BACKAsperuloside as a Promising Clinical Agent for Improving Endothelial Function in Obesity: Role of Nrf2/HO-1 Activation
[Licensing negotiation in progress]
[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline: 25 August 2024]
We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “Asperuloside as a Promising Clinical Agent for Improving Endothelial Function in Obesity: Role of Nrf2/HO-1 Activation” technology. The innovation is developed by Professor WONG Wing Tak Jack, Professor of School of Life Sciences of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 23/SCI/1287).
The Technology
To lower the mortality and vascular events in obese patients, developing effective clinical therapies for vascular impairments has become an imperative demand. Preventing endothelial dysfunction is reported as a potent therapeutic strategy to attenuate vasculopathy progression initially. Asperuloside (ASP), the major bioactive compound discovered in Eucommia species, has been shown to combat obesity and diabetes, which is a promising agent defending against vasculopathy. However, the therapeutic effects of ASP on vascular functions and its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Our study demonstrated that ASP treatment significantly reversed the impairments of endothelium-dependent relaxations and remarkedly suppressed endothelial activation, highlighting the potential of ASP to be developed as a clinical agent specifically targeting endothelial dysfunction. Interestingly, the underlying mechanism by which ASP protects endothelial function is through the attenuation of oxidative stress via activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, which is independent of its inhibition of inflammatory responses. Furthermore, our study characterizes that ASP enhances HO-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation and thereby promoting endothelial Nrf2/ARE binding, unraveling the mechanism by which ASP alleviates endothelial dysfunction. Notably, our results demonstrate that ASP directly binds to Nrf2 protein and thereby increases Nrf2 activity, representing the first experimental confirmation that Nrf2 serves as the receptor for ASP. Altogether, this study not only explores our understanding of the pharmacological effects of ASP, especially on vascular health but also lays the foundations for developing ASP as a novel Nrf2-targeted therapeutic agent in the field of vascular medicine.
Commercialization
The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis. In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development. In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society. Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.
This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice. We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.
Asperuloside as a Promising Clinical Agent for Improving Endothelial Function in Obesity: Role of Nrf2/HO-1 Activation
[Licensing negotiation in progress]
[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline: 25 August 2024]
We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “Asperuloside as a Promising Clinical Agent for Improving Endothelial Function in Obesity: Role of Nrf2/HO-1 Activation” technology. The innovation is developed by Professor WONG Wing Tak Jack, Professor of School of Life Sciences of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 23/SCI/1287).
The Technology
To lower the mortality and vascular events in obese patients, developing effective clinical therapies for vascular impairments has become an imperative demand. Preventing endothelial dysfunction is reported as a potent therapeutic strategy to attenuate vasculopathy progression initially. Asperuloside (ASP), the major bioactive compound discovered in Eucommia species, has been shown to combat obesity and diabetes, which is a promising agent defending against vasculopathy. However, the therapeutic effects of ASP on vascular functions and its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Our study demonstrated that ASP treatment significantly reversed the impairments of endothelium-dependent relaxations and remarkedly suppressed endothelial activation, highlighting the potential of ASP to be developed as a clinical agent specifically targeting endothelial dysfunction. Interestingly, the underlying mechanism by which ASP protects endothelial function is through the attenuation of oxidative stress via activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, which is independent of its inhibition of inflammatory responses. Furthermore, our study characterizes that ASP enhances HO-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation and thereby promoting endothelial Nrf2/ARE binding, unraveling the mechanism by which ASP alleviates endothelial dysfunction. Notably, our results demonstrate that ASP directly binds to Nrf2 protein and thereby increases Nrf2 activity, representing the first experimental confirmation that Nrf2 serves as the receptor for ASP. Altogether, this study not only explores our understanding of the pharmacological effects of ASP, especially on vascular health but also lays the foundations for developing ASP as a novel Nrf2-targeted therapeutic agent in the field of vascular medicine.
Commercialization
The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis. In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development. In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society. Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.
This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice. We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.
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Mr. Paul Cheung
Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services
Professor WONG Wing Tak Jack
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