Center For Technology Commercialization

(CHMC Ref. Id: 2011-0503)

Overview:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects about 1% of the population and is characterized by the destruction of cartilage and bone ultimately leading to loss of joint function. To date, reliable and non-invasive techniques that accurately measure arthritic disease onset and progression are largely lacking. Dr. Sherry Thornton developed an agent, composed of the membrane-associated lysosomal protein Saponin C (SapC) incorporated into 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phospho-L Serine (DOPS) lipid nanovesicles (SapC-DOPS), labeled with a CellVue Maroon fluorophore (CVM). SapC-DOPS has a high affinity for phosphatidylserine (PS)-rich domains on cellular surfaces, and fuses with PS-rich membranes on target cells. Using two animal models of arthritis (K/BxN and collagen-induced arthritis), Dr. Thornton showed the localization of SapC-DOPS-CVM to arthritic paws, but not non-arthritic paws and that the SapC-DOPS-CVM could be used to detect local tissue damage in inflammatory arthritis.

Applications:

• A novel method of disease assessment
• Provide a novel method for tracking cells involved in inflammatory processes during arthritis
• Imaging arthritis onset and progression in live subjects

Advantages:

• Non-invasive
• Highly sensitive
• Both qualitative and quantitative

Cincinnati Children's Lead Inventor:

Sherry L. Thornton, Ph.D.