Antibody therapy for modulating function of intestinal receptors and methods of treating diabetes and obesity

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.