Description of Invention:
AAMP-1, a novel protein that has human cell adhesion properties has been characterized. Peptides derived from that protein have been shown to exhibit heparin-binding and cell-adhesive properties. The heparin-binding properties of the peptides may be useful for the treatment of conditions in which the presence or absence of heparin and/or heparin-sulfate needs to be regulated. These conditions could include heparinization to prevent blood clotting and possibly inflammatory, immune, or neoplastic disorders, and wound-healing in human patients. The cell-adhesion properties of the peptides may be useful for mediating cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. These properties might be particularly useful for producing materials for use in prosthetic devices-cell adhesion to a prosthetic device could potentially be controlled by regulating the presence or absence of heparin in the bodily system of the patient receiving a prosthetic device made with the peptides. The peptides retain their properties following crystallization, and the crystallized peptides are heat-stable and not inactivated by solvents. The small size and enhanced stability and processability of the crystalline peptides versus the native AAMP-1 protein suggest that the peptides will be more useful therapeutic agents and better raw materials for device fabrication than the native protein.
Cancer -Diagnostics-In Vitro-Other Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Thomas P. Clouse J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4076
Email: clousetp@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
