Office of Technology Transfer: Technology Abstract
Office of Technology Transfer: Technology Abstract
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Retinal Pigment Epithelia-Enriched MicroRNAs to Prevent Cell-Differentiation, Proliferation, and Migration Description of Invention: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a significant role in regulating the microenvironment around the photoreceptors in the distal retina, where the events of phototransduction take place. Expression profiling of microRNA (miRNAs) in RPE and the adjacent retina and choroid was used to identify six miRNAs enriched in RPE. The potential use of anti-miRNAs specifically directed against miRNA 204 and miRNA 211 to prevent epithelial cell differentiation, proliferation and migration is disclosed. The miRNA 204 and miRNA 211 play a critical role in the control transepithelial electrical resistance. This technology further describes the significance of miRNAs in regulating junctional complexes in epithelial cells. The claims in the pending patent application are directed towards methods and compositions containing anti-miRNAs or miRNA mimics for preventing or treating detrimental epithelial cell proliferation or loss of epithelial cell differentiation. Applications:
AMD is the most common cause of adult blindness in Western, developed countries. A recent study has estimated that advanced AMD affects about 1.75 million Americans. Development Status: Preclinical animal model studies and gene knockout studies are in progress. Inventors: Fei Wang and Sheldon Miller (NEI) Patent Status: DHHS Reference No. E-056-2008/0 -- U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/043,330 filed 08 Sep 2008 Licensing Status: Available for licensing. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Eye Institute, Section on Epithelial and Retinal Physiology and Disease, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize [the use of RPE-specific micro RNAs or anti-miRNAs or miRNA mimics for the treatment and prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative vitreal retinopathy and more generally for preventing or treating detrimental epithelial cell proliferation or loss of epithelial cell differentiation eg in the treatment and prevention of neovascular diseases and carcinoma. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Portfolios: Ophthalmology Ophthalmology-Therapeutics For Additional Information Please Contact: Sury Vepa PhD NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325 Rockville, MD 20852-3804 Phone: 301/435-5020 Email: vepas@mail.nih.gov Fax: 301/402-0220 Web Ref: 1839 Updated: 11/08
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