The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 11, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 31, 1999
Salvatore Pizzo, Bahama, NC (US);
Hanne Grøn, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Duke University, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
Activation of &agr; -macroglobulin (&agr; M) with a nucleophilic compound followed by incubation of the activated &agr; M at elevated temperature with a biomolecule results in covalent incorporation of the intact biomolecule into the &agr; M molecule, without the use of proteinases. The thus-formed structurally defined and stable complex may be used as an antigen for stimulating the immune response, for example, in the form of a vaccine. Enhanced antigen presentation of a particular biomolecule is provided, especially for those that are poorly immunogenic; reduction of the immunodominance of particular epitopes is also provided.