Biomarkers to Predict Functional Lymphocytes and Immunoglobulins in Humans
Bonnie Blomberg, Daniela Frasca and Norma Kenyon
Problem
Therapeutic agents and vaccines may not be as effective in immunocompromised patients and in elderly patients as their immune systems have fewer functional B lymphocytes, which are responsible for making antibodies and helping fight pathogens. Until now, only murine biomarkers have been used for examining the B lymphocyte functionality and immunoglobulin activity.
Solution
A particular set of biomarkers has been identified in humans. Transcription factors E47 and AID have been shown to be positively correlated with the ability of B lymphocyte cells to undergo class switching, and unique primers to amplify these transcription factors for quantitative PCR have been made.
Competitive Advantage
A unique set of biomarkers have been identified in humans. These biomarkers would more accurately track immune responses and activity than the murine models currently used, and would be better indicators of vaccine and therapeutic agent effectiveness in humans.
Applications
The invention could be used as a diagnostic method for assessing the quality of B lymphocyte activity in elderly or immunocompromised human subjects. In addition, the technology may be used as a research tool for screening small molecules for therapeutic use. A kit could also be made for measuring the biomarkers.
Patent Status
PCT Patent application was filed on February 22, 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking commercialization partnerships for the use of human biomarkers as a novel therapeutic development tool.
About the Inventors
Bonnie Blomberg, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Daniela Frasca, Ph.D., is a Research Associate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Norma Kenyon, Ph.D., is the Martin Kleiman Professor of Surgery, Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the Wallace H. Coulter Center for Translational Research.
Selected References
Frasca D, Landin A, Lechner SC, Ryan JG, Schwartz R, Riley RL, Blomberg BB. Aging down-regulates the transcription factor E2A, activation-induced cytidine deaminase and Ig class switch in human B cells. The Journal of Immunology, 2008, 180: 5283-5290.
