U.S. patent application number 10/719965 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for composition and method for production of transformed cells.
Invention is credited to Badylak, Stephen F., Bonadio, Jeffrey, Voytik, Sherry.
Application Number | 20050003537 10/719965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23543560 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050003537 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Badylak, Stephen F. ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
Composition and method for production of transformed cells
Abstract
A composition useful for the production of transformed
eukaryotic cells is described. The composition comprises submucosal
tissue and a nucleic acid sequence. The nucleic acid sequence is
typically recombinant DNA including gene(s) encoding for one or
more biofunctional proteins. The submucosal tissue component of the
present composition comprises the tunica submucosa of vertebrate
intestine delaminated from the tunica muscularis and at least the
luminal portion of the tunica mucosa. Injection or implantation of
the composition into a host induces the formation of transformed
cells capable of expressing gene(s) encoded by the nucleic acid
sequence.
Inventors: |
Badylak, Stephen F.; (W.
Lafayette, IN) ; Bonadio, Jeffrey; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; Voytik, Sherry; (Lafayette, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG
11 SOUTH MERIDIAN
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
|
Family ID: |
23543560 |
Appl. No.: |
10/719965 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10719965 |
Nov 24, 2003 |
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08390700 |
Feb 17, 1995 |
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6653291 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
435/455 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 27/38 20130101;
A61K 35/38 20130101; A61F 2002/30677 20130101; A61K 48/00 20130101;
A61L 27/3629 20130101; A61F 2002/2835 20130101; A61K 48/0025
20130101; A61F 2210/0004 20130101; A61F 2/28 20130101; A61F
2002/30062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/455 |
International
Class: |
C12N 015/85 |
Claims
1. A method for inducing the production of eukaryotic cells
containing exogenous nucleic acid sequences, said method comprising
the step of contacting target cells with a transformation
composition comprising submucosal tissue of a warm-blooded
vertebrate and an exogenous nucleic acid sequence, under conditions
conducive to the proliferation of said target cells.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the submucosal tissue is
intestinal submucosa comprising the tunica submucosa delaminated
from the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portions of the
tunica mucosa of warm-blooded vertebrate intestine.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of contacting cells is
conducted in vivo and comprises the step of implanting the
transformation composition into a host vertebrate species.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transformation composition is
in an injectable form and is injected into a host to contact host
cells.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transformation composition
comprises a nucleic acid sequence and intestinal submucosal tissue
consisting essentially of the tunica submucosa, the muscularis
mucosa and stratum compactum of the intestine of a warm-blooded
vertebrate.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid
sequence is selected from the group consisting of an RNA sequence
or a DNA sequence.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid
sequence is an antisense nucleic acid sequence.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid
sequence is circular.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the nucleic acid sequence
comprises a gene operably linked to regulatory sequences for
expressing the gene in the target cells.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the DNA sequence comprises a
sequence encoding antisense RNA operably linked to regulatory
sequences for expressing the encoded antisense RNA in a eukaryotic
cell.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the transformation composition
is implanted or injected in a vertebrate host to induce the
production of host cells containing the DNA sequence, wherein said
DNA sequence encodes a host-deficient cellular product.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the transformation composition
is implanted or injected into a vertebrate host to induce the
production of host cells containing the DNA sequence.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein the intestinal submucosa
comprises the tunica submucosa, the muscularis mucosa and the
stratum compactum of the tunics mucosa of a segment of small
intestine of a warm-blooded vertebrate, said tunica submucosa,
muscularis mucosa and stratum compactum being delaminated from the
tunica muscularis and the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of
said segment.
14. A composition comprising submucosal tissue of a warm-blooded
vertebrate and a nucleic acid.
15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the submucosal tissue is
intestinal submucosa comprising the tunica submucosa delaminated
from the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portions of the
tunica mucosa of warm-blooded vertebrate intestine.
16. The composition of claim 15, wherein said nucleic acid
comprises a DNA sequence encoding a gene for a biofunctional
protein operably linked to regulatory sequences for expressing the
gene in a eukaryotic cell.
17. The composition of claim 15, wherein said nucleic acid sequence
is circular.
18. The composition of claim 17, wherein said circular nucleic acid
sequence is a plasmid.
19. The composition of claim 15, wherein the intestinal submucosa
consists essentially of the tunica submucosa and basilar tissue of
the tunica mucosa of the intestine of a warm-blooded
vertebrate.
20. The composition of claim 15 in injectable form.
21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the intestinal submucosa
is solubilized by partial hydrolysis.
22. A method of preparing the composition of claim 14, said method
comprising the steps of contacting the submucosal tissue with a
solution of the nucleic acid sequence.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of
desiccating the submucosal tissue prior to contacting the tissue
with the nucleic acid sequence solution.
24. An in vivo transformation composition comprising a DNA sequence
and intestinal submucosal tissue, said intestinal tissue comprising
the tunica submucosa and the basilar tissue of the tunica mucosa of
vertebrate small intestine, wherein the DNA sequence encodes at
least one gene operably linked to regulatory sequences for
expressing the gene in eukaryotic cells.
25. The transformation composition of claim 21, wherein said
nucleic acid sequence is circular.
26. The transformation composition of claim 25, wherein said
circular nucleic acid sequence is a plasmid.
27. An injectable, non-immunogenic tissue graft comprising
comminuted or solubilized submucosal tissue in combination with a
DNA sequence encoding a gene for a biofunctional protein.
28. A method for inducing the production of eukaryotic cells
containing exogenous nucleic acid sequences, said method comprising
the step of contacting target cells with a transformation
composition comprising a vertebrate derived collagenous matrix and
an exogenous nucleic acid sequence, under conditions conducive to
the proliferation of said target cells.
29. The transformation composition of claim 28, wherein said
nucleic acid sequence is a plasmid.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid
sequence is an antisense nucleic acid sequence.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the nucleic acid sequence
comprises a gene operably linked to regulatory sequences for
expressing the gene in the target cells.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the genetic transformation
of cells. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method
and composition for inducing the production of transformed
eukaryotic cells.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recently much research effort has been directed to
development of new procedures for introducing nucleic acid
sequences into cells. One particular area of focus has been the
transformation of cells forming tissues of man and other vertebrate
host species to alter the phenotype of the targeted cells. For
example, transformation procedures can be used to produce cells
that express a biofunctional protein not endogenous to the cell or
they can be used to produce cells that express elevated levels of
an endogenous, but host deficient, protein. Current methods of
introducing exogenous nucleic acid sequences into host tissues
requires the harvesting of target cells from the host, transforming
harvest cells in vitro with exogenous nucleic acid sequences, and
reimplanting the transformed cells into the host.
[0003] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method for introducing nucleic acid sequences
into eukaryotic cells in vivo. The method comprises implanting or
injecting a novel transformation composition into a host to contact
tissue comprising the targeted host cells. The transformation
composition comprises intestinal submucosal tissue and a nucleic
acid sequence to be introduced into the targeted cell types.
Compositions comprising the tunica submucosa and basilar portions
of the tunica mucosa of the intestine of warm-blooded vertebrates
and their use as tissue graft materials in sheet and tubular form
is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,902,508 and 5,281,422, which
patents are expressly incorporated herein by reference. The tissue
graft compositions described in those patents are used inter alia
for vascular graft constructs and tendon and ligament replacement
applications. Fluidized forms of intestinal submucosa are described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,826 issued Jan. 4, 1994, expressly
incorporated herein by reference. Graft compositions comprising
intestinal submucosal tissues serve as a matrix for, and apparently
help to induce the regrowth of tissues replaced by or in contact
with the graft constructs. The present invention is based on the
discovery that delivery of exogenous nucleic acid sequences to a
focal region of cellular proliferation and regeneration associated
with injection or implantation of intestinal submucosal tissue,
results in the production of cells containing the nucleic acid
sequence and expression of proteins encoded by the nucleic acid
sequence. Thus, in accordance with this invention intestinal
submucosal tissue, preferably that comprising tunica submucosa and
basilar portions of the tunica mucosa delaminated from adjacent
tissues of vertebrate intestine, is used as an effective delivery
system to introduce exogenous nucleic acid sequences into
eukaryotic cells.
[0004] The terms "transformed cells" and "transformed tissues" as
used herein refers to cells or groups of cells that retain their
normal cell cycle, but have new or enhanced phenotypical properties
deriving from the presence or expression of exogenous nucleic acid
sequences introduced into the cell. The term "exogenous nucleic
acid sequences" as used herein refers to any nucleic acid sequence
having an origin external to the targeted cells, including
recombinant nucleic acid sequences expressed in the targeted cells
and/or genes not typically expressed in said cells. Genes that are
capable of modifying or altering the phenotype of a cell upon
introduction into the cell typically encode proteins functional in
cell tissue maintenance and growth, and are generally termed herein
as "biofunctional proteins".
[0005] Most present procedures for transforming eukaryotic cells
rely upon indirect methods: target cells are removed from the body,
infected with viral vectors carrying the new genetic information,
and then reimplanted. A direct means of transforming eukaryotic
cells (in vivo transformation), is preferred, but not feasible
under current viral transformation procedures. Currently,
retroviral vectors are the preferred vehicle for introducing DNA
into eukaryotic cells. Retroviral vectors provide a high efficiency
of gene transfer into replicating cells. However, the preparation
of retroviral vectors requires extensive testing to ensure that no
replication-competent retroviruses contaminate the vector
preparation. Such extensive testing increases the cost of cell
transformation procedures. In addition, even after extensive
purification of retroviral vectors, the use of these vectors for
human applications is still held suspect due to the association
between retroviruses and cancer. An additional shortcoming of
current retroviral transformation techniques is the inability to
directly introduce genetic material into eukaryotic cells in
vivo.
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides in vivo
transformation of cells in a host, and thus does not require the
removal and reimplantation of host tissue. Such is accomplished by
use of a transformation composition including a nucleic acid
sequence encoding a biofunctional protein and intestinal submucosal
tissue preferably comprising the tunica submucosa, delaminated from
the tunica muscularis and at least luminal portions of the tunica
mucosa of vertebrate intestine. Upon implantation or injection such
compositions are effective for transforming host cells and/or
inducing the production of tissue comprising host cells containing
and expressing exogenous nucleic acid sequences. Cells/tissues
which can be targeted for transformation in accordance with this
invention include musco-skeletal tissues and specifically, cells
participating in the regeneration and repair of tendon, ligament,
cartilage, bone and other connective tissues.
[0007] Thus, one aspect of the present invention is a composition
useful for the transformation of eukaryotic cells, the composition
comprising nucleic acid sequences, preferably recombinant DNA, and
submucosal tissue in solid (e.g., sheet or strips) or fluidized
form.
[0008] In another embodiment of this invention there is provided a
method for producing transformed eukaryotic cells by contacting
target cells with a transformation composition under conditions
conducive to proliferation of the target cells.
[0009] Still another embodiment of the present invention is a
method for inducing the formation of endogenous tissues comprising
transformed cells by implanting or injecting a transformation
composition, or its respective components independently, to contact
tissue containing target cells in vivo.
[0010] Additional objects, features and advantage of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration
of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying
out the invention as presently perceived.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] There is provided in accordance with this invention a method
and composition for producing eukaryotic cells containing-exogenous
nucleic acid sequences. Generally the method comprises the step of
contacting target cells, in vivo with a vertebrate derived
collagenous matrix and an exogenous nucleic acid sequence.
Preferably those components are combined together as a
transformation composition. The collagenous matrix/nucleic acid
transformation compositions of the present invention can be
injected or implanted into a host to induce the formation of
endogenous tissues comprising transformed cells, wherein the
transformed cells contain the exogenous nucleic acid sequences.
[0012] The collagenous matrix can be selected from a variety of
commercially available collagen matrices or can be prepared from a
wide variety of natural sources of collagen. In preferred
embodiments the collagenous matrix for use in accordance with the
present invention comprises highly conserved collagens,
glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans in their
natural configuration and natural concentration. Most preferably
the collagenous matrix comprises vertebrate submucosa-derived
tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate. This submucosal tissue can be
obtained from various sources, including intestinal tissue
harvested from animals raised for meat production, including for
example, pigs, cattle and sheep or other warm-blooded
vertebrates.
[0013] The submucosal tissue used in accordance with the present
invention is preferably derived from the intestines, more
preferably the small intestine, of a warm-blooded vertebrate.
Intestinal submucosal tissue typically comprises the tunica
submucosa delaminated from the tunica muscularis and at least the
luminal portions of the tunica mucosa. In one preferred embodiment
of this invention the submucosal tissue comprises the tunica
submucosa and basilar portions of the tunica mucosa including the
lamina muscularis mucosa and the stratum compactum. The preparation
of submucosal tissue for use in accordance with this invention is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,508, the disclosure of which is
expressly incorporated herein by reference. A segment of vertebrate
intestine, preferably that harvested from porcine, ovine or bovine
species is first subjected to abrasion using a longitudinal wiping
motion to remove both the outer layers, identified as the tunica
serosa and the tunica muscularis, and the innermost layer, i.e.,
the luminal portions of the tunica mucosa. The submucosal tissue is
rinsed with saline, optionally sterilized, and it can be stored in
a hydrated or dehydrated state. The use and manipulation of such
tissue for the formation of ligament and tendon grafts and the use
more generally of such submucosal tissue constructs for inducing
growth of endogenous tissues is described and claimed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,281,422 issued Jan. 25, 1994, the disclosure of which is
expressly incorporated herein by reference. It is also known that
intestinal submucosal tissue can be fluidized by comminuting the
tissue and optionally subjecting it to protease digestion to form a
homogenous solution. The preparation of fluidized forms of
intestinal submucosa is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,826, the
disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Both solid and fluidized forms of intestinal submucosa have been
found, upon implantation or injection to induce endogenous
remodeling processes including rapid neovascularization,
proliferation of granulation mesenchymal cells, resorption of the
implanted submucosa tissue and lack of immune rejection. In vivo,
implanted submucosa tissue has been found effective to induce the
proliferation and growth of cells/tissues with which it is in
contact or which it replaces.
[0014] The nucleic acid sequence component of the present invention
can include deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)
sequences and may encode genes that are operably linked
to-regulatory elements necessary for expressing the gene in a
eukaryotic cell. The expression of an encoded protein is primarily
directed by its promoter, although other DNA regulatory elements
are necessary for efficient expression of a gene product.
Promoters-can be either constitutive or inducible. A constitutive
promoter controls transcription of a gene at a constant rate during
the life of a cell, whereas an inducible promoter's activity
fluctuates as determined by the presence or absence of a specific
inducer. Upon introduction into a host cell, a gene encoding
sequence linked to a constitutive promoter is expressed to produce
it's encoded proteins.
[0015] Alternatively the gene encoding sequence can be linked to an
inducible promoter. Inducible promoters include any promoter
capable of increasing the amount of gene product produced, by a
given gene, in response to exposure to an inducer. Inducible
promoters are known to those familiar with the art and a variety
exist that could conceivably be used to drive expression of a gene.
One preferred inducible promoter system for use in accordance with
the present invention is the glucocorticoid system. The system
consists of a gene encoding glucocorticoid receptor protein (GR)
which in the presence of a steroid hormone forms a complex with the
hormone. This complex then binds to a short nucleotide sequence (26
bp) named the glucocorticoid response element (GRE), and this
binding activates the expression of genes linked to the GRE.
[0016] In preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid component of the
present invention is a DNA sequence, and most preferably a circular
DNA sequence. The circular DNA sequence can optionally include
sequences allowing replication of the DNA in a bacterial cell
(i.e., the nucleic acid is in the form of a plasmid). Linearized
forms of DNA may likewise be used in accordance with this
invention. The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention may
encode biofunctional proteins that are absent or deficient in the
cell or host, or they may encode proteins that facilitate cellular
regeneration and repair including growth factors such as
transforming growth factors, insulin growth factors, acidic or
basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived growth factor,
epidermal growth factor, hemopoietic growth factor such as
interleukin 3 and the like.
[0017] Alternatively, the nucleic acid sequence component of the
present invention may include an antisense nucleic acid sequence,
one that is substantially complementary to at least a portion of an
endogenous gene sequence, and which functions to interfere with the
expression of the complimentary endogenous gene. The nucleic acid
sequence component can comprise antisense mRNA itself, or can
encode an antisense MRNA.
[0018] Although the submucosal tissue and the nucleic acid sequence
may be used/administered separately in accordance with this
invention, preferably they are combined in the form of a
transformation composition. Transformation compositions in
accordance with this invention useful for transformation of
eukaryotic cells are prepared by combining the nucleic acid
sequence with intestinal submucosa. Thus, in one embodiment of the
present invention submucosal tissue in sheet or tubular form is
combined by soaking the submucosal tissue in a solution comprising
the nucleic acid sequences intended for delivery to eukaryotic
cells. Impregnation of the submucosal constructs with the nucleic
acid sequences can be enhanced by at least partially dehydrating
the submucosal tissue prior to introducing it into the nucleic acid
solution.
[0019] The submucosal tissue specified for use in accordance with
this invention can be used in a fluidized, form. Such is prepared
by comminuting the submucosa by tearing, cutting, grinding, or
shearing the sheet/tubes of harvested submucosa tissue. Thus pieces
of intestinal submucosa can be subjected to shear in a high speed
blender, or more preferably by grinding the submucosa in a frozen
or freeze-dried state to produce a powder that can thereafter be
hydrated with water or a buffered saline and optionally other
pharmaceutically acceptable excipients to form a submucosal fluid
of liquid, gel or paste-like consistency, and thereafter subjected
to sterilization. The fluidized submucosa formulation can further
be treated with a protease such as trypsin or pepsin at an acidic
pH for a period of time sufficient to solubilize the submucosal
components to provide a homogenous solution of partially
solubilized submucosa which can be substituted for other fluidized
forms of submucosa for use in accordance with this invention. The
fluidized submucosal tissue can be blended with a solution or other
source of the desired nucleic acid sequence to form a
transformation composition in accordance with this invention.
[0020] The submucosal tissue of the present invention may be
sterilized using conventional sterilization techniques including
glutaraldehyde tanning with glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde tanning at
acidic pH, propylene oxide treatment, gas plasma sterilization,
gamma radiation, electron-beam and peracetic acid sterilization. A
sterilization technique which does not significantly weaken the
mechanical strength, structure and biotropic properties (induction
of endogenous tissue repair) of the submucosal tissue is preferably
used. For instance, it is believed that strong gamma radiation may
cause loss of strength in the submucosal tissue. Preferred
sterilization techniques include exposing the-submucosal tissue to
peracetic acid, 1-4 Mrads gamma irradiation, more preferably 1-2.5
Mrads of gamma irradiation and gas plasma sterilization; peracetic
acid sterilization being the most preferred method. Typically, the
submucosal tissue is subjected to two or more sterilization
processes. After the submucosal tissue has been sterilized, the
submucosal tissue may be wrapped in a plastic or foil wrap and
sterilized again using electron beam or gamma irradiation
sterilization techniques. Preferably the submucosal tissue is
sterilized prior to combining the submucosal tissue with the
nucleic acid sequence.
[0021] The transformation composition in accordance with this
invention preferably comprise recombinant DNA in combination with
submucosa tissue either in solid sheet or solid tube form or in
fluidized form adapted for implantation or injection into a host.
Such transformation compositions can be implanted or injected by
methods described generally in the aforementioned and incorporated
U.S. Patents describing use of intestinal submucosal tissue in
sheet, tubular or fluidized form. The transformation composition
can be formulated to utilize intestinal submucosa in two or more
forms. For example, fluidized submucosa compositions containing a
nucleic acid sequence of interest can be injected into and used as
a filler for an implant and construct formed, for example, from one
or more sheets of intestinal submucosa formed into sealed or
sutured pouches or "pillows" for use in cosmetic, therapeutic or
trauma related surgical procedures. Thus, one transformation
composition contemplated in accordance with this invention is a
tissue graft construct comprising submucosal tissue formed into a
sealed pouch and filled with a fluidized submucosal tissue graft
composition comprising a suspension of comminuted submucosal tissue
or protease digested submucosal tissue and a nucleic acid sequence.
Implantation of the transformation composition promotes the
proliferation and growth of the cells of tissue and contact with
said implanted composition. The transformation composition is
gradually resorbed and replaced with endogenous connective tissue
comprising cells transformed to express the contained nucleic acid
sequence.
EXAMPLE 1
[0022] Two dogs were each implanted with submucosal tissue soaked
in a DNA solution to demonstrate-the ability of the transformation
compositions to introduce DNA sequences into cells participating in
tissue regeneration. The DNA solution comprised a DNA sequence in
the form of a plasmid (the pSV beta-galactosidase control plasmid,
commercially-available from Promega) which encodes for the
beta-galactosidase protein. Beta-galactosidase is an excellent
reporter enzyme that can be detected quickly by histochemical
techniques utilizing the indicator compound
5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta D galactoside (X-gal). Mammalian
species do not encode beta-galactosidase naturally. The
beta-galactosidase used in these experiments was of E. coli origin
and was inserted into the pSV vector. The pSV plasmid vector is
designed for use as a positive control for monitoring
transformation efficiencies of mammalian cells. Procedures for
utilizing this plasmid for analyzing transformation efficiencies
are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and are well
accepted for establishing transformation efficiencies.
[0023] Intestinal submucosal tissue (of porcine origin) was soaked
for fourteen days at 4.degree. C. in a solution of pSV
beta-galactosidase control plasmid (one milligram per ml). The
soaked submucosal tissue was then implanted as an Achilles tendon
graft in the hind leg of a dog. Three weeks after implantation the
implanted material was harvested. The material was fixed in 0.5%
glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffered saline. Standard methods were
used to search for beta-galactosidase expression in the implanted
material. The contralateral Achilles tendon was also harvested and
fixed in 0.5% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffered saline, to
served as a control specimen. Results have shown that cells within
the submucosal tissue remodeled Achilles tendon expressed the
beta-galactosidase enzyme. This expression was observed by
histochemical demonstration of the beta-galactosidase enzyme
activity (a blue X-gal reaction product). Beta-galactosidase
activity was detected within the remodeled connective tissue
structures and within adjacent connective tissues that contacted
the submucosal tissue. For example, the skeletal tissue within the
bone tunnel that was part of the anterior cruciate ligament
replacement also expressed the protein. No beta-galactosidase
activity was detected within the contralateral Achilles tendon
control tissues.
[0024] An additional control experiment was also done, in which
submucosal tissue alone was fixed and prepared in identical fashion
to the remodeled Achilles tendon. The submucosal tissue, in the
absence of exogenous DNA sequences, showed no X-gal reaction
product.
EXAMPLE 2
[0025] A second experiment was done in which porcine origin
intestinal submucosal tissue was used in identical fashion as in
example 1. However, the pSV plasmid soaked material was used as an
anterior cruciate ligament graft. Once again, the submucosal tissue
was soaked for two weeks, implanted in two dogs for three weeks,
then harvested. The contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
served as a control. Results were identical to the Achilles tendon
study in which the submucosal implanted material showed expression
of the protein in the host derived mononuclear spindle cells. The
contralateral control was negative for expression of the X-gal
protein reaction product.
EXAMPLE 3
[0026] A second set of two experiments was done in which the DNA
plasmid vector used was BAG. The BAG vector consists of a
retroviral genome within a bacterial plasmid backbone. The same two
experiments as described in examples 1 and 2 (Achilles tendon and
anterior cruciate ligament replacement) were performed using this
alternative vector. Results were identical to those described in
examples 1 and 2. That is, expression of the beta-galactosidase
enzyme was detected in both locations contacted with exogenous DNA
impregnated submucosal tissue, whereas the contralateral controls
and the SIS alone controls were negative for expression of the
protein.
[0027] The above experiments demonstrate that the production of
cells containing exogenous nucleic acid sequences can be induced by
contacting target cells with a transformation composition
comprising intestinal submucosal and the exogenous nucleic acid
sequence under conditions conducive to the proliferation of said
target cells.. The intestinal tissue comprises vertebrate tunica
submucosa and basilar portions of the tunica submucosa. In
preferred embodiments the intestinal tissue comprises the tunica
submucosa delaminated from the tunica serosa and at least the
luminal portions of the tunica mucosa of vertebrate intestine.
Nucleic acid sequences encoding beta-galactosidase were introduced
into host cells, used host cellular machinery and resulted in
expression of a protein which would not otherwise be found in these
tissues.
EXAMPLE 4
[0028] Numerous disease states can be treated in accordance with
this invention by in vivo transformation of cells at-sites of
tissue regeneration and repair. These include:
[0029] 1. Degenerative joint disease, as occurs in osteoarthritis,
requires regeneration of articular cartilage over the surface of
eburnated bone. Intestinal submucosal tissue can be utilized to
induce transfer and expression of the gene for insulin-like growth
factor-1, an anabolic agent for articular cartilage.
[0030] 2. Soft tissue injury, as occurs in athletics (e.g., the
Achilles' tendon, the cruciate and collateral ligaments of the
knee, or the myotendinous junction of muscles such as the hamstring
or gastrocnemius), requires regeneration/repair of injured
musculo-skeletal soft tissues. The use of intestinal submucosal
tissue maybe combined with transfer and expression of the gene for
epidermal growth factor (in the case of Achilles' tendon and
cruciate ligament injury) or platelet-derived growth factor (in the
case of myotendinous junction injury). Each of these growth factors
has been shown to stimulate the repair process.
[0031] 3. Bone fracture, as occurs with excessive trauma and with
skeletal deficiency disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta and
osteoporosis, requires repair of the fracture site. The use of
intestinal submucosal tissue may be combined with transfer and
expression of a gene encoding a bone growth factor, such as
parathyroid hormone, bone morphogenetic protein, insulin like
growth factor-1, and transforming growth factor-beta.
[0032] 4. Soft tissue ulceration requires regeneration of necrotic
foci in-the-skin and stomach. Skin ulcers occur in diabetes or
conditions characterized by atherosclerosis. Stomach ulcers occur
in anxiety disorders. The use of intestinal submucosal tissue may
be combined with transfer and expression of the gene for epidermal
growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth
factor beta, or fibroblast growth factor to stimulate the repair
process and the regeneration of normal histology and function.
[0033] 5. Autoimmune disorders may require surgical removal and
regeneration of tissues. For example, regeneration of surgically
removed synovial membranes that have been removed because of
chronic inflammation, as a result of rheumatoid arthritis, can be
enhanced by treatment in accordance with this invention. The use of
intestinal submucosal tissue can be combined with transfer and
expression of a gene for an immunosuppressive agent to thwart the
destructive effects of chronic inflammation.
* * * * *