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This technology includes a family of small-molecule antagonists that selectively block the 5-HT_2B serotonin receptor—an upstream driver of tissue-remodeling—to address fibrotic, cardiopulmonary and related disorders. Built on a conformationally-locked “(N)-methanocarba” nucleoside scaffold, the compounds show nanomolar potency, >30–400-fold selectivity over the closely related 5-HT_2C receptor, and favorable oral bioavailability in rodents.

Mesothelin (MSLN) is an antigen highly expressed in several human cancers including mesotheliomas, ovarian cancers and pancreatic cancers. As such, human MSLN (hMSLN) is a target for many anti-cancer drugs. Most therapeutics targeting hMSLN do not recognize the mouse isoform of MSLN (mMSLN) and therefore cannot be tested in mouse cancer models. 

This technology includes irradiated Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL) as feeder cells for the ex vivo expansion of natural killer (NK) cells. EBV-LCL feeder cells, altered by radiation to prevent uncontrolled growth, provide a supportive environment for NK cells to multiply effectively. This method addresses the challenge of obtaining sufficient quantities of functionally active NK cells, which are crucial components of the immune system known for their ability to target and destroy tumor cells and virally infected cells.

This technology includes the method of blocking CD38 in expanded natural killer (NK) cell therapy in combination with daratumumab in patients with multiple myeloma. Our in vitro studies have already confirmed the addition of NK cells to myeloma cells that have been exposed to daratumumab enhances myeloma killing compared to single agent treatment.

This technology includes six human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target tumor antigens derived from the CT-RCC HERV-E (human endogenous retrovirus type E) to generate Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells to treat patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). These mAbs were identified from Adagene Inc’s human antibody phage library, and data show that majority of these mAbs only bind to CT-RCC HERV-E+ ccRCC cells, which express TM but not CT-RCC HERV-E non-expressing ccRCC cells nor non-RCC cells.

This technology includes a transgenic reporter mouse that expresses a fluorescent protein called mt-Keima, to be used to detect and quantify in vivo mitophagy. This fluorescent protein was originally described by a group in Japan and shown to be able to measure both the general process of autophagy and mitophagy. We extended these results by creating a living animal so that we could get a measurement for in vivo mitophagy. Our results demonstrate that our mt-Keima mouse allows for a straightforward and practical way to quantify mitophagy in vivo.

This technology includes a generated polyclonal antibody in rabbit that detects the mitochondrial uniporter (MCU) protein. This antibody was created by immunizing rabbits with a synthesized sequence of the MCU protein and can be used to identify and quantify MCU protein in various tissues. The polyclonal nature of the antibody ensures it recognizes multiple epitopes on the MCU, enhancing detection reliability. This technology is crucial for understanding MCU's role in mitochondrial function and mammalian physiology.

Summary: 
The National Eye Institute seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for novel methods of cryopreserving cells, tissues, and organs via FOXO1 activation and other mechanisms.

The limited choice in cell types available for in vitro studies has become an obstacle in hibernation research. 

Researchers at the National Eye Institute for the first time have successfully established iPSC line(s) from a mammalian hibernator, which can be potentially used to generate various cell types and tissue models for in-depth mechanistic studies of hibernation and coldness tolerance in vitro.