Methods and compositions for diseases associated with amyloidosis

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the detection, treatment or prevention of disease states. Specifically, the present invention relates to the detection, treatment or prevention of amyloidosis or amyloid-associated diseases. The present invention further comprises methods and compositions comprising therapeutic vaccines, antisera and molecular constructs, comprising expression vectors and fusion proteins encoded therein.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . A composition comprising a molecular construct wherein the molecular construct comprises, an expression vector encoding a fusion protein comprising at least one segment comprising a binding region which binds to an epitope or fragment of a protein, and at least one other segment that is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier comprising transferrin or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one segment comprising a binding region is an antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , further comprising a detectable moiety capable of producing a detectable signal.  
     
     
         22 . The fusion protein encoded by the expression vector of  claim 19  comprising at least one segment comprising a binding region which binds to an epitope or fragment of a protein, and at least one other segment that is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier comprising transferrin or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The fusion protein of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one segment comprising a binding region is an antibody or antibody fragment.  
     
     
         24 . The fusion protein of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment binds to an amyloid-associated moiety.  
     
     
         25 . The fusion protein of  claim 24 , wherein the amyloid-associated moiety is a portion of amyloid selected from a peptide, protein, tangle or plaque.  
     
     
         26 . The fusion protein of  claim 25 , wherein the amyloid-associated moiety is beta amyloid protein.  
     
     
         27 . The fusion protein of  claim 22 , wherein the fusion protein binds to a portion of amyloid, and alters amyloid deposition in a human or animal.  
     
     
         28 . The fusion protein of  claim 22 , wherein the fusion protein binds to beta amyloid and alters the beta amyloid deposition in a human or animal.  
     
     
         29 . The fusion protein of  claim 22 , wherein the fusion protein binds to and prevents or solubilizes beta amyloid protein deposits.  
     
     
         30 . The fusion protein of  claim 22  further comprising a therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         31 . The fusion protein of  claim 22  further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.