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AssigneeWashington State University Research Foundation
InventorsMichael K. Skinner, Jaideep Chaudhary
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The present invention relates to modified cells carrying a heterologous gene sequence encoding a protein, such as an Inhibitor of differentiation (Id) gene sequence that binds a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein to inhibit cell growth, differentiation and/or tumorigenesis of the modified cells. The modified cells are differentiated, proliferate and do not become tumorigenic when grafted into a recipient subject. Additionally, the modified cells produce a factor or factors that enhance the viability of co-grafted organs, tissues or cells. Thus, the modified cells are useful for testing agents for effects on the cells, for co-grafting with transplant organs, tissues or cells. The modified cells are also useful for enhancing the viability of thawing cells that have been cryo-preserved. In one embodiment, the modified cells are modified Sertoli cells.
An isolated modified mammalian cell comprising a stably integrated introduced gene sequence, which stably expresses a protein which binds a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein, wherein the stably integrated introduced gene sequence is integrated into the cell genome, wherein the cell is a proliferating non-tumorigenic Sertoli cell and was post-mitotic prior to stable integration of the introduced gene sequence into the cell genome, wherein the protein is an Inhibitor of differentiation (Id) protein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.