University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated

Other

Howard Marcellus Johnson

Carol H Pontzer

Jeanne M Soos

Joel Schiffenbauer

Barbara A Torres

Mustafa G Mujtaba

Janet K Yamamoto

Fuller Warren Bazer

Gino Van Heeke

Nathan D Griggs

Prem S Subramaniam

Troy Lee Ott

Chulbul M Ahmed

Brian E Szente

Jeffrey A Cook

Lorelie H Villarete

Joseph Larkin

Jackeline Campos

Prem Shankar Subramaniam

Lawrence Flowers

Lindsey Jager

The subject invention concerns peptide mimetics of SOCS proteins and methods of use. In one embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention binds to a SOCS1 and a SOCS3 target protein. In a specific embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:51, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. In a further embodiment, a peptide of the invention can comprise multiple copies of the mimetic sequence. In one embodiment, a peptide of the invention comprises two or more copies of SEQ ID NO:1 and/or SEQ ID NO:2 and/or SEQ ID NO:51. In a specific embodiment, a peptide mimetic of the invention comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3 and/or SEQ ID NO:4 to and/or SEQ ID NO:52, or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The subject invention also pertains to methods of treating and/or preventing autoimmune conditions and/or disorders. In one embodiment, one or more peptide mimetics of the invention are used to treat an autoimmune condition or disorder in a person or animal. In a specific embodiment, a mimetic of the invention is used to treat SLE in a person or animal. The subject invention also concerns methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring progression of SLE in a person or animal.

SOCS mimetics for the treatment of diseases

The subject invention pertains to agonist peptides of type I interferons and methods of using the peptides. These peptides are based on the amino acid sequence of the C-terminus region of the type I IFN molecules and are capable of binding to the cytoplasmic domain of type I IFN receptors. Surprisingly, these peptides were found to possess the same or similar biological activity as that associated with the full-length, mature type I IFN proteins, even though these peptides do not bind to the extracellular domain of the type I IFN receptors. In one embodiment, the peptide is a peptide of IFN&#x3b1;. In another embodiment, the peptide is a peptide of IFN&#x3b2;. Exemplified peptides of the invention include those having SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, and SEQ ID NO:40. The subject peptides have been shown to effect increased resistance to viral infection. Peptides of the invention can be used to treat or prevent viral infections, to treat oncological disorders, and to treat autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.

Type I interferon mimetics as therapeutics for cancer, viral infections, and multiple sclerosis

An improved general aviation igniter cable assembly includes either a single or double coil spring. The double coil spring has inner and outer portions. The outer portion has first and second ends. The first end rotatably engages the cylindrical recess in the ferrule. The outer portion surrounds the first end of the grommet with the second end bearing against the retainer. The distal end of the inner portion is located within the outer portion and bears against the first end of the grommet to put pressure on the spark plug contact button. For the magneto end of the cable, a sealing grommet fits slidably over an insulating sleeve of the cable and seals against a magneto plate when a surrounding threaded nut is tightened into a collar of the magneto plate and the plate is attached to a magneto, providing an airtight seal to the magneto plate and the magneto.

General aviation igniter cable assembly

An RF antenna bracket for placement through and under a utility meter pit lid for use in an AMR or AMI system that includes a transmitter bracket cap for placement in a hole disposed in a meter pit lid; a cylindrical threaded neck disposed under and depending downwardly from said cap; a female threaded collar threadably disposed on said threaded neck; first and second elongate parallel slide posts connected to and depending downwardly from said female threaded collar, said first slide post having teeth disposed linearly along the length of an interior side of said first slide post; and an antenna mount slidably affixed to said first and second slide posts, said antenna mount engaging said teeth on said first slide post for vertical adjustment and positioning.

AMR/AMI pit lid antenna bracket

The present invention includes interferon-tau (IFN&#x3c4;) pharmaceutical compositions useful for oral administration to treat cancers, autoimmune disorders (particularly multiple sclerosis), cell proliferative disorders and viral disease.

Orally-administered interferon-tau compositions and methods

The subject invention concerns peptide molecules that specifically inhibit the enzymatic function of tyrosine kinases, including the JAK and EGF receptor (EGFR) family of kinases, to autophosphorylate, i.e., to transfer a phosphate group from ATP to an amino acid in the kinase. Phosphorylation of proteins is the most fundamental method for signal transduction among proteins in a cell. Inhibition of tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation activities inhibits the enzyme's signaling and shuts down the functioning pathways originating from the enzyme. The JAK2 and EGFR tyrosine kinases are involved in both inflammatory disorders and cancer. In these disorders, the tyrosine kinases can often be activated in an uncontrolled fashion. The subject application also concerns antibodies that bind to a tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation site. The subject invention also concerns pharmaceutically acceptable formulations of the subject peptides and antibodies, and methods for treating inflammatory and oncological disorders by inhibiting tyrosine kinase signaling in these situations by administering a peptide or antibody of the present invention.

Inhibitors of autophosphorylation protein kinases

A two-piece jet engine igniter assembly includes a front section and a rear section. When the igniter assembly is installed in an aircraft, either the front section or the rear section is removable for service or replacement. The front section includes a detachable cooling module. The cooling module includes a cooling tube adapter and a rear ferrule attached at either end of a flexible conduit. The conduit surrounds a thin wall polytetrafluorethalene liner, a braided tube and a cable support. The braided tube is electrically connected to the flexible conduit. Another version of the cooling module, designed for serviceability, includes a cooling tube adapter and a modified rear ferrule attached at either end of a flexible conduit, however a thick wall polytetrafluorethalene liner is removably secured within the flexible conduit by a circular clip sized and shaped to fit through the cylindrical bore of the modified rear ferrule when compressed.

Two piece jet engine igniter assembly

The subject invention pertains to novel methods for treating autoimmune-related diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). One embodiment of the method of the invention comprises administering interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-&bgr;), in combination, to a person afflicted with or predisposed to an autoimmune disease. When administered in combination, these cytokines act in a synergistic manner as suppressor factors to inhibit the activation of self-reactive T cells that are involved in autoimmune disease.

Materials and methods for treating autoimmune disease

The invention includes interferon-tau (IFN&tgr;) pharmaceutical compositions useful for oral administration to treat autoimmune disorders (particularly multiple sclerosis), cell proliferative disorders and viral disease.

Orally-administered interferon-TAU compositions and methods

The invention describes a method of reducing the cytotoxicity of interferon-alpha by making defined amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal portion of the polypeptide sequence. Also described are human interferon-alpha analogs with low cytotoxicity, and therapeutic applications of the low toxicity interferon-alpha analogs.

Low-toxicity human interferon-alpha analogs

The invention provides fusion proteins comprising an N-terminal region derived from an interferon-tau (IFN-&tgr;) polypeptide and a C-terminal region derived from another type I interferon polypeptide, such as IFN-&agr; or IFN-&bgr;. The fusion proteins exhibit reduced cytotoxicity as compared to the corresponding unmodified type I interferons.

Hybrid interferon &tgr;/type I interferon polypeptides

The subject invention concerns novel peptides of gamma interferon (IFN.gamma.) and methods of use of these peptides. Specifically exemplified are peptides from the C-terminus of IFN.gamma.. The subject peptides, once internalized into a cell, have biological activity which is comparable to the full-length IFN.gamma. protein.

C-terminal peptides of interferon .gamma.

The subject invention pertains to novel methods for treating autoimmune-related diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). One embodiment of the method of the invention comprises administering interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-.beta.), in combination, to a person afflicted with or predisposed to an autoimmune disease. When administered in combination, these cytokines act in a synergistic manner as suppressor factors to inhibit the activation of self-reactive T cells that are involved in autoimmune disease.

Methods of treating autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, are disclosed. The methods employ administration of interferon-tau (IFN.tau.) in a therapeutically-effective dose.

Growing community of inventors

Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Howard Marcellus Johnson