Targeting NTPDase8 for treating liver ischemia

This technology identifies the nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases 8 (NTPDase8) as a therapeutic target for liver ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Unmet Need: Therapies to treat liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

Liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury causes significant hepatic parenchymal damage due to a temporary disruption of portal or hepatic arterial inflow, followed by restoration. Although liver I/R injury can result from several pathological conditions, including systemic shock, its pathogenesis is complex, and few therapeutics currently target the molecular events that lead to tissue damage.

The Technology: Targeting NTPDase8 for liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

This technology describes the protective role of nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases 8 (NTPDase8) in the liver as a critical suppressor of the inflammatory and metabolic responses to liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. NTPDase8, expressed on parenchymal liver cells, modulates the extracellular levels of purine nucleotides and nucleosides, thereby reducing hepatic injury after I/R. Exogenous administration or endogenous overexpression of NTPDase8 represents a potential strategy for preventing or treating liver I/R injury.

This technology has been validated in in vivo models of liver I/R injury.

Applications:

  • Systemic hypotension/shock (e.g., massive hemorrhage, sepsis, cardiac failure)
  • Portal occlusion during major liver surgeries
  • Reperfusion of donor liver allografts in transplantation

Advantages:

  • Molecular target for treating liver I/R injury
  • Applicable to several pathological conditions
  • Potential first-in-class therapeutic agent

Lead Inventor:

George Hasko, M.D., Ph.D

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

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