Methods and systems for inducible ablation of neural cells
OwnerBrian Popko, Maria Trakainventors
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and systems for inducible ablation of neural cells, in particular non-proliferating cells, such as oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. The methods and systems include an animal model that can be specifically induced to display phenotypic traits or characteristics of a demyelination condition. The methods and systems disclosed herein are useful for drug screening, by identifying compounds or agents that promote remyelination or reversal of phenotypic traits or characteristics of demyelination conditions.
Claims44
A non-human transgenic animal, said animal comprising:
- a) a first heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to a glial-cell specific promoter,
- wherein said first heterologous nucleotide sequence encodes a first heterologous protein and said first heterologous nucleotide sequence is stably expressed in said animal;
- b) a second heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a second heterologous protein,
- wherein said second heterologous protein is expressed upon activation of said first heterologous protein and induces death of a non-proliferating glial cell,
- wherein a initial activation of said first heterologous protein induces death of said non-proliferating glial cells in said animal and results in demyelination in said animal and yields one or more phenotypic changes characteristic of a demyelination condition;
- and
- wherein said one or more phenotypic changes is reversed after initial activation of said first heterologous protein.
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