Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase

Abstract

The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding human plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase. Also provided are materials and methods for the recombinant production of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase products which are expected to be useful in regulating pathological inflammatory events.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising PAF-AH enzyme and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, adjuvant or carrier.  
     
     
         2 . A method for treating a mammal susceptible to or suffering from a PAF-mediated pathological condition comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to said mammal in an amount sufficient to supplement endogenous PAF-AH activity and to inactivate pathological amounts of PAF in said mammal.  
     
     
         3 . A method for treating a mammal susceptible to or suffering from pleurisy comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to said mammal in an amount sufficient to supplement endogenous PAF-AH activity and to inactivate pathological amounts of PAF of said mammal.  
     
     
         4 . A method for treating a mammal susceptible to or suffering from asthma comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to said mammal in an amount sufficient to supplement endogenous PAF-AH activity and to inactivate pathological amounts of PAF of said mammal.  
     
     
         5 . A method for treating a mammal susceptible to or suffering from rhinitis comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to said mammal in an amount sufficient to supplement endogenous PAF-AH activity and to inactivate pathological amounts of PAF in said mammal.  
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a mammal susceptible to or suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to said mammal in an amount sufficient to supplement endogenous PAF-AH activity and to inactivate pathological amounts of PAF in said mammal.  
     
     
         7 . A method for treating a mammal susceptible to or suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome comprising administering the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1  to said mammal in an amount sufficient to supplement endogenous PAF-AH activity and to inactivate pathological amounts of PAF in said mammal.