Columbia Technology Ventures

Method to augment efferocytosis for treatment of autoimmune diseases

This technology targets WDFY3 to enhance efferocytosis and decrease autoimmune response.

Unmet Need: Method for regulating efferocytosis to reduce autoimmune response

Phagocytic clearance of dying cells, or efferocytosis, is important for tissue homeostasis. Impaired efferocytosis decreases the effective removal of dead cells, which can lead to secondary necrotic death and induce unwanted inflammatory responses. Aberrant efferocytosis has been linked with several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, infections, cancer, and asthma.

The Technology: Therapeutic targeting regulator of macrophage efferocytosis

This technology enhances WDFY3, a regulator of efferocytosis in macrophages, to augment efferocytosis and reduce inflammatory and autoimmune responses. WDFY3 has been found to regulate both the uptake and degradation of apoptotic cells during efferocytosis. Activation of WDFY3 can thus stimulate macrophage efferocytosis, which can be beneficial for the treatment of a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and infections.

Applications:

  • Treatment for atherosclerosis, cancer, and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
  • Treatment for diseases related to defective efferocytosis
  • Research tool for studying efferocytosis

Advantages:

  • Increases efferocytosis
  • Decreases autoimmune responses
  • Applicable to a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

Lead Inventor:

Ai Yamamoto, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

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