Indiana University

Advanced Research & Technology Institute

Genetics Institute, Inc.

David A Williams

Vikram P Patel

Steven C Clark

Mark R Kelley

A method to increase the efficiency of transduction of hematopoietic and other cells by retroviruses includes infecting the cells in the presence of fibronectin or fibronectin fragments. The fibronectin and fibronectin fragments significantly enhance retroviral-mediated gene transfer into the cells, particularly hematopoietic cells including committed progenitors and primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The invention also provides improved methods for somatic gene therapy capitalizing on enhanced gene transfer, hematopoietic cellular populations, and novel constructs for enhancing retroviral-mediated DNA transfer into cells and their use.

Methods for enhanced virus-mediated DNA transfer using molecules with virus- and cell-binding domains

Enhanced mediated DNA transfer

Methods for enhanced retroviral-mediated gene transfer

Methods for enhanced virus-mediated DNA transfer using molecules with virus-and cell-binding domains

Described are DNA-repair fusion proteins of multiple, complementary DNA repair proteins and having the activity of each protein, and related polynucleotides and vectors. The proteins, when expressed in cells, e.g., hematopoietic cells, increase the survival rate of the cells when contacted with chemotherapeutic agents. Also described are transgenic animal models wherein these proteins are expressed in essentially all cells of the animal. Such animal models are useful for instance in testing chemotherapeutic agents.

DNA sequences encoding fusions of DNA repair proteins and uses thereof

Enhanced virus-mediated DNA transfer

A method to increase the efficiency of transduction of hematopoietic cells by retroviruses includes infecting the cells in the presence of fibronectin or fibronectin fragments. The fibronectin and fibronectin fragments significantly enhance retroviral-mediated gene transfer into the hematopoietic cells, particularly including committed progenitors and primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The invention also provides improved methods for somatic gene therapy capitalizing on the enhanced gene transfer, and hematopoietic cellular populations.

Methods for enhanced retrovirus-mediated gene transfer

A method for reducing damage or depletion of gut epithelial cells (e.g., as a result of radiation therapy or chemotherapy) by administration of one or more of the following cytokines: interleukin 11 (IL-11), interleukin 6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor/cholinergic differentiation factor (LIF/CDF), oncostatin M (OSM), or ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF).

Method for maintaining gut epithelial cells by treatment with a cytokine

A method of restoring damaged or depleted cell populations by treating the patient with cytokines, particularly IL-11 and IL-6.

Growing community of inventors

Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

David A Williams