Polypeptides and Antibodies Associated with HTLV

BACKGROUND: Human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) are part of a family of retroviruses called oncogenic retrovirues. HTLVs were originally identified for their ability to infect human lymphocytes, particularly T cells, resulting in their transformation to lymphomas and leukemias. More recently, they have been associated with "autoimmune-like" neurological and rheumatic disorders, such as Tropical Spastic Paraparesis. HTLVs have a highly conserved X region, containing five overlapping open reading frames, that is thought to be important for viral function and pathogenesis.

DESCRIPTION : Researchers at the University of California have produced polypeptides that are the expression products of the X region of HTLVs. These peptides were used to produce antibodies to X region proteins. Both the peptides and antibodies are available for licensing. Methods for using the antibodies to detect the presence of HTLV-I or HTLV-II in a biological sample and to distinguish between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection are also available.

ADVANTAGES:

* The presence of the type of antibodies detected by this method may have a higher correlation with HTLV exposure and disease than the presence of antibodies detected by other methods.

* The available antibodies may be useful for the purification of viral proteins within the X region.

APPLICATIONS:

* The polypeptides can be used to detect anti-X region protein antibodies, which are associated with exposure to and/or infection with HTLV.

* The polypeptides and antibodies can be used as research tools for the study of HTLV structure, function and pathogenesis.

REFERENCE: 1984-190

Patents:
US 5,063,150   [MORE INFO]

Type of Offer: Licensing



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