Polymerized Myoglobins as a blood Substitute

JHU researchers, in collaboration with other researchers, are developing artificial oxygen carriers to be used in therapeutics. Current artificial oxygen carrying technologies include the use of cell free hemogloblins from either mammalian sources or obtained form recombinant techniques. Hemoglobin molecules have to polymerized in order to be retained in circulation and prevent increase in blood pressure. JHU and other researchers have made the unexpected and important observation that non cooperative high oxygen affinity hemoglobins more efficiently release oxygen to ischemic tissues than low oxygen affinity hemoglobin retaining normal cooperativity. This observation prompted the idea of using polymerized myoglobin (Mb) as an oxygen delivery system in therapeutics. Myoglobin is a h igh oxygen affinity monomeric heme ?protein present in the muscle. Polymeric Mb, produced through recombinant techniques, has a molecular weight in excess of 106 g/mole. This molecule exhibits the same oxygen binding behavior as monomeric myoglobin. However, its large molecular weight would prevent extravasation and the associated increase in blood pressure. The high oxygen affinity and absence of cooperativity allows an efficient release of oxygen to ischemic tissue. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) This technology would be useful in the development of blood substitutes

Inventor(s): Fronticelli, Clara

Type of Offer: Licensing



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