Listeria Monocytogenes Mutants That Induce More Interferon-beta In Macrophages

Patent Status

Full Description

Systemic administration of interferon protein by either intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection has been most frequently used with some success in treating disorders such as hairy cell leukemia, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and related Kaposi's sarcoma. It is known, however, that proteins in their purified form are especially susceptible to degradation. For interferon-β, the primary mechanisms of interferon degradation in solution are aggregation and deamidation. The lack of interferon stability in solutions and other products has heretofore limited its utility. Therefore, a more effective method of modulating the level of interferons, such as interferon-β, is needed.

Suggested uses

• delivery vectors for introducing macromolecules into a cell
• vaccines for eliciting or boosting a cellular immune response