|
|
|
Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6838428
| Title: | Surfactant protein D for the prevention and diagnosis of pulmonary emphysema | | Inventors: | Whitsett, Jeffrey A.; Cincinnati, OH, USA | | Summary: | Described herein is a new model for emphysema, comprising a non-human mammal having a surfactant protein D (-/-) null phenotype. The surfactant protein D (SP-D) is described as a 43-kDa member of the collectin family of collagenous lectin domain-containing proteins that is expressed in epithelial cells of the lung. Further disclosed are means by which the SP-D gene was targeted by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells that were used to produce SP-D (-/-) mice. The resulting SP-D (-/-) deficiency is described as causing inflammation, increased oxidant production by isolated alveolar macrophages, abnormal surfactant structure and levels, and decreased SP-A expression. Also provided are methods by which the SP-D (-/-) mouse may serve as a model not only for emphysema but also for therapeutic applications involving the SP-D protein or DNA in the treatment of emphysema and pulmonary infections, and in the identification of pharmaceutical agents that may be useful in the treatment of pulmonary disease. | | Abstract: | Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a 43-kDa member of the collectin family of collagenous lectin domain-containing proteins that is expressed in epithelial cells of the lung. The SP-D gene was targeted by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells that were used to produce SP-D (−/−) mice. The SP-D (−/−) deficiency caused inflammation, increased oxidant production by isolated alveolar macrophages, abnormal surfactant structure and levels, and decreased SP-A expression. Therefore, disclosed is the SP-D (−/−) mouse as an excellent model for emphysema. Also included are models for testing emphysema therapies in the mouse model, methods for using SP-D protein or DNA as a treatment for emphysema and pulmonary infections, and diagnosis. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US6838428 | | Application Number: | US2000000558576 | | Date Filed: | 26/04/2000 | | Date Published: | 04/01/2005 | | Assignee: | Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnatti, OH, USA |
|
|
