Recombinant Soluble HLA-G Molecules

Technology ID: 01KUMC267 

Description:  Two soluble molecules derived from the HLA-G gene, soluble HLA-G1 and soluble HLA-G2, are synthesized in the placenta and circulate at high concentration at the maternal-fetal interface throughout pregnancy.  These molecules have the ability to modify maternal immune responses not only at the maternal-fetal interface but also systemically, thus providing a mechanism for the surprising willingness of mothers to tolerate their genetically different fetuses during pregnancy.  Soluble HLA-G is also present in women prior to pregnancy, and women who become successfully pregnant have higher levels than women who do not. These molecules have also been found to be high in male patients who tolerate organ grafts and low in male patients who reject grafts, suggesting that they may serve as general modulators of immune responses.

Researchers have partially purified HLA-G from placentas and trophoblast tumor cell lines.  However, purification of the natural proteins does not result in an adequate supply of soluble HLA-G.  A scientific investigator at KU Medical Center (“KUMC”) has developed a genetic strategy for producing unlimited quantities of pure recombinant HLA-G proteins, including soluble HLA-G1 and soluble HLA-G2. These are produced in human cells thereby assuring proper glycosylation and folding of the proteins.  The recombinant proteins generated through this inventive strategy have differing effects on different target cells thus permitting target-specific modulation of immune responses as needed. Soluble HLA-G is present in men as well as women.  It is apparent that the recombinant proteins produced by this invention hold great promise in promoting fertility, facilitating organ transplantion and treating immune disorders where modulation of the immune response is required for health. 

Patent: Patent pending

Specific Market: Diagnostics; Clinical pathology labs

Market Size: The US market for clinical diagnostic kits in 2007 is estimated to be over $5 billion.

State of the Art: Current diagnostic methods are notoriously difficult and inaccurate.  The current standard diagnostics for cholangiocarcinoma are:

1. ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
2. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)
3. Abdominal CT scan
4. Abdominal ultrasound
5. CT scan directed biopsy
6. Cytopathological examination of cells collected by brushing or fine needle aspiration.

Benefits: This diagnostic will be more efficient, more accurate and simpler to conduct compared to conventional methods of diagnosis for cholangiocarcinoma.  This test also has the potential to be less costly than conventional diagnostics.

Technical Obstacles: Large scale testing in progress

Publications: N/A

Confidential Disclosure Agreement:  KUMC is willing to enter into a CDA for the purpose of negotiating a License Agreement.  If you are interested in learning details of this invention, please contact: Joe Jilka, Ph.D. (jjilka@kumc.edu: ph 913 588 5713 ).