Gene-containing compositions

Details Gene-containing compositions Gene-containing compositions

1999-12-30

2002-10-29

Guzo, David (Department: 1636)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Preparations characterized by special physical form

Liposomes

C514S04400A, C536S023100, C536S023500, C536S023510

Reexamination Certificate

active

06471990

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to gene-containing compositions, and more particularly to gene-containing compositions for introducing a gene into fetuses carried by its pregnant mother to express the gene. The invention also relates to a method for introducing a gene into fetuses including those of experimental animals, cattle, and industrial animals.
BACKGROUND ART
In recent years, several methods have been developed for directly introducing foreign genes into animal or human bodies in the hope of applying them to gene therapy for treating diseases caused by genomic abnormalities.
Diseases caused by congenital gene abnormalities such as congenital gene deficiency are preferably treated in the prenatal stage. As regards introduction of genes into prenatal subjects, microinjection into fertilized egg in animal experiments is the sole method that is currently available [Palmitter, R. D. & Brinster, R. L.: Annu. Rev. Genet., 20, 465-499 (1986)].
Although the microinjection method applied to fertilized egg opened the way for introduction of genes into early embryogenic stage, means for introducing foreign genes into fetuses has not yet been developed. Moreover, microinjection method cannot be applied to gene therapy of fetuses in the case of human pregnancy.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to develop a method for introducing foreign genes into fetuses in a developmental stage, and another object of the invention is to provide a gene-containing composition for use in such a method.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors conducted diverse studies of means for administering intended genes to fetuses through its mother's body, and as a result, found that when genes are administered to a mother along with a specific transporter, they can pass through the placental basement membrane serving as a blood barrier between the fetuses and its mother body, and that gene can be introduced into fetal cells to express themselves in situ, leading to completion of the invention.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a gene-containing composition comprising a gene and a transporter, the transporter being capable of transporting the gene from a pregnant body to fetal cells.
The present invention also provides a method for introducing genes to fetal cells by administering the above gene-containing composition to a pregnant body.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5928944 (1999-07-01), Seth et al.
patent: 6020202 (2000-02-01), Jessee
Eric B. Kmiec, Gene Therapy, Investigators have been searching for ways to add corrective genes to cells harboring defective genes. A better strategy might be to correct the defects,240 American Scientist, vol. 87 1999.*
W. French Anderson, Human gene therapy, Nature vol. 392, Supp, Apr. 30, 1998.*
Inder M Verma et al, Gene therapy-promises,problems and prospects,Nature vol. 389,Sep. 18, 1997.*
Charles Coutelle et al,The Challenge of fetal gene therapy,Nature Medicine, vol. 1, No. Sep. 9, 1995.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Gene-containing compositions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Gene-containing compositions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gene-containing compositions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3000444