 Barrier for floating pollutants |
| It has been found that the leakage of pollutants can be avoided without adding substantially to the ... |
|
| Apparatus for processing flushing liquor from coke ovens |
| The present invention processes flushing liquor by a construction and arrangement of an apparatus ... |
|
| Coal suspensions in organic liquids |
| OF THE INVENTION In the former aforementioned U.S. Patent, coal dust suspensions in water provide ... |
|
| Propagation of microbial cells on single carbon products |
| It is an object of the present invention is to provide an anaerobic process for propagation of ... |
|
| Fermentation process for improved oxygen utilization |
| OF THE INVENTION My fermentation apparatus comprises a fermentation section 1 with an upper ... |
|
| Method of conditioning flue gas |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The conditioners useful in the present invention are finely divided ... |
|
| Enzyme granules |
| What is claimed is: 1. An enzyme granule comprising a granule core of solid material carrying an ... |
|
| Process for producing yeast cells |
| What we claim is: 1. A process for producing yeast cells which comprises culturing aerobically a ... |
|
| Interestification of fats |
| In accordance with the present invention, there is used a customary animal fat, vegetable oil or ... |
|
|
Bactericidal factor in human airway surface fluid and uses thereof
| Details |
Inventors: Welsh, Michael J.; Smith, Jeffrey J.; Travis, Sue M.; Greenberg, Everett P.;
Assignee: University Of Iowa Research Foundation (Iowa City, IA)
Primary Examiner: Weber; Jon P.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease
A bactericidal factor isolated from the surface fluid of airway epithelial cells and uses therefore is described. The bactericidal factor is characterized as having the following features: a) a molecular weight of less than 10 kd; b) heat stable; c) broad spectrum activity including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi, and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus; and d) decreased antimicrobial activity in increasing salt concentration. |
|
DETAILED DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a broad spectrum antimicrobial factor which is produced by airway epithelial cells.
This factor, which has been determined to be a defensin-like molecule, is present in the small amount of fluid covering the mucosal surface of airway cells.
Importantly, this factor is active against a broad range of bacteria even in the absence of epithelial, inflammatory, or phagocytic cells.
The factor is characterized as being a low molecular weight, heat-stable substance that has broad spectrum bactericidal activity, including P.
aeruginosa, E.
coli, and methicillin-resistant S.
aureus.
It has also shown activity against certain types of yeast and is expected to show broad specificity against yeast and other types of fungus.
Its effectiveness is dependent on salt concentration, and in cystic fibrosis patients which have abnormal levels of salt concentration in the airways due to defective Cl.
sup.
- transport, the factor is inactivated leading for the first time to the explanation of the pulmonary infection associated with CF.
Thus the invention in one embodiment comprises a treatment for CF by re-activating the factor by decreasing salt concentration in airways of affected patients.
Applications for this bactericidal factor are numerous.
First, the discovery of this unique factor can be used in the further study and understanding of cystic fibrosis.
A fluid composition containing this factor is easily collected from the surface of airway epithelial cells.
This composition can be used in in-vitro assays of epithelial cells to screen for agents which reverse the CF defect and re-activate the anti-microbial activity of the factor.
The factor may be purified and formulated into a pharmacological preparation which may be used for preventing and treating pulmonary infections in susceptible persons not limited to CF patients.
The factor may also be used to treat mucosal infections in other parts of the body, including urinary tract, vaginal, eye, gastrointestinal, and skin infections
|
| Related patents |
|
|
N-substituted cyclopeptide derivatives and preparation thereof
We claim: 1. A process for preparing a compound of formula I ##STR4## in which R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, R.sup.2 is lower alkyl or cyclo(lower)alkyl, R.sup.3 is an amino ...
|
|
|
Facile synthesis of 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS)
I claim: 1. The preparation of 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (IV) by a process which comprises reacting adenosine (I) with pyrophosphoryl chloride to produce ...
|
|
|
Amide derivatives of acids, an antibiotic produced by Polyangium cellulosum var. fulvum
The present invention relates to novel cyclic and acyclic amides obtained by structurally modifying substance known as acid S, a potent antibiotic isolated from P...
|
|
|
Method for the prevention and control of epileptic seizure associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
What is claimed is: 1. A method for the prevention and control of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which comprises administering to a warm-blooded animal ...
|
|
|
Gene encoding endoglycoceramidase
In order to achieve the above objects, the present inventors conducted intensive studies in an effort to isolate the DNA encoding a polypeptide possessing ...
|
|
|
Apparatus for effecting clarification of liquid provided with filter cleaning means
The present invention relates to the clarification of liquids and more particularly to a novel method and apparatus for effecting clarification of liquids having ...
|
|
|
Pond with filtered water
We claim: 1. A pond with filtered water having a relatively large and free surface, characterized in that the pond (2) is laid out along a polluted surface water (1) ...
|
|
|
Method of converting brines to useful products
OF THE INVENTION Referring to the FIGURE, a source of brine is introduced into tank 10 through conduit 11. If the brine in question contains significant amounts of oil, ...
|
|
|
Method of and apparatus for filtering
The present invention relates to an improved filtration method and apparatus, and more particularly to a series of communicating filtration vessels and filtration media ...
|
|
|
Subsurface waste disposal system
An artificial perched bed of selected granular soil media including a plurality of layers is adapted to intensively receive sludge and other wastes in a semi-liquid form,...
|
|
|
Molecular Biology 
