The University of British Columbia

Other

Dana Virginia Devine

Donald Elliott Brooks

William Norman Campbell

Maria I C Gyongyossy-Issa

Carlos A Del Carpio Munoz

Iren Constantinescu

It is provided mimotope receptors and inhibitors that employ peptide mimics that mimic the shape and function of natural receptors and ligands, thus providing synthetic binding sites for ligands and receptors. Receptor mimics can be attached to carriers, such as liposomes, to act as synthetic platelets, for example, by providing multiple binding sites for binding to other (natural or synthetic) platelets or to the endothelium. Synthetic platelets would have virtually limitless shelf life and would not require disease screening prior to transfusion, thereby providing a solution to the perpetual platelet shortages, as well as the safety and storage issues associated with natural blood platelets.

Peptide mimotopes that inhibits interaction between a platelet receptor and a platelet receptor ligand

Methods of calculating the platelet count of an individual, by measuring the amount of a released platelet granule protein of interest in a sample of whole blood or of platelet-rich plasma from the individual, are described. The platelet granule protein of interest is either thrombospondin or .beta.-thromboglobulin. The amount of released platelet granule protein of interest in the whole blood sample or platelet-rich plasma sample is measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; radioimmunoassay; sandwich assay; a quantitative immunochromatographic assay; or non-solid phase nephelometry. The platelet count is directly related to the amount of released platelet granule protein of interest in the sample, and can be determined from the amount of platelet granule protein of interest that is released from a known number of platelets.

Platelet count assay using thrombospondin or .beta.-thromboglobulin

Quantitative immunochromatographic assays for measuring the amount of an analyte, and an apparatus for use in the assays, are disclosed. The assays involve obtaining a fluid sample which contains the analyte; supplying a RAMP.TM. apparatus which includes a membrane having an application point, a detection zone, and a contact region, where the contact region is between the application point and the detection zone, and has antibody-coated particles imbedded within it; contacting the application point with the fluid sample; maintaining the RAMP.TM. apparatus under conditions sufficient to allow fluid to transport analyte by capillary action to the contact region, where the analyte binds to the antibody-coated particles; further maintaining the apparatus under conditions sufficient to allow fluid to transport analyte-bound antibody-coated particles to the detection zone, where they interact with a detection reagent; and detecting the amount of analyte-bound antibody-coated particles which have reacted with the detection reagent. Alternatively, the fluid sample can be contacted with the detection zone of the apparatus, and the antibody-coated particles are mobilized by addition of fluid to the application point. The RAMP.TM. apparatus can additionally include one or more of the following features: a wicking pad; an application pad covering the application point; a contact pad covering the contact region; a separator pad between the membrane and the contact pad; and an internal control.

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Vancouver, Canada

Dana Virginia Devine