Sphingosine-1-phosphate 1 (S1P1) Receptor Signaling Mouse for Therapeutic Development

This technology includes a mouse model for studying SiP1 receptor signaling for development of therapeutics for a variety of conditions. The S1P1 receptor locus of the mouse has been modified by gene targeting to encode a fusion of the S1P1 receptor and the tetracycline-controlled activator protein (tTA) connected by a Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) cleavage sequence, internal ribosome initiation sequence (IRES), followed by a beta-arrestin-Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) protease fusion protein. When activated, the modified S1P1 receptor binds the beta-arrestin-TEV protease fusion, which cleaves the tTA.

A Cell Line Secreting an IgG Monoclonal Antibody to Mouse ZP2 for the Study of Anti-Psychotic Therapies

This technology includes a cell line to be used for the study of anti-psychotic therapies and potentially Parkinson’s disease. Activation of D1 dopamine receptors plays a critical role in many fundamental CNS processes. M4 mAChRs are coexpressed with D1 dopamine receptors in a specific subset of striatal medium spiny neurons that contain GABA as the major neurotransmitter. The present study used Cre/LoxP technology to generate mutant mice that lack M4-¬-AChRs only in D1 dopamine receptor-¬-expressing cells to investigate the physiological relevance of mAChRs in this neuronal subpopulation.

Monoclonal Antibody Against Human Alpha-5 Integrin that Does Not Disrupt Adhesive Function

This technology includes a rat monoclonal antibody termed mAb11 was generated against the human alpha-5 integrin subunit and can provide immunological characterizations without disrupting integrin adhesive function. It permits characterization of its localization even if the receptor is bound to its fibronectin ligand. The antibody is commercially available from Millipore Sigma.

Methods for Using Modulators of Extracellular Adenosine or an Adenosine Receptor To Enhance Immune Response and Inflammation

Local inflammation processes are crucially important in the host defense against pathogens and for successful immunization because proinflammatory cytokines are necessary for initiation and propagation of an immune response. However, normal inflammatory responses are eventually terminated by physiological termination mechanisms, thereby limiting the strength and duration of immune responses, especially to weak antigens. The inventors have shown that adenosine A2a and A3a receptors play a critical role in down-regulation of inflammation in vivo.

Minibody for Conditioning prior to Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Progenitor Cell Transplantation

Patient conditioning is a critical initial step in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) transplantation procedures to enable marrow engraftment of infused cells. Conditioning regimens have traditionally been achieved by delivering cytotoxic doses of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. However, these regimens are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and cannot be used safely in elderly or subjects with comorbidities.

Potentiating Antibody Therapy for the Treatment of Cancer

This technology includes a strategy to target tumor cells that lost antigen following reaction with a therapeutic antibody by targeting the complement component C3d that has been deposited on target cells by the primary antibody. We previously generated a C3d-specific mouse/human chimeric antibody called C8xi and obtained proof of principle for the approach in two preclinical models. Here we summarize the generation of a new set of C3d targeting antibodies.

Novel Fusion Proteins for HIV Vaccine

Development of successful HIV vaccine immunogens continues to be a major challenge.  Although gp120 was identified as having significant potential as a vaccine immunogen, attempts to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies using recombinant gp120 failed.  The highly flexible gp120 may present numerous conformations to the humoral immune system that are not found on the viral spike.

Methods of Inducing Deacetylase Inhibitors to Promote Cell Differentiation and Regeneration

The present invention discloses a method of enhancing progenitor cell differentiation, including enhancing myogenesis, neurogenesis and hematopoiesis, by contacting a progenitor cell with an effective amount of a deacetylase inhibitor (DI). The progenitor cell can be part of cell culture, such as a cell culture used for in vitro or in vivo analysis of progenitor cell differentiation, or can be part of an organism, such as a human or other mammal.