Abstract: A humanized murine antibody is provided that binds to the human insulin receptor (HIR). The humanized murine antibody is suitable for use as a Trojan horse to deliver pharmaceutical agents to human organs and tissue that express the HIR. The humanized murine antibody is especially well suited for delivering neuropharmaceutical agents from the blood stream to the brain across the blood brain barrier (BBB). The humanized murine antibody may be genetically fused to the pharmaceutical agent or it may be linked to the pharmaceutical agent using an avidin-biotin conjugation system.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of agents across the blood brain barrier while allowing their activity once across the barrier to remain substantially intact. The agents are transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. In some embodiments the agents are therapeutic, diagnostic, or research agents.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of agents across the blood brain barrier while allowing their activity once across the barrier to remain substantially intact. The agents are transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. In some embodiments the agents are therapeutic, diagnostic, or research agents.

Abstract: Liposomes containing therapeutic genes are conjugated to multiple targeting agents to provide transport of the encapsulated gene across the blood-retinal barrier and the plasma membrane of ocular cells. Once across the blood-retinal barrier and ocular cell membrane, the encapsulated gene expresses the encoded therapeutic agent within the ocular cells to provide diagnosis and/or treatment of disease.

Abstract: Receptor-specific nanocontainers are used to deliver a gene that encodes short hairpin RNA to cells having a given receptor. Once inside the cell, the gene expresses short hairpin RNA that includes a nucleotide sequence that is antisense to at least a portion of an oncogene, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA, or other disease causing nucleotide sequence. The short hairpin RNA is converted, in the cellular cytoplasm, into short RNA duplexes that are effective in deactivating (knocking down) the oncogenic or disease causing gene.

Abstract: Delivery of large enzymes to the brain via transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) utilizing conjugates, or fusion proteins, which are composed of a therapeutic enzyme and a BBB targeting agent (molecular Trojan horse). The enzyme is missing in the brain, and does not cross the BBB. The molecular Trojan horse is a receptor-specific endogenous peptide, or peptidomimetic monoclonal antibody (MAb), that undergoes receptor-mediated transport across the BBB, thereby carrying into brain the attached enzyme.

Abstract: A fusion protein for delivery of a wide variety of agents to a cell via antibody-receptor-mediated endocytosis comprises a first segment and a second segment: the first segment comprising a variable region of an antibody that recognizes an antigen on the surface of a cell that after binding to the variable region of the antibody undergoes antibody-receptor-mediated endocytosis, and, optionally, further comprises at least one domain of a constant region of an antibody; and the second segment comprising a protein domain selected from the group consisting of avidin, an avidin mutein, a chemically modified avidin derivative, streptavidin, a streptavidin mutein, and a chemically modified streptavidin derivative. Typically, the antigen is a protein. Typically, the protein antigen on the surface of the cell is a receptor such as a transferrin receptor-or an insulin receptor.

Abstract: A functionalized composition for use in forming an immunonanoparticle. The functionalized composition includes a nanoparticle-forming polymer and a polymeric strand having a first end attached to the nanoparticle-forming polymer and a second end to which a conjugation agent is attached. The functionalized composition is combined with non-functionalized compositions to form nanoparticles compositions that can be used to provide targeted delivery of drugs and diagnostic agents.