TNF-alpha Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Agents and Stimulatory Agents
Description of Invention:
The action of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in such diseases as arthritis, sepsis, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, septic shock, graft rejection, cachexia, insulin resistance, post-ischemic reperfusion injury, tumor metastasis, tissue ulceration, abnormal wound healing, periodontal disease, bone disease, proteinuria, aneurismal aortic disease, degenerative cartilage loss, demyelinating diseases of the nervous system, and HIV infection. TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) or ADAM 17 (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease) is a member of a family of zinc metalloproteases, and is an important regulator of inflammation, immune regulation, and cellular proliferation as a consequence of its ability to catalyze the activation of TNF-alpha from a membrane bound to a soluble form.
The NIH announces the identification of a protein, corresponding to the amino-terminus of the TACE prodomain, that possesses a TACE inhibitory activity that is independent of a cysteine-switch mechanism. This TACE inhibitory protein could be used as a new therapeutic agent against chronic inflammatory diseases that are mediated by TNF-alpha.
Inventors:
Stewart J. Levine et al. (NHLBI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-208-2003/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/505,394 filed 24 Sep 2003
PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/031608 filed 24 Sep 2004, which published as WO 2005/030798 on 07 Apr 2005
U.S. Patent Application No. 11/389,675 filed 24 Mar 2006
For Additional Information Please Contact: Tara L. Kirby Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4426
Email: tarak@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
