U.S. patent application number 12/139290 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for cleaners for the control and removal of allergens.
This patent application is currently assigned to KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.. Invention is credited to Annastacia Kistler, David William Koenig, Richard John Schmidt, Bruce Scott Williamson.
Application Number | 20080244853 12/139290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30114264 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080244853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koenig; David William ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
CLEANERS FOR THE CONTROL AND REMOVAL OF ALLERGENS
Abstract
Wet and dry wipes comprising additives for removing allergens
from surfaces are disclosed. The wipe substrate comprises an
additive capable and binding the allergen onto the substrate such
that the allergen can be removed from the surface. Various
allergens including animal and pet dander can be removed from
numerous surfaces utilizing the wipes of the present invention. In
some embodiments of the invention, the allergenicity of the
allergen is also reduced. Suitable additives for immobilization
onto the wipe substrate include lectins, proteases, and enzyme
inhibitors.
Inventors: |
Koenig; David William;
(Menasha, WI) ; Kistler; Annastacia; (Appleton,
WI) ; Schmidt; Richard John; (Roswell, GA) ;
Williamson; Bruce Scott; (Alpharetta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher M. Goff (27839);ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE, SUITE 2600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63102
US
|
Assignee: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE,
INC.
Neenah
WI
|
Family ID: |
30114264 |
Appl. No.: |
12/139290 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10192053 |
Jul 10, 2002 |
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12139290 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/210.1 ;
15/104.93; 15/209.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 8/645 20130101;
A61Q 19/10 20130101; A61K 2800/782 20130101; A61K 8/0208 20130101;
C11D 3/386 20130101; C11D 3/48 20130101; C11D 17/049 20130101; C11D
3/382 20130101; C11D 3/384 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/210.1 ;
15/104.93; 15/209.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/17 20060101
A47L013/17 |
Claims
1. A cleaner for removing an allergen from a surface, the cleaner
comprising a wipe, an allergen binding lectin for binding the
allergen to the wipe and removing the allergen from the surface,
and an additive selected from the group consisting of an allergen
cleaving protease, an enzyme inhibitor, and combinations
thereof.
2. The cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lectin is a
legume lectin.
3. The cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lectin has a
residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine residues.
4. The cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lectin is
selected from the group consisting of peanut agglutinin, soy bean
agglutinin, and Jacalin.
5. The cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the additive is an
allergen cleaving protease.
6. The cleaner as set forth in claim 5 wherein the allergen
cleaving protease is selected from the group consisting of
exopeptidases and endopeptidases.
7. The cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the additive is an
enzyme inhibitor.
8. The cleaner as set forth in claim 7 wherein the enzyme inhibitor
is selected from the group consisting of Amastatin, Antipain,
Actinonin, Aprotinin, APMSF, Bestatin, Benzamidine, Chymostatin,
3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, DFP, E-64, Elasatinal, Leupeptin,
Pepstatin, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Phosphoramidon, TLCK, and TPCK.
9. The cleaner as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cleaner
comprises from about 0.00001% to about 10% (by total weight of the
treated cleaner) of the lectin.
10. The cleaner of claim 1 wherein the wipe is selected from the
group consisting of wet wipes, dry wipes, hand wipes, household
wipes, industrial wipes, and allergy wipes.
11. A cleaner for reducing the allergenicity of an allergen located
on a surface, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an allergen
cleaving protease for cleaving the allergen to reduce the
allergenicity of the allergen.
12. The cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein the protease is
selected from the group consisting of exopeptidases and
endopeptidases.
13. The cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein the protease is
capable of chemically cleaving a lipocalin.
14. The cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein the protease is
selected from the group consisting of serine proteinases, cystein
proteinases, aspartic proteinases, and metallo proteinases.
15. The cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein the protease is
selected from the group consisting of Chymotrypsin, Trypsin,
Elastase, Kallikrein, Subtilisin, Papain, Actinidin, Bromelain,
Cathepsins, Calpains, Pepsin, Chymosin, Cathepsins, Renin,
Penicillopepsin, Rhizopuspepsin, Endothiapepsin, Thermolysin,
Neprilysin, Aminopeptidase, Astacin, Cathepsin B, Cathepsin D,
Cathepsin G, Clostripain, Collagenase, Dispase, Endoproteinase
Arg-C, Endoproteinase Asp-N, Endoproteinase Glu-C, Endoproteinase
Lys-C, Factor Xa, Plasmin, Proteinase K, and Thrombin.
16. The cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein the protease is
selected from the group consisting of Bromelain, Cathespsin B,
Cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, Chymotrypsin, Clostripain, Collagenase,
Dispase, Endoproteinase Arg-C, Endoproteinase Asp-N, Endoproteinase
Glu-C, Endoproteinase Lys-C, Factor Xa, Kallikrein, Papain, Pepsin,
Plasmin, Proteinase K, Subtilisin, Thermolysin, Thrombin, and
Trypsin.
17. The cleaner as set forth in claim 11 wherein the cleaner
comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the
treated cleaner) of the protease.
18. A cleaner for reducing the allergenicity of an allergen located
on a surface, the cleaner comprising a wipe and an enzyme inhibitor
for chemically reacting with the allergen to reduce the
allergenicity of the allergen.
19. The cleaner as set forth in claim 18 wherein the enzyme
inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of Amastatin,
Antipain, Actinonin, Aprotinin, APMSF, Bestatin, Benzamidine,
Chymostatin, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, DFP, E-64, Elasatinal,
Leupeptin, Pepstatin, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Phosphoramidon, TLCK,
and TPCK.
20. The cleaner as set forth in claim 18 wherein the cleaner
comprises from about 0.0001% to about 10% (by total weight of the
treated cleaner) of the enzyme inhibitor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/192,053, filed Jul. 10, 2002, the entirety
of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to cleaners for removing
allergens from various surfaces including human and animal skin and
hair. More specifically, the present invention relates to cleaners
comprising a wipe, such as a wet or dry wipe, comprising an
additive comprising a lectin, a protease, and/or an enzyme
inhibitor capable of binding an allergen, such as animal dander, to
the cleaner and removing it from a surface. Additionally, the
additive may be capable of reducing the allergenicity of the
allergen upon contacting the allergen.
[0003] Allergens are substances that trigger allergic reactions in
a host organism such as a human, and are typically small, acidic
glycoproteins. Many allergens are members of a superfamily of
extracellular proteins commonly referred to as lipocalins.
Allergens such as animal dander and other animal secretions, such
as saliva and urine, are commonplace in many households and
businesses where animals and/or pets are present. Other allergens
commonly found in the home include plant pollens, fungi allergens,
cockroach allergens, and dust mite feces. These allergens are
typically introduced into a host through direct inhalation of dust
particles carrying the allergen into the nose and lungs, and can
result in serious allergic reactions in the host such as perennial
asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.
[0004] Animal dander, such as cat or dog dander for example, is one
of the most common allergens. Animal dander is not only the hair or
fur of the animal, but includes minute skin scales that fall from
the hair, feathers, and skin of all warm-blooded animals. Animal
dander carries antigens that can cause allergic reactions in
sensitive people. Typically, older animals produce more skin-scale
type dander than young ones because their skin is drier. Animal
dander is extremely light weight and tiny in size, and can stay
airborne for extended periods of time increasing the risk of
penetration into the lower airways of exposed hosts. One specific
cat allergen, Felis domesticus allergen I, has been shown to cause
significant allergic reactions in some individuals. This allergen
is a glycoprotein found in the sebaceous glands of the cat's hair
roots and in their sublingual salivary glands and in the urine of
male cats.
[0005] These and other allergens are commonly found on pets,
humans, and various surfaces such as tables, furniture, and
countertops. Common household cleaning methods and devices may be
insufficient to substantially remove and/or neutralize many of the
allergens commonly present on various surfaces. As such, a need
exists for cleaners capable of substantially removing allergens
such as pet dander from common household surfaces, as well as
animals and human beings to decrease the amount of allergic
reactions in hosts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to cleaners comprising wet or
dry wipes that can be used to remove allergens, such as animal
dander and house dust mite feces, from various surfaces including
human skin, animal coats and skin, and tables and countertops. The
wipes utilized to form the cleaners of the present invention have
immobilized thereon or therein an additive, such as a lectin, a
protease, and/or an enzyme inhibitor, that can bind the allergen to
the wipe substrate such that the allergen can be easily removed
from the surface. When the cleaner comprises a protease or an
enzyme inhibitor alone or in combination with a lectin, the
protease or enzyme inhibitor may provide the additional benefit of
chemically altering the allergen to reduce its allergenicity. The
additive-containing cleaners of the present invention are suitable
for use on hard surfaces such as tables, countertops, and
electronic boards, as well as on humans and animals to remove
various allergens.
[0007] Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a
cleaner for removing an allergen from a surface. The cleaner
comprises a wipe and an allergen binding lectin for binding the
allergen to the wipe and removing it from the surface.
[0008] The present invention is further directed to a cleaner for
removing animal dander from a surface. The cleaner comprises a wipe
and an additive. The additive is present on the wipe in an amount
of from about 0.00001% to about 1% (by total weight of the treated
cleaner) and has a residue affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine
residues.
[0009] The present invention is further directed to a cleaner for
reducing the allergenicity of an allergen located on a surface. The
cleaner comprises a wipe and an allergen cleaving protease for
cleaving the allergen to reduce the allergenicity of the
allergen.
[0010] The present invention is further directed to a cleaner for
reducing the allergenicity of an allergen located on a surface. The
cleaner comprises a wipe and an enzyme inhibitor for chemically
reacting with the allergen to reduce the allergenicity of the
allergen.
[0011] The present invention is further directed to a method for
removing an allergen from a surface. The method comprises
contacting the allergen on the surface with a cleaner. The cleaner
comprises a wipe and an allergen binding lectin for binding the
allergen to the wipe and removing the allergen from the
surface.
[0012] The present invention is further directed to a method for
removing an allergen from a surface. The method comprises
contacting the allergen on the surface with a cleaner. The cleaner
comprises a wipe and an allergen binding protease for cleaving the
allergen and binding the allergen onto the wipe and removing the
allergen from the surface.
[0013] The present invention is further directed to a method for
removing an allergen from a surface. The method comprises
contacting the allergen on the surface with a cleaner comprised of
a wipe and an enzyme inhibitor. The enzyme inhibitor chemically
reacts with the allergen to reduce the allergenicity of the
allergen and binds the allergen to the cleaner.
[0014] Other objects and features of this invention will be in part
apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, it has been
discovered that cleaners comprising wet or dry wipes that have
immobilized thereon or therein one or more additives that attract
and bind numerous allergens, such as animal dander, to the wipe can
be utilized to remove various allergens from hard surfaces. The
immobilized additive can comprise a lectin, a protease, and/or an
enzyme inhibitor, each of which will attract various allergens and
bind to them thus allowing for removal of the allergen from a
surface. Surprisingly, both proteases and enzyme inhibitor
additives may provide the additional benefit of chemically reacting
with the allergen to alter its chemistry and reduce its
allergenicity in addition to binding the allergen. Cleaners treated
in accordance with the present invention provide an economical and
effective vehicle for removing numerous allergens from various
surfaces to reduce the probability of the allergen causing an
allergic response in a host such as a human being.
[0016] The additive-treated cleaners of the present invention are
particularly suited for removing numerous allergens from various
surfaces. As used herein, the term "allergen" is meant to include
any antigen that is capable of inducing an allergic reaction in a
host such as a human being. As mentioned above, many common
allergens are lipocalins. Lipocalins are a large, diverse group of
at least about 50 proteins that serve as transporters from small
hydrophobic molecules such as lipids, steroid hormones, bilins, and
retenoids. It has been speculated that with regard to animal
allergens, lipocalins function biologically as pheromones or
pheromone binding proteins.
[0017] Allergens which can be removed from surfaces in accordance
with the present invention include, for example, animal allergens
such as animal dander and animal saliva, plant allergens such as
pollen, fungi, cockroach allergens, and house dust mite allergens
including house dust mite feces. Specifically, the additive-treated
wipes of the present invention are suited for removing allergens
associated with domestic and laboratory animals such as dogs, cats,
rabbits, mice rats and guinea pigs. More specifically, allergens
such as Fel d 1, the most common cat allergen, and Can f 1 and Can
f 2, the most common dog allergens can be removed from various
surfaces utilizing the wipes of the present invention. Various
common allergens are further detailed in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Molecular Biological Animal Allergen Weight
Source Function Mouse Mus m 1 19 kD Hair, Lipocalin- dander,
odorant urine binding protein Mouse Mus m 2 16 kD Hair, dander
Unknown Mouse Albumin Serum Serum Protein Rat Rat n 1A 16-21 kD
Hair, Lipocalin- dander, pheromone urine, binding saliva protein
Guinea pig Cav p 1 Unknown Hair, Unknown dander, urine Guinea pig
Cav p 2 Unknown Hair, Unknown dander, urine Rabbit Ory c 1 17 kD
Hair, Unknown dander, saliva Rabbit Ory c 2 Unknown Hair, Unknown
dander, saliva Cat Fel d 1 38 kD Hair, Unknown dander, saliva Cat
Albumin Serum Serum Protein Dog Can f 1 25 kD Hair, Lipocalin
dander, cystein saliva protease inhibitor Dog Can f 2 19 kD Hair,
Lipocalin dander, saliva Dog Albumin Serum Serum protein
[0018] Based on the disclosure herein, one skilled in the art will
recognize that the additive-treated wipes of the present invention
will remove numerous allergens from various surfaces and the
particular listing of allergens herein is merely illustrative and
not meant to be in any way limiting.
[0019] The additives comprising a lectin, protease, and/or enzyme
inhibitor as described herein are immobilized onto or incorporated
into a wipe which is used to form the cleaners of the present
invention. Additionally, any one or a combination of the additives
could be introduced onto a furniture cover, such as a couch cover,
to attract and potentially destroy allergens. Suitable wipes for
forming the cleaners of the present invention include wet wipes,
dry wipes, hand wipes, household wipes, industrial wipes, allergy
wipes, and the like. Typically, conventional wipes have included a
single layer of a substantially homogeneous material, but can also
comprise a layered material comprised of more than one layer of
homogeneous or heterogeneous material. Materials suitable for the
substrate of the wipes described herein are well known to those
skilled in the art, and are typically made from a fibrous sheet
material which may be either woven or nonwoven, a knit material, or
heavy duty paper. For example, the wipes incorporating the
additives described herein to remove allergens from a surface may
include nonwoven fibrous sheet materials which include meltblown,
coform, air-laid, bonded-carded web materials, hydroentangled
materials, and combinations thereof. Such materials can be
comprised of synthetic or natural fibers, or a combination thereof.
Typically, wipe substrates define a basis weight of from about 25
to about 120 grams per square meter and desirably from about 40 to
about 90 grams per square meter.
[0020] In a particular embodiment, the wipe substrate incorporating
the additives described herein comprise a coform basesheet of
polymeric microfibers and cellulosic fibers having a basis weight
of from about 60 to about 80 grams per square meter and desirably
about 75 grams per square meter. Such coform basesheets are
manufactured generally as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324,
which is incorporated by reference. Typically, such coform
basesheets comprise a gas-formed matrix of thermoplastic polymeric
meltblown microfibers, such as, for example, polypropylene
microfibers, and cellulosic fibers, such as, for example, wood pulp
fibers.
[0021] The relative percentages of the polymeric microfibers and
cellulosic fibers in the coform basesheet can vary over a wide
range depending upon the desired characteristics of the wet wipes.
For example, the coform basesheet may comprise from about 20 to
about 100 weight percent, desirably from about 20 to about 60
weight percent, and more desirably from about 30 to about 40 weight
percent of the polymeric microfibers based on the dry weight of the
coform basesheet being used to provide the wet wipes.
[0022] Alternatively, the wipe substrates can comprise a composite
which includes multiple layers of materials. For example, the wipe
may include a three layer composite which includes an elastomeric
film or meltblown layer between two coform layers as described
above. In such a configuration, the coform layers may define a
basis weight of from about 15 to about 30 grams per square meter
and the elastomeric layer may include a film material such as a
polyethylene metallocene film.
[0023] Each wipe is typically rectangular in shape and may have any
suitable unfolded width and length. It will be recognized by one
skilled in the art, however, that the shape, width, and length of
the wipe is not critical to the present invention, and the wipes
described herein can be any shape, width, and/or length suitable
for the intended application. As an example, the wipe may have an
unfolded length of from about 2.0 to about 80.0 centimeters and
desirably from about 10.0 to about 25.0 centimeters and an unfolded
width of from about 2.0 to about 80.0 centimeters and desirably
from about 10.0 to about 25.0 centimeters. Typically, each
individual wipe is arranged in a folded configuration and stacked
one on top of the other to provide a stack of wipes. Such folded
configurations are well known to those skilled in the art and
include c-folded, z-folded, quarter-folded configurations and the
like. The stack of folded wipes may be placed in the interior of a
container, such as a plastic tub, to provide a package of wipes for
eventual sale to a consumer. Alternatively, the wipes may include a
continuous strip of material which has perforations between each
wipe and which may be arranged in a stack or wound into a roll for
dispensing.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the
above-described wipes have one or more additives incorporated
therein or thereon to facilitate the removal of allergens from a
surface through the attraction to, or binding of, the allergen with
the additive onto the wipe. The additive can be applied to the
surface of the wipe or can be introduced into the fabric matrix
either during or after the formation of the substrate. It is not
critical whether the additive is on the surface of the wipe or
impregnated into the fibers so long as the additive can contact or
come into close proximity with the allergen during the use of the
wipe.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaner
comprises a wipe having incorporated thereon or therein a lectin
compound for attracting and binding allergens to allow removal of
the allergens from a surface. As used herein, the term "lectin" or
"lectin compound" is meant to include protein or glycoprotein
compounds of plant or animal origin having a molecular weight of
from about 60,000 Daltons to about 120,000 Daltons capable of
specific recognition of and reversibly binding to, carbohydrate
moieties of complex glycoconjugates such as allergens. Lectins are
also commonly referred to as "phytohemagglutinins" or
"phytagglutinins." Lectins typically chemically bind to sugar
moieties of the allergen.
[0026] Without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed
that the lectins used in combination with the cleaners described
herein contact the allergen located on a surface as the cleaner is
moved across the surface. Upon contacting the allergen, the lectin
binds or bonds to one or more carbohydrate or sugar moieties
located on the surface structure of the allergen such that the
binding or bonding strength between the allergen and the lectin
exceeds the forces retaining the allergen on the surface thereby
allowing the allergen to be lifted from the surface onto the
cleaner for removal. It is not believed that the lectins chemically
interact substantially with the allergen to cleave numerous bonds
to break the allergen into numerous peptides and lead to a
significantly different structure or conformation, but simply bond
onto the allergen to allow for its removal from the surface. The
resulting bonding between the allergen and the lectin may be a
covalent-type bonding.
[0027] Lectins suitable for use with the cleaners of the present
invention include plant or animal lectins capable of binding or
bonding to an allergen.
[0028] Specifically, legume lectins are suitable for use in
accordance with the present invention. More specifically, lectins
having an affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues are
particularly suitable for incorporation into or onto the wipe
substrates of the present invention for binding numerous allergens.
It is preferred that the lectin be capable of binding or bonding to
a lipocalin.
[0029] Specific examples of lectins suitable for use in accordance
with the present invention include, but are not limited to, peanut
agglutinin, Dolichus biflorus agglutinin, soy bean agglutinin, Lens
culinaris agglutinin, Phaseolus agglutinin I, pealectin-I, Ricinus
communis agglutinin, Jacalin lectins, Erythrina corallodendron,
vicia Villosa, wheat germ agglutinin and combinations thereof.
Particularly preferred lectins include peanut agglutinin, soybean
agglutinin, and Jacalin lectins. One skilled in the art will
recognize that numerous other plant and animal lectins could be
used in accordance with the present invention to remove allergens
from various surfaces.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, lectins, which
are proteins, can be utilized in combination with the cleaners of
the present invention by introducing a lectin-containing protein
extract into or onto the wipe comprising the cleaner. Because some
lectins may be expensive to buy in purified form, or difficult to
purchase in purified form, protein extracts from lectin plant or
animal sources can be introduced into or onto the wipes without
purifying out the lectin itself from the extract. Although not 100%
purified lectins, the protein extracts of lectin sources typically
contain a sufficiently high concentration of lectin to be highly
useful in the present invention. For example, soy bean agglutinin
can be introduced into a wipe by introducing a soy bean protein
extract taken from a soy bean plant directly into or onto the wipe.
The extract, although containing components other than lectins,
also contains soybean agglutinin lectins in sufficient amounts as
to provide the intended benefits of the present invention. As such,
plant and animal protein extracts containing lectins may be a
highly economical means of implementing the present invention.
[0031] Lectins can be combined with the cleaners in any amount
suitable to bind allergens onto the cleaner for removal from a
surface. Particularly preferred amounts of lectins to be combined
with the cleaners are from about 0.00001% (by total weight of the
treated cleaner) to about 10% (by total weight of the treated
cleaner), more preferably from about 0.00001% (by total weight of
the treated cleaner) to about 1% (by total weight of the treated
cleaner), and still more preferably from about 0.00001% (by total
weight of the treated cleaner) to about 0.1% (by total weight of
the treated cleaner). As used herein, "by total weight of the
treated cleaner" means the weight of the cleaner including the
additive. For example, if the total weight of the cleaner is 10
grams and the additive had been incorporated at a level of 10% by
the total weight of the cleaner, the cleaner prior to the addition
of the additive would have weighed 9 grams and 1 gram of additive
would have been added (1 gram is equal to 10% of the total weight
of the cleaner).
[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, a protease
can be introduced into or onto cleaner to bind and remove an
allergen, such as animal dander, from a surface. As used herein,
the term "protease" is meant to include any enzyme that catalyzes
the hydrolysis of a protein during the first stage of its
degradation to a simpler substance. The term "protease" may also be
referred to in the art as a "protolytic enzyme" or as a
"peptidase."
[0033] In this embodiment, the protease immobilized onto the
cleaner will not only attract and bind the allergen to the cleaner
to facilitate the removal of the allergen from the surface, but
will provide the additional benefit of chemically reacting with the
allergen to cleave bonds in the allergen to degrade the allergen
into non-allergenic peptides to reduce the allergenicity of the
allergen. The proteases described herein for immobilization onto
the cleaner will chemically interact with the allergen and
non-specifically attack and cleave bonds within the allergen
structure thus disrupting the overall structure of the allergen and
hence its ability to induce an allergic response in a host.
[0034] While it is believed that the protease immobilized into or
onto the cleaner will typically bind the allergen onto the cleaner
and allow the allergen to therefore be removed from a surface, the
additional advantage of a chemical interaction between the protease
and the allergen leading to the cleaving of various bonds and the
rendering of the allergen less allergenistic may be important in
those cases where the allergen actually removes the immobilized
protease from the cleaner to the surface, or where the allergen,
after being initially bound onto the cleaner is released back to
the surface. In these cases, even though the allergen remains on
the surface and not on the cleaner, the allergen, through chemical
cleaving reactions with the protease, will be altered chemically
and will be a less potent allergen and less likely to induce an
allergic reaction in a host. Thus, the protease immobilized onto
the substrate provides a dual benefit.
[0035] In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention,
suitable proteases for immobilization onto the cleaner include both
include both exopeptidases and endopeptidases. Preferably, the
protease immobilized onto the cleaner is capable of chemically
interacting with and cleaving bonds non-specifically (that is, at
random and not at any specific or pre-determined sites) in
lipocalins, a protein family to which numerous important allergen
belong. Specific examples of suitable proteases include serine
proteinases, cysteine proteinases, aspartic proteinases, and
metallo proteinases. More specific examples of suitable proteases
for use in combination with the cleaners discussed herein include
chymotrypsin, trypsin, elastase, kallikrein subtilisin, papain,
actinidin, bormelain, cathepsins, calpains, pepsin, chymosin,
cathepsins, renin, penicillopepsin, rhizopuspepsin, endothiapepsin,
thermolysin, neprilysin, aminopeptidase, and astacin. Particularly
preferred proteases include endopeptidases such as bromelain,
cathepsin B, cathepsin D, Cathepsin G, chymotrypsin, clostripain,
collagenase, dispase, endoproteinase Arg-C, endoproteinase Asp-N,
Endoproteinase Glu-C, Endoproteinase Lys-C, Factor Xa, Kallidrein,
papain, pepsin, plasmin, proteinase K, subtilisin, thermolysin,
thrombin, and trypsin.
[0036] Endopeptidases as set forth herein are preferred proteases
for use in combination with the cleaners disclosed herein because
they typically cleave or break apart a protein molecule by cleaving
bonds throughout the molecular structure, and in particular in the
middle or center of the structure as opposed to simply cleaving or
breaking bonds on the ends of the chains. This type of cleaving
action results in the protein being broken down into numerous
smaller pieces of roughly the same molecular weight. On the other
hand, exopeptidases, which are also useful in the present
invention, typically cleave bonds from the ends of molecules and
continue cleaving bonds toward the centers of molecules. As such,
while an endopeptidase may break a 2000 unit protein molecule into
several individual peptides having an average unit size of a few
hundred units, an exopeptidase cleaving the same protein molecule
will produce one peptide structure comprising 1900 units and
several other peptides comprising only a few units resulting in
less disruption of the allergen protein molecule.
[0037] Proteases can be combined with the cleaners in any amount
suitable to bind allergens onto the cleaner to facilitate removal
from a surface. Particularly preferred amounts of proteases to be
combined with the cleaners are from about 0.0001% (by total weight
of the treated cleaner) to about 10% (by total weight of the
treated cleaner), more preferably from about 0.0001% (by total
weight of the treated cleaner) to about 1% (by total weight of the
treated cleaner), and still more preferably from about 0.0001% (by
total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 0.1% (by total weight
of the treated cleaner).
[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, an enzyme
inhibitor can be introduced into or onto the cleaner to bind to,
and remove allergens, such as animal dander, from a surface. As
used herein, the term "enzyme inhibitor" is meant to include any
compound or agent that combines with an enzyme in such a manner as
to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the
resulting catalytic reaction.
[0039] In this embodiment, the enzyme inhibitor immobilized onto
the cleaner will not only bind onto allergens and remove them from
a surface, but will also provide the additional benefit of
chemically reacting with the allergen, or an enzyme required for
the allergen to be allergenistic, to reduce the allergenicity of
the allergen. Thus, the enzyme inhibitor interacts with the enzyme
required by the allergen to be allergenistic and prevents the
normal substrate-enzyme catalytic reaction from occurring such that
the allergenicity of the allergen is significantly reduced or
eliminated.
[0040] Without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed
that allergens can exist chemically as proteins and/or as enzymes.
When an allergen is a protein, it may require the enzymatic
activity of a enzyme to render the allergen allergenistic, or at
least to increase the level of allergenicity of the allergen. For
example, an allergen may exist as a long chain protein which, by
itself, because of its structure and chain size could not
significantly penetrate the skin or mucosa membranes of a host and,
therefore, would be expected to typically have a low allergenicity
by itself. It is believed that this type of protein allergen
structure becomes significantly more allergenistic when a specific
protease enzyme interacts with the allergen to cleave the allergen
at one or more specific bonding sites into smaller,
allergenistically active, peptide fragments which can penetrate the
skin or mucosa membrane of a host and lead to an allergic reaction.
By introducing an enzyme inhibitor into or onto the cleaner and
contacting the allergen and protease enzyme with the impregnated
cleaner, the enzyme inhibitor will significantly reduce or inhibit
the enzymatic activity of the protease enzyme resulting in a
disruption of the enzyme-substrate interaction and a decrease in
allergenicity.
[0041] In some cases it is believed that allergens may themselves
exist as enzymes. In this case, the allergen can interact with
itself to cleave specific bonds or otherwise chemically alter its
structure to reduce the overall size or change the conformation of
the allergen to allow penetration into skin or mucosa membrane
openings. In this case, the allergen typically does not require an
external protease enzyme to chemically alter its size or
conformation to become allergenistic. By contacting the allergen,
which exists as an enzyme, with an enzyme inhibitor, the
allergenicity of the allergen is significantly reduced as the
allergen cannot be specifically cleaved into smaller fragments or
its conformation changed to allow for penetration into a host.
[0042] Without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed
that the enzyme inhibitors immobilized onto the cleaners as set
forth herein, will bind both protein-type and enzyme-type allergens
onto the substrate allowing them to be removed from a surface upon
contacting the wipe. With enzyme-type allergens, it is believed
that the enzyme inhibitor is attracted to the enzyme-type allergen
and a chemical interaction occurs whereby the enzymatic activity of
the allergen is reduced; that is, a chemical interaction occurs
wherein attraction and/or binding between the allergen and the
enzyme inhibitor occurs allowing for the allergen to be attracted
to and retained in the substrate of the wipe and removed from a
surface. Regarding protein-type allergens, it is believed that the
enzyme inhibitor chemically interacts with the required protease
enzyme which may be in chemical contact with the protein and allow
for attraction and binding of the entire complex onto the cleaner.
Although it is believed that the enzyme inhibitors described herein
will attract and bind for removal both enzyme-type allergens and
protein-type allergen, it is further believed that the enzyme
inhibitors are more likely to bind and retain enzyme-type
allergens.
[0043] While it is believed that the enzyme inhibitor immobilized
onto the cleaner will typically bind an allergen onto the cleaner
and allow the allergen to therefore be removed from a surface, the
additional advantage of having the enzyme inhibitor inhibit the
enzymatic activity of the enzyme may be important in those cases
where the allergen actually removes the immobilized enzyme
inhibitor from the cleaner to the surface, or where the allergen,
after being initially bound onto the cleaner is released back to
the surface. In these cases, even though the allergen remains on
the surface and not on the cleaner, the allergen, through the
interaction with the enzyme inhibitor, may be a less potent
allergen and less likely to induce an allergic reaction in a host.
Thus, the enzyme inhibitors immobilized onto the web provide a dual
benefit.
[0044] In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention,
suitable enzyme inhibitors for immobilization on the cleaners of
the present invention include, but are not limited to, Amastatin,
Antipain, Actinonin, Aprotinin, APMSF, Bestatin, Benzamidine,
Chymostatin, 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, DFP, E-64, Elastatinal,
Leupeptin, Pepstatin, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Phosphoramidon, TLCK,
and TPCK.
[0045] Enzyme inhibitors can be combined with the wipe substrate in
any amount suitable to bind allergens onto the cleaner to
facilitate removal from a surface. Particularly preferred amounts
of enzyme inhibitors to be combined with the cleaners are from
about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 10%
(by total weight of the treated cleaner), more preferably from
about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 1%
(by total weight of the treated cleaner), and still more preferably
from about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to
about 0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner).
[0046] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
cleaners described herein can have immobilized thereon or therein a
combination of lectins, proteases and/or enzyme inhibitors to
attract, bind and potentially reduce the allergenicity of, various
allergens. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaner comprises a
combination of lectins and proteases or a combination of lectins
and enzyme inhibitors. Because it is believed that lectins simply
attract and bind the allergen to the cleaner but do not
significantly reduce the allergenicity of the allergen, it may be
preferable to impregnate the cleaner with a protease and/or an
enzyme inhibitor in addition to the lectin to act upon the bound
allergen (or required enzyme) on the cleaner to ultimately reduce
its allergenicity. When used in combination with the lectins, the
protease or the enzyme inhibitor can chemically interact with the
allergen to reduce its allergenicity on the substrate's surface.
This may be important should the allergen be dislodged from the
cleaner.
[0047] When lectins are used in combination with either proteases
or enzyme inhibitors, the lectin is typically present in an amount
of from about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to
about 10% (by total weight of the treated cleaner), more preferably
from about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to
about 1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner), and still more
preferably from about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated
cleaner) to about 0.1% (by total weight of the treated
cleaner).
[0048] When proteases are used in combination with lectins, the
protease is typically present in an amount of from about 0.0001%
(by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 10% (by total
weight of the treated cleaner), more preferably from about 0.0001%
(by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 1% (by total
weight of the treated cleaner), and still more preferably from
about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about
0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner). Similarly, the
enzyme inhibitors are used in combination with lectins, the enzyme
inhibitor is typically present in an amount of from about 0.0001%
(by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 10% (by total
weight of the treated cleaner), more preferably from about 0.0001%
(by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about 1% (by total
weight of the treated cleaner), and still more preferably from
about 0.0001% (by total weight of the treated cleaner) to about
0.1% (by total weight of the treated cleaner).
[0049] The additives described herein can be immobilized or
impregnated onto the surface of the cleaner by any means capable of
stabilizing the additive on or near the cleaner's surface
including, for example, printing, particle impingement and/or
through the manipulation of electrostatic forces. In a preferred
embodiment, the additive(s) is introduced onto or into a gas
permeable cleaner in accordance with the present invention through
the use of a vacuum driving force or through the use of a pressure
differential. When utilizing a vacuum force, the additive(s) is
positioned on the cleaner while a vacuum driving force is applied
to the opposite side of the cleaner to drive the additive into the
fabric matrix of the cleaner. Varying degrees of vacuum can be
applied depending upon the required depth of the additive, and it
is typically preferred that the additives remain at or near the
surface of the cleaner for maximum effectiveness.
[0050] The additive-containing cleaners of the present invention
can be utilized to remove allergens such as animal dander from a
variety of surfaces including, for example, human skin, animal
skin, human hair, animal hair, tabletops, countertops, electronic
boards, and other hard or soft surfaces where allergens are
problematic. The additive-containing cleaners described herein are
particularly useful in removing animal or pet dander, such as cat
or dog dander, from various surfaces in the home or office.
[0051] As mentioned herein, the additives can be immobilized on a
cleaner to be used as a wet wipe or as a dry wipe. When a wet wipe
is utilized, the wipe substrate will be in direct contact with a
liquid, or wetting agent. The liquid formulation is not critical to
the present invention with the exception that the components of the
liquid portion of the wet wipe should not be substantially
antagonistic to the additive(s) introduced onto the wipe substrate
and cleaner. As such, the liquid can typically be any solution
which can be absorbed into the wet wipe substrate and may include
any suitable components which provide the desired wiping
properties. For example, the components may include water, alcohol,
emollients, surfactants, fragrances, preservatives, chelating
agents, pH buffers or combinations thereof as are well known to
those skilled in the art. Additionally, the liquid may contain
lotions and/or medicaments.
[0052] In a less preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
additives described herein can be introduced into the liquid
component of a wet wipe system and be used in combination with a
wet wipe substrate. In this embodiment, the additive is contained
in the liquid component of the wet wipe system and, as such, may be
retained on the surface being cleaned after wiping instead of being
removed by the substrate. Although typically less desirable than
binding, breaking apart, and removing the allergen from the
surface, this embodiment is useful in some applications. For
example, if the wet wipe solution comprises a lectin, the lectin
may bind onto the allergen located on the surface and may thus
inhibit the bound allergen from entering host and causing an
allergic response because the combination of the lectin and the
allergen it too large to effectively enter a host. Alternatively,
if the solution comprises an enzyme inhibitor or a protease (or
both), the allergen may be effectively neutralized and may not be
capable of inducing an allergic reaction even if introduced into
the host. One skilled in the art will also recognize that the
additives described herein could also be introduced into a
cleansing cream or lotion meant to be used to clean human and
animal skin or hair. Similar to the additives in the wet wipe
solutions described above, the additives in the cleansing cream or
lotion may remain on the skin or hair, but could still provide
significant benefits relating to the reduction of allergic
responses.
[0053] The amount of liquid contained within each wet wipe may vary
depending upon the type of material being used to provide the wet
wipe, the type of liquid being used, the type of container being
used to store the wet wipes, and the desired end use of the wet
wipe.
[0054] Generally, each wet wipe can contain from about 150 to about
600 weight percent and desirably from about 250 to about 450 weight
percent liquid based on the dry weight of the wipe for improved
wiping. In a particular aspect, the amount o of liquid contained
within the wet wipe is from about 300 to about 400 weight percent
and desirably about 330 weight percent based on the dry weight of
the wet wipe. If the amount of liquid is less than the
above-identified ranges, the wet wipe may be too dry and may not
adequately perform. If the amount of liquid is greater than the
above-identified ranges, the wet wipe may be oversaturated and
soggy and the liquid may pool in the bottom of the container.
[0055] The present invention is illustrated by the following
example which is merely for the purpose of illustration and is not
to be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention or manner in
which it may be practiced.
EXAMPLE 1
[0056] In this Example, various lectins were evaluated to determine
whether the lectin exhibited a binding affinity for feline dander,
a glycoprotein, at various feline dander concentrations.
[0057] Cat hair was obtained from two felines via routing grooming.
Approximately 0.5 grams of fur from each cat was placed into the
same 50 mL conical tube with 15 mL of Phosphate Buffered Saline
(PBS). The tube was placed on a rocker overnight. The following
day, the extracted dander was analyzed using the fel d 1 ELISA
procedure referenced below. The extracted dander was tested neat,
1:10, 1:100, 1:1000, 1:10,000, 1:100,000, and 1:1,000,000. The
dilutions were prepared in PBS.
[0058] The concentration of the extracted dander in the phosphate
buffered saline solution was determined using a monoclonal Fel d 1
ELISA kit (Indoor Biotechnologies, Charlottesville, Va.).
[0059] The following lectins (bead bound, from Sigma Chemical St.
Louis, Mo) were evaluated for their ability to bind feline dander:
Concanavalin A, Jacalin, Peanut, Soybean, and UEA. Each lectin was
separately introduced into 0.1 M Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) to
produce a 0.4 milligram/milliliters solution of lectin in PBS. 500
microliters of the 0.4 milligram/milliliter lectin solution was
introduced into a microcentrifuge tube. To the tube was added
feline dander (500 microliters of either 3.4 microgram/milliliter
dander in PBS or 37 micrograms/milliliter dander in PBS, depending
on the experiment). The lectin/dander mixture was vortexed for 1
hour at room temperature to thoroughly mix the dander and lectin.
Upon completion of the mixing, the lectin bound dander and free
dander were separated by centrifugation (13,000 rpm for 5 minutes).
The amount of free dander in the resulting supernate was determined
using the Fel d 1 ELISA method referenced above. The amount of
dander bound by the lectin is described by the ratio of the amount
of free dander in lectin treated samples to the amount of free
dander in control samples not exposed to the lectin.
[0060] As shown in Table 1, Jacalin, Peanut, and Soybean lectin all
removed at least 50% of the added feline dander. Also, increasing
the concentration of dander by about 10 fold did not appear to
reduce the binding affinity of the Jacalin, Peanut, and Soybean
lectins. Also, at the higher concentration, the Jacalin and Peanut
(Soybean not tested at higher concentration) removed at least 90%
of the dander in solution. Jacalin, Peanut, and Soybean lectins
each have a residue affinity for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine while
both Concanavalin A and UEA do not. This indicates that lectins
having a residue affinity for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine are good
candidates for dander binding.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 % Dander % Dander Lectin Bound (3.4: g/mL)
Bound (37: g/mL) Concanavalin A 52% 0% Jacalin 72% 95% Peanut 66%
90% Soybean 58% Not Done UEA -258% 52%
[0061] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several
objects of the invention are achieved. As various changes could be
made in the above-described additive-containing wipes without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *