Abstract:
A method of culturing live viable cells comprises culturing the cells under the conditions effective for cells to survive in the presence of a non-porous, semi-permeable biocompatible film of predefined characteristics having a tensile strength of 350-10,000 psi, an ultimate elongation of 300-1,500 %, a water absorption such that the sum of the volume fraction of absorbed water in the hydrophilic volume fraction of the soft segment is 100-2,000 % of the dried polymer volume and 50-95 % of the wet polymer volume. The film permeability can be changed to have different cut-off molecular weights while being substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter as well as high molecular weight molecules. A method of regulating the level of a compound in a body fluid of the subject afflicted with an endogenous defect resulting in abnormal levels of the compound in the body fluid, in the substantial absence of a detrimental immunological reaction comprises: enclosing cells lacking the endogenous defect of the patient's cells in a biocompatible, implantable device, wherein at least one portion thereof comprises a non-porous, semi-permeable, biocompatible film substantially enclosing the cells, the film formed from a copolymer comprising about 5 to 45 wt% of at least one hard segment, and about 95 to 55 wt% of at least one soft segment comprising at least one hydrophilic, hydrophobic or amphipathic oligomer selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyols, aliphatic and aromatic polyamines and mixtures thereof; the film having a tensile strength greater than about 350 psi and up to about 10,000 psi, an ultimate elongation greater than about 300 % and up to about 1,500 % and a water absorption such that the sum of the volume fraction of absorbed water and the hydrophilic volume fraction of the soft segment exceeds about 100 % and up to about 2,000 % of the dry polymer volume and exceeds about 50 % and up to about 95 % of the wet polymer volume, and the film being permeable to molecules of up to about 6,000 to 600,000 molecular weight and substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter; implanting the device comprising the cells into a site in the subject's body where the cells are in contact with the subject's body fluid; and allowing the cells to grow at the implantation site where they are in direct interactive contact with the compound and act to regulate its level in the body fluid.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a novel subset of human hematopoietic stem cells that are defined by the ability to express transduced genetic material, and methods for producing the same. The transduced hematopoietic cells are preferably comprised of primary human CD34 cells.
Abstract:
Endothelial cells transduced with genetic material encoding a polypeptide or protein of interest and, optionally, a selectable marker, as well as methods for making and using the transduced endothelial cells are disclosed. Such endothelial cells are useful in improving the performance of vascular grafts and in delivering the encoded polypeptide or protein, such as an enzyme, a hormone, a receptor or a drug, to an individual.
Abstract:
Retroviral vectors are disclosed which include an insertion site for genes of interest and are capable of expressing high levels of the protein derived from the genes of interest in a wide variety of transfected cell types. Also disclosed are retroviral vectors lacking a selectable marker, thus rendering them suitable for human gene therapy in the treatment of a variety of disease states without the co-expression of a marker product, such as an antibiotic. These retroviral vectors are especially suited for use in certain packaging cell lines.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an implantable, biocompatible device possessing at least one cavity within which live cells can be introduced and maintained such that when the device is implanted into a subject, the cells are in continuous interaction with the subject's bodily fluids to provide a therapeutic or prophylactic effect to the subject that requires a direct interactive contact with the body's fluids, wherein at least one portion of the outside thereof comprises a non-porous, semi-permeable, biocompatible film formed from a copolymer comprising about 5 to 45 wt % of at least one hard segment, and about 95 to 55 wt % of at least one soft segment, substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter. Multiple embodiments of the device of this invention are provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for freezing and thawing cells that substantially enhances the viability of organ digests and primary cell cultures.
Abstract:
Novel cationic polymers and cationic lipids, and methods of making and using the same, are provided. The cationic polymers and cationic lipids are useful for the delivery of nucleic acid polymers and oligomers to cells in vitro and in vivo.
Abstract:
Chimeric adenovirus capable of transducing mammalian cells with DNA of interest are disclosed. The chimeric adenovirus are useful for the delivery of cloned genes into an individual and are therefore also useful for treating mammalian genetic diseases and disorders.
Abstract:
The instant invention provides methods of expressing polynucleotides in the cells of the liver comprising administering viral particles comprising a recombinant AAV vector into a mammal, preferably a human.
Abstract:
The invention provides novel genetically modified host cells, vectors, and methods for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other related disease conditions in which the dopamine production is deficient. The invention relates to the surprising discovery that coexpression of tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP cyclohydrolase enables host cells to produce elevated dopamine and L-DOPA without adding tetrahydrobiopterin and that the coexpression of GTP cyclohydrolase stabilizes tyrosine hydroxylase. One embodiment of the invention is genetically modified host cells containing heterologous polynucleotide sequences encoding and capable of expressing GTP cyclohydrolase and tyrosine hydroxylase. Other embodiments of the invention include genetic construction that contain and can simultaneously express polynucleotide sequences encoding a GTP cyclohydrolase and a tyrosine hydroxylase. The invention also provides methods of producing L-DOPA or dopamine using the host cells of the invention. The invention also provides methods of treating patients of Parkinson's disease or other diseases related to a dopamine production deficiency using the vectors and methods of the invention.