mRNA Treatment to Induce Expression of Molecules to Prevent or Treat Tritrichomonas Foetus Infection in Bulls
Description:
Background
Bulls and cows are susceptible to reproductive system infection by the protozoal parasite Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus). Infected cows are unable to deliver healthy calves, and they can become infected by bulls that, despite showing no signs of the disease, are capable of transmitting the infection to cows. The failure of cows to deliver calves leads to substantial financial loss for farmers. There is currently no legal effective treatment for T. foetus, and the available vaccine is not very effective.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Mississippi State University have shown that messenger RNA (mRNA) treatment of bovine cells can cause those cells to produce molecules such as antimicrobial peptides or immunoglobulins, which can impair or kill T. foetus. Moreover, they have shown that direct application of mRNA to the bovine reproductive tract can cause cells of the reproductive tract to produce molecules encoded by the mRNA. Treating the bovine reproductive tract with mRNA for molecules that can impair or kill T. foetus represents a novel approach to effectively treating or preventing the disease in both cows and bulls.
Benefits
Currently, bulls that become infected with T. foetus must be killed because there is no legal treatment of the disease and they do not naturally recover from infection. This invention could have an important impact on saving money for farmers and preserving animal resources by allowing affected bulls to be treated and thus remain productive, or to be sold to other farms.
Applications
This invention could be used to treat or prevent a variety of infections of the bovine reproductive tract.
Seeking
- Development partner
- Commercial partner
- Licensing
- Seeking investment
IP Status