| WARF: P00327US |  |
| Inhibition Of Lipoprotein Secretion |
| INVENTORS | • | Alan Attie, Donald Gillian-Daniel, Paul Bates |
OVERVIEW
Elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are strongly correlated with severe forms of hypercholesterolemia. Because patients vary in responsiveness to “statins” – drugs that inhibit the activity of a particular enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis – new treatments for high cholesterol are needed.
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have developed a novel means to reduce LDL levels in the bloodstream. Described is a gene construct composed of a promoter expressing a fusion protein. The fusion protein contains a truncated low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) linked to a localization domain (KDEL). The KDEL directs the fusion protein to the cell interior of cells where it is sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum. Inside cells, the LDLR binds to apoB, the precursor of a protein that forms LDL. The LDLR regulates apoB by degrading it and inhibiting its secretion into the bloodstream, thus lowering LDL levels. This genetic construct of LDLR plus KDEL can be transfected into cells or delivered directly to individuals in vivo in order to reduce the levels of apoB and thus, LDL.
APPLICATIONS
- Treatment of high cholesterol
KEY BENEFITS
- Can be effectively introduced into any mammal to decrease levels of LDL
- Operates at cellular levels that are similar in all mammals
- KDEL is fused to LDLR in such a manner as to maintain the apoB binding properties of LDLR while permitting LDLR’s localization inside the cell.
- A variety of localization domains can be used, as well as proteins with impaired glycosylation that can interact with chaparone proteins to inhibit protein secretion.
- By producing a defective LDLR that is trapped in cells, there is no exposure to the immune system, thereby avoiding any potential autoimmune response
- Also can be used to decrease plasma tricglyceride levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Intellectual Property Status
Tech Fields
Drug Discovery - Gene therapy
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
