David W Levy

US Patent:

6667157, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/809186

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
David N. Levy - Birmingham AL
Yosef Refaeli - Boston MA
William V. Williams - Havertown PA
Velpandi Ayyavoo - Havertown PA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

G01N 33567

US Classification:

435 724

Abstract:

Method of inhibiting proliferation of cells using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Method of preventing lymphocyte activation using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual diagnosed with or suspected of suffering from autoimmune disease, diseases characterized by proliferating cells and graft versus host disease by administering vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof are disclosed. Conjugated compositions for delivery of active agents to the nucleus of cells are disclosed.

US Patent:

6838236, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Dec 15, 1993

Appl. No.:

08/167608

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA, US
David Nathan Levy - Philadelphia PA, US
Yosef Refaeli - Philadelphia PA, US

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA
The Wistar Institute - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12Q 170

US Classification:

435 5, 435 71, 435 792, 435 691, 435 693, 4241881, 4242081

Abstract:

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HIV protein vpr or nucleic acid molecule encoding vpr are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by hyperproliferating undifferentiated cells such as cancer by administering such compositions. Methods of identifying compounds which have anti-HIV activity are disclosed, in particular, methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of vpr and of identifying compounds which inhibit vpr binding to the HIV protein gag.

US Patent:

20030207252, Nov 6, 2003

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/935100

Inventors:

David Weiner - Merion PA, US
David Levy - Philadelphia PA, US
Yosef Refaeli - Philadelphia PA, US

International Classification:

A61K048/00
C12N015/63
A61K038/17
C12Q001/70
A01N063/00
A61K038/00
C07K014/00
C12N015/85
C07H021/04
C07K017/00
C12P021/08
G01N033/564
C07K001/00
C07K016/00
C12N015/87
G01N033/53

US Classification:

435/005000, 424/093210, 435/455000, 514/012000, 530/350000, 530/826000, 435/974000, 435/975000, 530/388350, 536/023720, 536/023400

Abstract:

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HIV protein vpr or nucleic acid molecule encoding vpr are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by hyperproliferating undifferentiated cells such as cancer by administering such compositions. Methods of identifying compounds which have anti-HIV activity are disclosed, in particular, methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of vpr and of identifying compounds which inhibit vpr binding to the HIV protein gag.

US Patent:

20040259827, Dec 23, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/734024

Inventors:

David Weiner - Merion Station PA, US
David Levy - Birmingham AL, US
Yosef Refaeli - Denver CO, US

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
C12N015/85
A61K038/17
A61K048/00

US Classification:

514/044000, 435/455000, 435/006000, 514/012000

Abstract:

Method of inhibiting proliferation of cells using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Method of preventing lymphocyte activation using vpr protein or nucleotide sequences that encode vpr are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual diagnosed with or suspected of suffering from autoimmune disease, diseases characterized by proliferating cells and graft versus host disease by administering vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule that comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes vpr protein or a functional fragment thereof are disclosed. Conjugated compositions for delivery of active agents to the nucleus of cells are disclosed.

US Patent:

20100183622, Jul 22, 2010

Filed:

Jan 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

11/971792

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA, US
David Nathan Levy - New York NY, US
Yosef Refaeli - Denver CO, US

International Classification:

A61K 39/42
A61K 38/16
A61P 31/18

US Classification:

4241481, 514 12, 4241601

Abstract:

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HIV protein vpr or nucleic acid molecule encoding vpr are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by hyperproliferating undifferentiated cells such as cancer by administering such compositions. Methods of identifying compounds which have anti-HIV activity are disclosed, in particular, methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of vpr and of identifying compounds which inhibit vpr binding to the HIV protein gag.

US Patent:

57802203, Jul 14, 1998

Filed:

Feb 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/382873

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
Yosef Refaeli - Boston MA
David N. Levy - Birmingham AL

Assignee:

Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12Q 170
G01N 3353
A61K 3156
A01N 4304

US Classification:

435 5

Abstract:

A method for treating an individual exposed to or infected with HIV is disclosed which comprises administering to said individual a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds which inhibit or prevent replication of said HIV by interfering with the replicative or other essential functions of Vpr expressed by said HIV, by interactively blocking the Vpr target in human cells, and thereby preventing translocation of the Vpr/target complex from the cytosol of said human cells to the nuclei of said cells, where Vpr carries on activities essential to replication of HIV. In preferred embodiments, the compound or compounds which interactively block the target are steroid hormone receptor antagonists, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, or glucocorticoid receptor Type II antagonists, especially mifepristone (RU-486). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, as well as a method for identifying them and a kit for use therein, are also disclosed.

US Patent:

57802386, Jul 14, 1998

Filed:

Oct 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/652572

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
David Nathan Levy - Boston MA
Yosef Refaeli - Boston MA

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

G01N 33566
C07K 14705
C07K 1447

US Classification:

435 71

Abstract:

A human receptor protein which binds to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral protein R (vpr) is disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions that comprise the receptor protein, compositions useful to produce the receptor protein and methods of making and using the receptor protein are disclosed.

US Patent:

56395981, Jun 17, 1997

Filed:

May 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/246177

Inventors:

David B. Weiner - Merion PA
Yosef Refaeli - Boston MA
David N. Levy - Birmingham AL

Assignee:

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

C12Q 170
G01N 3353

US Classification:

435 5

Abstract:

Human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV/SIVs) contain, in addition to the canonical gag/pol/env genes, additional small open reading frames (ORFs) encoding gene products, including the 96-amino acid 15-kDa virion-associated HIV-1 Vpr gene product. Vpr functions as a regulator of cellular processes related to HIV replication. A biologically active recombinant HIV-1 Vpr protein was employed as a ligand to identify its cognate cellular target(s). A novel 41-kDa cytosolic viral protein R interacting protein, designated Rip-1, was identified using the recited assay. Rip-1 displays a wide-tissue distribution, including relevant targets of HIV infection. HIV-1 Vpr induced nuclear translocation of Rip-1. This invention provides novel biochemical reagents and methods that will facilitate the identification of antiviral agents.