Alpha-chemokines play important roles in both inflammation and tumor development. They bind to specific surface receptors to induce leukocyte migration and activation, angiogenesis, and to stimulate tumor growth. Dr. Miller developed a peptide inhibitor of the α-chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, and went on to show that this inhibitor (dubbed “antileukinate”) protects against neutrophil-associated acute lung inflammation and injury in several animal models and improves survival in experimental sepsis. The α-chemokine receptors also occur on various tumor cells and on endothelial cells. Dr. Miller’s work suggests that antileukinate may be useful as an anti-inflammatory reagent, particularly where neutrophils play a critical role.
The present invention is directed to methods of preventing allograft rejection by inhibiting interactions between CXC chemokines and a CXC receptor. In particular, Dr. Miller’s data suggest that neutrophils play a promoting role in the development of allograft rejection and that blockade of neutrophil migration using antileukinate suppresses acute lung allograft rejection.
Area of Application: Transplant rejection – therapeutic peptide; Inflammatory diseases – therapeutic peptide
Lead Investigator: Edmund Miller, PhD
Dr. Miller's lab page: Edmund Miller, PhD
Patent Info:
US Publication No.: US-2009-0131329-A1
Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Reference:
S. Hirayama, et al. (2006) Prevention of neutrophil migration ameliorates rat lung allograft rejection. Mol. Med. 12(9-10):208-213
Licensing contact:
Kirk R. Manogue, PhD
Director, Office of Technology Transfer
Tel: (516) 562-3404
Fax: (516) 562-2356
FIMR Reference #: MILLERE-2006-01