DR. GEORGE F. SMITH, MD
Marriage and Family Therapists at Columbia St, Mason, MI

6353152, Mar 5, 2002

Jul 14, 2000

09/616937

Kuo-Fen Lee - Del Mar CA
Wylie W. Vale - La Jolla CA
Tracy L. Bale - San Diego CA
George W. Smith - Mason MI

Research Development Foundation - Carson City NV

A01K 67027

800 18, 800 3, 800 9

The present invention provides transgenic mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2. Corticotropin releasing factor is a critical integrator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to stress. CRF and its related molecule urocortin bind CRF receptor 1 and CRFR2 with distinct affinities. CRFR2 mutant mice were hypersensitive to stress and displayed increased anxiety-like behavior. Mutant mice had normal basal feeding and weight gain, but exhibited decreased food intake following food deprivation. Intravenous UCN dramatically decreased the mean arterial pressure in the controls but had no effect in the mutants. A deficiency of CRFR2 results in a significant increase in urocortin mRNA in the rostral region of the Edinger Westphal and a significant increase in CRF mRNA in central nucleus of the amygdala. These results demonstrate that the CRFR2 mutant mice, opposed to CRFR1 mutant mice, have an increased sensitivity to stress and display anxiety-like behavior. These mice are useful for the study of anxiety, depression, and the physiology of the HPA axis.

7674463, Mar 9, 2010

Nov 16, 2000

09/714692

Kuo-Fen Lee - Del Mar CA, US
Wylie W. Vale - La Jolla CA, US
Tracy L. Bale - San Diego CA, US
George W. Smith - Mason MI, US

Research Development Foundation - Carson City NV

A61K 38/16, C07K 14/435

4241841, 4241981, 514 2, 514 12, 530350

The present invention provides transgenic mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRFR2). Mice deficient for CRFR1 exhibit decreased anxiety-like behavior and a decreased stress response. In contrast, CRFR2 null mutant mice are hypersensitive to stress and display increased anxiety-like behavior. These mice are useful for the study of anxiety, depression, and the physiology of the HPA axis. CRFR2 null mutant mice also exhibit increased angiogenesis in all tissues examined. Thus, CRFR2 antagonists may be used to stimulate angiogenesis for the treatment of various conditions. In contrast, CRFR2 agonists may be used to inhibit angiogenesis. A combination of urocortin and bFGF was observed to stimulate rapid hair growth.

4190193, Feb 26, 1980

Sep 27, 1978

5/946135

George T. Smith - Lansing MI

A47G 2912

232 35

A self-contained mailbox signal device assembly is provided which is selectively clamp-mountable against the exterior surface of a mailbox and which is provided with a gravity actuated pivotal signal arm. The pivotal signal arm is weighted at one end and is provided with a flag indicator signal portion at the other end thereof. The pivotal signal arm is adapted to be maintained in a substantially horizontal position when the weighted end thereof is supportably engaged by a support arm extension provided in the closed door of the mailbox. When the door of the mailbox is opened, the weighted portion of the signal arm disengages from the support arm extension and moves in a downward arc in response to gravitational pull. This causes the signal arm to pivotally move into its upright signal position with the weighted portion down and the indicator signal portion up so as to indicate to a remote observer that the mailbox has been opened and presumably mail has been deposited therein.