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:
Apr. 26, 2005
Filed:
May. 11, 2000
Alphonse Galdes, Lexington, MA (US);
Nagesh Mahanthappa, Cambridge, MA (US);
Alphonse Galdes, Lexington, MA (US);
Nagesh Mahanthappa, Cambridge, MA (US);
Curis, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
The present application is directed to the discovery that hedgehog gene products are able to protect peripheral nerve cells under conditions which otherwise result in peripheral neuropathy. Certain aspects of the invention are directed to preparations of hedgehog polypeptides, or other molecules which regulate patched or smoothened signalling, and their uses as protective agents against both acquired and hereditary neuropathies. As used herein, 'peripheral neuropathy' refers to a disorder affecting a segment of the peripheral nervous system. For instance, the method of the present invention can be used as part of a treatment program in the management of neuropathies associated with systemic disease, e.g., viral infections, diabetes, inflamation; as well as genetically acquired (hereditary) neuropathies, e.g., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; and neuropathies caused by a toxic agent, e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent such as vincristine.