Tissuegene, Inc.

Tissuegene Co.

Moon Jong Noh

Kwan Hee Lee

Kyoung Ae Kang

Youngsuk Yi

Sun Uk Song

The subject invention is related to a cell-mediated gene therapy treatment for orthopedic disease using a member belonging to the transforming growth factor-&#x3b2; (TGF-&#x3b2;) superfamily. TGF-&#x3b2; gene therapy as a new treatment method for degenerative arthritis is demonstrated. After transfection of TGF-&#x3b2; cDNA expression vectors into fibroblasts (NIH 3T3-TGF-&#x3b2;1), the cells were injected into rabbit achilles tendon and knee joints with artificially-made cartilage defects. Intratendinous injections were performed to determine the optimal concentration for in vivo expression. Partially defected cartilage model was made to simulate degenerative arthritis of the knee joint. The partial cartilage defect treated with the cell-mediated gene therapy procedure was covered by newly formed hyaline cartilage which indicates that the cells survived and stimulated matrix formation in this area. Completely denuded cartilage areas were covered by fibrous collagen.

Gene therapy using TGF-&#x3b2;

The subject invention is directed to a mixed cell composition to generate a therapeutic protein at a target site by providing a first population of mammalian cells transfected or transduced with a gene that is sought to be expressed, and a second population of mammalian cells that have not been transfected or transduced with the gene, wherein endogenously existing forms of the second population of mammalian cells are decreased at the target site, and wherein generation of the therapeutic protein by the first population of mammalian cells at the target site stimulates the second population cells to induce a therapeutic effect.

Mixed-cell gene therapy

The subject invention is related to a cell-mediated gene therapy treatment for orthopedic disease using a member belonging to the transforming growth factory-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) superfamily. TGF-&bgr; gene therapy as a new treatment method for degenerative arthritis is demonstrated. After transfection of TGF-&bgr; cDNA expression vectors into fibroblasts (NIH 3T3-TGF-&bgr;1), the cells were injected into rabbit achilles tendon and knee joints with artificially-made cartilage defects. Intratendinous injections were performed to determine the optimal concentration for in vivo expression. Partially defected cartilage model was made to simulate degenerative arthritis of the knee joint. The partial cartilage defect treated with the cell-mediated gene therapy procedure was covered by newly formed hyaline cartilage which indicates that the cells survived and stimulated matrix formation in this area. Completely denuded cartilage areas were covered by fibrous collagen.

Gene therapy using TGF-&bgr;

The subject invention is related to a cell-mediated gene therapy treatment for orthopedic disease using a member belonging to the transforming growth factor-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) superfamily. TGF-&bgr; gene therapy as a new treatment method for degenerative arthritis is demonstrated. After transfection of TGF-&bgr; cDNA expression vectors into fibroblasts (NIH 3T3-TGF-&bgr;1), the cells were injected into rabbit achilles tendon and knee joints with artificially-made cartilage defects. Intratendinous injections were performed to determine the optimal concentration for in vivo expression. Partially defected cartilage model was made to simulate degenerative arthritis of the knee joint. The partial cartilage defect treated with the cell-mediated gene therapy procedure was covered by newly formed hyaline cartilage which indicates that the cells survived and stimulated matrix formation in this area. Completely denuded cartilage areas were covered by fibrous collagen.

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Kyunggi-do, South Korea

Moon Jong Noh