GEP, a novel chondrogenic growth factor and target in cartilage disorders
AssigneeNew York University
InventorsChuanju Liu, Sally Frenkel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the expression and regulating growth factors in chrondrocytes and developing cartilage, particularly granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP). The invention relates to the modulation and manipulation of these growth factors, GEP, and/or the molecules they interact with, for instance COMP, in cartilage disorders, including arthritis. Assays and screening methods for the determination of the expression and activity of GEP, or of GEP-COMP, are provided, including for screening for the presence or extent of cartilage or arthritic disease and for identifying modulators or compounds/agents for treatment or prevention of cartilage or arthritic diseases.
Claims14
1-5. (canceled)
A method for producing cartilage at a cartilage defect site in an animal comprising administering to said animal at the defect site a modulator of GEP selected from an agent, agonist, antagonist, inhibitor or activator, whereby the production of cartilage is stimulated.
7-11. (canceled)
A composition for modulating chondrogenesis comprising isolated GEP or active fragments thereof, wherein said GEP or active fragment comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:
- 2, 4, 15-19 and 22.
An isolated nucleic acid promoter sequence capable of conferring cartilage-specific expression upon a heterologous sequence, said promoter sequence comprising the GEP promoter sequence of SEQ ID NO:
- 13 or a portion thereof sufficient to confer cartilage-specific expression.
A method for expressing a polypeptide in chondrocytes or cartilage comprising covalently linking a nucleic acid sequence encoding said polypeptide to a promoter sequence of GEP.
A method for labeling or imaging chondrocytes or cartilage in vitro or in an animal comprising administering to cells or tissue in vitro or to said animal a GEP promoter sequence fused or covalently linked to a heterologous gene or nucleic acid encoding a reporter, imaging agent or diagnostic ligand, such that the heterologous gene, reporter, imaging agent or ligand is expressed in the chondrocytes or the animal's cartilage and thereby labels or puts an indicator in or at the chondrocytes or the cartilage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.