University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Other

University of Pennsylvania

Center for Innovative Technology

Richard M. Wright

John C. Herr

Kopf, Gregory S.

John C Herr

Zhonglin Hao

Jagathpala Shetty

Friederike L Jayes

Michael J Wolkowicz

Richard M Wright

Alexander L Klibanov

Kevin Simon Eisenfrats

Arabinda Mandal

William M Sutherland

Pablo E Visconti

Alan B Diekman

Elizabeth J Norton

Mark Sigman

David W Gerdt

Gregory S Kopf

David C Benjamin

Charles J Flickinger

V Anne Westbrook-Case

Euseblo S Pires

Ann Westbrook-Case

Scott A Coonrod

Monika Sachdev

Paul Wright

Prabhakara P Reddi

Disclosed are methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens under guidance of ultrasound imaging. The methods include vas-occlusive contraception in which the vas deferens is non-surgically isolated and an occlusive substance is percutaneously administered into the lumen of the vas deferens under ultrasound. Also disclosed are methods of reversal of vas-occlusive contraception and methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens. Also disclosed are compositions for use in the methods of the invention.

Occlusive implant compositions

Methods for vas-occlusive contraception and reversal thereof

The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for regulating fertilization and for use as a contraceptive based on the discovery herein of an oocyte specific protein, SAS1R (Sperm Acrosomal SLLP1 Receptor), which is a sperm protein receptor. Six SAS1R variants, including the full length SAS1R, were identified. mSLLP1 and SAS1R co-localized to oocytes and to acrosomes of acrosome-reacted sperm. Interactions between mSLLP1 and SAS1R were demonstrated by far-western analysis, in a yeast two-hybrid system under stringent selection conditions, and by immunoprecipitation of SAS1R by anti-mSLLP1 as well as the converse. Purified recombinant SAS1R was found to have protease activity, to inhibit fertilization in-vitro, and to induce an immune response in females. Together, the results suggest SAS1R is a proteolytically active, oocyte and early embryo specific oolemmal metalloprotease receptor for the sperm intra-acrosomal ligand SLLP1 and is a target for regulating fertilization and as a contraceptive.

Compositions and methods for regulating SAS1R

The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for diagnosing, treating, and preventing cancer, particularly ovarian cancer and uterine cancer, based on the discovery that the oocyte specific protein, SAS1R (Sperm Acrosomal SLLP1 Receptor), which is a sperm protein receptor, is also expressed in various cancers, including ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. Six SAS1R variants have been previously identified, and they are encompassed by the invention. The present invention further provides antibodies useful for targeting SAS1R expressing cells and for killing such cells.

Compositions and methods for detecting, diagnosing, and treating cancer

A method and device to conform with the glans penis to recover ejaculated semen completely, to prevent the loss of initial sperm rich epididymal fractions, to avoid the use of a condom for masturbation, to eliminate the multi-step transfers of semen following ejaculation that are common with current methods, and to provide a single device that contains a semen collecting chamber that fits onto a glans penis. The device provides a storage and measuring reservoir, an optional cap, and a vertical stand in one integrally formed module in a sterile pack. The device and method will have multiple uses in a variety of contexts including, but not limited thereto: in the diagnosis of infertility, in semen donation, in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) clinics, hospitals, forensic laboratories and research laboratories and will be included in kits intended for over-the-counter sperm testing devices.

Glans compatible single unit semen collection and storage device, kit and related methods of use

The present invention relates to sperm specific surface proteins, nucleic acid sequences encoding those proteins and antibodies raised against those proteins. Compositions comprising the sperm specific proteins or inhibitors of said proteins can be used in contraceptive applications.

Sperm specific proteins

The present invention relates to a family of testis specific kinases (the tssk family), nucleic acid sequences encoding those kinases and antibodies against the kinases. The invention is further directed to the use of thise kinases as targets for isolating specific inhibitors or anagonists of tssk kinase activity. Such inhibitors are anticipated to have use as contraceptive agents.

Human testis specific serine/threonine kinase 3

The present invention relates to two novel, testis-specific proteins (C19 and C23) that arc lysozyme paralogues. The proteins are believed to play a role in capacitation of sperm and the fertilization of the ovum. Therefore these compounds make ideal targets for the design of contraceptive agents. The C19 and C23 proteins can also be modified to establish lysozyme activity and the modified proteins can then be used in all applications that currently exist for lysozymes.

Human sperm specific lysozyme-like proteins

The present invention relates to proteins that are expressed in oocytes, nucleic acid sequences encoding those proteins and antibodies generated against those proteins. Composition and methods are provided for using the disclosed oocyte proteins as targets for contraceptive drugs.

Egg specific surface proteins

The present invention relates to a family of testis specific kinases (the tssk family), nucleic acid sequences encoding those kinases and antibodies against the kinases. The invention is further directed to the use of those kinases as targets for isolating specific inhibitors or antagonists of tssk kinase activity. Such inhibitors are anticipated to have use as contraceptive agents.

Human testis specific serine/threonine kinase 1 and 2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for screening compounds that modulate meiotic progression. In particular, it relates to compositions comprising nucleotides from the mouse 5&prime; regulatory region, and transcriptionally active fragments thereof, that control the expression of a testis-enriched protein, SP-10. Specifically provided are expression vectors, host cells, and transgenic animals. The SP-10 promoter controls the expression of a heterologous gene, e.g., green fluorescent protein. The invention relates to methods for using the vectors, cells, and animals for screening candidate molecules for agonists and antagonists of sperm development and fertilization. Methods for using molecules and compounds identified by the screening assays for therapeutic treatments are provided.

Methods and compositions for modulating spermatogenesis

S19 mAb, deposited under Accession Number HB-12144 at the ATCC, binds to a carbohydrate epitope of a glycoprotein found distributed over the surface of sperm. The carbohydrate nature of the epitope, its distribution over the entire sperm surface, and the fact that it is epididymal/sperm specific and not naturally found in any of the tissues of the female reproductive tract, make the glycoprotein, SAGA-1, a desirable immunogen as the active agent for a contraceptive vaccine, as well as a test standard for monitoring antibody titer. The antibody provides a diagnostic for the presence of sperm, as well as a topical spermistatic.

Purified sperm surface antigen, monoclonal antibody therefor and application therefor

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Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

John C Herr