Patents by Inventor Richard Bucala
Richard Bucala 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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Publication number: 20210030859Abstract: This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicants: Yale University, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Richard BUCALA, Andrew GEALL
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Patent number: 10842859Abstract: This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignees: Yale University, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Richard Bucala, Andrew Geall
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Patent number: 10765739Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for increasing AMPK activity and glucose uptake comprising administering a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) pathway agonist in a subject in need thereof. The invention also relates to methods for selecting a subject for treatment with an agonist of MIF, identifying a subject at risk for developing a condition in which increased AMPK activity is desirable, and for predicting whether a subject is susceptible to a condition in which increased AMPK activity is desirable.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Yale UniversityInventors: Richard Bucala, Lawrence H. Young
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Publication number: 20180008705Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for increasing AMPK activity and glucose uptake comprising administering a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) pathway agonist in a subject in need thereof. The invention also relates to methods for selecting a subject for treatment with an agonist of MIF, identifying a subject at risk for developing a condition in which increased AMPK activity is desirable, and for predicting whether a subject is susceptible to a condition in which increased AMPK activity is desirable.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Richard Bucala, Lawrence H. Young
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Publication number: 20170106070Abstract: This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicants: Yale University, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Richard BUCALA, Andrew GEALL
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Patent number: 7745121Abstract: The present invention relates to the risk assessment, detection, diagnosis, or prognosis of prostate cancer. More specifically, this invention relates to the detection of certain polymorphism in the promoter region of the MIF gene to determine the risk, detect, diagnose, or prognosticate prostate cancer. Applicants have discovered that the presence of a ?173C and/or ?749 (CATT)7 or more repeat predispose an individual to prostate cancer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: The Department of Veterans AffairsInventors: Katherine Siegler, Kenneth Iczkowski, Richard Bucala, Pedro L. Vera
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Publication number: 20100143379Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for selecting a subject for treatment with an agonist or antagonist of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), identifying a subject at risk for developing a disease associated with high or low MIF expression, predicting the severity of a disease associated with high or low MIF expression in a subject, and for predicting whether a subject is susceptible to a disease associated with high or low MIF expression. The invention also provides novel methods of diagnosing a patient for a disease associated with high or low MIF expression. Also provided are methods for treating a subject having a disease or disorder associated with high or low MIF expression.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2006Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Richard Bucala, Lin Leng, Sarah Doernberg
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Patent number: 7517523Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting the release and/or biological activity of migration inhibitory factor (MIF). In particular, the invention relates to the uses of such compositions and methods for the treatment of various conditions involving cytokine-mediated toxicity, which include, but are not limited to shock, inflammation, graft versus host disease, and/or autoimmune diseases.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Cytokine PharmaSciences, Inc.Inventors: Richard Bucala, Robert A. Mitchell, Jurgen Bernhagen, Thierry F. Calandra, Anthony Cerami
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Publication number: 20080167228Abstract: The present invention encompasses assays to identify compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MIF which catalyzes the tautomerization of MIF-substrates, such as D-dopachrome to DHICA. In general, the assay is conducted in vitro by adding, mixing or combining MIF and a suitable substrate in the presence or absence of a test compound, and measuring the tautomerization of the substrate. The test compounds that inhibit tautomerization in the assay are identified as MIF inhibitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Richard Bucala, Peter C. Ulrich, Xini Xhang, Anthony Cerami
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Publication number: 20080089884Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods for treating and/or preventing bladder disorders. In certain embodiments the invention comprises methods for the treatment and/or prevention of a bladder disorder comprising administering an effective amount of a therapeutic agent that decreases the expression, release or biological activity of macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) to a subject in need thereof. In other aspects the invention relates to a method for diagnosing bladder disease and/or bladder disease severity comprising screening for a MIF gene or MIF receptor gene polymorphism or expression level.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: George Kuchel, Richard Bucala
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Patent number: 7205107Abstract: Describe herein is a CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Cytokine Pharmasciences, Inc.Inventors: John A. Baugh, Richard Bucala, Smita Chitnis, Seamus C. Donnelly, Peter K. Gregersen, Joanita Monteiro
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Publication number: 20070048763Abstract: The present invention relates to the risk assessment, detection, diagnosis, or prognosis of prostate cancer. More specifically, this invention relates to the detection of certain polymorphism in the promoter region of the MIF gene to determine the risk, detect, diagnose, or prognosticate prostate cancer. Applicants have discovered that the presence of a ?173C and/or ?749 (CATT)7 or more repeat predispose an individual to prostate cancer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventors: Katherine Siegler, Kenneth Iczkowski, Richard Bucala, Pedro Vera
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Publication number: 20060062788Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic methods for determining migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA content in a sample, wherein MIF is human MIF polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa and kits for detecting MIF.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: Richard Bucala, Robert Mitchell, Jurgen Bernhagen, Thierry Calandra, Anthony Cerami
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Publication number: 20060024754Abstract: Methods and compositions for using the MHC class II invariant chain polypeptide, Ii (also known as CD74), as a receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), are disclosed. These include methods and compositions for using this receptor, as well as agonists and antagonists of MIF which bind to this receptor, or which otherwise modulate the interaction of MIF with CD74 or the consequences of such interaction, in treatment of conditions characterized by locally or systemically altered MIF levels, particularly inflammatory conditions and cancer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2005Publication date: February 2, 2006Inventors: Richard Bucala, Lin Leng, Christine Metz
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Publication number: 20030215446Abstract: Describe herein is a novel CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position −817 of the human Mif gene that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position −817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: John A. Baugh, Richard Bucala, Smita Chitnis, Seamus C. Donnelly, Peter K. Gregersen, Joanita Monteiro
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Publication number: 20030105014Abstract: The present invention encompasses assays to identify compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MIF which catalyzes the tautomerization of MIF-substrates, such as D-dopachrome to DHICA. In general, the assay is conducted in vitro by adding, mixing or combining MIF and a suitable substrate in the presence or absence of a test compound, and measuring the tautomerization of the substrate. The test compounds that inhibit tautomerization in the assay are identified as MIF inhibitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Richard Bucala, Peter C. Ulrich, Xini Xhang, Anthony Cerami
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Publication number: 20030003576Abstract: Disclosed are the identification of a differentiation pathway of cultured fibrocytes, characterization of the signals for fibrocyte migration to wound sites in vivo, and the potential role of fibrocytes in wound contracture. The invention relates to a method for producing fibrocytes comprising contacting a population of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) comprising predominantly CD14+ cells with autologous T cells or a form of TGF&bgr;, preferably TGF&bgr;1, thereby inducing differentiation of fibrocytes from precursors in the PBMC population. These fibrocytes are useful for treating a wound in a mammalian subject by administering fibrocytes to the subject, preferably in combination with TGF&bgr;1. Also disclosed are methods for attracting or targeting fibrocytes to a wound by administering SLC or another agonist of the CCR7 chemokine receptor, at or near the site of the wound, and methods of decreasing undesired wound fibrosis by inhibiting fibrocyte activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Riichiro Abe, Richard Bucala, Seamas Donnelly, Christine N. Metz
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Publication number: 20020114812Abstract: Regulation of expression of CTL activity by macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is disclosed. In a mouse model using the EL4 tumor, cultured splenocytes from tumor-primed mice secrete high levels of MIF following antigen stimulation in vitro. Parallel splenocytes treated with neutralizing anti-MIF mAb showed a significant increase in CTL response against tumor cells compared to control mAb-treated cultures, with elevated expression of IFN&ggr;. Histology of tumors from anti-MIF treated animals showed increases in infiltration of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as apoptotic tumor cells, consistent with observed augmentation of CTL activity in vivo by anti-MIF, which was associated with enhanced expression of the common &ggr;c chain of the IL-2 receptor that mediates CD8+T cell survival. CD8+ cells of anti-MIF treated tumor-bearing mice showed increased migration into tumors of control mice. Methods for enhancing a CTL response by inhibition of MIF are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Riichiro Abe, Richard Bucala, Christine N. Metz
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Patent number: 6420188Abstract: The present invention encompasses assays to identify compounds that inhibit the enzymatic activity of MIF which catalyzes the tautomerization of MIF-substrates, such as D-dopachrome to DHICA. In general, the assay is conducted in vitro by adding, mixing or combining MIF and a suitable substrate in the presence or absence of a test compound, and measuring the tautomerization of the substrate. The test compounds that inhibit tautomerization in the assay are identified as MIF inhibitors.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1996Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: The Picower Institute for Medical ResearchInventors: Richard Bucala, Peter C. Ulrich, Xini Xhang, Anthony Cerami