Abstract: Provided are tissue scaffolds colonized by vertebrate cells expressing a transgenic bioactive molecule, where the vertebrate cells are unable to undergo mitosis. Also provided are methods of growing tissue in a mammal and methods of delivering a transgenic bioactive molecule to a tissue of a mammal, using the tissue scaffolds. Additionally, methods of making the tissue scaffolds are provided.

Abstract: Provided are mammalian cells comprising a recombinant sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene such that a recombinant SHH protein can be expressed by the cell. Also provided are matrices suitable for applying to a tissue defect. Additionally provided are tissue regeneration compositions. Methods of regenerating tissue at the site of a tissue defect in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are tissue scaffolds colonized by vertebrate cells expressing a transgenic bioactive molecule, where the vertebrate cells are unable to undergo mitosis. Also provided are methods of growing tissue in a mammal and methods of delivering a transgenic bioactive molecule to a tissue of a mammal, using the tissue scaffolds. Additionally, methods of making the tissue scaffolds are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-primate mammalian cell lines having substantially no endogenous retroviral sequences as producer and packaging lines for preparation of human serum-resistant retroviral vector particles with improved safety for use in gene therapy applications. In a preferred embodiment, the cell line used in the present invention is the &agr;-galactosyl(&agr;Gal)-positive cell ferret brain cell line designated as Mpf or a cell line having those identifying characteristics of the Mpf cell line suitable for the practice of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-primate mammalian cell lines having substantially no endogenous retroviral sequences as producer and packaging lines for preparation of human serum-resistant retroviral vector particles with improved safety for use in gene therapy applications. In a preferred embodiment, the cell line used in the present invention is the &agr;-galactosyl (&agr;Gal)-positive cell ferret brain cell line designated as Mpf or a cell line having those identifying characteristics of the Mpf cell line suitable for the practice of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting activity of TGF-&bgr;, comprising contacting tissue expressing TGF-&bgr; with an amount of ebaf or an ebaf analogue. The present invention further provides a method for treating a condition associated with overactivity of TGF-&bgr;, particularly fibrosis, a defect in cell proliferation, or a coagulation defect. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting activity of TGF-&bgr;, comprising contacting tissue expressing TGF-&bgr; with a modulator of ebaf expression, or a modulator of expression of an ebaf analogue. The present invention is further directed to a method for treating fibrosis in a subject in need of treatment, comprising administering to the subject an amount of ebaf or an ebaf analogue effective to treat the fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an isolated genomic polynucleotide sequence encoding interleukin-four induced protein as well as methods for obtaining said protein by expressing said polynucleotide sequences. The invention is also directed to constructs, vectors and hosts comprising such sequences, and oligonucleotide probes which hybridize to said polynucleotide sequences and kits comprising said probes. Additionally, the invention is directed to compositions comprising said polynucleotides and methods for using said compositions to treat, prevent or ameliorate pathological disorders, e.g., immune related disorders and novel methods of using the interleukin-four induced protein. The invention is also directed to methods for obtaining an antibody that binds to an epitope on said protein. The invention is further directed to a method for measuring the activity of said protein by measuring its L-amino acid oxidase activity.

Abstract: A vector particle (eg., a retroviral vector particle) containing a chimeric envelope includes a receptor binding region that binds to a receptor of a target cell. The receptor of the target cell is other than the amphotropic cell receptor. The receptor binding region may be a receptor binding region of a human virus. A portion of the envelope gene may be deleted and the deleted portion is replaced with another receptor binding region or ligand. Such vector particles are targetable to a desired target cell or tissue, and may be administered directly to the desired target cell or tissue as part of a gene therapy procedure, or administered directly into the patient.

Abstract: A method for enhancing and/or increasing the efficiency of repair of tissues, primarily bone or cartilage, using genetically engineered cells has been developed. In the preferred embodiment, mesenchymal stem cells are isolated from periosteum tissue, and transfected with the gene encoding a growth factor for the particular cell type to be repaired. For example, for repair of bone, a gene (or genes) encoding bone morphogenic protein is transfected into periosteal cells. The transfected periosteal cells then express the bone morphogenic protein in culture to promote bone repair as a function of the expressed bone morphogenic protein. Cells can be transfected using any appropriate means, including viral vectors, as shown by the example, chemical transfectants, or physico-mechanical methods such as electroporation and direct diffusion of DNA.

Abstract: A method for enhancing and/or increasing the efficiency of repair of tissues, primarily bone or cartilage, using genetically engineered cells has been developed. In the preferred embodiment, mesenchymal stem cells are isolated from periosteum tissue, and transfected with the gene encoding a growth factor for the particular cell type to be repaired. For example, for repair of bone, a gene (or genes) encoding bone morphogenic protein is transfected into periosteal cells. The transfected periosteal cells then express the bone morphogenic protein in culture to promote bone repair as a function of the expressed bone morphogenic protein. Cells can be transfected using any appropriate means, including viral vectors, as shown by the example, chemical transfectants, or physico-mechanical methods such as electroporation and direct diffusion of DNA.

Abstract: A vector particle (e.g., a retroviral vector particle) containing a chimeric envelope includes a receptor binding region that binds to a receptor of a target cell. The receptor of the target cell is other than the amphotropic cell receptor. The receptor binding region may be a receptor binding region of a human virus. A portion of the envelope gene may be deleted and the deleted portion is replaced with another receptor binding region or ligand. Such vector particles are targetable to a desired target cell or tissue, and may be administered directly to the desired target cell or tissue as part of a gene therapy procedure, or administered directly into the patient.

Abstract: Modified retroviral vector particles and modified retroviral producer cells producing such particles are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The modifications involve genetic alterations to effect the expression by these cells and particles of complement inhibitor activity. The genetic alterations involve the introduction of nucleic acid expression constructs directing the expression of retroviral SU(gp70)/complement inhibitor chimeric proteins into cells from which the producer cells are derived.

Abstract: Retroviral vector particles are provided which contain: 1) oncoretroviral gag, pol, and env proteins, including an oncoretroviral gag capsid protein which has been mutated so as to contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence; and 2) at least one exogenous gene. The particles can be used to transduce non-proliferating cells, including stem cells and neurons. The presence of the NLS sequence allows the at least one exogenous gene to enter into the nucleus of a target cell, thus allowing integration of the gene into the genome of the target cell.

Abstract: Retroviral vector particles are provided which contain: 1) oncoretroviral gag, pol, and env proteins, including an oncoretroviral gag matrix protein which has been mutated so as to contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence; and 2) at least one exogenous gene. The particles can be used to transduce non-proliferating cells, including stem cells and neurons. The presence of the NLS sequence allows the at least one exogenous gene to enter into the nucleus of a target cell, thus allowing integration of the gene into the genome of the target cell.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The administration of soluble complement inhibitor molecules to body fluids prevents the complement mediated inactivation of the retroviral vector particles, and provides a safety mechanism for such gene therapy procedures, as the action of soluble complement inhibitors is transient, and any retroviral vector particles present after the return of uninhibited complement activity will be inactivated. Preferred soluble complement inhibitors for use in the practice of the present invention include complement inhibitory anti-complement component mAbs (including complement inhibitory anti C5 antibodies).

Abstract: A temperature regulated hybridization chamber which includes an outer container which defines a first chamber for receiving a first fluid having a predetermined temperature. The hybridization chamber includes an inner container having a generally horizontal bottom wall with a periphery and an inner container side wall extending generally upwardly from the periphery of the inner container bottom wall. The inner container bottom wall and the inner container side wall define a second chamber for receiving a second fluid. The inner container is positioned within the first chamber with the inner container bottom wall and the inner container side wall being spaced from the outer container bottom wall and the outer container side wall, respectively, such that when the first fluid is positioned within the first chamber the first fluid is in engagement with the inner container bottom wall and inner container side wall.

Abstract: A method for preserving blood platelets by freezing the platelets in contact with a cryoprotectant solution containing a sufficient quantity of prostacyclin for the substantially complete inhibition of platelet function and having a pH which promotes the preservation of the platelets and reconstituting the platelets for infusion.

Abstract: A method for preserving blood platelets by freezing the platelets in contact with a cryoprotectant solution containing a sufficient quantity of prostacyclin for the substantially complete inhibition of platelet function and having a pH which promotes the preservation of the platelets.

Abstract: A protective gate adapted to be installed within a freight container such as a truck trailer for protection of the container and its freight from damage during transit wherein the container includes a floor, two opposite side walls, and a rear door for receiving the freight to be transported. The protective gate comprises a rigid plate having top, bottom and side edges wherein the plate is spaced inwardly from the rear door of the freight container, hinges to connect the bottom edge of the plate to the container floor to allow movement of the plate from a position in a plane horizontal to the floor into a position perpendicular to the floor, and a coupling to allow the side edges of the plate to be secured to the container side walls so that the plate is in a position perpendicular to the container floor, thereby preventing movement of the gate relative to the container.

Abstract: Provided are tissue scaffolds colonized by vertebrate cells expressing, a transgenic bioactive molecule, where the vertebrate cells are unable to undergo mitosis. Also provided are methods of growing tissue in a mammal and methods of delivering a transgenic bioactive molecule to a tissue of a mammal, using the tissue scaffolds. Additionally, methods of making the tissue scaffolds are provided.