Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins; – Proteins – i.e. – more than 100 amino acid residues
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-09
2004-08-10
Chan, Christina (Department: 1644)
Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins;
Proteins, i.e., more than 100 amino acid residues
C536S023100, C536S023200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06774214
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to compositions related to genes found in monocytes, cells which function in the immune system. These genes function in controlling development, differentiation, and/or physiology of the mammalian immune system. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acids, proteins, antibodies, and methods of using them.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Monocytes are phagocytic cells that belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system and reside in the circulation. These cells originate in the bone marrow and remain only a short time in the marrow compartment once they differentiate. They then enter the circulation and can remain there for a relatively long period of time, e.g., a few days. Monocytes can enter the tissues and body cavities by a process known as diapedesis, where they differentiate into macrophages and possibly into dendritic cells. In an inflammatory response, the number of monocytes in the circulation may double, and many of the increased number of monocytes diapedese to the site of inflammation. For a review of monocytes and their functions, see, e.g., Gallin, et al. (eds), 1988, inflammation:
Basic Principles and Clinical Correlates
, Raven Press, NY; van Furth (ed), 1985
, Mononuclear Phagocytes: Characteristics, Physiology and Function
, Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, Netherlands.
Antigen presentation refers to the cellular events in which a proteinaceous antigen is taken up, processed by antigen presenting cells (APC), and then recognized to initiate an immune response. The most active antigen presenting cells have been characterized as the macrophages, which are direct developmental products from monocytes; dendritic cells; and certain B cells.
Macrophages are found in most tissues and are highly active in internalization of a wide variety of protein antigens and microorganisms. They have a highly developed endocytic activity, and secrete many products important in the initiation of an immune response. For this reason, it is believed that many genes expressed by monocytes or induced by monocyte activation are important in antigen uptake, processing, presentation, or regulation of the resulting immune response.
Despite the importance of monocytes to immune system function, these cells remain poorly characterized, both in terms of the proteins they express and in terms of many of their functions, in particular, the processes and mechanisms related to the initiation of an immune response, including antigen processing and presentation. There is thus a need in the art for agents useful in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions caused by, e.g., the inappropriate regulation, development, or physiology of antigen presenting cells.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention fulfills this need by providing compositions and methods for determining the presence, amount, distribution and normalcy of certain gene products and for facilitating the discovery of agents for treating certain disease states.
The invention is based upon the discovery of novel genes and gene products isolated from activated monocytes.
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid sequences comprising at least about 12, preferably at least about 18, most preferably at least about 20-35, and most preferably 35-55 or more consecutive nucleotides shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, or which encode an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10, including complete protein coding sequences, and complements thereof. The invention encompasses sequence-conservative variants and function-conservative variants of these sequences. The nucleic acids may be DNA, RNA, DNA/RNA duplexes, protein-nucleic acid (PNA), or derivatives thereof. The invention also encompasses recombinant DNA vectors (including DNA expression vectors) comprising these sequences; cells comprising such vectors, including bacterial, fungal, plant, insect, and mammalian cells; and methods for producing expression products comprising RNA and polypeptides encoded by the sequences.
Polypeptide sequences of the invention comprise at least eight, preferably at least about 10, and more preferably at least about 12 or more consecutive amino acid residues derived from SEQ ID NO: 2, 4. 6. 8 or 10. Function-conservative variants and homologs are included in the scope of the invention.
The invention further provides binding compositions, in particular antibodies, most particularly monoclonal antibodies, which specifically bind to polypeptides having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 or function conserved variants or homologs thereof. Methods are also provided for producing antibodies having the desired binding specificity in a host animal.
REFERENCES:
patent: WO 98/24906 (1998-06-01), None
patent: WO 98/25959 (1998-06-01), None
patent: W/O 98/25959 (1998-07-01), None
patent: WO 98/44113 (1998-10-01), None
patent: WO 99/18243 (1999-04-01), None
Bates Elizabeth
Chalus Lionel
Fournier Nathalie
Garrone Pierre
Belyavskyi Michail
Biro Michael G.
Chan Christina
Schering Corporation
Thampoe Immac J.
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