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Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6156568
| Title: | Transformed eukaryotic cells | | Inventors: | Cooper, Richard K.; Baton Rouge, LA, USA | | Summary: | This invention introduces a eukaryotic cell which has been transformed in vitro by a novel vector comprised of a gene under control of the wild-type cecropin B promoter that is exogenous to the cell. Central to the invention are discoveries of methods for increasing the resistance of a mammalian host to tumors and to diseases that are caused by intracellular bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Described herein are methods of augmenting the host's defenses against infectious diseases or tumors by use of this exogenous gene encoding a natural or synthetic lytic peptide, such that the transformed cells have the ability to produce and secrete a broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic agent that has been shown to have a systemic effect on certain pathogens known to evade or overcome host defenses. Claims of the invention for the transformed eukaryotic cell described herein include responsiveness to an inducer of an acute-phase peptide or protein, such as a moth promoter for the cecropin B gene which has been found to function appropriately in a mammalian cell. | | Abstract: | Novel means have been discovered for increasing the resistance of an animal host (including humans) to diseases caused by intracellular bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. The infection treated may, for example, be equine infectious anemia, or infection by the human immunodeficiency virus. Novel means have also been found for treating tumors. Augmentation of the host's defenses against infectious diseases or tumors is achieved by arming the host's cells with an exogenous gene encoding a natural or synthetic lytic peptide. For example, the transfection of hematopoietic stem cells and embryonic cells will produce animals with enhanced disease resistance; and transfection of TIL (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) cells or other cells can be used in the treatment of tumors. Genes coding for a cecropin or other native or synthetic lytic peptide can be transferred and stably expressed in mammalian, bony fish, other vertebrate, and other animal cells. The transformed cells have the ability to produce and secrete a broad spectrum chemotherapeutic agent that has a systemic effect on certain pathogens, particularly pathogens that might otherwise evade or overcome host defenses. Novel means have also been discovered for transforming a eukaryotic cell with a gene under the control of an exogenous promoter that is responsive to an inducer of an acute-phase peptide or protein. For example, a moth promoter for the cecropin B gene has been found to function appropriately in a mammalian cell. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US6156568 | | Application Number: | US1997000895344 | | Date Filed: | 16/07/1997 | | Date Published: | 05/12/2000 | | Assignee: | Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA, USA |
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