Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Whole live micro-organism – cell – or virus containing – Genetically modified micro-organism – cell – or virus
Reexamination Certificate
1995-06-06
2002-07-02
Crouch, Deborah (Department: 1632)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Whole live micro-organism, cell, or virus containing
Genetically modified micro-organism, cell, or virus
C424S093200, C435S325000, C800S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06413511
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of introducing at least one gene encoding a product into at least one cell of a connective tissue of a mammalian host for use in treating the mammalian host. This method discloses employing DNA vector molecules containing a gene encoding the product and infecting the connective tissue cells of the mammalian host using the DNA vector molecule. This invention provides a method of introducing at least one gene encoding a product into at least one cell of a connective tissue of a mammalian host for use in treating the mammalian host including employing non-viral means for effecting such introduction.
The present invention discloses ex vivo and in vivo techniques for delivery of a DNA sequence of interest to the connective tissue cells of the mammalian host. The ex vivo technique involves prior removal and culture of target autologous connective tissue cells, in vitro infection of the DNA sequence, DNA vector or other delivery vehicle of interest into the connective tissue cells, followed by transplantation to the modified connective tissue cells to the target joint of the mammalian host, so as to effect in vivo expression of the gene product of interest. The in vivo technique bypasses the requirement for in vitro culture of target connective tissues cells; instead relying on direct transplantation of the DNA sequence, DNA vector or other delivery vehicle to the target in vivo connective tissue cells, thus effecting expression of the gene product of interest.
The present invention also relates to a method to produce an animal model for the study of connective tissue pathologies and systemic indices of inflammation.
The present invention further relates to a method of using a gene encoding a truncated interleukin-1 receptor to resist the deleterious pathological changes associated with arthritis. More specifically, this invention provides a method wherein a gene coding for an extracellular interleukin-1 binding domain of an interleukin-1 receptor is introduced into synovial cells of a mammalian host in vivo for neutralizing the destructive activity of interleukin-1 upon cartilage and other soft tissues. As an alternative, the patients own synovial cells are transduced in vitro and introduced back into the affected joint, using transplantation procedures such as for example, intra-articular injection.
As an alternative to the in vitro manipulation of synovia, the gene encoding the product of interest is introduced into liposomes and injected directly into the area of the joint, where the liposomes fuse with synovial cells, resulting in an in vivo gene transfer to synovial tissue. As an additional alternative to the in vitro manipulation of synovia, the gene encoding the product of interest is introduced into the area of the joint as naked DNA. The naked DNA enters the synovial cell, resulting in an in vivo gene transfer to synovial tissue.
As an another alternative, hematopoietic progenitor cells or the mature lymphoid or myeloid cells may be transfected in vitro, recovered and injected into the bone marrow or peripheral bloodstream of the patient using techniques known to the skilled artisan.
The present invention also relates to methods of using various DNA sequences disclosed throughout this specification to provide therapeutic treatment for damaged cartilage, particularly full thickness human articular cartilage defects, such as damaged articular cartilage surrounding any joint. More specifically, this invention further provides a method wherein a gene or DNA sequence encoding a biologically active fragment thereof is transferred into in vitro cultured chondrocytes, with the resulting transfected chondrocytes surgically introduced into the area of cartilage damage of the mammalian host as a composition comprising the transduced chondrocyte polulation along with a suitable scaffold, such as a collagen gel, so as to effect in vivo expression of the DNA sequence of interest. Such genes or DNA fragments include but will not be limited to sequences encoding a biologically active protein or fragment of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein, extracellular interleukin-1 binding domain of an interleukin-1 receptor, TGF-&bgr;
1
, TGF-&bgr;
2
, TGF-&bgr;
3
, and IGF-1.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Arthritis involves inflammation of a joint that is usually accompanied by pain and frequently changes in structure. Arthritis may result from or be associated with a number of conditions including infection, immunological disturbances, trauma and degenerative joint diseases such as, for example, osteoarthritis. The biochemistry of cartilage degradation in joints and cellular changes have received considerable investigation.
In a healthy joint, cells in cartilage (chondrocytes) and the surrounding synovium (synoviocytes) are in a resting state. In this resting state, these cells secrete basal levels of prostaglandin E
2
and various neutral proteinases, such as, for example, collagenase, gelatinase and stromelysin, with the ability to degrade cartilage. During the development of an arthritic condition, these cells become activated. In the activated state, synoviocytes and chondrocytes synthesize and secrete large amounts of prostaglandin E
2
and neutral proteinases.
In efforts to identify pathophysiologically relevant cell activators, it has been known that the cytokine interleukin-1 activates chondrocytes and synoviocytes and induces cartilage breakdown in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, interleukin-1 is a growth factor for synoviocytes and promotes their synthesis of matrix, two properties suggesting the involvement of interleukin-1 in the synovial hypertrophy that accompanies arthritis. In contrast, interleukin-1 inhibits cartilaginous matrix synthesis by chondrocytes, thereby suppressing repair of cartilage. Interleukin-1 also induces bone resorption and thus may account for the loss of bone density seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Interleukin-1 is inflammatory, serves as a growth factor for lymphocytes, is a chemotactic factor and a possible activator of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). When present in a sufficient concentration, interleukin-1 may cause fever, muscle wasting and sleepiness.
The major source of interleukin-1 in the joint is the synovium. Interleukin-1 is secreted by the resident synoviocytes, which are joined under inflammatory conditions by macrophages and other white blood cells.
Much attention has been devoted to the development of a class of agents identified as the “Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs” (hereinafter “NSAIDs”). The NSAIDs inhibit cartilage synthesis and repair and control inflammation. The mechanism of action of the NSAIDs appears to be associated principally with the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in body tissues. Most of this development has involved the synthesis of better inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase, a key enzyme that catalyzes the formation of prostaglandin precursors (endoperoxides) from arachidonic acid. The anti-inflammatory effect of the NSAIDs is thought to be due in part to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and release during inflammation. Prostaglandins are also believed to play a role in modulating the rate and extent of leukocyte infiltration during inflammation. The NSAIDs include, such as, for example, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon® Pulvules®, Dista Products Company), ibuprofen (Motrin®, The Upjohn Company), and indomethacin (Indocin®, Merck, Sharp & Dohme).
In contrast, the studies upon which the present invention is based show that production of the various neutral proteinases with the ability to degrade cartilage occurs even if prostaglandin synthesis is completely blocked.
Therapeutic intervention in arthritis is hindered by the inability to target drugs, such as the NSAIDs, to specific areas within a mammalian host, such as, for example a joint. Traditional routes of drug delivery, such as for example, oral, intravenous or intramuscular administration, depend upon vascular perfu
Evans Christopher H.
Glorioso Joseph C.
Kane Richard
Robbins Paul D.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Ed
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