Compounds and methods for regulating cell adhesion
AssigneeAdherex Inc.
InventorsOrest W. Blaschuk, Barbara J. Gour
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. In particular, the modulating agents may be used in the therapy of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. The modulating agents comprise at least one cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence (HAV) or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.
Claims10
A method for treating a demyelinating neurological disease in a mammal, comprising implanting in a mammal:
- (a) a cell adhesion modulating agent that is 6-50 amino acid residues in length, wherein said modulating agent comprises the sequence His-Ala-Val and at least one flanking amino acid residue present within an endogenous N-cadherin sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:3-5, and wherein said modulating agent inhibits N-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion;
- and
- (b) one or more cells selected from the group consisting of Schwann cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from individuals not affected with a demyelinating disease;
- wherein said modulating agent and said cell(s) are implanted into the mammal's central nervous system in an amount sufficient to inhibit N-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion, thereby facilitating said cell(s) migration and treating a demyelinating neurological disease.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.