Vanderbilt University

William M Mitchell

Charles W Stratton

Subramaniam Sriram

Mark A Basinger

Mark M Jones

The invention features methods and reagents for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. The invention is based in part on the discovery thatis present in patients with multiple sclerosis, and that anti-chlamydial agents improve or sustain neurological function in these patients.

Methods and reagents for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

The present invention provides a unique approach for the diagnosis and management of infections byspecies, particularly. The invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that a combination of agents directed toward the various stages of the chlamydial life cycle is effective in substantially reducing infection. Products comprising combination of antichlamydial agents, novel compositions and pharmaceutical packs are also described.

Diagnosis and management of infection caused by chlamydia

The present invention provides a unique approach for the diagnosis and management of infections by Chlamydia species, particularly. The invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that a combination of agents directed toward the various stages of the chlamydial life cycle is effective in substantially reducing infection. Products comprising combination of antichlamydial agents, novel compositions and pharmaceutical packs are also described.

Diagnosis and management of infection caused by Chlamydia

The present invention provides a unique approach for the diagnosis and management of infections by Chlamydia species, particularly . The invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that a combination of agents directed toward the various stages of the chlamydial life cycle is effective in substantially reducing infection. Products comprising combination of antichlamydial agents, novel compositions and pharmaceutical packs are also described.

The invention features methods and reagents for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. The invention is based in part on the discovery that Chlamydia is present in patients with multiple sclerosis, and that anti-chlamydial agents improve or sustain neurological function in these patients.

Methods and treatment of multiple sclerosis

The invention provides a method of inducing a mucosal immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the mucosa of the subject an amount of antigen-encoding DNA effective to induce a mucosal immune response complexed to a transfection-facilitating lipospermine or a lipospermidine. In the method of inducing a mucosal immune response, the antigen-encoding DNA can encode an antigen that is expressed on the surface of infected cells during the course of infection. DNA encoding the envelope glycoproteins of viral pathogens is used in the present method. Lipospermines and lipospermidines are bifunctional molecules consisting of one or more hydrophobic chains covalently linked to a cationic grouping in which there is coordination of three or more amide hydrogens with a phosphate oxygen of the DNA chain forming an ionic charge complex. One preferred example of a lipospermine is DOGS (droctadecylamidoglycylspermine). The invention also provides a composition, comprising an amount of DNA encoding an envelope antigen or envelope-associated antigen of a pathogen complexed to a lipospermine. More specifically, the invention provides a composition, comprising an amount of DNA encoding an envelope antigen of HIV complexed to a lipospermine

Methods for inducing mucosal immune responses

Methods for clearing Chlamydia from biological materials, e.g., cells and animals, infected therewith are described. Methods for maintaining Chlamydia-free cells and animals are also described.

Chlamydia-free cell lines and animals

Identification of linear amino acid antigenic sequences for the production of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to defined antigenic domains is described. Also described are antigenic peptides identified by the described methods and antibodies thereto.

Identification of antigenic peptide sequences

Methods for determining the susceptibility of intracellular pathogens, particularly Chlamydia, to single or combination of test agents are described. The methods can be used for in vitro or in vivo evaluation of agents that can be used as therapeutic agents in the treatment/eradication of pathogen infection in general or to target a specific infected organ. Assays which utilize nucleic amplification techniques (e.g., PCR) to determine effectiveness of the agent(s) evaluated are also described.

Methods for in vitro susceptibility testing of chlamydia

Nephrotoxicity of anti-tumor platinum coordination compounds (e.g., cisplatin) is reduced by administering a dithiocarbamate chelator (e.g., diethyldithiocarbamate) at least 12 hours before as well as immediately after the administration of the anti-tumor compound.

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Nashville, TN, United States of America

William M Mitchell