Composition and method for treatment of preterm labor
AssigneesThe Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin, The Coombe Lying-In Hospital
InventorsLuke Anthony O'Neill, John O'Leary, Sean Daly, Andrea Scharfe Nugent
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Abstract
The invention provides a method for treating or preventing preterm labor in pregnant female subjects. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist sufficient to prevent the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 by fetal DNA. The invention further provides compositions comprising a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist for use in the methods of the invention. Said compositions and methods enhance gestation and therefore improve neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Claims19
A method for treating or preventing the onset of premature labor and/or preterm birth, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which antagonises Toll-like Receptor 9 biological activity and intracellular signalling, and
- administering the agent to a pregnant female subject in need of such treatment.
16-47. (canceled)
A screening method for the identification of compounds which suppress fetal DNA mediated Toll-like Receptor 9 mediated inflammation and premature labor in a pregnant mammal, the method comprising:
- providing a Toll-like Receptor 9 receptor along with a fetal DNA ligand which has binding specificity thereto,
- bringing a candidate compound into contact with the Toll-like Receptor 9,
- exposing the Toll-like Receptor 9 to the Toll-like Receptor 9 fetal DNA ligand, and
- determining the binding of the Toll-like Receptor 9 fetal DNA ligand to the Toll-like Receptor 9,
- wherein inhibition of binding of the Toll-like Receptor 9 by the Toll-like Receptor 9 fetal DNA ligand indicates that said candidate compound is a modulator of Toll-like Receptor 9 activation and signalling.
A method for the prevention of premature labor in a pregnant mammal, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which inhibits at least one of I-kappaB degradation, p38 MAP kinase activation and IL-6 production, which are mediated following the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 following binding by fetal DNA, in a manner sufficient to suppress a proinflammatory immune response which would have resulted if the I-kappaB degradation, p38 MAP kinase activation or IL-6 production had not been inhibited, and
- administering the agent to a subject in need of such treatment.
50-51. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.