Anticoagulant fusion protein anchored to cell membrane

Abstract

The invention relates to the inhibition of blood coagulation, especially during organ rejection, and in particular the inhibition of delayed vascular rejection. The invention provides anticoagulant proteins which are anchored to cell membranes. The anticoagulant function preferably provided by heparin, antithrombin, hirudin, TFPI, tick anticoagulant peptide, or a snake venom factor. These anticoagulant proteins are preferably prevented from being constitutively expressed at the cell surface. In particular, expression at the cell surface is regulated according to cell activation, for instance by targeting the protein to a suitable secretory granule. Expression of these proteins renders cells, tissues and organs less vulnerable to rejection after transplantation (e.g. after xenotransplantation).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the inhibition of blood coagulation, especially during organ rejection. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] The surgical technique of organ transplantation has now been successfully practised for several decades and, because of its success, the procedure has become widespread and, arguably, routine. However, the supply of suitable transplant organs is not able to match ever-rising demands. Because of the shortage of suitable human (ie. allogeneic) organs, the possibility of using animal (ie. xenogeneic) organs in human transplant operations (“xenografting” or “xenotransplantation”) has been receiving increased attention in recent years (eg. Nature 1997; 385: 285). Porcine donor organs are thought to be suitable candidates because pigs are anatomically and physiologically similar to humans and are in abundant supply. [0003] Xenografting is currently hindered, however, by the severe and well-documented problems of rejection. This ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0049] To increase the efficacy of inhibition of the coagulation cascade, the cell is preferably able to express two or more different proteins according to the invention, each of which inhibits the coagulation cascade at a different stage. For example, the anticoagulant region in one protein might comprise a TFPI, whilst in the other it comprises a hirudin.

Problems solved by technology

However, the supply of suitable transplant organs is not able to match ever-rising demands.

Xenografting is currently hindered, however, by the severe and well-documented problems of rejection.

This recognition triggers the complement cascade which in turn leads to lysis and death of ECs of the transplant.

The recognition of the foreign tissue by xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNAs), however, causes the loss of these molecules.

Blood flow is impaired and the transplanted organ becomes ischaemic.

The simple administration of suitable inhibitors, however, is not a particularly suitable approach.

Completely inhibiting complement in a recipient animal is tantamount to immunosuppression, leaving the subject prone to opportunistic infections.

Similarly, inhibiting the coagulation cascade in a recipient will leave the animal susceptible to uncontrolled post-operative bleeding.

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