Epicyte Pharmaceutical, Inc.

The Scripps Research Institute

Plantbodies Corporation

Biolex Newco I, Inc.

Epicyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

John H Fitchen

Andrew C Hiatt

Mich B Hein

Roger N Beachy

Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to epithelial tissue are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the delivery of therapeutic agents.

Epithelial tissue targeting agent

Targeting molecules are provided for use in delivering imaging agents to epithelial tissue. The targeting molecule comprises a polypeptide that forms a closed covalent loop, contains at least three peptide domains having &#x3b2;-sheet character, each of the domains being separated by domains lacking &#x3b2;-sheet character. The targeting molecule specifically binds to a basolateral factor attached to a basolateral domain of an epithelial cell surface causing internalization of a linked imaging agent into the cells. The polypeptide or imaging agent may be linked to a peptide amino acid sequence that directs delivery of the imaging agent to a carcinoma cell, a nucleus, or an endoplasmic reticulum.

Targeting molecule linked to an imaging agent

The invention describes compositions and methods of use in which an infectious modified Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) virion comprising a coat protein (CP) or a movement protein (MP) gene is replaced with a nuclear inclusion protease (NIa) expression cassette for the expression of a heterologous peptide in a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) host plant.

Method for using tobacco mosaic virus to overproduce peptides and proteins

Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to non-polarized epithelial cells are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) are lethal to the epithelial cell. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the eradication of metastatic epithelial cells.

Epithelial cell targeting agent

Polypeptide targeting molecules are provided for use in delivering imaging agents to epithelial tissue. Upon delivery, the imaging agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for diagnostic techniques. The polypeptide may be produced by recombinant methods, and forms a closed covalent loop, contains at least three peptide domains having &bgr;-sheet character which are separated by domains lacking &bgr;-sheet character, specifically binds to a basolateral factor attached to a basolateral domain of an epithelial surface causing uptake of a linked imaging agent into cells of the epithelial surface, and is not a full length dimeric Iga. Preferably, the polypeptide is a J chain polypeptide, or a J chain polypeptide linked to an immunoglobulin heavy chain without an immunoglobulin light chain. The polypeptide or imaging agent may be linked to a peptide amino acid sequence that directs delivery of the imaging agent to a carcinoma cell, a nucleus, or an endoplasmic reticulum.

J chain polypeptide targeting molecule linked to an imaging agent

Targeting molecules for use in delivering imaging agents to epithelial tissue are disclosed. Upon delivery, the imaging agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for diagnostic techniques. The targeting molecule is a polypeptide, which may be produced by recombinant methods, that forms a closed covalent loop, contains at least three peptide domains having .beta.-sheet character which are separated by domains lacking .beta.-sheet character, specifically binds to a basolateral factor attached to a basolateral domain of an epithelial surface causing uptake of a linked imaging agent into cells of the epithelial surface, and is not a full length dimeric Iga. Preferably, the polypeptide is a J chain polypeptide, or a J chain polypeptide linked to an immunoglobulin heavy chain without an immunoglobulin light chain.

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La Jolla, CA, United States of America

John H Fitchen