Rare Diseases >> Abstract Details   Mouse Fibroblasts Stably Expressing C-Type Lectin Receptors DC-SIGN and L-SIGN Description of Invention: The NIH is pleased to offer for licensing mouse fibroblasts that stably express the C-type lectin receptors DC-SIGN and L-SIGN (CD209 and CD209L, respectively). L-SIGN and DC-SIGN both exhibit selectivity for highly mannosylated glycoproteins. DC-SIGN is also selective for certain Lewis X sugar groups. These types of interactions allow L-SIGN and DC-SIGN to interact with a wide spectrum of pathogens including HIV, hepatitis C virus, and SARS coronavirus, which appear to use L-SIGN and DC-SIGN to facilitate their replication. In addition to HIV, HCV, and SARS, pathogens such as Ebola virus, some herpes viruses, and tuberculosis interact with DC-SIGN. In contrast to primary cells expressing L-SIGN and DC-SIGN, the subject fibroblasts are resilient, adhere to coated tissue culture plates, grow rapidly and continually express high levels of their respective receptor. The subject materials could be used to study the interaction of pathogens with L-SIGN or DC-SIGN and to screen for compounds that block these interactions. Additionally, the materials could be used for the development of antibodies or compounds through rational design that interacted with L-SIGN or DC-SIGN. The NIH3T3/DC-SIGN and NIH3T3/L-SIGN cells are further described in Journal of Virology, 2002, vol. 26(12), pages 5905-5914. Inventors: Vineet N. KewelRamani and Thomas Martin (NCI) Patent Status: DHHS Reference No. E-321-2005/0 – Research Tool DHHS Reference No. E-322-2005/0 – Research Tool Licensing Status: The subject technologies are available for licensing from the NIH through biological materials license agreements. Portfolios: Research Materials Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases -Research Materials Research Materials-Research Materials For Additional Information Please Contact: Susan Ano Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325 Rockville, MD 20852-3804 Phone: (301) 435-5515 Email: anos@mail.nih.gov Fax: (301) 402-0220 Web Ref: 1229 Last Updated On: 10/05