Other

Instituto Di Ricerche Di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti

Isabella Saggio

Michel Perricaudet

Gennaro Ciliberto

Rocco Savino

Annalise Di Marco

Ralph Laufer

Isabelle Gloaguen

Anna De Martis

The subject of the present invention are variants of ciliary neurotrophic factor with enhanced receptor selectivity (CNTFR), useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders including motor neuron diseases and muscle degenerative diseases. Another subject of the invention is to provide a method for identifying the above mentioned CNTF variants. The hCNTF variants with the amino acid substitutions in accordance with the present invention, have a reduced ability, as compared to the human CNTF, to elicit biological effects through soluble CNTFR, without affecting its ability to activate membrane-bound neuronal CNTF receptors, thereby improving its therapeutic properties. FIG. 1 shows the reduced CNTFR binding affinity of a CNTF variant according to the invention (IA-CNTF; SEQ ID NO: 2). It is evident that the binding affinity of this variant to the CNTFR is reduced as compared to the wild-type human CNTF molecule.

Variant of ciliary neurotrophic factor and DNA encoding the variant

The subject matter of the present invention are recombinant defective adenoviruses comprising a heterologous DNA sequence coding for a mutein having the activity of human Interleukin 6 (hIL-6) antagonists or superantagonist. Moreover, the invention refers to therapeutical uses thereof, in particular for preparing pharmaceutical compositions for treating and/or preventing pathologies caused by hIL-6 overproduction.

Adenoviral vectors for mutants of human interleukin 6 (hIL-6) with hIL-6 antagonist activity, pharmaceutical compositions therewith and their uses

Growing community of inventors

Rome, Italy

Isabella Saggio