ANTIBODY THERAPY FOR MODULATING FUNCTION OF INTESTINAL RECEPTORS AND METHODS OF TREATING DIABETES AND OBESITY
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions formulated for direct delivery to the GI tract of a patient comprising an antibody specific for a target apical intestinal receptor. The present invention further provides methods of treating diseases and conditions in a patient comprising administering directly to the GI tract of the patient, compositions of the present invention wherein modulation of the target apical intestinal receptor by the antibody treats the condition.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A composition comprising an antibody specific for a target apical intestinal receptor present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a patient formulated for oral or rectal delivery to the GI tract of the patient, wherein the antibody modulates at least one biological function of the target apical intestinal receptor.
3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the target apical intestinal receptor is selected from the group consisting of a nutrient receptor, a nutrient transporter, a pattern recognition receptor, a chemokine receptor, a cytokine receptor, a bile salt transporter, an inorganic ion transporter, a mineral transporter, peptidases, saccharases, and growth factor receptors.
4 . The composition of claim 2 wherein the target apical intestinal receptor modulates a condition selected from a metabolic condition, inflammation, cancer, drug toxicity, conditions modulated by receptors for neurotransmitters, and conditions modulated by receptors for inorganic ions.
5 . A method of modulating at least one biological function of the target apical intestinal receptor in a patient by administering the composition of claim 2 .
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the biological function of the target intestinal receptor is associated with a condition selected from:
a. a metabolic condition, inflammation, cancer, drug toxicity, conditions modulated by apical receptors for neurotransmitters and conditions modulated by apical intestinal receptors for inorganic ions; or
b. cancerous tumor of the GI tract, and the antibody is specific for a target on the surface of the tumor; or elevated levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the antibody is specific for a bile acid receptor; or
c. inflammation, and the antibody is specific for atoll-like receptor (TLR), a proteinase-activated receptor (PAR), an inflammatory cytokine receptor or a chemokine receptor; or
d. abnormal calcium homeostasis, and the antibody is specific for a calcium receptor; or
e. hyperlipidemia, diabetes and adiposity, and the antibody is specific for a cell surface peptidase or saccharase.