Spatial and temporal control of gene expression using a heat shock protein promoter in combination with local heat
AssigneeThe Government of the U.S.A. as represented by the Secretary of the Dept. of Health & Human Services
InventorChrit Moonen
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Abstract
The invention provides methods for using local heat to control gene expression. The heat shock protein (hsp) gene promoter is recombined with a selected therapeutic gene and expressed in selected cells. Local controlled heating is used to activate the hsp promoter, for example by using focused ultrasound controlled by MRI.
Claims9
A method for the spatial and temporal control of the expression of a gene of interest within a preselected discrete region of a cell mass or multicellular organism, comprising:
- selectively heating a preselected discrete region of a cell mass or multicellular organism that includes cells that contain a genetically engineered gene of interest operably linked to a heat-inducible promoter,
- thereby inducing the expression of said gene of interest in the cells that are selectively heated.
A method of providing a therapeutic protein to selected cells in an animal, comprising the steps of:
- introducing into cells of an animal a DNA molecule having a heat shock promoter sequence operably linked to and exerting regulatory control over a sequence encoding a therapeutic protein, and
- activating said heat shock promoter sequence through the application of a focused ultrasound so that said DNA segment expresses a therapeutically effective amount of said therapeutic protein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.