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| Licensing & Royalties >> Licensing Opportunities >> Abstract Details |
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| Mouse Model of Individual Unresponsive to Interferon |
Description of Invention:
NIAID has developed a mouse model that produces very high levels of Interferon-alpha-receptor 2 (IFNAR2), both in liver cells and free-floating in serum.
Chronic co-infection of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with increased overall morbidity and mortality compared to those infected with just one virus. Recent data further suggests that co-infection is also associated with a more rapid progression of liver disease, higher HCV RNA viral levels, decreased cure rate of HCV, and increased toxicities of anti-HCV therapy. Finally, clinical trials have shown that many patients infected with both viruses do not respond to Interferon-based therapy. Research strongly suggests that non-responding patients have an increased level of a free-floating form of IFNAR2, which could block Interferon activity.
Resistance to Interferon therapy also occurs in other diseases, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, scleroderma, psoriasis, vasculitis) and certain forms of cancer (e.g., Kaposi’s sarcoma, follicular lymphoma). The various means by which resistance arises is currently being researched.
Applications:
- Study of mechanisms of resistance to Interferon therapy in selected diseases, such as HCV/HIV co-infection and certain cancers
- Study of Interferon-alpha in auto-immune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, psoriasis, and vasculitis
- Drug design and screening
Advantages:
- A model to screen, develop, and test drugs for HCV among HCV/HIV co-infected patients not responding to Interferon.
- A model for basic research, to study the biology and role of IFNAR2 and its function, along with the role of the Interferon receptor in the development of disease resulting from activation of the immune system.
Development Status:
Proof-of-principle studies showing that the mice represent HCV/HIV co-infected individuals not responding to Interferon treatment.
Inventors:
No Inventor Information Available.
Patent Status:
Research Tool -- patent protection is not being pursued for this technology
Licensing Status:
Available for non-exclusive Biological Materials Licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, is interested in collaborative research directed toward molecular strategies for vaccine and antiviral development, and animal models of viral hepatitis C. Please contact William Ronnenberg at 301-451-3522 or wronnenberg@niaid.nih.gov for more information.
For Licensing Information Please Contact:
No Licensing Specialist Information Available.
Ref No: 1967
Updated: 07/2010
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