Method for preventing and treating hearing loss using a neurturin protein product
AssigneeAmgen Inc.
InventorsElla Magal, John M. Delaney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to methods for preventing and/or treating injury or degeneration of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons by administering a neurturin neurotrophic factor protein product. The invention relates more specifically to methods for treating sensorineural hearing loss.
Claims19
A neurturin protein product comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID NOs:
- 3 or 4).
A nucleic acid sequence encoding a neurturin protein product comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID NOs:
- 3 or 4).
A method for the production of a neurotrophic factor comprising the steps of:
- (a) culturing a host cell transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a neurotropnic factor comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID NOs:
- 3 or 4) under conditions suitable for the expression of said neurotrophic factor by said host cell;
- and
- (b) optionally, isolating said neurotrophic factor expressed by said host cell.
An article for treating injury or degeneration of cells of the inner ear, comprising:
- (a) a semipermeable membrane suitable for implantation;
- and
- (b) cells encapsulated within said membrane, wherein said cells secrete a neurotrophic factor comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NOs:
- 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to promote the survival or function of cochlear hair cells and auditory neurons of the inner ear;
- said membrane being permeable to the neurotrophic factor and impermeable to materials detrimental to said cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.