Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transiently immortalizing cells according to which immortalization proteins are introduced into the cells from outside. The invention also relates to a method for producing cells according to which organ-related cells are transiently immortalized by the exogenous supply of immortalization proteins and are remortalized after their expansion. The invention further relates to the cells produced according to the inventive method, to the use of said cells for producing a transplant and to the immortalization proteins used in the method.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: A gene complex for reversibly immortalizing cells contains an immortalizing gene region, which possesses at least a resistance gene, an immortalizing gene and, preferably, a suicide gene, and also two sequences which flank the gene region and which function as recognition sites for homologous intramolecular recombination, and at least one promoter located upstream of the gene region. A gene complex for imnomodulating cells contains a first immunomodulating gene region, whose expression inhibits the function of MHC I molecules, a second immunomodulating gene region, whose expression leads to the inactivation of natural killer cells, and a resistance gene. A method for obtaining cells involves preparing organ-related cells which are immortalized by transferring the first gene complex and immunomodulated by transferring the second gene complex. After the immortalized cells have been expanded, the immortalization is reversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transiently immortalizing cells according to which immortalization proteins are introduced into the cells from outside. The invention also relates to a method for producing cells according to which organ-related cells are transiently immortalized by the exogenous supply of immortalization proteins and are remortalized after their expansion. The invention further relates to the cells produced according to the inventive method, to the use of said cells for producing a transplant and to the immortalization proteins used in the method.

Abstract: A gene complex for reversibly immortalizing cells contains an immortalizing gene region, which possesses at least a resistance gene, an immortalizing gene and, preferably, a suicide gene, and also two sequences which flank the gene region and which function as recognition sites for homologous intramolecular recombination, and at least one promoter located upstream of the gene region. A gene complex for immunomodulating cells contains a first immunomodulating gene region, whose expression inhibits the function of MHC I molecules, a second immunomodulating gene region, whose expression leads to the inactivation of natural killer cells, and a resistance gene. A method for obtaining cells involves preparing organ-related cells which are immortalized by transferring the first gene complex and immunomodulated by transferring the second gene complex. After the immortalized cells have been expanded, the immortalization is reversed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vector for the gene therapeutic treatment of tumours, especially in connection with radiotherapy. Said vector is provided with a therapeutic gene in the DNA sequence thereof. The gene is controlled by the promoter for the catalytic subunit of the telomerase or by the promoter for cyclin A.