Abstract:
This invention relates to methods and means for the stimulation of phagocytosis and in particular to the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, and discloses a role for the protein product of the apoE gene (apolipoproteinE) as a regular of apoptotic cell clearance. ApoE mimetics and other compounds which stimulate the clearance of apoptotic cells may be useful in the treatment of a range of disorders. One aspect of the invention provides a method of identifying and/or obtaining a compound for the treatment of a condition associated with decreased endogenous apoE activity in an individual comprising: determining the ingestion of apoptic cells by a macrophage in the presence of a test compound. An increase in apoptic cell ingestion in the presence relative to the absence of test compound may be indicative that the compound may be useful in the treatment of a condition associated with decreased endogenous apoE activity.
Abstract:
Methods and assays examining expression of one or more biomarkers in a mammalian tissue or cell sample are provided. According to the disclosed methods and assays, detection of the expression of one or more such biomarkers is predictive or indicative that the tissue or cell sample will be sensitive to apoptosis-inducing agents such as Apo2L/TRAIL and anti-DR5 agonist antibodies. Certain biomarkers which may be examined include fucosyltransferases, in particular fucosyltransferase 3 (FUT3) and/or fucosyltransferase 6 (FUT6), as well as sialyl Lewis A and/or X antigens. Kits and articles of manufacture are also provided.
Abstract:
Human PLK genes are identified as modulators of the beta catenin pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective beta catenin function. Methods for identifying modulators of beta catenin, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of PLK are provided.
Abstract:
Provided herein are methods relating to inhibition of PUMA function for preventing or reducing myocardial cell death. A method for preventing or reducing ischemia/reperfusion induced myocardial cell death in a human is provided as are methods for identifying pharmaceuticals which interfere with PUMA function. Also herein provided is a method for reducing stem cell death in stem cell explants wherein the explants are intended to restore cardiac efficiency following cell death in response to coronary infarct.
Abstract:
Phenotypes and the cells that exhibit those phenotypes are described. The phenotype may be established as a "snapshot" of the cells at a particular time or it may be established as a variation in features over time, or as some combination of these "static" and "dynamic" characterizations. The phenotype may be characterized by at least the following features: (a) chromosomes that approach metaphase but fail to separate and maintain alignment compared to a control cell or cell population; (b) a bipolar spindle that is at least about 10% longer than a corresponding metaphase mitotic spindle from the control cell or cell population; and (c) during interphase the cell or population of cells exhibits a phenotype that is substantially similar to that of the interphase cells of the control cell or cell population.
Abstract:
Methods and assays examining expression of one or more biomarkers in a mammalian tissue or cell sample are provided. According to the disclosed methods and assays, detection of the expression of one or more such biomarkers is predictive or indicative that the tissue or cell sample will be sensitive to apoptosis-inducing agents such as Apo2L/TRAIL and anti-DR5 agonist antibodies. Certain biomarkers which may be examined include fucosyltransferases, in particular fucosyltransferase 3 (FUT3) and/or fucosyltransferase 6 (FUT6), as well as sialyl Lewis A and/or X antigens. Kits and articles of manufacture are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method to identify a test compounds capability to modulate p75 NTR induced apoptosis, said method comprising: i. Transfecting a suspension of eukaryotic cells with a vector encoding p75 NTR (SEQ ID No.2) or a cell death inducing fragment thereof, ii. Contacting said cells with the compound to be tested, and iii. Determine the apoptotic response in said cells, wherein an alteration in apoptotic response in the presence of said test compound compared to the apoptotic response in the absence of the test compound is an indication of the ability of the test compound to modulate p75 NTR induced apoptosis. In this method according to the invention the suspension of eukaryotic cells consist of Hek293T cells used at a cell density of 0.4-3.0 x 10 4 cells/100 µ1 and transfected in the presence of a lipid-based transfection reagent at ratio of transfection reagent to DNA of 6 - 1, in particular at a ratio of 4. Expressed per 10 ml of final transfection mix the amount of transfection reagent is in range of 8.0 - 12.0 µl and the amount of DNA is in a range of 2.0 - 3.5 µg. The apoptotic response of the cells in the method according to the invention is determined using art known procedures. In particular using annexin V or nuclear staining. In a preferred embodiment the apoptotic response is determined using Annexin-V-Alexa Fluor 488 and Hoechst 33342. The p75 NTR cell death inducing fragment as used hereinbefore comprises the p75 Chopper domain (SEQ ID No.10) and in particular consists of p75_ICD (SEQ ID No.4), p75_CD (SEQ ID No.6) or p75_TNF (SEQ ID No.8).
Abstract translation:本发明提供了鉴定测试化合物调节p75 NTR诱导的凋亡的能力的方法,所述方法包括:i。 用编码p75 NTR(SEQ ID No.2)的载体或其细胞死亡诱导片段转染真核细胞的悬浮液,ii。 将所述细胞与待测化合物接触,和iii。 确定所述细胞中的细胞凋亡反应,其中在不存在测试化合物的情况下,与所述测试化合物存在下的凋亡反应相比,凋亡反应的改变与测试化合物调节p75 NTR的能力有关 SUP>诱导细胞凋亡。 在根据本发明的该方法中,真核细胞的悬浮液由细胞密度为0.4-3.0×10 4个细胞/100μl的Hek293T细胞组成,并在基于脂质的转染 试剂的转染试剂与DNA的比例为6-1,特别是以4的比例表达。每10ml最终转染混合物,转染试剂的量在8.0-12.0μl的范围内,DNA的量在 范围2.0 - 3.5μg。 使用本领域已知的方法测定本发明方法中细胞的细胞凋亡反应。 特别是使用膜联蛋白V或核染色。 在一个优选的实施方案中,使用Annexin-V-Alexa Fluor 488和Hoechst 33342测定凋亡应答。如上文所用的p75 NTR细胞死亡诱导片段包含p75 Chopper结构域(SEQ ID No.10) 特别是由p75_ICD(SEQ ID No.4),p75_CD(SEQ ID No.6)或p75_TNF(SEQ ID No.8)组成。
Abstract:
The invention provides methods for identifying an anti-poxviral agents. In many embodiments, the methods involve contacting a poxviral p28 polypeptide with a candidate agent, and determining an effect of the agent on a ubiquitin ligase activity of the p28 polypeptide. The effect of the agent may be determined using a variety of different cell based or biochemical assays, such as polyubiquitylation assays and cell viability assays. The invention also provides methods for modulating poxvirus pathogenicity in a cell, and methods of treating an individual infected with a poxvirus. The subject methods find use in a variety of drug discovery, research and military applications.
Abstract:
We describe screening methods for agents which modulate the interaction of p53 activator/inhibitor binding proteins with polymorphic p53 polypeptide variants, cells expressing combinations of said activator/inhibitor proteins and p53 variants; diagnostic assays to determine the genotype of an individual with respect to said p53 polymorphism; and therapeutic compositions for use in the treatment of conditions which would benefit from a stimulation of apoptosis.