Lead Inventor:
David J. Pinsky, M.D.
Early Growth Response Protein Linked to Heart Attack, Cancer:
Early Growth Response 1 (EGR-1) is a protein that is induced under conditions of ischemic vascular stress, due to the activity of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma). This induction has been linked to the processes of inflammation and coagulation. Thus, EGR-1 may be involved in a number of health issues, such as atherosclerosis in transplanted organs, acute respiratory stress syndrome, inflammatory disorders, central nervous system disorders, heart attacks, cancer, and burn or crush injuries. In order to fully tap the potential of EGR-1 induction for the detection or treatment of these diseases, new technologies are required.
Atherosclerosis in Transplanted Organs Prevented by Controlling Protein Expression :
The invention provides methods for determining whether an agent increases PPAR-gamma mediated inhibition of EGR-1 expression. This determination can occur in cells, cell-free systems, or non-human subjects, whereby the system is exposed to a stimulus known to increase EGR-1 expression, and comparing the level of expression with control samples. The invention further provides methods for inhibiting the onset of atherosclerosis in a transplanted organ by administering to the organ donor or recipient a PPAR-gamma agonist, as well as numerous methods for treating disorders or disorder-related complications such as acute respiratory stress syndrome, inflammatory disorders, central nervous system disorders, heart attacks, cancer, and burn or crush injuries.
Applications:
• Treatment of a number of health problems, diseases, or disorders, such as:
o Atherosclerosis in a transplanted organ
o Inflammatory disorders
o Heart attacks
o Central nervous system disorders
o Cancer
o Burn or crush injuries
Advantages:
• Invention can be used in the treatment of a wide variety of health-related issues
• PPAR-gamma agonists may be used as prophylactic agents in organ transplants
• Detection of EGR-1 expression may be used for diagnostic purposes
Patent Status: Patent Issued (US 6,972,175)
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing and Sponsored Research Support
Publications: Okada M, Yan SF, Pinsky DJ. Peroxisom proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) activation suppressed ischemic induction of EGR-1 and its inflammatory gene targets (2002).
FASEB, 16; 1861-1868.