Methods for selecting protease resistant polypeptides

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for selecting, isolating and / or recovering a peptide or polypeptide from a library or a repertoire of peptides and polypeptides (e.g., a display system) that is resistant to degradation by a protease such as a protease found in the GI tract or pulmonary tissue of a human. Generally, the method comprises providing a library or repertoire of peptides or polypeptides, combining the library or repertoire with a protease under conditions suitable for protease activity, and selecting, isolating and / or recovering a peptide or polypeptide that is resistant to degradation by the protease and has a desired biological activity. The selected peptides and polypeptides have utility as therapeutics, eg for treating disease or conditions of GI tract or pulmonary tissue in humans.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Polypeptides and peptides have become increasingly important agents in a variety of applications, including industrial applications and use as medical, therapeutic and diagnostic agents. However, in certain physiological states, such as inflammatory states (e.g., COPD) and cancer, the amount of proteases present in a tissue, organ or animal (e.g., in the lung, in or adjacent to a tumor) can increase. This increase in proteases can result in accelerated degradation and inactivation of endogenous proteins and of therapeutic peptides, polypeptides and proteins that are administered to treat disease. Accordingly, some agents that have potential for in vivo use (e.g., use in treating, diagnosing or preventing disease in mammals such as humans) have only limited efficacy because they are rapidly degraded and inactivated by proteases.[0002]Protease resistant polypeptides provide several advantages. For example, protease resistant polypeptides remaining acti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0501]The receptor binding assays described above were carried out as follows:

[0502]The receptor binding assay described above was used to assess the potency of the Fc fusions (FIG. 48). It was found that the DOM15-26-593 dAb has enhanced potency in this assay, which establishes the ability of the dAb to block the binding of VEGF to VEGFR2 in vitro. The potency of the DMS1529 was also demonstrated in a HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell) assay, where the ability of VEGF antagonists to block the VEGF stimulated proliferation of HUVE cells is measured. Cell numbers are determined at the end of a fixed incubation period with a pre-determined amount of VEGF and a varying amount of test article. The more potent the antagonist, the lower the cell proliferation observed (FIG. 49).

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, some agents that have potential for in vivo use (e.g., use in treating, diagnosing or preventing disease in mammals such as humans) have only limited efficacy because they are rapidly degraded and inactivated by proteases.

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