A strategy for artificially inducing the internalization of surface receptors, thereby blocking the effects of the ligands associated with that receptor

Cell-surface receptors are responsible for the biological activities of many molecules.  Specific ligands bind to them, causing the cell-surface receptors to internalize or bring the receptor and ligand inside the cell.  A number of diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and viral infections are known to require the expression of cell-surface receptors for critical pathogenetic steps. This has prompted significant research efforts towards the development of pharmaceutical agents that block the signals from cell-surface receptors. While this current research shows great promise, there is a strong need for new therapeutic strategies that utilize the mechanistic properties of cell-surface receptors.

 

This technology describes a strategy for artificially inducing the internalization of surface receptors, and thereby blocking the effects of the ligands associated with that receptor.  This method employs bifunctional ligands that bind to both a scavenger receptor and a target receptor.  As proof of concept, the inventors Drs. Narazaki and Tosato have shown that a ligand capable of binding to the scavenger receptor SREC-1 and the neuropilin-1 receptor NRP1 induces the internalization of NRP1 and inhibits NRP1 signaling.  The inventors propose that this strategy can be used to inhibit signaling from any target receptor if an appropriate bifunctional ligand is used.  For example, the concept could be expanded to other receptors, such as HDL and LDL receptors.  Likewise the bifunctional ligand could include specific antibodies or modified ligands that recognize cell surface receptors of biological importance.  Accordingly, this approach could be used to limit tumor angiogenesis, limit tumor growth, block metastasis formation, block inflammation, block viral infection, and treat just about any disease where we identify a cell surface receptor an the molecular basis for disease.

 

Applications:

• Method of inducing the internalization of target receptors.
• Inhibiting diseases or conditions associated with target receptors, such as HIV infection, cancer, or angiogenesis.
• Treating diseases or conditions associated with target receptors, such as cancer, viral infections, or HIV infections.

Preclinical

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,397 filed 24 Jan 2008 (HHS Reference No. E-250-2007/0-US-01)

 

Inventors: 

Masashi Narazaki and Giovanna Tosato (NCI)

 

 

Licensees Sought: 

Available for licensing.

 

Collaborative Research Opportunity: 

The National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize the technology aimed at promoting selective receptor internalization as a means to neutralize ligand function and receptor signaling.  Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.