University of Virginia Patent Foundation

US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

University System of Maryland

Barbara J Mann

William A Petri

Jay E Purdy

R Randolph Vines

Joel M Linden

Sheila J Wood

Preeti Chhabra

Kenneth Lewis Brayman

Sanford Feldman

Yunge Zhao

Christine Lau

James M Dodson

The present invention relates methods of treating cytokine storm syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an adenosine Areceptor agonist.

Adenosine A2A agonists for the treatment of cytokine storm syndrome

The 170 kDa adhesin subunit of the,Gal/GalNAc adherence lectin is encoded by members of a gene family that includes hgl1, hgl2 and a newly discovered gene, hgl3. The DNA and encoded protein sequences of the hgl genes are disclosed. A number of proteins and peptide fragments of the adhesin as well as other functional derivatives, preferably produced by recombinant methods in prokaryotic cells are disclosed. A preferred peptide for a vaccine composition corresponds to amino acids 896-998 of the mature 170 kDa lectin and contains the galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-binding activity of the native lectin. These compositions are useful as immunogenic vaccine components and as diagnostic reagents. Methods are provided for a vaccine comprising one or more peptides of the lectin to immunize subjects at risk for infection by,. Additionally, immunoassay methods are disclosed for measuring antibodies specific for an epitope of the lectin. These methods detect,-specific antibodies, some of which are specific for epitopes characteristic of pathogenic strains, nonpathogenic strains, or both.

Recombinant Entamoeba histolytica lectin subunit peptides and reagents specific for members of the 170 kDa subunit multigene family

Recombinant Entamoeba histolytica lectin subunit peptides and reagents

The invention provides methods for expressing foreign genes in enteric protozoa. This transfection system was established using a gene ligated to the 5' and 3' flanking DNA regions of a protein-encoding gene from an enteric protozoa. The present invention also provides such transformed enteric protozoa, vaccines produced therefrom and foreign or altered proteins expressed in the same. The ability to introduce and express genes in amebae will now permit both genetic analysis and modification of the virulence of this organism, which remains a serious threat to world health and will facilitate basic research towards the control of this parasite.

Transfection of enteric parasites

A novel laboratory method and a kit for rapid detection and identification of Yersinia bacteria using the polymerase chain reaction with specific primers and specific restriction enzymes to differentiate among Yersinia at the species level and to separate Yersinia from other species of bacteria.

Detection of Yersinia using the polymerase chain reaction

cDNA encoding the 170 kd subunit of Gal/GalNAc lectin in various strains of E. histolytica is provided. Availability of this cDNA permits the use of diagnostic assays to distinguish pathogenic from nonpathogenic strains based on DNA hybridization, and further permits antisense approaches to interrupting the production of this lectin.

Purified DNA of the 170-kd surface Gal/GalNAc adherence lectin of

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Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Barbara J Mann