Antinematodal methods and compositions

Abstract

There are provided methods and compositions useful in cell-cell fusion using Fusion Family (FF) proteins of nematode origin. There are further provided antinematodal methods and compositions, utilizing fusogenic proteins of the nematode Fusion Family.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A composition comprising a non-insect cell or viral particle expressing an exogenous nematode fusogenic protein. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 44 , wherein the non-insect cell is selected from mammalian, avian, and plant cells. 
     
     
         46 . The composition according to  claim 44 , wherein the fusogenic protein is capable of mediating fusion of the cell or viral particle to a second cell expressing a second nematode fusogenic protein. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the second cell is selected from a mammalian, an avian, and a plant cell exogenously expressing a second nematode fusogenic protein, or a nematode cell endogenously expressing a nematode fusogenic protein. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the second nematode fusogenic protein is the same or different from the fusogen of the non-insect cell. 
     
     
         49 . A method for fusing a first cell and a second cell, the method comprising:
 incubating a first cell comprising a first exogenous nematode fusogenic protein with a second cell comprising a second exogenous nematode fusogenic protein;   thereby fusing the first cell and the second cell to form a fused cell, wherein at least one of the cells is not of insect origin.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the first cell and the second cell are of the same origin, or wherein the first cell and the second cell are of different origin. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the cells are selected from: virus, plant, avian, animal, human, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the first fusogenic protein and the second fusogenic protein are selected from AFF-1, EFF-1 or homologs thereof. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein expression of the first exogenous nematode fusogenic protein in the first cell and/or the second cell is transient or stable. 
     
     
         54 . An antinematodal composition comprising: a cell comprising an exogenous nematode fusion protein, capable of mediating fusion of the cell to a cell of the nematode;
 wherein the composition induces killing or inhibition of growth of the nematode.   
     
     
         55 . The antinematodal composition of  claim 54 , wherein the cell is selected from mammalian cell, avian cell, plant cell, and a virus. 
     
     
         56 . The antinematodal compositing of  claim 55 , wherein the virus is selected from Retrovirus, Hepadnavirus, Poxyvirus, Rhabdoviridae, Paramyxoviruses, Herpes viruses and Coronavirus. 
     
     
         57 . The antinematodal composition of  claim 56 , wherein said exogenous nematode fusogenic protein is selected from AFF-1, EFF-1 and homologs thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein said nematode is selected from:  Caenorhabditis elegans, Caenorhabditis briggsae, Caenorhabditis japonica, Caenorhabditis ramanei, Caenorhabditis brenneri, Caenorhabditis  sp5,7,9,11,  Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella pseudospiralis, Trichinella papuae, Pristionchus entomophagus, Pristionchus maupasi, Pristionchus pacificus, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne hapla Globodera pallida, Ancylostoma caninum, Brugia Malayi, Haemonchus contortus, Ascaris suum, Oscheius tipulae, Dirofilaria immitis, Howardula aoronymphium, Litomosoides sigmodontis, Heterodera glycines, Romanomermis culicivorax, Trichuris muris, Strongyloids ratti, Onchocerca volvulus, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Wuchereria bancrofti , and  Loa loa.    
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the exogenous nematode fusogenic protein is transiently expressed in the cell or stably expressed in the cell. 
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 54 , wherein the cell further comprises an antinematodal agent, selected from a chemical substance, a protein, a nucleic acid, a toxin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 60 , wherein said antinematodal agent is expressed by the cell. 
     
     
         62 . A method for targeted killing of a nematode, the method comprising: contacting the nematode with a the composition of  claim 54 , wherein said cell is a virus comprising an exogenous nematode fusogenic protein, capable of mediating fusion of the virus to a cell of the nematode;
 whereby the fusion results in killing of the nematode.   
     
     
         63 . A method for the targeted killing of a nematode, the method comprising: contacting the nematode with the composition of  claim 60 , whereby the fusion of the nematode and the cell induces killing of the nematode. 
     
     
         64 . A method for the treatment of a nematode infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject the composition of  claim 54 ;
 wherein fusion of the cell and a nematode cell infecting the subject induces death or inhibition of growth of the nematode.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the subject is human or animal. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said administering is selected from oral administration, injection, suppository and topical application.