Poly-glutamic acid anti-anthrax compositions and methods for using the same
Methods and compositions for inhibiting entry of an anthrax toxin and/or an anthrax toxin protein into a cell are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include administering to a host an effective amount of poly-γ-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate. Also provided are compositions suitable for use in the subject methods, as well as pharmaceutical preparations thereof.
1. A method of inhibiting entry of an anthrax toxin protein into a cell, the method comprising:
contacting the cell with an effective amount of a poly-γ-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate to inhibit entry of the anthrax toxin protein into the cell.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the poly-γ-Glutamic acid of the poly-γ-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate has a molecular weight of from about 200 to about 400 kDa.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the poly-γ-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate is a poly-γ-D-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the poly-γ-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate is a poly-γ-DL-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the poly-γ-DL-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate comprises about 25% to about 90% D-Glutamic acid and about 75% to about 10% L-Glutamic acid.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the poly-γ-DL-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate comprises about 25% D-Glutamic acid and about 75% L-Glutamic acid, and wherein the poly-γ-DL-Glutamic acid-Fe(III) chelate is resistant to digestion by B. anthracis γ-DPGA depolymerase enzyme (CapD).
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the anthrax toxin protein is selected from lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF).
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is in vitro.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is in vivo.