University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150093762 | HEPATIC STELLATE CELL PRECURSORS AND METHODS OF ISOLATING SAME - The present invention relates to precursor cells to hepatic stellate cells, compositions comprising same and methods of isolating same. The surface antigenic profile of the precursors is MHC class Ia negative, ICAM-1 | 04-02-2015 |
20140302601 | PRIMITIVE AND PROXIMAL HEPATIC STEM CELLS - Hepatic progenitors comprise two populations of human hepatic stem cells, primitive and proximal hepatic stem cells, and two populations of committed progenitors, one for biliary cells and one for hepatocytes. Human primitive hepatic stem cells are a very small fraction of the liver cell population and give rise to proximal hepatic stem cells constituting a much larger fraction of the liver. Human proximal hepatic stem cells give rise to biliary and hepatocyte committed progenitors. Primitive and proximal stem cells are the primary stem cells for the human liver. Human primitive hepatic stem cells may be isolated by immunoselection from human livers or culturing human liver cells under conditions which select for a human primitive hepatic stem cell. Proximal hepatic stem cells may be isolated by immunoselection, or by culturing human liver cells under conditions which include a developmental factor. Proximal hepatic stem cells may also be isolated by culturing colonies comprising a primitive hepatic stem cell under conditions which include a developmental factor. Resulting compositions may be used for treating liver disorders and for producing bioartificial organs. | 10-09-2014 |
20140302547 | METHODS OF ISOLATING BIPOTENT HEPATIC PROGENITOR CELLS - A method of obtaining a mixture of cells enriched in hepatic progenitors is developed which comprises methods yielding suspensions of a mixture of cell types, and selecting those cells that are classical MHC class I antigen(s) negative and ICAM-1 antigen positive. The weak or dull expression of nonclassical MHC class I antigen(s) can be used for further enrichment of hepatic progenitors. Furthermore, the progenitors can be selected to have a level of side scatter, a measure of granularity or cytoplasmic droplets, that is higher than that in non-parenchymal cells, such as hemopoietic cells, and lower than that in mature parenchymal cells, such as hepatocytes. Furthermore, the progeny of the isolated progenitors can express alpha-fetoprotein and/or albumin and/or CK19. The hepatic progenitors, so isolated, can grow clonally, that is an entire population of progeny can be derived from one cell. The clones of progenitors have a growth pattern in culture of piled-up aggregates or clusters. These methods of isolating the hepatic progenitors are applicable to any vertebrates including human. The hepatic progenitor cell population is expected to be useful for cell therapies, for bioartificial livers, for gene therapies, for vaccine development, and for myriad toxicological, pharmacological, and pharmaceutical programs and investigations. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301985 | METHOD OF TREATING PANCREATIC AND LIVER CONDITIONS BY ENDOSCOPIC-MEDIATED (OR LAPAROSCOPIC-MEDIATED) TRANSPLANTATION OF STEM CELLS INTO/ONTO BILE DUCT WALLS OF PARTICULAR REGIONS OF THE BILIARY TREE - A method of repairing diseased or dysfunctional pancreas or liver is provided. The method involves preparation of a suspension of stem cells and/or progenitor cells such as biliary tree stem cells, hepatic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells or their descendants, committed progenitor cells, from healthy tissue of the patient or of the biliary tree of a non-autologous donor and engrafting the cells into the wall of bile ducts near to the organ to be treated. The graft consists of stem cells or progenitors that are admixed with biomaterials and, optionally, with cytokines and/or native epithelial-mesenchymal cells appropriate for the maturational lineage stage of the cells to be engrafted. The cells are specifically introduced to the hepato-pancreatic common duct of the subject for treatment of pancreatic conditions or to the bile duct wall near to the liver for treatment of liver conditions and allowed to migrate to the pancreas or to the liver and expand and then rebuild part or the entirety of the diseased or dysfunctional organ. | 10-09-2014 |
20140272958 | NANOFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR THE RAPID MAPPING OF WHOLE GENOMES AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ANALYSIS - Devices and methods generate an ordered restriction map of genomic DNA extracted from whole cells. The devices have a fluidic microchannel that merges into a reaction nanochannel that merges into a detection nanochannel at an interface where the nanochannel diameter decreases in size by between 50% to 99%. Intact molecules of DNA are transported to the reaction nanochannel and then fragmented in the reaction nanochannel using restriction endonuclease enzymes. The reaction nanochannel is sized and configured so that the fragments stay in an original order until they are injected into the detection nanochannel. Signal at one or more locations along the detection nanochannel is detected to map fragments in the order they occur along a long DNA molecule. | 09-18-2014 |
20140234274 | Directed Evolution and In Vitro Panning of Virus Vectors - The present invention provides methods of achieving directed evolution of viruses by in vivo screening or “panning” to identify viruses comprising scrambled AAV capsids having characteristics of interest, e.g., tropism profile and/or neutralization profile (e.g., ability to evade neutralizing antibodies). The invention also provides scrambled AAV capsids and virus particles comprising the same. | 08-21-2014 |
20140134174 | SOGA Polynucleotides and Polypeptides and Uses Thereof - The present invention relates to the identification of polynucleotides and polypeptides involved in insulin and adiponectin signaling and regulation of glucose production. The invention further relates to the use of the identified polynucleotides and polypeptides, and inhibitors of the polynucleotides and polypeptides, in the regulation of glucose production and the monitoring and treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes. | 05-15-2014 |
20140050726 | Methods and Compositions for Modulating T Cell and/or B Cell Activation - The present invention provides methods of reducing or enhancing T cell activation and/or B cell activation in a subject, comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of an inhibitor or enhancer, respectively, of Semaphorin 6D (Sema6D) activity on T cells and/or B cells. | 02-20-2014 |
20140008220 | Microfluidic Nitric Oxide Sensor - The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a microfluidic device for measuring an amount of a molecular species in a sample. The device comprises a body and an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising at least one electrode coupled to the body. The device also includes a gas permeable membrane disposed on at least one electrode and a detector for measuring a current at each of the electrodes. Further, the device comprises a channel defined between a substantially planar substrate and planar cover glass. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the microfluidic device. | 01-09-2014 |
20130244233 | Methods and Materials for Determining Pain Sensitivity and Predicting and Treating Related Disorders - Methods of treating somatosensory disorders and modulating production of proinflammatory cytokines by administering to a subject an effective amount of a COMT modulator, ADRB2 modulator, ADRB3 modulator or combinations thereof are provided. Methods of predicting effective pharmacological therapies for a subject afflicted with a somatosensory disorder by determining a genotype of the subject with regard to a gene selected from the group consisting of COMT, ADRB2, ADRB3, and combinations thereof are further provided. Methods of determining pain responses or pain perception and predicting susceptibility of a subject to develop related disorders, such as somatosensory disorders and somatization, by determining a genotype of the subject with regard to a gene selected from the group consisting of COMT, ADRB2, ADRB3, and combinations thereof are further provided. | 09-19-2013 |
20130217002 | HIV-1 IGG3 RESPONSE IN ACUTE HIV-1 - The present invention relates, in general, to HIV-1 and, in particular, to methods of detecting incident HIV-1 infection. | 08-22-2013 |
20130196951 | USE OF NITRIC OXIDE TO ENHANCE THE EFFICACY OF SILVER AND OTHER TOPICAL WOUND CARE AGENTS - The present invention is directed to compositions comprising at least one nitric oxide donor and at least one second therapeutically active agent with antimicrobial or wound healing capability. In one embodiment, the nitric oxide donor is a nanoparticle which is designed to control for the amount and duration of release of nitric oxide. The nanoparticle may further comprise the additional therapeutically active agent. The composition is useful for enhancing wound healing and for treating and preventing microbial infection. In one embodiment, the composition is directed toward reducing oral bacteria or dental plaque. The combination of one or more nitric oxide donors and one or more additional therapeutically active agent results in unexpected synergistic effects, wherein both the antimicrobial efficacy of the nitric oxide and the antimicrobial or wound healing efficacy of the second therapeutically active agent are enhanced. As a result, a patient may benefit from reduced dosage requirements and a reduced likelihood of antimicrobial resistance. The composition may be formulated for local or systemic administration, for topical applications as well as for use in coatings for medical supplies and devices. | 08-01-2013 |
20120244153 | TREATMENT OF DEMYELINATING DISORDERS WITH SOLUBLE LYMPHOTOXIN-BETA-RECEPTOR - The invention relates to the treatment of demyelinating disorders, e.g. multiple sclerosis, using a soluble lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) as an inhibitor of the lymphotoxin pathway. | 09-27-2012 |
20110104694 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING CANCER - The present invention provides methods and compositions involving detecting the presence of and/or assessing the risk of cancer in a subject. These methods include methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer in an individual; methods of identifying individuals at risk of developing a cancer; and methods of staging a cancer. The methods generally involve detecting a palladin gene nucleotide sequence alteration that has been found to be associated with cancer and/or detecting a level of a palladin mRNA and/or protein in a biological sample. The present invention further provides nucleic acid probes, nucleic acid primers, and antibodies, as well as kits comprising one or more of the same, for use in a subject method. | 05-05-2011 |
20100233695 | MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS AND TYPING OF LUNG CANCER VARIANTS - Compositions and methods useful in determining the major morphological types of lung cancer are provided. The methods include detecting expression of at least one gene or biomarker in a sample. The expression of the gene or biomarker is indicative of the lung tumor subtype. The compositions include subsets of genes that are monitored for gene expression. The gene expression is capable of distinguishing between normal lung parenchyma and the major morphological types of lung cancer. The gene expression and somatic mutation data are useful in developing a complete classification of lung cancer that is prognostic and predictive for therapeutic response. The methods are suited for analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues. Methods of the invention include means for monitoring gene or biomarker expression including PCR and antibody-based detection. The biomarkers of the invention are genes and/or proteins that are selectively expressed at a high or low level in certain tumor subtypes. Biomarker expression can be assessed at the protein or nucleic acid level. | 09-16-2010 |
20100221722 | METHODS FOR EVALUATING BREAST CANCER PROGNOSIS - Methods for diagnosing and for evaluating the prognosis of a cancer patient, particularly a breast cancer patient, are provided. The methods include determining expression levels of at least five biomarkers in a body sample including a cancer cell from the patient, where expression levels of the biomarkers are indicative of cancer prognosis. Overexpression of the biomarkers of the invention is indicative of a poor prognosis. In some embodiments, the body sample is a breast tissue sample, particularly a primary breast tumor sample. The methods of the invention can be used in combination with assessment of conventional clinical factors and permit a more accurate evaluation of breast cancer prognosis. | 09-02-2010 |
20100119476 | SELECTION OF PEPTIDES SPECIFIC FOR HUMAN BLOOD OUTGROWTH ENDOTHELIAL CELLS - Provided herein are compositions and methods for binding outgrowth endothelial cells (OEC). The compositions consist of peptide ligands capable of binding OEC with high affinity and specificity. The compositions of the invention include peptides set forth in SEQ ID NO:1-38 and variants and derivatives thereof. Compositions also include the nucleotide sequences encoding the peptides of the invention. The compositions find use in methods for the isolation of OEC and for the recruitment and retention of OEC to sites of therapeutic interest. Methods for the identification and isolation of other peptides capable of binding OEC are also provided. | 05-13-2010 |
20100112689 | METHOD OF OBTAINING VIABLE HUMAN CELLS, INCLUDING HEPATIC STEM/PROGENITOR CELLS - The present invention is directed toward a method for obtaining from whole liver or a resection thereof a population of cells comprising viable, functional liver cells enriched in hepatocytes and hepatocyte stem/progenitor cells, compositions thereof, and uses therefore. Compositions include a composition of liver cells enriched in hepatocytes and hepatocyte stem/progenitor cells and a pharmaceutical composition thereof. Uses include treatment of liver diseases, regeneration of liver, toxicity testing, and liver assist devices. | 05-06-2010 |
20100104596 | ACUTTE TRANSMITTED HIV ENVELOPE SIGNATURES - The present invention relates, in general, to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and, in particular, to a method of inducing an immune response to HIV in a patient and to immunogens suitable for use in such a method. The invention also relates to diagnostic test kits and methods of using same. | 04-29-2010 |
20090220465 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MODULATION OF STEM CELL AGING - Methods are described for promoting or maintaining self-renewal of a stem cell expressing or expected to express p16 | 09-03-2009 |
20090075836 | SCREENING FOR MODULATORS OF METALATION PATHWAYS FOR METALLOPROTEINS - The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for screening of metalation pathways for the metalation of metalloproteins. | 03-19-2009 |
20080261905 | Modified Nucleosides for Rna Interference - The present invention relates to the use of modified nucleotides and single or double stranded oligonucleotides having at least one of said modified nucleotides for performing RNA interference. The modified nucleotides are selected from 6-membered ring containing nucleotides such as hexitol, altritol, O-substituted or O-alkylated altritol, cyclohexenyl, ribo-cyclohexenyl and O-substituted or O-alkylated ribo-cyclohexenyl nucleotides. The present invention also relates to novel modified nucleosides or nucleotides and to the use of the novel modified nucleosides and nucleotides in single or double stranded oligonucleotides for RNA interference, antisense therapy or other applications. | 10-23-2008 |