Tranformation of cells associated with fluid spaces
AssigneeBaylor College of Medicine
InventorsFred D. Ledley, Bert W. O'Malley, Jr.
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Abstract
This invention relates to the transfer and expression of genes in cells associated with fluid spaces, such as follicles of the thyroid, the synovium of the joint, the vitreous of the eye and the inner or middle ear. Formulated DNA expression vectors comprising a gene are introduced with or without formulation elements directly into a fluid space under conditions in which the cells associated with the fluid space can incorporate the formulated DNA expression vector and express the transformed gene.
Claims14
A method for delivering and expressing a gene in cells associated with a fluid space, said method comprising introducing a DNA expression vector into a fluid space under conditions in which the cells associated with said fluid space incorporate said DNA expression vector and express said gene, wherein said DNA expression vector is not a viral vector able to be incorporated into an infective viral particle, and wherein said vector comprises:
- a nucleic acid cassette containing a gene;
- a 5' flanking region including necessary sequences for expression of said gene;
- a linker sequence which connects said 5' flanking region to said gene thereby allowing expression of said gene in said cells, wherein said linker lacks any coding sequences with which it is naturally associated;
- and
- a 3' flanking region which contains elements necessary for regulation of expression of said gene.
A method of transfecting cells associated with a fluid space comprising introducing a DNA expression vector into a fluid space under conditions in which the cells associated with said fluid space are contacted with said DNA expression vector for a sufficient time to transfect said cells, wherein said DNA expression vector is not a viral vector able to be incorporated into an infective viral particle, and wherein said vector comprises:
- a nucleic acid cassette containing a gene;
- a 5' flanking region including necessary sequences for expression of said gene;
- a linker sequence which connects said 5' flanking region to said gene thereby allowing expression of said gene in said cells, wherein said linker lacks any coding sequences with which it is naturally associated;
- and
- a 3' flanking region which contains elements necessary for regulation of expression of said gene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.