University of California

University of Southern California

Other

Tiger, Jason

Dat Q Tran

Michael E Selsted

Justin B Schaal

Virginia Basso

A method is provided for a condition related to the activity of a protease through the administration of a θ-defensin, analog, or derivative is described. Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and cysteine proteases such as Cathepsin-C. The θ-defensin, analog, or derivative can be effectively administered parenterally, topically, or orally.

Compositions and methods for treatment of protease mediated disease

Novel peptide analogs of a θ-defensin have been developed that provide a biphasic effect in treating disseminated fungal disease and/or associated septic shock. These analogs are active at concentrations below those needed to provide a fungicidal effect, and function by initially mobilizing effector cells of the immune system to address the infective organism followed by regulation of the immune system to down regulate the inflammatory response. These novel θ-defensin analogs are protective at concentrations where naturally occurring θ-defensins have no apparent effect, and include a core set of structural and sequence features not found in native θ-defensins.

Compositions and methods for treatment of fungal infections

Peptide analogs of a θ-defensin have been developed that provide a biphasic effect in treating disseminated fungal disease and/or associated septic shock. These analogs are active at concentrations below those needed to provide a fungicidal effect, and function by initially mobilizing effector cells of the immune system to address the infective organism followed by regulation of the immune system to down regulate the inflammatory response. These θ-defensin analogs are protective at concentrations where naturally occurring θ-defensins have no apparent effect, and include a core set of structural and sequence features not found in native θ-defensins.

Formulations that, when suitably mixed, form edible liquid solutions suitable for blowing bubbles. These formulations contain water, a surfactant, a thickener, a pH adjusting agent/preservative, and optionally a sweetener. The formulations may be provided in either solid form or liquid form, either of which may form an edible bubble solution when mixed with a sufficient quantity of a beverage or similar liquid.

Formulations for edible bubble solution

Novel peptide analogs of a &#x3b8;-defensin have been developed that provide a biphasic effect in treating disseminated fungal disease and/or associated septic shock. These analogs are active at concentrations below those needed to provide a fungicidal effect, and function by initially mobilizing effector cells of the immune system to address the infective organism followed by regulation of the immune system to down regulate the inflammatory response. These novel &#x3b8;-defensin analogs are protective at concentrations where naturally occurring &#x3b8;-defensins have no apparent effect, and include a core set of structural and sequence features not found in native &#x3b8;-defensins.

Novel peptide analogs of a &#x3b8;-defensin have been developed that provide a biphasic effect in treating infection and/or sepsis. These analogs are active at concentrations below those needed to provide a bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect, and function by initially recruiting effector cells of the immune system to address the infective organism followed by regulation of the immune system to down regulate the inflammatory response characteristic of sepsis and septic shock. These novel &#x3b8;-defensin analogs are protective at concentrations where naturally occurring &#x3b8;-defensins have no apparent effect, and include a core set of structural and sequence features not found in native &#x3b8;-defensin.

Theta defensin analogs

A method is provided for treating bowel disease related to the activity of TNF-&#x3b1;, through the administration of a &#x3b8;-defensin, analog, or derivative. Such a &#x3b8;-defensin, analog, or derivative can be effectively administered parenterally, topically, or orally. The &#x3b8;-defensin, analog, or derivative can be selected to additionally inhibit ADAM-10 activity.

Compositions and method for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Drug compositions for treatment of one or more inflammatory conditions can includes at least one of a &#x3b8;-defensin, analog or derivative thereof. Inventive methods include researching &#x3b8;-defensins, analogs or derivatives thereof for their efficacy with respect to anti-inflammatory effects, and providing such compositions to the marketplace for the purpose of treating inflammatory conditions. Of particular interest are drug compositions effective to produce clinically relevant inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&#x3b1;)-converting enzyme (TACE) or other proinflammatory proteases, and/or sheddases. it is contemplated that preferred compositions can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer's, osteoarthritis, inflammation-related neurodegenerative and other inflammation-related diseases.

Blockade of inflammatory proteases with cyclic peptides

A method is provided for inhibiting TACE activity in a human subject, through the administration of a &#x3b8;-defensin, analog, or derivative. Such a &#x3b8;-defensin, analog, or derivative can be effectively administered parenterally, topically, or orally. The &#x3b8;-defensin, analog, or derivative can be selected to additionally inhibit ADAM-10 activity.

Inhibition of tace activity with cyclic peptides

The invention provides theta defensin analogs having antimicrobial activity. The invention also provides a method of reducing or inhibiting growth or survival of a microorganism in an environment capable of sustaining the growth or survival of the microorganism, comprising administering an effective amount of a theta defensin analog to the environment, thereby reducing or inhibiting the growth or survival of the microorganism.

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Anaheim, CA, United States of America

Dat Q Tran