Methods and compositions for treating or preventing pruritis
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsXinzhong Dong, Qin Liu, David J. Anderson
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Abstract
The invention features therapeutic compositions comprising agents useful for the treatment or prevention of pruritis, and methods useful for identifying such agents.
Claims22
A method of treating or preventing pruritis in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the expression or biological activity of an human MrgX1 I or murine MrgA3 polypeptide or polynucleotide.
A pharmaceutical composition labeled for the treatment or prevention of pruritis comprising an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the expression or biological activity of MrgX1.
An inhibitory nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to at least a portion of an MrgX1 or MrgA3 polynucleotide and is capable of inhibiting MrgX1 polypeptide or polynucleotide expression.
(canceled)
A method of treating or preventing pruritis in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the expression or biological activity of an MrgX1 or MrgA3 polypeptide or polynucleotide in combination with an anti-histamine or a corticosteroid.
A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of pruritis comprising an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the expression or biological activity of MrgX1 and an anti-histamine or corticosteroid.
A method for identifying a candidate agent that reduces MrgA3 or MrgX1 expression, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting a cell expressing a MrgA3 or MrgX1 nucleic acid molecule with a candidate agent;
- and
- (b) comparing MrgA3 or MrgX1 expression in the contacted cell with a reference level of expression, wherein a reduction in MrgA3 or MrgX1 expression identifies the agent as reducing MrgA3 or MrgX1 expression, or
- A method for identifying a candidate agent that treats or prevents pruritis, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting a cell expressing a MrgA3 or MrgX1 polypeptide with a candidate agent;
- and
- (b) detecting a reduction in MrgA3 or MrgX1 polypeptide level or biological activity in the cell contacted with the candidate agent relative to a reference level, wherein a reduction in MrgA3 or MrgX1 polypeptide level or biological activity identifies a candidate agent that treats or prevents pruritis, or
- A method for identifying a candidate agent useful for the treatment or prevention of pruritis, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting a cell expressing a MrgA3 or MrgX1 polypeptide with a candidate agent;
- and
- (b) detecting binding of the MrgA3 or MrgX1 polypeptide with the candidate agent, wherein a agent that binds a MrgA3 or MrgX1 polypeptide is useful for the treatment or prevention of pruritis, or
- A transgenic mammal comprising a deletion in a Mas-related gene (Mrg), or
- A transgenic mammal comprising detectable chloroquine sensitive neurons, the mouse comprising a MrgA3 or MrgX1 gene fused to a detectable reporter coding sequence, or
- An isolated CQ-sensitive neuron derived from dorsal root ganglion having histamine- and capsaicin-sensitivity, or
- A method for isolating a chloroquine activated cell, the method comprising identifying a MrgX1 or MrgprA3-expressing cell, and isolating the cell based on said expression.
22-44. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.