Use of mCRP to slow cell growth and to promote maturation of cells

Abstract

The invention provides a method of slowing cell growth and promoting the maturation of cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. The method comprises contacting the cells with a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The method may be performed in vitro or in vivo.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of promoting maturation of immature cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitors comprising contacting the immature cells with a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the contacting takes place in vitro.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the immature cells are immature hematopoietic cells other than megakaryocyte progenitors.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the immature hematopoietic cells are those found in bone marrow, cord blood or peripheral blood.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the immature hematopoietic cells are selected from the group consisting of stem cells and progenitor cells other than megakaryocyte progenitors.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the immature hematopoietic cells are cultured with one or more cytokines selected to expand one or more populations of the immature hematopoietic cells other than megakaryocyte progenitors prior to being contacted with the mCRP or mutant-mCRP.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the mature cells produced by maturation of the immature hematopoietic cells are selected from the group consisting of lymphocytes, erythrocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the contacting takes place in vivo as result of the administration to an animal in need thereof of an amount of the mCRP or the mutant-mCRP effective to promote the maturation of immature cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitors.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the animal is a mammal.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the immature cells are immature hematopoietic cells other than megakaryocyte progenitors.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the mCRP or the mutant-mCRP is administered after the animal has been treated with a chemotherapeutic agent or has been irradiated.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the animal has a depleted immune system.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the animal has a depleted immune system because of an immune deficiency, an HIV-1 infection, or the administration of a drug that suppresses one or more immune responses.  
     
     
         14 . A method of slowing the growth of growing cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitors comprising contacting the growing cells with a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the contacting takes place in vitro.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the growing cells are cells that have been transformed by recombinant DNA techniques to produce a protein.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the contacting takes place in vivo as result of the administration to an animal in need thereof of an amount of the mCRP or the mutant-mCRP effective to slow the growth of growing cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitors.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the animal is a mammal.