Cardiovascular physiology and atherosclerosis - prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with renal failure or increased carbamylation.

Using inhibition of carbamylation to prevent and treat atherosclerosis

Licensing Status: Therapeutic Field of Use Available for Exclusive Licensing 

This discovery relates to the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis using inhibition of carbamylation. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease complications in humans are linked to the endothelial (vascular epithelial) cell injury by modified low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), which are present in human blood plasma. Kidney insufficiency is associated with the increase of blood urea, which can result in chemical modifications of LDLs called "carbamylation". Researchers have found that carbamylated LDL induces injury to cultured human endothelial cells. And, the carbamylation of LDL, specifically its toxicity to endothelial cells, can be prevented by amino acid L-lysine, which is not toxic to humans.

Injury to endothelial cells, which is a mechanism of inducing atherosclerosis, by carbamylated LDLs and the method of its prevention using L-lysine have not been known previous to this disclosure. Data demonstrates 1) the amount of carbamylated LDL is increased in patients with end-stage renal disease and 2) carbamylated LDL is cytotoxic to human coronary artery endothelial cells. This toxicity may play a very important role in the cardiovascular complications of end- stage renal disease.

Reference: Abstract submitted to American Society of Nephrology (August 2001)

02-04

Phase I

Patent Status: Pending

Licensing Status: Therapeutic Field of Use Available for Exclusive Licensing

Diagnostic Application has been licensed

Licensing partner to commercialize the therapeutic Field of Use

Diagnostic Application has been licensed