Pure Protein develops soluble Class II human leukocyte antigens

Oct 28 2009

Pure Protein, L.L.C., a biopharmaceutical company specializing in diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for use in immunology research and development, has announced that Chief Scientist William Hildebrand, Ph.D., and his team, have developed soluble Class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA). This represents a significant technology breakthrough that can dramatically impact multiple pharmaceutical and medical sectors and has enormous market potential. Autoimmune disease is a key area of interest for HLA research and product development.

Molecular Fingerprints for the Immune System

HLA Class II proteins beneficially serve as molecular fingerprints for the immune system and direct immune responses to attack infections. But they are also responsible for initiating the rejection of transplanted organs and tissues, as well as deleterious autoimmune responses.

Each person’s unique set of Class II HLA molecules provides a diverse immune response to infections. While diversity is advantageous in regards to maintaining good health, it makes studying and treating this system a challenging task. Pure Protein is now able to provide a solution through its native Class II HLA proteins to characterize and modulate human immune responses.

Pure Protein is now producing highly purified Class II HLA proteins through its patent-pending methodology. Large quantities of soluble HLA (sHLA) protein from human cell lines are available for use in transplantation, drug target discovery and bio-therapeutic development. The company’s soluble HLA (sHLA) production method generates pure, single species antigens with correct cellular processing, enabling powerful insight into the workings of diseased cells and the body’s response to them.

Competing HLA production methods involve destruction of the cells followed by extensive yet inefficient purification steps that do not yield highly purified protein. Pure Protein’s sHLA preparations are comprised of single specificity proteins without any other components of the cell. Because the company uses a recombinant form of HLA that requires minimal downstream purification, the protein can be produced in large quantities (tens of milligrams) with high purity and specificity. This breakthrough in production will facilitate the use of HLA in therapeutic areas requiring significant clinical validation.

SOURCE Pure Protein, L.L.C.