摘要:
The present invention concerns the TGF-.beta. receptor-mediated signaling pathway. The invention is based on the unexpected finding that TGF-.beta. receptor-mediated signaling is inhibited by the cytoplasmic interactor FKBP12. The invention further concerns methods and pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing cellular response to TGF-.beta. ligands. A screening assay is also provided for identifying macrolide potentiators capable of binding FKBP12 and thereby blocking FKBP12-inhibition of TGF-.beta. receptor-mediated signaling.
摘要:
The invention discloses a novel use of Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) as a contraceptive agent. MIS has been found to reversably inhibit the maturation of oocytes in vitro. Additionally, the invention provides a means for restoring the fertility of females who are infertile due to abnormal production of MIS.
摘要:
In a method for preparing a monoclonal hybridoma which secretes antibodies against an immunogenic material, comprising sensitizing an appropriate source with an immunizing amount of a preparation of the immunogenic material, obtaining from the source lymphocytes having immune activity against the immunogenic material, and fusing the lymphocytes with an appropriate cell line to thereby form mixed hybridomas, the improvement wherein: the immunogenic material is present in the immunizing preparation in an amount not larger than 10% by weight, and wherein, after formation of the mixed hydridomas but prior to cloning, the method comprises the steps of: raising ascites fluid with the mixed hydridomas, then detecting immune specificity against the immunogenic material in the ascites raised fluid; and thereafter cloning the ascites raised cells which show immune specificity against the material.
摘要:
In a method for preparing a monoclonal hybridoma which secretes antibodies against an immunogenic material, comprising sensitizing an appropriate source with an immunizing amount of a preparation of the immunogenic material, obtaining from the source lymphocytes having immune activity against the immunogenic material, and fusing the lymphocytes with an appropriate cell line to thereby form mixed hybridomas, the improvement wherein: the immunogenic material is present in the immunizing preparation in an amount not larger than 5% by weight, and wherein, after formation of the mixed hybridomas but prior to cloning, the method comprises the steps of: raising ascites fluid with the mixed hybridomas, then detecting immune specificity against the immunogenic material in the ascites raised fluid; and thereafter cloning the ascites raised cells which show immune specificity against the material.
摘要:
Provided herein are pyrazoloanthrones or functional derivatives or analogues thereof to activate MIS receptor-mediated downstream effects in a cell. In particular, methods are provided to prevent and treat cancer that expresses MIS receptor type II (MISRII) by administering to a subject at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analogue thereof. Also provided herein are methods to lower plasma androgen levels in a subject, and/or for the treatment of a subject with a disease characterized by excess androgen, whereby the subject is administered at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analogue thereof. Also provided are methods to decrease the dose of a chemotherapeutic agent by administering the chemotherapeutic agent with a pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analogue thereof that lowers the effective dose of the chemotherapeutic agent.
摘要:
Normal cells, such as fibroblasts or other tissue or organ cell types, are genetically engineered to express biologically active, therapeutic agents, such as proteins that are normally produced in small amounts, for example, MIS, or other members of the TGF-beta family Herceptin™, interferons, and anti-angiogenic factors. These cells are seeded into a matrix for implantation into the patient to be treated. Cells may also be engineered to include a lethal gene, so that implanted cells can be destroyed once treatment is completed. Cells can be implanted in a variety of different matrices. In a preferred embodiment, these matrices are implantable and biodegradable over a period of time equal to or less than the expected period of treatment, when cells engraft to form a functional tissue producing the desired biologically active agent. Implantation may be ectopic or in some cases orthotopic. Representative cell types include tissue specific cells, progenitor cells, and stem cells. Matrices can be formed of synthetic or natural materials, by chemical coupling at the time of implantation, using standard techniques for formation of fibrous matrices from polymeric fibers, and using micromachining or microfabrication techniques. These devices and strategies are used as delivery systems via standard or minimally invasive implantation techniques for any number of parenterally deliverable recombinant proteins, particularly those that are difficult to produce in large amounts and/or active forms using conventional methods of purification, for the treatment of a variety of conditions.
摘要:
Normal cells, such as fibroblasts or other tissue or organ cell types, are genetically engineered to express biologically active, therapeutic agents, such as proteins that are normally produced in small amounts, for example, MIS, or other members of the TGF-beta family Herceptin™, interferons, andanti-angiogenic factors. These cells are seeded into a matrix for implantation into the patient to be treated. Cells may also be engineered to include a lethal gene, so that implanted cells can be destroyed once treatment is completed. Cells can be implanted in a variety of different matrices. In a preferred embodiment, these matrices are implantable and biodegradable over a period of time equal to or less than the expected period of treatment, when cells engraft to form a functional tissue producing the desired biologically active agent. Implantation may be ectopic or in some cases orthotopic. Representative cell types include tissue specific cells, progenitor cells, and stem cells. Matrices can be formed of synthetic or natural materials, by chemical coupling at the time of implantation, using standard techniques for formation of fibrous matrices from polymeric fibers, and using micromachining or microfabrication techniques. These devices and strategies are used as delivery systems via standard or minimally invasive implantation techniques for any number of parenterally deliverable recombinant proteins, particularly those that are difficult to produce in large amounts and/or active forms using conventional methods of purification, for the treatment of a variety of conditions that produce abnormal growth, including treatment of malignant and benign neoplasias, vascular malformations (hemangiomas), inflammatory conditions, keloid formation, abdominal or plural adhesions, endometriosis, congenital or endocrine abnormalities, and other conditions that can produce abnormal growth such as infection. Efficacy of treatment with the therapeutic biologicals is detected by determining specific criteria, for example, cessation of cell proliferation, regression of abnormal tissue, or cell death, or expression of genes or proteins reflecting the above.
摘要:
The use of agonists or antagonists of Mullerian Inhibiting Substance to suppress or treat respiratory distress syndrom. The treatment can be accomplished by providing an effective amount of the agonist or antagonist to a neonatal or prenatal individual.
摘要:
A process for purifying Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) from testicular tissue which comprises incubating testicular tissue in a culture media in the presence of a protease inhibitor in order to extract MIS from the tissue, chromatographing the extract on an anionic exchange resin followed by chromatographing the biologically active product obtained therefrom on a cationic exchange resin; the biologically active material from the cationic exchange resin is chromatographed by lectin affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin and then either chromatographed by lectin affinity chromatography on concanavalin A or by triazinyl dye affinity chromatography on an appropriate triazinyl dye; MIS is obtained in 8,000-fold and 15,000-fold purification over original testicular tissue.
摘要:
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, characterizing and diagnosing ovarian cancer. In particular, the present invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing ovarian cancer in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of Mullerian Inhibiting substance and/or an effective amount of an agent that inhibits BCRP1. The present invention further provides methods to identify and/or enrich for populations of ovarian cancer stem cells and populations of somatic ovarian stem cells, in particular, enrichment for populations of coelomic somatic ovarian stem cells, subcoelomic/stromal somatic ovarian stem cells and periphilar medullary somatic ovarian stem cells. The present invention also provides somatic ovarian stem cell markers and ovarian cancer stem cell markers, as well as methods to identify agents which selectively inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer stem cells as compared to somatic ovarian stem cells.