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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 31, 2014
Publication date:
June 26, 2014
Applicant:
Heart Biosystems GMBH
Inventors:
E. Edward Baetge, Shou Wong, Philippe Dupraz, Bernard Thorens
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 4, 2013
Publication date:
March 27, 2014
Applicant:
Heart Biosystems GmbH
Inventors:
JAN-HEINER KUPPER, REINHARD KANDOLF, ANNE KUHN
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 2, 2002
Date of Patent:
August 30, 2005
Assignee:
Heart BioSystems, GmbH
Inventors:
Jan-Heiner Küpper, Ralph Meyer, Mirella Meyer-Ficca, Reinhard Kandolf