Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Shimon Efrat

Howard J Federoff

Michael A Brownlee

Marshall S Horwitz

The invention provides a method and vectors to express a gene or genes, derived from a virus, which block allograft rejection. One class of genes blocks the intracellular transport and/or intracellular maturation within the cells of proteins called MHC class I products. Without limitation as to theory, it is believed that blocking the appearance of this class of proteins on the transplanted cell's surface, prevents the host's immune system from rejecting the graft. Another class of proteins acts to permit TNF &agr;-mediated cell cytolysis. In one embodiment, the invention is directed towards engrafting the cells that secrete insulin, which are called alternatively, pancreatic &bgr;-cells and islet cells, and thereby provide a treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Attenuation of rejected cells transformed with adenovirus E3

The present invention provides a recombinant, cell whose proliferation is controlled by tetracycline or a derivative thereof.

Recombinant cells regulated by tetracycline

The invention provides a cells which express a gene or genes, derived from the adenovirus E3 region, which block allograft rejection. One class of genes blocks the intracellular transport and/or intracellular maturation within the cells of proteins called MHC class I products. Without limitation as to theory, it is believed that blocking the appearance of this class of proteins on the transplanted cell's surface, prevents the host's immune system from rejecting the graft. Another class of proteins acts to permit TNF .alpha.-mediated cell cytolysis. In one embodiment, the invention is directed towards engrafting the cells that secrete insulin, which are called alternatively, pancreatic .beta.-cells and islet cells, and thereby provide a treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Pancreatic .beta.-cells for allogeneic transplantation without

The present invention provides a recombinant, glucose-regulated insulin producing beta cell whose proliferation is controlled by tetracycline or a derivative thereof. The present invention also provides a method for treating a subject with diabetes using the recombinant beta cell of the present invention.

Growing community of inventors

Bronx, NY, United States of America

Shimon Efrat