摘要:
It has now been found that N-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester (APM) lowers whole blood viscosity in patients, including those suffering from sickle cell disease and plasma cell dyscrasias. Upon in vivo APM treatment, patients experienced a significant lowering of whole blood viscosity. In vitro addition of APM to patients samples having elevated whole blood viscosity resulted in reduced viscosity over time. These in vitro and in vivo results identify APM as a therapeutic agent for molecular diseases which lead to elevated whole blood viscosity. A method by which APM treatment can be monitored is also disclosed.
摘要:
A method for inhibiting and for reversing the dysfunctional response of vascular endothelial cells to an inflammatory stimulus in a subject in need of such therapy has been developed in which an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally other treatments is administered to the subject.
摘要:
A method for determining the concentration of factor VIIa-antithrombin complexes is disclosed which has application to estimating the level of intravascular exposure of tissue factor, assessing patient risk for hypercoagulation or other coagulopathies, and monitoring patients for factor VIIa-antithrombin complexes over time which can reveal changes in risk for hypercoagulation or other coagulopathies and/or effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy. Antibodies suitable for use in an in vitro assay for determining the concentration of factor VIIa-antithrombin complexes and methods for making the same are also disclosed.
摘要:
Genetically engineered cells are provided which can serve as universal donor cells in such applications as reconstruction of vascular linings or the administration of therapeutic agents. The cells include a DNA sequence which is expressed by the cell and which codes for a protein having complement inhibitory activity and which provides protection against complement-based lysis, i.e. hyperacute rejection. In addition, the cell's natural genome is changed so that proteins encoded by the class I or class II major histocompatability complex genes do not appear on the cell's surface. In this way, attack by T-cells is avoided. Optionally the cells can include a self-destruction mechanism so that they can be removed from the host when no longer needed.
摘要:
An assay to assess thrombotic risk in which oxidized lipids comprising phospholipids are utilized as a membrane source in a clotting assay and the results compared to an assay in which unoxidized phospholipid is used as a membrane source in the presence and absence of activated protein C ('APC'). The assay can monitor for the presence of antibodies in the patient which interfere specifically with the anticoagulant function of APC in an oxidation dependent or independent manner. This can indicate the propensity of the patient to experience episodes of vein thrombosis or arterial thrombosis.
摘要:
It has now been found that N-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester (APM) lowers whole blood viscosity in patients, including those suffering from sickle cell disease and plasma cell dyscrasias. Upon in vivo APM treatment, patients experienced a significant lowering of whole blood viscosity. In vitro addition of APM to patients samples having elevated whole blood viscosity resulted in reduced viscosity over time. These in vitro and in vivo results identify APM as a therapeutic agent for molecular diseases which lead to elevated whole blood viscosity. A method by which APM treatment can be monitored is also disclosed.
摘要:
Chromogenic and fluorogenic 4,7-dialkoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid substrates of general formula (I) are provided wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R3 is a chromogenic or fluorogenic group. These substrates can be used to detect influenza types A and B in clinical samples or specimens. More particularly, these 4,7-dialkoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid substrates can be used to distinguish between various viruses having neuraminidase reactivity. Thus, influenza type A and B viruses can be distinguished from parainfluenza type 1, 2, 3 and 4, and mumps using the 4,7-dialkoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid derivatives of this invention. Diagnostic methods employing these substrates are provided to identify influenza type A and B viruses in clinical specimens and to distinguish from other viruses having neuraminidase reactivity.
摘要:
Rbx1, an evolutionarily conserved Cullin-interacting RING-H2 finger protein, has been discovered. Mammalian Rbx1 has been identified as a component of the CUL2-containing VHL complex. An Rbx1 homolog from S. cerevisiae has also been identified as a subunit and activator of the Cdc53-containing SCFCdc4 ubiquitin ligase required for ubiquitination of the cdk inhibitor Sicl and for the G1/S cell cycle transition in yeast, providing a link between the multiprotein VHL tumor suppressor complex and cellular ubiquitination. The Rbx1 protein acts as a cellular marker useful (1) in detecting a possible predisposition to certain carcinomas, (2) as a molecular target for treating those carcinomas therapeutically, (3) as a target for inhibition by drugs that manipulate the growth of cells, and (4) as a research tool to better understand the various complex mechanisms of cell ubiquitination, binding of certain activator proteins, fibronectin deposition and other aspects of the cellular division process.
摘要:
It has now been found that N-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester (APM) exhibits antisickling properties. In vitro testing verified that APM significantly lowered the frequency of sickling of red blood cells from each of twelve pediatric aged patients being treated for sickle-cell anemia by exchange transfusion. Sickling was also inhibited in an 'index' patient after oral administration of APM. These in vitro and in vivo results identify APM as a therapeutic agent for the family of sickle cell molecular diseases.
摘要:
A previously unknown aspartic protease capable of cleavage of proteins by hydrolysis, referred to herein as 'napsin', has been cloned from a human liver library. Two cDNA clones have been cloned, sequenced and expressed. These encode isozymes of the protease, referred to as 'napsin A' and 'napsin B'. The gene has also be obtained and partially sequenced. A process for rapid purification of the enzyme using immobilized petpstatin has also been developed, and enzyme isolated from human kidney tissue. Polyclonal antibodies to the enzymes have been made which are also useful for isolation and detection of the enzyme. Similarities to other aspartic proteases, especially cathepsin D, establish the usefulness of the enzyme in diagnostic assays as well as a protease. Either or both the amount or type of napsin expressed in a particular tissue can be determined using labelled antibodies or nucleotide probes to the napsin.