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Principal Investigator:
Jan Vilcek, M.D.,
Department of Microbiology
New York University School of Medicine
Cytokines are a diverse
group of multifunctional proteins, secreted by white blood cells and a variety
of other cells in the body, which affect almost every aspect of immunity.
Cytokines have been shown to function as: (1) mediators of natural immunity;
(2) regulators of lymphocyte activation, growth and differentiation; (3)
activators of nonspecific inflammatory cells; and (4) stimulators of hematopoiesis.
Well known cytokines include the interferons, tumor necrosis factor, the
interleukins and the family of colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF, M-CSF
and G-CSF). There has been great interest in this group of molecules over
the past 40 years, especially as their seminal role in immune modulation
has been elucidated.
Description of the
Project:
Dr. Vilcek, a recognized world leader in cytokine research, recently discovered
a new gene coding for a cytokine-related protein. The gene sequence was initially
identified from cloned cDNAs obtained from human diploid FS-4 fibroblasts stimulated
with tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TSG-6 (TSG and TNF-stimulated gene) is a secreted
35KD hyaluronate binding protein that is structurally related to cartilage link
protein, proteoglycan core proteins and the adhesion receptor CD44. TSG-6 is also
induced by IL-1 and LPS. Functionally, TSG-6 appears to be involved in the inflammatory
process. High levels of TSG-6 have been demonstrated in the synovial fluids of a
majority of arthritis patients. The anti-inflammatory role of TSG-6 has recently
been demonstrated in vivo in a murine acute inflammation model, where
administration of TSG-6 effectively blocked inflammatory response, comparable to
systemic dexamethasone treatment. TSG-6 forms a stable complex with components of
the serine protease inhibitor, inter-a-inhibitor. The anti-inflammatory effect of
TNF/Il-1-inducible TSG-6 protein, along with its ability to inhibit protease action
through inter-a-inhibitor, suggests that TSG-6 is part of a negative feedback loop
operating through the protease network.
Applications:
NYU is seeking an industrial partner to assist the development of this novel
cytokine for human diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Patent Status:
NYU has an issued U.S. patent and pending foreign and U.S. applications covering
this novel cytokine and its uses and is seeking an industrial partner to support
further research in this exciting field.
For further information
please contact:
Jane V. Scott, Ph.D.
jane.scott@med.nyu.edu
New York University
Office of Industrial Liaison
650 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016
Tel: (212)263-8178 Fax: (212)263-8189
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