William J Baldwin

US Patent:

61404721, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Nov 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/201075

Inventors:

Ariella M. Rosengard - Gladwyne PA
Joseph M. Ahearn - Baltimore MD
Alfred P. Sanfilippo - Baltimore MD
William M. Baldwin - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

C07K 1646

US Classification:

5303873

Abstract:

Disclosed are chimeric proteins that are useful for inhibiting complement. The chimeric protein termed VCPFc is a fusion protein in which (i) an immunoglobulin Fc region is fused to (ii) a polypeptide that comprises a portion of a vaccinia virus complement control protein which binds complement components C4b and C3b, but not iC3b rosettes. This protein can be used in xenograft transplantation methods (e. g. , by treating the donor mammal or organ) and in methods for treating complement-mediated disorders (e. g. , inflammation) generally. In a second chimeric protein, a transmembrane anchoring domain is fused to a polypeptide that comprises a portion of a vaccinia virus complement control protein which binds complement components C4b and C3b, but not iC3b rosettes. The transmembrane anchoring domain can be, for example, short consensus regions 3 through 15 of human complement receptor 2 protein. Expression of the transmembrane-anchored fusion protein in a transgenic animal provides a well-suited organ donor for xenograft transplantation.

US Patent:

58437789, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Jun 13, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/874978

Inventors:

Ariella M. Rosengard - Gladwyne PA
Joseph M. Ahearn - Baltimore MD
Alfred P. Sanfilippo - Baltimore MD
William M. Baldwin - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

C12P 2100
C12N 1539
C12N 510
C07H 2104

US Classification:

435325

Abstract:

Disclosed are chimeric proteins that are useful for inhibiting complement. The chimeric protein termed VCPFc is a fusion protein in which (i) an immunoglobulin Fc region is fused to (ii) a polypeptide that comprises a portion of a vaccinia virus complement control protein which binds complement components C4b and C3b, but not iC3b rosettes. This protein can be use in xenograft transplantation methods (e. g. , by treating the donor mammal or organ) and in methods for treating complement-mediated disorders (e. g. , inflammation) generally. In a second chimeric protein, a transmembrane anchoring domain is fused to a polypeptide that comprises a portion of a vaccinia virus complement control protein which binds complement components C4b and C3b, but not iC3b rosettes. The transmembrane anchoring domain can be, for example, short consensus regions 3 through 15 of human complement receptor 2 protein. Expression of the transmembrane-anchored fusion protein in a transgenic animal provides a well-suited organ donor for xenograft transplantation.