Throughout the years we isolated and characterized six novel soluble receptors (TNF receptors – the TBPI and TBPII, IL-6R, Interferon-γR, LDLR, Interferon α/βR) and three unexpected binding proteins, the IL-18BP, the IL-32BP/PR3 and the heparanase binding protein.
Interferon-β was developed as a drug known as Rebif™, which is used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. One of the soluble TNF receptors was translated to a drug known as Enbrel™ and is used by rheumatoid arthritis patients. IL-18BP was used as a compasionate drug and saved the life of a baby. At present it is in phase II and III clinical studies.
My approach of combining an enriched source of proteins (500-1000 fold concentrated normal human urine) together with highly specific isolation method, the ligand affinity chromatography, enabled a rapid and efficient isolation of not only soluble receptors corresponding to cell-associated receptors, but also independent binding proteins and associated enzymes.
