Controlling the activity of growth factors, particularly TGF-β, in vivo
AssigneeUniversity of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsAdam Monsalve, Jon P. Dobson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
TGF-β growth factor and its latent complex are conjugated to magnetic micro- or nanoparticles and to magnetic micro- or nanodiscs. By exposing the resulting conjugates to magnetic fields, the TGF-β growth factor can be released from its latent complex in vivo, potentially making it useful in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. And by exposing a conjugate of TGF-β growth factor and a magnetic particle to a sufficiently strong, radiofrequency magnetic field, the TGF-β growth factor can be denatured and thereby deactivated, potentially making it possible to avoid triggering tumorigenesis, atherosclerosis, fibrotic disease, and cancer.
Claims9
A method of releasing active TGF-β from a latent TGF-β complex in which it is sequestered, comprising:
- a. conjugating the latent TGF-β complex to a magnetic nanoparticle;
- and
- b. exposing the resulting conjugate to a radiofrequency magnetic field between approximately 100 kHz and 1 MHz, wherein the magnetic field heats the magnetic nanoparticle sufficient to release active TGF-β from the latent TGF-β complex.
A method of releasing active TGF-β from a latent TGF-β complex in which it is sequestered, comprising:
- a. conjugating the latent TGF-β complex to a magnetic particle selected from microdisc or nanodisc;
- and
- b. exposing the resulting conjugate to a low-frequency AC field having a frequency between approximately 1 Hz to 100 Hz, wherein the low-frequency AC field oscillates the microdisk or nanodisc sufficient to release active TGF-β from the latent TGF-β complex.
A method of denaturing TGF-β, comprising:
- a. providing TGF-β conjugated to a magnetic nanoparticle;
- and
- b. exposing the conjugate to a radiofrequency magnetic field effective to denature the TGF-β that is conjugated to the magnetic nanoparticle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.