Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting the proliferation of stellate cells, which are important for the development of liver fibrosis upon liver injury. The invention describes conditioned media from immortalized hepatocytes as containing a death factor that induces apoptosis of activated liver stellate cells. This pro-apoptotic activity is shown to be associated with an 80 kDa protein, which is associated with a fetuin peptide sequence and an albumin peptide sequence.
Abstract:
The present invention is related to the development of compounds and methods for inhibiting viral infection in a mammal. A pseudotype virus was developed for use in a high throughput assay for identifying nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors that prevent viral entry into a host cell.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a cell line capable producing infectious hepatitis C virus 1a (HCV 1a) particles in culture. Disclosed are compositions and methods for an HCV 1a (clone H77) transfected immortal human hepatocyte (IHH) capable of generating infectious HCV 1a virus particles in culture. Also disclosed are methods of using the cell line, or HCV 1a virus particles derived from said cell line, to screen for potential therapeutic agents which interfere with HCV 1a virus propagation to treat hepatic disease.
Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting the proliferation of stellate cells, which are important for the development of liver fibrosis upon liver injury. The invention describes conditioned media from immortalized hepatocytes as containing a death factor that induces apoptosis of activated liver stellate cells. This pro-apoptotic activity is shown to be associated with the peptide sequence of the actin depolymerizing molecule gelsolin and or fragments thereof. The apoptotic activity is increased upon incubation of immunoglobulins with the stellate death factor.
Abstract:
The present invention is related to the development of compounds and methods for inhibiting viral infection in a mammal. A pseudotype virus was developed for use in a high throughput assay for identifying nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors that prevent viral entry into a host cell.
Abstract:
The present invention provides compositions and methods for selectively inhibiting the proliferation of stellate cells, which are important for the development of liver fibrosis upon liver injury. The invention describes conditioned media from immortalized hepatocytes as containing a death factor that induces apoptosis of activated liver stellate cells. This pro-apoptotic activity is shown to be associated with an 80 kDa protein, which is associated with a fetuin peptide sequence and an albumin peptide sequence.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for improving the resolution of macromolecules during electrophoresis. A method of creating an electrical field-rectifying fractionation-ratchet includes obtaining a fractionated particle that has an electrophoretic mobility that varies when an electric field varies, applying a pulsed electrical field to the fractionated particle, and varying a plurality of pulses of the electrical field repeatedly. Another method includes preparative gel electrophoresis that utilizes a continuous fractionation method made possible by an electrophoretic ratchet-generating field. Another method includes implementing cyclic electrophoresis including analyzing a sample by constant field electrophoresis; and enhancing the sample by an electrophoretic ratchet. Another method includes error checking during cyclic electrophoresis comprising: analyzing a sample by constant field electrophoresis; checking for errors in the sample; and enhancing the sample by an electrophoretic ratchet.
Abstract:
Organic compounds showing the ability to inhibit viral glycoprotein (GP)-mediated entry of a filovirus into a host cell are disclosed. The disclosed filovirus entry inhibitor compounds are useful for treating, preventing, or reducing the spread of infections by filovirus including the type species Marburg virus (MARV) and Ebola virus (EBOV). Preferred inhibitors of the invention provide therapeutic agents for combating the Ivory Coast, Sudan, Zaire, Bundibugyo, and Reston Ebola virus strains.