Patents by Inventor Timothy A. Mietzner

Timothy A. Mietzner 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).

  • Patent number: 8071540
    Abstract: Described herein are peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides, designated LBU, WLBU and WR, are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The antimicrobial peptides are monomers or multimers of peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides, derived from the LLP1 analogs and also having antimicrobial activity. Also described herein are using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. Methods of killing fungi, such as Candida and Cryptococcus species, and bacteria, such as B. anthracis, are provided herein. Methods of neutralizing enveloped viruses, such as poxvirus, herpesvirus, rhabdovirus, hepadnavirus, baculovirus, orthomyxovirus, paramyxovirus, retrovirus, togavirus, bunyavirus and flavivirus, including influenza virus and HIV-1 also are provided herein. Solid phase substrates and peptide-cargo complexes comprising the peptides also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Publication number: 20090099533
    Abstract: Described herein are peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides, designated LBU, WLBU and WR, are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The antimicrobial peptides are monomers or multimers of peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides, derived from the LLP1 analogs and also having antimicrobial activity. Also described herein are using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. Methods of killing fungi, such as Candida and Cryptococcus species, and bacteria, such as B. anthracis, are provided herein. Methods of neutralizing enveloped viruses, such as poxvirus, herpesvirus, rhabdovirus, hepadnavirus, baculovirus, orthomyxovirus, paramyxovirus, retrovirus, togavirus, bunyavirus and flavivirus, including influenza virus and HIV-1 also are provided herein. Solid phase substrates and peptide-cargo complexes comprising the peptides also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Patent number: 6887847
    Abstract: The invention is directed to peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides of the present invention are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The invention is further directed to peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides derived from the LLP1 analogs, also having antimicrobial activity. In addition, the present invention is also directed to methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. The antimicrobial LLP1 analog peptides and the LBU peptides (collectively eLLPs) may be highly active under high salt conditions and in biologic fluids. In addition, the eLLPs are effective when presented either in soluble form, or when attached to a solid surface. Furthermore, the peptides of the present invention are selectively active against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens and exhibit minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Patent number: 6835713
    Abstract: The invention is directed to peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides of the present invention are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The invention is further directed to peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides derived from the LLP1 analogs, also having antimicrobial activity. In addition, the present invention is also directed to methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. The antimicrobial LLP1 analog peptides and the LBU peptides (collectively eLLPs) may be highly active under high salt conditions and in biologic fluids. In addition, the eLLPs are effective when presented either in soluble form, or when attached to a solid surface. Furthermore, the peptides of the present invention are selectively active against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens and exhibit minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Publication number: 20030036627
    Abstract: The invention is directed to peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides of the present invention are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The invention is further directed to peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides derived from the LLP1 analogs, also having antimicrobial activity. In addition, the present invention is also directed to methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. The antimicrobial LLP1 analog peptides and the LBU peptides (collectively eLLPs) may be highly active under high salt conditions and in biologic fluids. In addition, the eLLPs are effective when presented either in soluble form, or when attached to a solid surface. Furthermore, the peptides of the present invention are selectively active against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens and exhibit minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Publication number: 20020188102
    Abstract: The invention is directed to peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides of the present invention are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The invention is further directed to peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides derived from the LLP1 analogs, also having antimicrobial activity. In addition, the present invention is also directed to methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. The antimicrobial LLP1 analog peptides and the LBU peptides (collectively eLLPs) may be highly active under high salt conditions and in biologic fluids. In addition, the eLLPs are effective when presented either in soluble form, or when attached to a solid surface. Furthermore, the peptides of the present invention are selectively active against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens and exhibit minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Publication number: 20020169279
    Abstract: The invention is directed to peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides of the present invention are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The invention is further directed to peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides derived from the LLP1 analogs, also having antimicrobial activity. In addition, the present invention is also directed to methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. The antimicrobial LLP1 analog peptides and the LBU peptides (collectively eLLPs) may be highly active under high salt conditions and in biologic fluids. In addition, the eLLPs are effective when presented either in soluble form, or when attached to a solid surface. Furthermore, the peptides of the present invention are selectively active against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens and exhibit minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Patent number: 5945507
    Abstract: The invention is directed to antimicrobial peptides which correspond in sequence to selective amino acid sequences in viral transmembrane proteins. In particular, the proteins are derived from lentiviruses, primarily HIV and SIV. The peptides comprise arginine-rich sequences, which, when modeled for secondary structure, display a high amphipathicity and hydrophobic moment. They are highly inhibitory to microorganisms, while being significantly less active in regard to mammalian cells. As a result, the peptides of the invention may be defined as selective antimicrobial agents. The invention is also directed to antimicrobial peptides which are structural and functional analogs and homologs of the peptides and which exhibit selective inhibitory activity towards microorganisms. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antimicrobial peptides of the invention and to methods for their use in inhibiting microbial growth and treatment of microbial infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Sarah Burroughs Tencza, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Patent number: 5714577
    Abstract: The invention is directed to antimicrobial peptides which correspond in sequence to selective amino acid sequences in viral transmembrane proteins. In particular, the proteins are derived from lentiviruses, primarily HIV and SIV. The peptides comprise arginine-rich sequences, which, when modeled for secondary structure, display a high amphipathicity and hydrophobic moment. They are highly inhibitory to microorganisms, while being significantly less active in regard to mammalian cells. As a result, the peptides of the invention may be defined as selective antimicrobial agents. The invention is also directed to antimicrobial peptides which are structural and functional analogs and homologs of the peptides and which exhibit selective inhibitory activity towards microorganisms. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antimicrobial peptides of the invention and to methods for their use in inhibiting microbial growth and treatment of microbial infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: Ronald C. Montelaro, Sarah Burroughs Tencza, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Patent number: 5695956
    Abstract: Escherichia coli strains that produce recombinant Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin toxoids from a Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin gene fragment encoding the Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin binding domain subcloned into an expression vector for forming plasmids are disclosed. The Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin toxoids of this invention recognize, irreversibly bind to and saturate receptor sites on intestinal membranes and, thus effectively compete for these receptor sites with Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin. The toxoids of this invention may be used to treat the symptoms of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in patients. Vaccines are also disclosed that may be used to prevent the symptoms of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in patients. Processes for preparing the plasmids and toxoids of this invention and for using the toxoids and vaccines of this invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Bruce A. McClane, Philip C. Hanna, Timothy A. Mietzner
  • Patent number: 4681761
    Abstract: The major iron-regulated protein of a pathogenic species of the genus Neisseria, the gonococcal congener of which (MIRP) protein has a molecular weight of approximately 37,000 daltons and consisting of about 340 amino acids, is isolated in an immunospecific antigenically substantially pure form suitable for use as a vaccine against the pathogenic species of the genus Neisseria effective to stimulate the production of a protective level of antibodies to the pathogenic species in a susceptible host, by the steps of:growing cells of that pathogenic species in an iron-depleted bacteriologic media;harvesting the thus-grown cells;disrupting the cells;separating the soluble portion of the cells from the insoluble portion; andselectivity solubilizing the MIRP from the insoluble portion of the disrupted cells with an aqueous cationic surfactant aqueous media, e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; andremoving residual contaminates in the MIRP fraction by chromatographic fractionation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: State of Oregon, acting by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education, acting for and on behalf of the Oregon Health Sciences University
    Inventors: Timothy A. Mietzner, Stephen A. Morse