Proteins with diagnostic and therapeutic uses
The present invention provides a recombinant protein capable of binding to complement factor H (CFH), and thereby inducing increased binding of C3d and C3b by bound CFH compared to unbound CFH. Methods and medical devices for using utilizing the same are also described.
1. A medical device, wherein a surface of the medical device is at least partially coated with a recombinant protein capable of binding to complement factor H (CFH), and thereby inducing increased binding of C3d and C3b by bound CFH compared to unbound CFH.
2. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an implantable medical device or a microcapsule.
3. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is coated with a composite comprising a recombinant protein bound to complement factor H (CFH), the composite inducing increased binding of C3d and C3b by bound CFH compared to unbound CFH, wherein CFH is held in a conformation, or conformations, that is/are more active than the conformation or conformations adopted by CFH alone.
4. A method of treating a medical device, the method comprising: providing a medical device; providing a protein capable of binding to complement factor H (CFH), and thereby inducing increased binding of C3d and C3b by bound CFH compared to unbound CFH; and binding said protein to at least a portion of the surface of the medical device.
5. A substrate whose surface is at least partially coated with a recombinant protein capable of binding to complement factor H (CFH), and thereby inducing increased binding of C3d and C3b by bound CFH compared to unbound CFH.