Compositions comprising dc-sign blockers and methods of using dc-sign blockers for preventing or treating diseases of a mammal, including viral infections

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing or treating diseases of a mammal, including viral infections, wherein at least one symptom of the disease is mediated at least in part by the binding of an effector molecule to a DC-SIGN receptor present on cells of the mammal to be treated. The invention also provides methods of identifying compositions, wherein the compositions are useful for treating mammalian diseases, including viral infections, for which at least one symptom of the disease is mediated at least in part by the specific binding of an effector molecule to a DC-SIGN receptor present on the cells that express the DC-SIGN receptor, belonging to the mammal to be treated. The invention further relates to compositions and methods for targeting subject molecules to cells that express the DC-SIGN receptor.

1 - 80 . (canceled) 
   
   
       81 . A method of blocking a DC-Specific ICAM-Grabbing Nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) receptor in a mammal, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal an amount of a mannosylated molecule that specifically binds to the DC-SIGN receptor. 
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the mannosylated molecule is mannan. 
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the DC-SIGN receptor is chosen from DC-SIGN and DC-S DC-Specific ICAM-Grabbing Nonintegrin Related (DC-SIGNR). 
   
   
       84 . A method of treating a viral infection of a mammal, wherein the viral infection is mediated at least in part by the binding of a viral effector molecule to at least one DC-SIGN receptor of the mammal to be treated, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal an amount of a DC-SIGN blocker sufficient to substantially inhibit the binding of the viral effector molecule to the DC-SIGN receptor to thereby treat the viral infection, wherein the DC-SIGN blocker is a mannosylated molecule that specifically binds to the DC-SIGN receptor. 
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the mannosylated molecule is mannan. 
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the DC-SIGN receptor is chosen from DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR. 
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the viral infection is chosen from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infection, and Ebola Virus infection. 
   
   
       88 . A method of inhibiting entry of a virus into a cell of a human that expresses at least one DC-SIGN receptor of the human to be treated, the method comprising administering to the human a mannosylated molecule that specifically binds to the DC-SIGN receptor, wherein the mannosylated molecule that specifically binds to the DC-SIGN receptor is administered in an amount sufficient to inhibit the binding of the virus effector molecule to the DC-SIGN receptor, to thereby inhibit entry of the virus into the cell. 
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the mannosylated molecule is mannan. 
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the DC-SIGN receptor is chosen from DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR. 
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the viral infection is chosen from HIV infection, SIV infection, and Ebola Virus infection.