Medical College of Georgia Research Institute, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120142750 | INDOLEAMINE 2,3-DIOXYGENASE PATHWAYS IN THE GENERATION OF REGULATORY T CELLS - The present invention provides methods for the control of the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and uses thereof. | 06-07-2012 |
20110305713 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS TO ENHANCE VACCINE EFFICACY BY REPROGRAMMING REGULATORY T CELLS - The immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is expressed by a subset of murine plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in tumor-draining LNs, where it can potently activate Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs). We now show that IDO functions as a molecular switch in tumor-draining LNs, maintaining Tregs in their normal suppressive phenotype when IDO was active, but allowing inflammation-induced conversion of Tregs to a polyfunctional T-helper phenotype similar to proinflammatory TH17 cells when IDO was blocked. In vitro, conversion of Tregs to the TH17-like phenotype was driven by antigen-activated effector T cells, and required IL-6 produced by activated pDCs. IDO regulated this conversion by dominantly suppressing production of IL-6 in pDCs, in a GCN2-kinase dependent fashion. In vivo, using a model of established B16 melanoma, the combination of an IDO-inhibitor drug plus anti-tumor vaccine caused upregulation of IL-6 in pDCs and in situ conversion of a majority of Tregs to the TH17 phenotype, with marked enhancement of CD8 | 12-15-2011 |
20110300241 | ORAL CARE COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING XEROSTOMIA - Disclosed herein are oral care compositions for promoting salivary flow. Thus, also disclosed are methods of treating and preventing xerostomia. The oral care compositions can contain all-natural ingredients, including, for example, green tea polyphenols and | 12-08-2011 |
20110245339 | PRODRUGS OF SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS AND TREATMENT METHODS - Prodrugs made up of biologically-active short-chain fatty acids or derivatives thereof conjugated to neutral or cationic amino acids capable of intracellular transport by ATB | 10-06-2011 |
20100260774 | Netrin-1 Compositions and Methods of Use Thereof - Methods and compositions for male or female contraception are provided. The compositions include an effective amount of netrin-1 to reduce or inhibit sperm concentration in semen of males or to inhibit or reduce fusion of male gametes with female gametes in a female subject Still another embodiment provides a method for diagnosing male infertility by determining the amount of netrin-1 in a sample of epididymal fluid or semen from a male subject, comparing the amount of netting-1 in the sample to levels of netrin-1 in samples of epididymal fluid or semen from fertile males, wherein levels of netrin-1 in the sample from the male subject that are higher or lower than levels of netrin-1 in samples from fertile males are indicative of male infertility in the male subject. | 10-14-2010 |
20100212038 | TRANSGENIC FISH WITH TISSUE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION - Disclosed are transgenic fish, and a method of making transgenic fish, which express transgenes in stable and predictable tissue- or developmentally-specific patterns. The transgenic fish contain transgene constructs with homologous expression sequences. Also disclosed are methods of using such transgenic fish. Such expression of transgenes allow the study of developmental processes, the relationship of cell lineages, the assessment of the effect of specific genes and compounds on the development or maintenance of specific tissues or cell lineages, and the maintenance of lines of fish bearing mutant genes. | 08-19-2010 |
20100086618 | Methods and Systems for Mineralization of Demineralized Tissue - Disclosed are systems, methods, compositions and kits for mineralizing tissue, particularly dental tissue. The methods, compositions and kits may be used to strengthen and prevent weakening of the tissue. For example, the methods, compositions and kits may be used for treating and filling cavities in teeth caused by tooth decay. | 04-08-2010 |
20090312778 | APPARATUS FOR REMOVING PLAQUE FROM AN ARTERIAL WALL AND METHOD OF USE THEREFOR - A surgical extractor including an elongated body having a handle and working tool coupled thereto. The extractor also includes at least one user operated button and at least one blade mechanically linked to the button. The blade is selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The blade is substantially contained within the body when in the retracted position, and it is substantially projected beyond the body when in the deployed position. | 12-17-2009 |
20090267603 | System and method for synthesizing crossing ADC distributions via reassembly of multiple k-spaces - A method for synthesizing crossing ADC distributions via reassembly of multiple k-spaces is disclosed. The method includes the steps of scanning a test object having a plurality of anisotropic structures to acquire a first set of DTI data using gradient directions; rotating the gradient directions by an angle α; repeating the step of scanning the test object to acquire a second set of DTI data; creating a composite data set from the first and second sets of data; and applying an inverse Fourier transform to the composite data set. | 10-29-2009 |
20090190817 | Systems and methods for parametric mapping for correction of noise -based systematic bias of DTI metrics, using a DTI mapping phantom - A system and method for minimizing, if not completely eliminating, the systematic bias present in an MR system used for DTI is disclosed. A test object or “phantom” of the present invention is scanned with a desired DTI protocol. The eigenvalues measured with the phantom are compared to the actual values that should have been measured, and a parametric map that links measured eigenvalues to actual eigenvalues is calculated, which is applicable to the desired protocol. Future eigenvalue measurements using this protocol can be recalibrated to actual eigenvalues using this map. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190816 | Systems and methods for rescaling image intensities with diffusion MRI to synthesize complex diffusive geometries - A method for scaling MR signal intensity after noise has been removed is disclosed. Because the signal in a DTI series varies with the apparent diffusivity in the direction of an applied gradient, one can multiply image data collected under actual clinical conditions with a spatially-dependent scaling function to synthesize different spatial diffusion distributions, after removal of noise. Recombination of the data with the removed noise preserves the bias in the system. | 07-30-2009 |
20090123420 | Regulation of T Cell-Mediated Immunity by D Isomers of Inhibitors of Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase - The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor. | 05-14-2009 |
20090081155 | Use of Inhibitors of Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase in Combination with Other Therapeutic Modalities - The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent. | 03-26-2009 |