Minicell-based selective absorption

• US 20030211086A1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mpex Biosciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mpex Biosciences, Inc.
• Inventors: Berkley, Neil, Sabbadini, Roger A.
• Application Number:
  US10/157,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20030211086A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/93.21
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1037 Screening libraries presented on the surface of microorganisms, e.g. phage display, E. coli display
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 21/02 having a known sequence of two or more amino acids, e.g. glutathione
• CPC Class Codes: C40B 40/02 Libraries contained in or displayed by microorganisms, e.g. bacteria or animal cells; Libraries contained in or displayed by vectors, e.g. plasmids; Libraries containing only microorganisms or vectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5005 involving human or animal cells immunoassay G01N33/56966; immunoassays of protozoa G01N33/56905; protozoa in screening assays C12Q1/025
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/543 with an insoluble carrier for immobilising immunochemicals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5432 Liposomes or microcapsules
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/60 involving radioactive labelled substances

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for the production of achromosomal and anucleate cells useful for applications such as diagnositic and therapeutic uses, as well as research tools and agents for drug discovery.

Claims

1. A minicell comprising a biologically active compound, wherein said minicell displays a binding moiety, wherein said minicell selectively absorbs and/or internalizes an undesirable compound, and said minicell is a poroplast, spheroplast or protoplast.

2. The minicell of claim 1, wherein said binding moiety is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antibody derivative, a receptor and an active site of a non-catalytic derivative of an enzyme.

3. The minicell of claim 1, wherein said binding moiety is a single-chain antibody.

4. The minicell of claim 1, wherein said binding moiety is directed to a ligand selected from the group consisting of an epitope displayed on a pathogen, an epitope displayed on an infected cell and an epitope displayed on a hyperproliferative cell.

5. The minicell of claim 1, wherein said biologically active compound is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a polypeptide, a nucleic acid and a small molecule.

6. The minicell of claim 1, wherein a ligand binds to and is internalized by said minicell or is otherwise inactivated by selective absorption.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the minicell of claim 1.

8. A method of reducing the free concentration of a substance in a composition, wherein said substance displays a ligand specifically recognized by a binding moiety, comprising contacting said composition with a minicell that displays said binding moiety, wherein said binding moiety binds said substance, thereby reducing the free concentration of said substance in said composition.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said minicell is selected from the group consisting of a eubacterial minicell, a poroplast, a spheroplast and a protoplast.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said substance is selected from the group consisting of a nucleic acid, a lipid, a polypeptide, a radioactive compound, an ion and a small molecule.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said binding moiety is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antibody derivative, a channel protein and a receptor.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said composition is present in an environment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said environment is water, air or soil.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said composition is a biological sample from an organism.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, a biopsy sample, feces, tissue and a skin patch.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said substance binds to and is internalized by said minicell or is otherwise inactivated by selective absorption.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said biological sample is returned to said organism after being contacting to said minicell.