Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, combination therapies can be used to modulate a patient's immune response in order to prevent, delay and/or reverse type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel combinations of muscle-specific enhancers and promoter elements useful for achieving persistent expression in the muscle or myocyctes. The muscle-specific promoter elements are derived from a muscle creatine kinase promoter, a troponin I promoter, a skeletal alpha-actin promoter, or a desmin promoter. The muscle-specific enhancer elements are derived from either troponin I internal regulatory elements, muscle creatine kinase enhancers, or desmin enhancers.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, combination therapies can be used to modulate a patient's immune response in order to prevent, delay and/or reverse type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) can be used to modulate a patient's immune response in order to prevent and/or delay the onset or the progression of type 1 diabetes. ATG treatment augments CD4+CD25+ cell frequencies and their functional activities.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel combinations of liver specific enhancers and promoter elements for achieving persistent transgene expression in the liver. The liver specific enhancer elements may be derived from either the human serum albumin, prothrombin, ?-1microglobulin or aldolase genes in single copies or in multimerized from linked to elements derived from the cytomegalovirus intermediate early (CMV), ?-1-antitrypsin or albumin promoters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an adenoviral vector comprising a liver specific enhancer/promoter combination operably linked to a transgene is administered to recipient cells. In other embodiments of the invention, adeno-associated viral vectors, retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors or a plasmid comprising the liver specific enhancer/promoter combination linked to a transgene is administered to recipient cells. Also within the scope of the invention are promoter elements derived from the human prothrombin gene and the ?-fibrinogen gene.

Abstract: Gene Therapy vectors, which are especially useful for cystic fibrosis, and methods for using the vectors are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel combinations of liver specific enhancers and promoter elements for achieving persistent transgene expression in the liver. The liver specific enhancer elements may be derived from either the human serum albumin, prothrombin, ?-1microglobulin or aldolase genes in single copies or in multimerized form linked to elements derived from the cytomegalovirus intermediate early (CMV), ?-1-antitrypsin or albumin promoters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an adenoviral vector comprising a liver specific enhancer/promoter combination operably linked to a transgene is administered to recipient cells. In other embodiments of the invention, adeno-associated viral vectors, retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors or a plasmid comprising the liver specific enhancer/promoter combination linked to a transgene is administered to recipient cells. Also within the scope of the invention are promoter elements derived from the human prothrombin gene and the ?-fibrinogen gene.

Abstract: Evidence is emerging that lipid accumulation in the liver and the muscle contributes to insulin resistance in type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (1). This has prompted an investigation of the relationship between lipid accumulation in the liver, serum triglyceride levels, and glucose disposal. These studies demonstrate that liver fat positively correlated to fasting triglyceride levels and negatively correlated to glucose diposal (2). Therefore, strategies to prevent lipid accumulation in liver would have therapeutic value for treatment of type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The invention described here relates to continuous administration of GLP-1 or its analogs obtained by either gene or cell therapy that results in reduction serum triglycerides and reduction of lipid accumulation in the liver for treatment of type II diabetes, the metabolic syndrome or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract: Compositions, expression vectors and host cells comprising nucleic acid which encodes a precursor glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) comprising mammalian GLP-1 linked to a heterologous signal sequence are encompassed by the present invention. The invention also relates to a method of promoting insulin production in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a nucleic acid encoding a precursor GLP-1. The present invention also relates to a method of treating an individual having a blood sugar defect (e.g., type I or type II diabetes), comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a nucleic acid encoding the precursor GLP-1.

Abstract: Compositions, expression vectors and host cells comprising nucleic acid which encodes a precursor glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) comprising mammalian GLP-1 linked to a heterologous signal sequence are encompassed by the present invention. The invention also relates to a method of promoting insulin production in an individual comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a nucleic acid encoding a precursor GLP-1. The present invention also relates to a method of treating an individual having a blood sugar defect (e.g., type I or type II diabetes), comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a nucleic acid encoding the precursor GLP-1.

Abstract: Gene Therapy vectors, which are especially useful for cystic fibrosis, and methods for using the vectors are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel combinations of muscle-specific enhancer and promoter elements useful for achieving persistent expression in the muscle or myocytes. The muscle-specific promoter elements are derived from a muscle creatine kinase promoter, a troponin I promoter, a skeletal alpha-actin promoter, or a desmin promoter. The muscle-specific enhancer elements are derived from either troponin I internal regulatory elements, muscle creatine kinase enhancers, or desmin enhancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric adenoviral vectors that preferentially infect a target mammalian cell. Also provided are methods of targeting gene delivery to a specific cell type, treatment of cancer and methods of inducing a specific immune response in a subject. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel combinations of liver specific enhancers and promoter elements for achieving persistent transgene expression in the liver. The liver specific enhancer elements may be derived from either the human serum albumin, prothrombin, &agr;-1microglobulin or aldolase genes in single copies or in multimerized form linked to elements derived from the cytomegalovirus intermediate early (CMV), &agr;-1-antitrypsin or albumin promoters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an adenoviral vector comprising a liver specific enhancer/promoter combination operably linked to a transgene is administered to recipient cells. In other embodiments of the invention, adeno-associated viral vectors, retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors or a plasmid comprising the liver specific enhancer/promoter combination linked to a transgene is administered to recipient cells. Also within the scope of the invention are promoter elements derived from the human prothrombin gene and the &bgr;-fibrinogen gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgene expression systems, related compositions comprising the transgene expression systems, and methods of making and using them. Preferred systems employ an adenovirus transgene expression vector comprising DNA encoding a transgene which codes for a desired product operably linked to expression control sequence, and at least a portion of the adenovirus E3 region and certain portions of the E4 region. The E4 portions comprise the open reading frame sequence known as E4ORF3 and at least one other portion of E4. Preferably the E4 portion of the vector (or “E4 cassette”) includes E4ORF3 and at least one other portion selected from E4ORF4, E4ORF6/7 and E4ORF3/4. The invention has a number of important features including improving persistency of transgene expression in a desired host cell.

Abstract: Gene Therapy vectors, which are especially useful for cystic fibrosis, and methods for using the vectors are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for the production of helper-dependent adenovirus, such as PAV, at high titers. In one embodiment, the invention comprises methods for producing high titers of helper-dependent adenovirus comprising co-transfecting a cell permissive for production of adenovirus with: (a) a helper-dependent adenoviral vector comprising inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and packaging sequence derived from a first adenoviral serotype, and a transgene of interest flanked by said ITRs; and (b) a chimeric, packaging-deficient helper adenovirus which contains adenoviral genes derived from the first adenoviral serotype, packaging sequence derived from a second adenoviral serotype, and ITRs derived from either the first or second adenoviral serotypes; and collecting virions produced thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgene expression systems, related compositions comprising the transgene expression systems, and methods of making and using them. Preferred systems employ an adenovirus transgene expression vector comprising DNA encoding a transgene which codes for a desired product operably linked to expression control sequence, and at least a portion of the adenovirus E3 region and certain portions of the E4 region. The E4 portions comprise the open reading frame sequence known as E40RF3 and at least one other portion of E4. Preferably the E4 portion of the vector (or “E4 cassette”) includes E40RF3 and at least one other portion selected from E40RF4, E40RF6/7 and E40RF3/4. The invention has a number of important features including improving persistency of transgene expression in a desired host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgene expression systems, related compositions comprising the transgene expression systems, and methods of making and using them. Preferred systems employ an adenovirus transgene expression vector comprising DNA encoding a transgene which codes for a desired product operably linked to expression control sequence, and at least a portion of the adenovirus E3 region and certain portions of the E4 region. The E4 portions comprise the open reading frame sequence known as E4ORF3 and at least one other portion of E4. Preferably the E4 portion of the vector (or “E4 cassette”) includes E4ORF3 and at least one other portion selected from E4ORF4, E4ORF6/7 and E4ORF3/4. The invention has a number of important features including improving persistency of transgene expression in a desired host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgene expression systems, related pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using them. Preferred systems employ an adenovirus transgene expression vector comprising DNA sequence encoding a transgene which codes for a desired product, expressibly contained within an adenovirus vector containing at least a portion of the E3 region and certain portions of the E4 region. The E4 portions comprise the open reading frame sequence known as E4ORF3 and at least one other portion of E4. Preferably the E4 portion of the vector (or "E4 cassette") includes E4ORF3 and at least one other portion selected from E4ORF4, E4ORF6/7 and E4ORF3/4. The invention has a number of important features including improving persistency of transgene expression in a desired host cell. The transgene expression systems of the present invention are useful for a variety of applications including providing persistent cellular expression of the transgene in vitro and in vivo.