Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for purifying a crude solution comprising endothelial cell growth factor (ECG) comprising: contacting immobilized heparin with said crude solution to form a complex between said ECG and said heparin; separating uncomplexed solution from said complex; eluting said ECG from said immobilized heparin by contacting said complex with a salt solution of a salt concentration and pH effective to separate said ECG from said heparin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for purifying a crude solution comprising endothelial cell growth factor (ECG) comprising: contacting immobilized heparin with said crude solution to form a complex between said ECG and said heparin; separating uncomplexed solution from said complex; eluting said ECG from said immobilized heparin by contacting said complex with a salt solution of a salt concentration and pH effective to separate said ECG from said heparin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method further comprises obtaining said crude solution by a method comprising digesting tissue comprising ECG.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method further comprises obtaining said crude solution by a method comprising extracting mammalian tissue or cells comprising ECG.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method comprises subjecting a mixture resulting from tissue digestion, or from cell or tissue extraction, to ion exchange chromatography, prior to said contact with immobilized heparin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said contacting, separating, and eluting steps comprise a cycle that is repeated at least once by contacting immobilized heparin with eluate from the previous cycle, separating non-complexed eluate, and eluting ECG from said immoblized heparin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said heparin contacting, separating, and eluting cycle is performed a sufficient number of times to yield an ECG solution purified to at least one of the following standards: (a) substantially free from foreign protein detectable by silver staining; (b) less than 25 ng of foreign protein per gel; or (c) specific cell growth-factor activity at least 10 4 greater than said crude mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said method comprises no more than three said cycles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said tissue is mammalian hypothalamus tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said tissue is mammalian pituitary, cartilage, or retinal tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said tissue is mammalian bone or brain tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein chondrosarcoma tumor or hepatoma cells are extracted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said crude solution comprises anionic endothelial cell growth factor (AECG) having pI=4.8-5.2, said method comprising eluting said AECG from said immobilized heparin by contacting said complex with a salt solution having a salt concentration of at least 0.8M.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said crude solution comprises cationic endothelial cell growth factor (CECG) having pI=9.5-10.0, said method comprising eluting said CECG from said immobilized heparin by contacting said complex with a salt solution having a salt concentration of at least 0.8M.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said separating step is performed by contacting said complex with a flowing salt solution, gradually varying the salt concentration of said flowing solution, and collecting salt solution fractions enriched in ECG.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of obtaining CECG comprising: (a) culturing hepatoma cells; (b) extracting the cells; (c) subjecting said extract to cation exchange chromatography; (d) contacting immobilized heparin with eluant from said ion exchange chromatography to form a complex between said CECG and said heparin; (e) separating uncomplexed cation exchange eluate from said heparin; (f) eluting said CECG from said immobilized heparin by contacting said complex with a salt solution of salt concentration and pH effective to separate said heparin from said CECG; (g) recovering a CECG-containing solution; and (h) contacting immobilized heparin with said CECG-containing solution to form a complex between said CECG and said immobilized heparin; (i) separating uncomplexed solution from said immobilized heparin; and (j) repeating steps (f) and (g) until the CECG-containing solution recovered has substantially no protein detectable by silver stain, other than CECG, and the specific cell-growth activity of said solution is at least 1 unit per ng of protein.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of obtaining CECG comprising: (a) culturing hepatoma cells; (b) extracting the cells; (c) subjecting said extract to cation exchange chromatography; (d) contacting immobilized heparin with eluant from said ion exchange chromatography to form a complex between said CECG and said heparin; (e) separating uncomplexed cation exchange eluate from said heparin; (f) eluting said CECG from said immobilized heparin by contacting said complex with a salt solution of salt concentration and pH effective to separate said heparin from said CECG; (g) recovering a CECG-containing solution; and (h) contacting immobilized heparin with said CECG-containing solution to form a complex between said CECG and said immobilized heparin; (i) separating uncomplexed solution from said immobilized heparin; and (j) repeating steps (f) and (g) until the CECG-containing solution recovered has substantially no protein detectable by silver stain, other than CECG, and the specific cell-growth activity of said solution is at least 1 unit per ng of protein.