Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation. Example of diseases include muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders and neurological disorders.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a muscular dystrophy (MD) probe comprising a substantially purified single-stranded nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to a region of DNA on a human X chromosome between the deletion break point at Xp21.3 and the translocation break point at X;11. The invention also relates to a 14kb cDNA corresponding to the complete MD gene and probes produced therefrom useful in genetic methods of diagnosis of MD. Furthermore, the invention relates to the polypeptide, dystrophin, which corresponds to the MD gene product, and antibodies thereto that are useful in a variety of methods for immunodiagnosis of MD.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and to methods for determining the prognosis of a subject affected with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a VLA-4 antagonist for use in the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The present invention also relates to a method for determining the prognosis of a subject affected with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy wherein said method comprising a step consisting of determining the level of VLA-4 high T cells in a blood sample obtained from said subject.
Abstract:
The subject disclosure relates to substantially pure nucleic acid sequences encoding at least a portion of a dystrophin-associated protein. Deoxyribonucleic acid can be expressed in a DNA expression construct. Protein produced in this manner can be used for a variety of purposes including immunization to produce antibodies. Such DNA expression constructs, and the protein encoded by same, are useful in therapeutic methods to complement a genetic defect which results in muscular dystrophy.
Abstract:
The invention describes a method for identifying an individual exhibiting symptoms of, or having a propensity to develop muscular dystrophy comprising determining the level of expression in a tissue sample from the individual of one or more proteins selected from pax-7, caveolin-3 and/or fast-myosin. The use of caveolin-3 to treat muscular dystrophy and compositions containing the compound are also claimed.
Abstract:
Screening methods for identifying compounds that bind to or activate (D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptors individually or in combination) or regulate or potentially regulate skeletal muscle mass or function in vivo. Also disclosed are screening methods for identifying compounds that prolong or augment the activation of D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptors or of D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptor signal transduction pathways and increase D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptor expression. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptor agonists, antibodies to D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptors and methods for increasing skeletal muscle mass or function or for the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy using D 1 or D 5 dopamine receptors as the target for intervention and methods for treatment of muscular dystrophies are described.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a muscular dystrophy (MD) probe comprising a substantially purified single-stranded nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to a region of DNA on a human X chromosome between the deletion break point at Xp21.3 and the translocation break point at X;11. The invention also relates to a 14kb cDNA corresponding to the complete MD gene and probes produced therefrom useful in genetic methods of diagnosis of MD. Furthermore, the invention relates to the polypeptide, dystrophin, which corresponds to the MD gene product, and antibodies thereto that are useful in a variety of methods for immunodiagnosis of MD.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation. Example of diseases include muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders and neurological disorders.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for the diagnosis of autosomal muscular dystrophy through the analysis of muscle tissue using antibodies reactive with components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. An experimental muscle tissue sample, treated if necessary to render components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex available for antibody binding, is contacted with an antibody which binds to a dystrophin-associated protein. The extent of antibody binding is determined, and compared to the extent of antibody binding to normal control tissue. A substantial reduction in the extent of binding to experimental tissue, as compared with normal control tissue, being diagnostic of autosomal muscular dystrophy. Among the autosomal muscular dystrophies which are detectable by the methods described herein are Fukuyama muscular dystrophy and severe childhood autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy.
Abstract:
The subject disclosure relates to substantially pure nucleic acid sequences encoding at least a portion of a dystrophin-associated protein. Deoxyribonucleic acid can be expressed in a DNA expression construct. Protein produced in this manner can be used for a variety of purposes including immunization to produce antibodies. Such DNA expression constructs, and the protein encoded by same, are useful in therapeutic methods to complement a genetic defect which results in muscular dystrophy.