Abstract: The invention relates to methods and materials involved in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase expression as well as the treatment of catecholamine-related diseases. Specifically, the invention provides cells that contain exogenous nucleic acid having a nucleic acid sequence that encodes Nurr1 as well as methods and materials for inducing tyrosine hydroxylase expression, treating catecholamine-related deficiencies, and identifying tyrosine hydroxylase-related deficiencies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that nuclear receptor proteins isolated from the silk moth Bombyx mori (bR) are useful for the regulation of transgene expression. bR is generally thought to be a strong transcriptional regulator within cells of the silk moth. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that bR is also functional in mammalian cells. It has further been discovered that the addition of activation domains to the bR open-reading frame enhances the activity of the ligand modulated regulator to afford high-level transcriptional induction. Further modifications to the bR ligand binding domain result in receptors with unique tranactivational characteristics.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblast and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: The invention provides means for inducing partial recovery of motor function lost in a mammal as a consequence of an injury to its spinal cord which includes a lesion of the cerebrospinal projections (CST) of the cord. Axonal growth is initiated in the CST, and functional recovery obtained, by delivering neurotrophin-3 to the site of CST injury by expression from a recombinant expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of increasing dopamine production in a cell comprising co-transfecting the cell with one or more expression vectors containing polynucleotides that encode tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase and GTP cyclohydrolase. Cells transfected with such vectors and the use of such transformed cells to increase dopamine production in the central nervous system of animals are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, novel retroviral vectors containing modified long terminal repeats (LTRS) which enable high level and ligand-modulatable expression of a desired gene product, even after prolonged periods of cellular quiescence, have been designed and constructed. Invention vectors overcome proviral transcriptional inactivation which occurs in cultured primary cells that are growth arrested due to environmental constraints such as contact inhibition and/or nutrient starvation. Invention vectors represent a class of retroviral vectors in which LTR-promoted proviral expression in infected cells may be maintained or increased, even in situations generally considered to be non-permissive for retroviral vectors.

Abstract: A novel regulatable retroviral vector in which the v-myc oncogene is driven by a tetracycline-controlled transactivator and a human cytomegalovirus minimal promoter fused to tet operator sequence useful for immortalization of adult neuronal progenitor cells is provided. Regulation of a heterologous Producer cell lines which produce high titers of the recombinant retrovirus are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: Methods of genetically modifying donor cells by gene transfer for grafting into the central nervous system to treat defective, diseased or damaged cells are disclosed. The modified donor cells produce functional molecules that effect the recovery or improved function of cells in the CNS. Methods and vectors for carrying out gene transfer and grafting are described.

Abstract: A novel method of tumor immunotherapy is described comprising the genetic modification of cells resulting in the secretion of cytokine gene products to stimulate a patient's immune response to tumor antigens. In one embodiment, autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized to immunize the patient in a formulation with tumor antigens at a site other than an active tumor site. In another embodiment, cells genetically modified to express at least one tumor antigen gene product and to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized in a formulation to immunize the patient at a site other than an active tumor site.

Abstract: A novel method of tumor immunotherapy is described comprising the genetic modification of cells resulting in the secretion of cytokine gene products to stimulate a patient's immune response to tumor antigens. In one embodiment, autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized to immunize the patient in a formulation with tumor antigens at a site other than an active tumor site. In another embodiment, cells genetically modified to express at least one tumor antigen gene product and to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized in a formulation to immunize the patient at a site other than an active tumor site.

Abstract: Methods of genetically modifying donor cells by gene transfer for grafting into the central nervous system to treat defective, diseased or damaged cells are disclosed. The modified donor cells produce functional molecules that effect the recovery or improved function of cells in the CNS. Methods and vectors for carrying out gene transfer and grafting are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of transferring therapeutic genes to brain tumor cells in order to kill the cells.