Patent · US Expired

Immunostimulatory agent

US5466669A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
0References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 1993
Grant dateNov 14, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 19, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61Q11/00
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

There is disclosed an immunostimulatory agent comprising a peptide derived from lactoferrin having activity to modulate the release of inflammatory mediators from cells of the immune system. The peptide promotes the release of leukotriene B4 from polymorphonuclear neutrophils induced by activators such as the calcium ionophor A23187, It also promotes the release of histamine from mast cells induced by activators such as .alpha.-toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus cells or the calcium ionophor A23187. The peptide is effective at low concentrations within the range of 1 to 100 ppm. By promoting the release of such inflammatory mediators the peptide can potentiate the cellular immune response and stimulate the host defense against infectious disease. This newly discovered immunostimulatory agent is useful as an active component of pharmaceuticals, hygiene products, clinical foods, etc., for prevention and treatment of bacterial, fungal, and viral infectious in humans and animals.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.