The invention also provides methods of using a tumor homing molecule to target an agent such as a drug to a selected tumor or to identify the target molecule expressed by the tumor. The invention also provides methods of targeting a tumor containing angiogenic vasculature by contacting the tumor with a molecule that specifically binds an &agr;v-containing integrin. The invention further provides molecules that can selectively home to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a target molecule, which is specifically bound by a tumor homing molecule and is expressed by angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides antibodies that bind to the target molecule and peptidomimetics that competitively inhibit binding of a ligand to the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides angiogenic vasculature homing molecules that bind to NG2/HM proteoglycan, including, for example, a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence TAASGVRSMH (SEQ ID NO:1) or LTLRWVGLMS (SEQ ID NO:2). The invention also provides conjugates comprising an angiogenic vasculature homing molecule linked to a moiety such as a drug, a cytotoxic agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a detectable agent. The invention additionally provides a method of targeting angiogenic vasculature in a tumor in vivo by contacting the angiogenic vasculature with an angiogenic vasculature homing molecule that selectively homes to a NG2/HM proteoglycan, wherein the angiogenic vasculature homing molecule is not an antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature by contacting a substantially purified NGR receptor with one or more molecules and determining specific binding of a molecule to the NGR receptor, where the presence of specific binding identifies the molecule as a tumor homing molecule that homes to angiogenic vasculature. The invention also provides a method of directing a moiety to angiogenic vasculature in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate including a moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor, whereby the moiety is directed to angiogenic vasculature. In addition, the invention provides a method of imaging the angiogenic vasculature of a tumor in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate having a detectable moiety linked to a tumor homing molecule that exhibits specific binding to an NGR receptor and detecting the conjugate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis and treating pathologies with angioproliferative components. The invention provides a method of ameliorating tumor growth and metastasis in a subject comprising administering a superfibronectin or a superfibronectin-generating compound to the subject. The invention also provides a method of inhibiting the migration and attachment of tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric prostate-homing peptide with pro-apoptotic activity. In a preferred embodiment, the chimeric prostate-homing pro-apoptotic peptide contains the sequence SMSIARL-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2. Methods of using such chimeric peptides for treating patients having prostate cancer also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for in vivo panning of a library to identify molecules that specifically home to a selected organ.

Abstract: The present invention provides enriched library fractions containing a plurality of molecules that home to a selected organ in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules that selectively home to various normal organs or tissues, including to lung, pancreas, skin, retina, prostate, ovary, lymph node, adrenal gland, liver or gut; and provides molecules that selectively home to tumor bearing organs or tissues, including to pancreas bearing a pancreatic tumor or to lung bearing a lung tumor. The invention also provides conjugates, comprising an organ or tissue homing molecule linked to a moiety. Such a moiety can be, for example, a therapeutic agent or a detectable agent. In addition, the invention provides methods of using an organ homing molecule of the invention to identify a particular organ or tissue by contacting the organ or tissue with a molecule of the invention.