Stem cell expansion enhancing factor and method of use
OwnerGuy Sauvageau, Richard Keith Humphriesinventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a stem cell expansion factor, and to a method for enhancing hematopoietic stem cell expansion by direct delivery of a protein in the cell and which protein is able to cross cell membrane. The method comprises directly delivering in a HSC an amino acid sequence having the activity of a peptide encoded by a Hoxb4 nucleotide sequence. Once delivered, the amino acid sequence is functionally active in the hematopoietic stem cell and enhances expansion thereof. The amino acid sequence may consist of a HOXB4 protein.
Claims24
A stem cell expansion factor, which comprises an amino acid sequence having the expansion enhancement activity of a peptide encoded by a Hox nucleotide sequence enhancing expansion of a stem cell population, and wherein said amino acid sequence is able to cross a cell membrane.
A drug-inducible method for enhancing expansion of a stem cell population, the method comprising:
- a) delivering in a stem cell population a nucleotide sequence linked to a drug-binding protein and encoding one of a DNA-binding domain and a NH2-terminal domain of a peptide having the activity of a Hox protein able to enhance expansion of said stem cell population, delivering in said stem cell population a nucleotide sequence encoding the remainder of the DNA-binding domain and N-terminal domains linked to a drug-binding protein;
- and
- b) exposing said stem cell to a dimerizing agent;
- whereby a functionally active protein is reconstituted in said stem cell population, thereby enhancing expansion of said stem cell.
A method according to claim is, wherein said amino acid sequence consists of a HOXB4 peptide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.