Inflammation from chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These drugs are associated with undesirable side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and kidney damage. Recently, even the newer selective COX-2 inhibitors have been associated with an increase in cardiovascular side effects including heart attacks. Studies focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation have led to the development of TNF-inhibitors, although these do not have a total success rate in all rheumatoid arthritic patients. Other pathways and targets are being evaluated for the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic preparations.
Description
Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1) plays a previously unrecognized role in inflammation. This invention relates to FSTL-1 function as a novel proinflammatory molecule. Researchers have found that inhibiting FSTL-1 expression can lead to the inhibition of an inflammatory reaction. Agents targeting FSTL-1 will constitute a promising new product class for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. This potential inhibitor can be a small molecule, an antibody, or an antibody fragment that blocks the biological activity of FSTL-1.
Applications
· Treatment of inflammation-related conditions like arthritis, asthma, septic shock, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases
Advantages
· First recognition of the role of FSTL-1 in immunity
· Novel target for inflammation
Invention Readiness
Animal data with polyclonal antibody, monoclonal antibody in development
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US7972599B2; https://patents.google.com/patent/US8334274B2
