Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to epithelial tissue are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the delivery of therapeutic agents.
The present invention relates to expression and assembly of foreign multimeric proteins--e.g., antibodies--in plants, as well as to transgenic plants that express such proteins. In one of several preferred embodiments, the generation and assembly of functional secretory antibodies in plants is disclosed. The invention also discloses compositions produced by the transgenic plants of the present invention and methods of using same.
The immunoglobulins of the present invention are useful therapeutic immunoglobulins against mucosal pathogens such as S. mutans. The immunoglobulins contain a protection protein that protects the immunoglobulins in the mucosal environment. The invention also includes the greatly improved method of producing immunoglobulins in plants by producing the protection protein in the same cell as the other components of the immunoglobulins. The components of the immunoglobulin are assembled at a much improved efficiency. The method of the invention allows the assembly and high efficiency production of such complex molecules. The invention also contemplates the production of immunoglobulins containing protection proteins in a variety of cells, including plant cells, that can be selected for useful additional properties. The use of immunoglobulins containing protection proteins as therapeutic antibodies against mucosal and other pathogens is also contemplated.
The present invention relates to expression and assembly of foreign multimeric proteins--e.g., antibodies--in plants, as well as to transgenic plants that express such proteins. In one of several preferred embodiments, the generation and assembly of functional secretory antibodies in plants is disclosed. The invention also discloses compositions produced by the transgenic plants of the present invention and methods of using same.
Targeting molecules are provided for use in delivering imaging agents to epithelial tissue. The targeting molecule comprises a polypeptide that forms a closed covalent loop, contains at least three peptide domains having .beta.-sheet character, each of the domains being separated by domains lacking .beta.-sheet character. The targeting molecule specifically binds to a basolateral factor attached to a basolateral domain of an epithelial cell surface causing internalization of a linked imaging agent into the cells. The polypeptide or imaging agent may be linked to a peptide amino acid sequence that directs delivery of the imaging agent to a carcinoma cell, a nucleus, or an endoplasmic reticulum.