Albumin-based non-covalent complexes and methods of use thereof
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10342855-B2
Publication Date
2019-07-09
Expiration Date
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A non-covalent complex of an albumin molecule and a hydrophobic ligand, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof are provided. The present complex may find use in delivering the hydrophobic ligand to microorganisms that have albumin-binding outer surfaces, such as a cell wall.
Core Innovation
A non-covalent complex of an albumin molecule and a hydrophobic ligand, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof are provided. The present complex may find use in delivering the hydrophobic ligand to microorganisms that have albumin-binding outer surfaces, such as a cell wall.
Provided herein are hydrophobic ligand-albumin complexes, and methods of making and using the same. The present hydrophobic ligand-albumin complexes provide a delivery vehicle for targeting a hydrophobic molecule to a microorganism, and may find use in the detection, e.g., optical detection, of microorganisms in a sample and in the formulation of therapeutic compositions containing hydrophobic active agents, e.g., hydrophobic antibacterial or antifungal agents, for administration to an individual in need thereof.
Many gram-positive bacteria express surface proteins with ability to bind serum proteins, which often include albumin binding, and expression of albumin-binding proteins has been shown to promote bacterial growth and virulence. The disclosure addresses delivering hydrophobic molecules, which are poorly soluble in water, to albumin-binding targets such as microorganisms and providing compositions and methods for detection and therapeutic delivery to such targets.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim was identified and provides a method for determining the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample with several inventive features.
Method for determining presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample
Contacting the sample with an aqueous solution comprising a plurality of non-covalent complexes, each non-covalent complex comprising a hydrophobic molecule and a single albumin protein, wherein the hydrophobic molecule is detectable and functionally associates with a microorganism when present in the sample; detecting one or more properties of the hydrophobic molecule; and determining that the microorganism is present or absent in the sample based on the detecting.
The independent claim covers a diagnostic method that uses aqueous solutions of non-covalent hydrophobic molecule–albumin complexes that are detectable and that functionally associate with microorganisms, combined with detection of one or more properties of the hydrophobic molecule to determine presence or absence of microorganisms.
Stated Advantages
Provides a delivery vehicle for targeting a hydrophobic molecule to a microorganism.
May find use in the detection, e.g., optical detection, of microorganisms in a sample.
May find use in the formulation of therapeutic compositions containing hydrophobic active agents for administration to an individual.
Effective solubilization of the antimicrobial agent such that it can be transported effectively.
Preferential transport of the antimicrobial to the pathogen as opposed to enhanced transport in a random direction.
Deposition of the antimicrobial agent on the surface of the pathogenic microorganism.
Documented Applications
Delivering a hydrophobic ligand to microorganisms that have albumin-binding outer surfaces, such as a cell wall.
Detection of microorganisms in a sample, including optical detection of labeled microorganisms in clinical samples.
Formulation of therapeutic compositions containing hydrophobic active agents, e.g., hydrophobic antibacterial or antifungal agents, for administration to an individual.
Assays performed in vitro to detect the presence of bacteria in a clinical sample.
Determining antimicrobial susceptibility and predicting minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antimicrobials.
Providing a substantially dry hydrophobic ligand-albumin complex that can be reconstituted for use.
Dispersing aggregates of albumin by suspending aggregates in a solution with raised pH and sonicating the suspension.
Kits comprising a composition containing a non-covalent complex of a hydrophobic molecule and an albumin protein, optionally with buffers and instructions for use.
Interested in licensing this patent?