Mice comprising engrafted functional human hepatocytes
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsMark A. Kay, Kazuo Ohashi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Non-human mammalian hosts are provided, comprising functional human hepatocytes. Isolated human hepatocytes or fragments of human hepatic tissue are introduced into the xenogeneic host in conjunction with one or more agent that stimulates human hepatocyte growth factor receptor. The human hepatocytes are maintained in the host by administration of one or more agent that stimulates human hepatocyte growth factor receptor, either continuously (e.g., via an implanted catheter or intravenous apparatus) or in discrete, regular dosages of the agent (e.g., via intravenous injections or oral dosages). The human hepatocytes are able to survive and function in the host animal for a period of at least 5 months.
Claims30
An immunocompromised mouse comprising:
- engrafted functional human hepatocytes, wherein an activator of human hepatocyte growth factor receptor is administered to the mouse, wherein the human hepatocytes are maintained in the mouse for at least five months.
A method for producing a chimeric mouse comprising engrafted functional human hepatocytes, said method comprising:
- introducing human hepatocytes into an immunocompromised mouse, wherein an activator of human hepatocyte growth factor receptor, is administered to said mouse in an amount sufficient to allow engraftment of said human hepatocytes;
- and,
- said human hepatocytes are maintained in the mouse for at least five months.
An immunocompromised mouse comprising:
- engrafted functional human hepatocytes, wherein a protein activator of human hepatocyte growth factor receptor is administered to said mouse, such that the human hepatocytes are maintained in the mouse for at least five months.
A method for producing a chimeric mouse comprising engrafted functional human hepatocytes, said method comprising:
- introducing human hepatocytes into an immunocompromised mouse, wherein a protein activator of human hepatocyte growth factor receptor is administered to said mouse in an amount sufficient to allow engraftment of said human hepatocytes;
- and,
- said human hepatocytes are maintained in the mouse for at least five months.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.