344 results about "Dolichos biflorus lectin" patented technology

The present invention relates to targeted polymerized liposomes for oral and/or mucosal delivery of vaccines, allergens and therapeutics. In particular, the present invention relates to polymerized liposomes which have been modified on their surface to contain a molecule or ligand which targets the polymerized liposome to a specific site or cell type. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of polymerized liposomes modified to contain a carbohydrate or lectin on their surface.

A method for enhancing a binding activity of an antibody composition to Fcgamma receptor IIIa, which comprises modifying a complex N-glycoside-linked sugar chain which is bound to the Fc region of an antibody molecule; a method for enhancing an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity of an antibody composition; a process for producing an antibody composition having an enhanced binding activity to Fcgamma receptor IIIa; a method for detecting the ratio of a sugar chain in which fucose is not bound to N-acetylglucosamine in the reducing end in the sugar chain among total complex N-glycoside-linked sugar chains bound to the Fc region in an antibody composition; an Fc fusion protein composition produced by using a cell resistant to a lectin which recognizes a sugar chain in which 1-position of fucose is bound to 6-position of N-acetylglucosamine in the reducing end through alpha-bond in a complex N-glycoside-linked sugar chain; and a process for producing the same.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. The methods comprise the step of administering, to a subject in need thereof, an amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent effective to inhibit MASP-2-dependent complement activation. In some embodiments, the MASP-2 inhibitory agent inhibits cellular injury associated with MASP-2-mediated alternative complement pathway activation, while leaving the classical (C1q-dependent) pathway component of the immune system intact. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions for inhibiting the effects of lectin-dependent complement activation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Cyanine and related dyes, such as merocyanine, styryl and oxonol dyes, are strongly light-absorbing and highly luminescent. Cyanine and related dyes having functional groups make them reactive with amine, hydroxy and sulfhydryl groups are covalently attached to proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, sugars, cells and combinations thereof, and other biological and nonbiological materials, to make these materials fluorescent so that they can be detected. The labeled materials can then be used in assays employing excitation light sources and luminescence detectors. For example, fluorescent cyanine and related dyes can be attached to amine, hydroxy or sulfhydryl groups of avidin and to antibodies and to lectins. Thereupon, avidin labeled with cyanine type dyes can be used to quantify biotinvlated materials and antibodies conjugated with cyanine-type dyes can be used to detect and measure antigens and haptens. In addition, cyanine-conjugated lectins can be used to detect specific carbohydrate groups. Also, cyanine-conjugated fragments of DNA or RNA can be used to identify the presence of complementary nucleotide sequences in DNA or RNA.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. The methods comprise the step of administering, to a subject in need thereof, an amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent effective to inhibit MASP-2-dependent complement activation. In some embodiments, the MASP-2 inhibitory agent inhibits cellular injury associated with MASP-2-mediated alternative complement pathway activation, while leaving the classical (C1q-dependent) pathway component of the immune system intact. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions for inhibiting the effects of lectin-dependent complement activation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a MASp-2 inhibitory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The present invention relates to methods of producing and/or isolating MBL compositions. In particular the invention relates to methods of producing and/or isolating novel recombinant human MBL preparations with high similarity to natural human MBL. The MBL preparations may be used in compositions, medicaments and in methods for treatment of conditions such as those related to immunosuppressive conditions and/or to conditions of MBL deficiencies including latent conditions. Conditions of deficiencies of Mannan-Binding Lectin (MBL) are associated with increased susceptibility to infections.

Two Hepatitis C Virus envelope proteins (E1 and E2) are expressed without sialylation. Recombinant expression of these proteins in lower eukaryotes, or in mammalian cells in which terminal glycosylation is blocked, results in recombinant proteins which are more similar to native HCV glycoproteins. When isolated by GNA lectin affinity, the E1 and E2 proteins aggregate into virus-like particles.

An edible and/or chewable article of manufacture containing at least one food grade substance having adsorption affinity towards at least one dental plaque (biofilm) constituent and capable of reducing and/or removing the oral biofilm while present in the mouth. Particular articles of manufacture are chewing gums, sweets, candies, candy, and other nutritional bars, ice creams, chocolates, confectionery and bakery/pastry products, honey, dairy products and beverages, and oral hygiene products such as tooth pastes, oral gels and mouthwashes. A chewing gum having a conventional gum base and at least one food grade active substance having adsorption affinity towards at least one dental plaque (biofilm) constituent (bacteria and proteins and bacterial cell-free enzymes) and capable of reducing and/or removing the oral biofilm while present in the mouth. Active substances include polysaccharides and non-toxic salts thereof, such as alginates, chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose, agar and carrageenan, inorganic substances such as silica, hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate and proteins, particularly gelatin and lectin. The article of manufacture removes and/or for prevents or reduces dental plaque (biofilm), and controlling oral, dental and periodontal diseases.

A method for analyzing blood enables one to isolate, detect, enumerate and confirm under magnification the presence of target cells which have expressed surface epitopes that indicate intracellular infection by various viruses or other infectious agents, and also cells which have expressed surface epitopes that indicate the presence of non-infectious medical conditions. The analysis involves the examination of cells in the blood sample for the presence or absence of particular surface epitopes while the blood sample is disposed in a centrifuged blood sampling container. The epitopic analysis for the presence or absence of infected cells, or cells which indicate the presence of non-infectious medical conditions relies on the detection of known target expressed epitopes. The target epitopes on the target cell types are epitopes which are also known to be absent on normal circulating cells in the blood. Fluorophores or other labels with distinct wavelength emissions are coupled with specific binding agents such as lectins, antibodies, aptamers, or the like, which are directed against the target expressed epitopes. The epitopic analyses may be performed in or near the expanded buffy coat layer in the centrifuged blood sample. The epitopic analysis may be performed under magnification either visually and/or photometrically. The blood sampling container is sized to hold between about 1 and about 20 ml, preferably about 10 ml of blood, and contains an insert that occupies about 90-98% of the volume of the container bore in the area of the container where the target cells will, if present, be detected. The insert forces the target cells in question to reside in an annular space in the container which is adjacent to the circumference of the container bore. The entire analysis can be performed in a relatively short period of time which is typically a matter of minutes to single digit hours.

A conjugate includes at least one target-seeking unit, which specifically binds to receptors on the surface of endothelial cells, and at least one effector unit which is coupled to the unit by a linker. The effector unit exhibits at least one signal unit and optionally at least one therapeutic active substance. The target-seeking unit includes a lectin or a fragment or derivative thereof, wherein the lectin is not L-selectin and the signal unit includes a lanthanide ion.

A novel gene (designated PC-LECTIN) that is highly overexpressed in prostate cancer and its encoded protein is described. PC-LECTIN in normal human tissues is restricted to testis, but is highly expressed in prostate cancer. Consequently, PC-LECTIN provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

The present patent relates to a method for producing flours from grain myceliated with macroscopic fungi (mushrooms). These flours can be used to prepare food for human consumption, such as bread and biscuits, and for animal consumption, such as fodder. Active principles (ergosterol, beta glucan, linoleic and oleic acids, lectins), enzymes, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, mineral salts, inter alia, can also be extracted from these flours for use in the chemical, foodstuff and cosmetic industries, for producing phytotherapeutic agents, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper products, pharmaceuticals and fodder for animals.

A medicament for treating a patient who cannot be cured with a medicament comprising as an active ingredient an antibody composition produced by a cell unresistant to a lectin which recognizes a sugar chain in which 1-position of fucose is bound to 6-position of N-acetylglucosamine in the reducing end through α-bond in a complex N-glycoside-linked sugar chain, which comprises as an active ingredient an antibody composition produced by a cell resistant to a lectin which recognizes a sugar chain in which 1-position of fucose is bound to 6-position of N-acetylglucosamine in the reducing end through α-bond in a complex N-glycoside-linked sugar chain, and a method for screening the patient by using the medicament.

Azlactone-functional supports are used to provide cell selection from a mixture such as bone marrow or peripheral blood having a desired target cell population. An azlactone-functional support is derivatized by covalently coupling to the support a biologically active substance that binds the target cells. A mixture containing the target cells is contacted with the derivatized support to bind the target cells to the biologically active substance, and unbound remaining mixture is removed from the support. Bound cells may be eluted from the support to obtain purified target cells. Biologically active substances include antibodies, lectins, proteins, antigens and avidin. The biologically active substance may directly or indirectly bind cells in the mixture. Indirect binding may be through a second, intermediary biologically active substance that is bifunctional. The azlactone-functional support is provided by incorporating an azlactone moiety into a base polymer support that has been selected by prescreening base polymer supports with a cell mixture to identify a base polymer support having minimal nonspecific binding of cells in the mixture.

Engineered lectins and methods of using such reagents for both preventing and treating a broad array of viral infections are provided. The lectins of the invention are engineered in two ways, first through the enhancement of the natural mode of action of lectins against viruses through linked multimerization, and second through the creation of a new class of reagents, hereinafter referred to as a “lectibody” or “lectibodies”, that engage host immune function in addition to simply binding glycosylated viral proteins via the combination of a lectin and the Fc region of an antibody in order to drive Fc-mediated effector functions including ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity), increased half-life, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP) in response to a lectin-mediated carbohydrate-binding event.

Nucleic acid molecules comprising a SNP site selected from the group consisting of position 1296 of bovine uterine milk protein (UTMP) coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1), position 213 of bovine signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2), position 8514 of the osteopontin (OPN) gene (SEQ ID NO: 3), or position 1070 of a bovine lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (OLR1) coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4), which SNP indicates a desirable milk production trait in a dairy cattle. Also disclosed are an array or a kit comprising the same, a method for detecting the SNPs, a method for progeny testing of cattle, and a method for selectively breeding of cattle.

The present inventors have shown that MASP-depleted MBL is able to recruit MASPs from plasma and successfully activate complement cascade. Furthermore, it has been discovered that MBL purified as a complex has limited ability to activate the complement cascade when compared to MASP-depleted MBL. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated non-recombinant mannose binding lectin (MBL) substantially free from activated MBL associated serine proteases (MASPs) together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Also provided is a method of treating a subject in need of MBL comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treating a subject suffering from a complement mediated coagulation disorder, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. The methods comprise the step of administering, to a subject in need thereof, an amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent effective to inhibit MASP-2-dependent complement activation. In some embodiments, the MASP-2 inhibitory agent inhibits cellular injury associated with MASP-2-mediated alternative complement pathway activation, while leaving the classical (C1q-dependent) pathway component of the immune system intact. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions for inhibiting the effects of lectin-dependent complement activation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.