Enzo Biochem Presenting Preclinical Data on Compound for Treating Immune Mediated Disorders.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers American Gastroenterological Association's Digestive Disease Week NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2004 Animal Model Studies Demonstrate Role of Glucocerebroside in Modulating Immune Response immune response n. An integrated bodily response to an antigen, especially one mediated by lymphocytes and involving recognition of antigens by specific antibodies or previously sensitized lymphocytes. Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :ENZ), a leading biotechnology company, is presenting today in New Orleans at the American Gastroenterological Association's Digestive Disease Week, the largest gathering of clinicians, educators and researchers focusing on the digestive system. The presentation entitled "Glucocerebroside Treatment Ameliorates Experimental Colitis: A New Immune-Modulatory Tool" will focus on the role of glucocerebroside (GC) as a new immunomodulatory agent. GC is a naturally occurring glycolipid Glycolipid One of a class of compounds having solubility properties of a lipid and containing one or more molecules of a covalently attached sugar. that has been shown by Enzo scientists and collaborators to modulate specific immune regulatory (NKT NKT New Kadampa Tradition NKT Natural killer T-cells (lymphocytes) NKT Nederlands Keuringsinstituut voor Telecommunicatieapparatuur (Dutch Regulatory Branch) NKT Non-Kinetic Technology NKT Northern Kentucky Transit, Inc. ) cells and therefore is an important candidate drug in the treatment of immune mediated diseases, such as Crohn's disease Crohn's disease: see colitis. , hepatitis B Hepatitis B Definition Hepatitis B is a potentially serious form of liver inflammation due to infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It occurs in both rapidly developing (acute) and long-lasting (chronic) forms, and is one of the most common chronic , hepatitis C Hepatitis C Definition Hepatitis C is a form of liver inflammation that causes primarily a long-lasting (chronic) disease. Acute (newly developed) hepatitis C is rarely observed as the early disease is generally quite mild. and HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. . In the present study four groups of mice were evaluated, with experimental allergic colitis induced in two of the groups. The first group was treated by daily administration of GC for 9 days. The second group received daily injections of normal saline normal saline Physiologic saline solution, see there . The final two groups of mice were similarly injected with GC or normal saline, without induction of colitis. The mice were followed for macroscopic macroscopic /mac·ro·scop·ic/ (mak?ro-skop´ik) gross (2). mac·ro·scop·ic or mac·ro·scop·i·cal adj. 1. Large enough to be perceived or examined by the unaided eye. 2. and microscopic colitis scores. The immunomodulatory effect of GC was determined by analysis of intrahepatic and intrasplenic lymphocytes for NKT, CD4 and CD8 markers, and by measurement of serum IFNa, IL2, IL12, IL4 and IL10 cytokine Cytokine Any of a group of soluble proteins that are released by a cell to send messages which are delivered to the same cell (autocrine), an adjacent cell (paracrine), or a distant cell (endocrine). levels. The administration of GC resulted in marked alleviation of disease symptoms, with a significant improvement of the macroscopic and microscopic colitis scores in those mice that received GC, compared to placebo. Alleviation of colitis symptoms by GC treatment was associated with a significant increase of intrahepatic CD8+ T cell trapping (peripheral/intrahepatic CD4+/CD8+ ratio increased by 68% in the control group compared to placebo animals). A similar effect was observed when GC was administered to naive animals (peripheral/intrahepatic CD4+/CD8+ ratio increased by 61% in the third control group compared to placebo). The beneficial effect of GC on colitis was associated with a 17% increase of the intrahepatic NKT cell number and a 9% decrease of the peripheral/intrahepatic NKT cell ratio. In mice without colitis, GC treatment led to a 66% reduction of the intrahepatic NKT cell number and a 50% decrease of the peripheral/intrahepatic NKT cell ratio. Administration of GC led to a decreased serum IFNa level in the first group of mice compared to placebo (52 vs. 87 pg/ml, respectively, p less than 0.05). The Company expects to begin clinical trials based upon the results of these studies. About Enzo Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology molecular biology, scientific study of the molecular basis of life processes, including cellular respiration, excretion, and reproduction. The term molecular biology was coined in 1938 by Warren Weaver, then director of the natural sciences program at the Rockefeller and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community. The Company's proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing and genetic analysis, with approximately 200 patents worldwide, are sold to the life sciences market throughout the world. The Company's therapeutic division is in various stages of clinical evaluation of its proprietary gene medicine for HIV-1 infection and its proprietary immune regulation medicines for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection and for Crohn's disease. The Company also holds a patent covering a method of materials for correcting point mutations or small insertions or deletions of genetic material that would allow for editing and correcting certain abnormalities in genes. For more information visit our website www.enzo.com. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release. |
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