Microparticle-based enzyme systems for selective removal of target molecules

Abstract

The present disclosure provides compositions of microparticles and uses thereof for removing toxic or undesirable molecules from an environment, e.g. the blood of a subject. The microparticles can be liposomes. In one embodiment, the aqueous phase of the liposomes contains (i) a system of generating NAD + from NADH, and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NAD + -dependent reactions that remove the toxic or undesirable molecules from the environment. In one embodiment, the liposomes contain NADH oxidase, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to remove ethanol from the blood of a subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for removing a toxic or undesirable molecule from an environment comprising administering to the environment a composition of microparticles, said microparticles comprising an aqueous phase, wherein said aqueous phase comprises (i) a system for generating NAD +  from NADH comprising NADH oxidase (NOX), and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NAD + -dependent reactions that remove said toxic or undesirable molecules from said environment. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the microparticles comprise a polymeric or lipid membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microparticles are liposomes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system of generating NAD +  from NADH consists of NADH oxidase (NOX). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the environment is a water supply system, a food packaging, a bioreactor, a chemical reactor, a body cavity or a subject's blood. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the subject is a human or animal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the toxic or undesirable molecule is ethanol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said enzymes that are involved in the NAD + -dependent reactions comprise alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the ADH, ALDH and NOX are present in a ratio of about 1:44:2. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the composition of microparticles is administered to the subject intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, or by inhalation. 
     
     
         11 . A composition of microparticles for removing toxic or undesirable molecules from an environment, said microparticles comprising an aqueous phase, wherein said aqueous phase comprises (i) a system of generating NAD +  from NADH comprising NADH oxidase (NOX), and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NAD + -dependent reactions that remove said toxic or undesirable molecules from said environment. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the microparticles comprise a polymeric or lipid membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein the microparticles are liposomes. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the system of generating NAD +  from NADH consists of NADH oxidase (NOX). 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the toxic or undesirable molecule is ethanol. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said enzymes that are involved in the NAD + -dependent reactions comprise alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the ADH, ALDH and NOX are present in a ratio of about 1:44:2. 
     
     
         18 . A composition of microparticles for removing toxic or undesirable molecules from an environment, said microparticle comprises an aqueous phase, wherein said aqueous phase comprises (i) a system of generating NADP +  from NADPH comprising NADPH oxidase, and (ii) one or more enzymes that are involved in one or more NADP + -dependent reactions that remove said toxic or undesirable molecules from said environment. 
     
     
         19 . A method for removing a toxic or undesirable molecule from an environment, comprising the step of administering to the environment the composition of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the microparticle is liposome.