Genzyme Corporation

Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc.

Stephen J Duguay

Douglas A Treco

Michael F Concino

Stephen Rapko

Stephen M Rapko

Methods of evaluating the composition of a cell culture (e.g., to distinguish chondrocytes from fibroblasts) and methods for evaluating the phenotype of an individual cell (e.g., as a chondrocyte) are disclosed. The methods may be used, for example, for assessing chondrocyte cultures used for treatment of cartilage defects. In some embodiments, the invention involves identifying cell culture composition or the identity of a cell based on expression level of a fibroblast marker. In other embodiments, the invention involves comparing expression levels of at least one chondrocyte marker and at least one fibroblast marker in a cell culture sample or in an individual cell. In illustrative embodiments, the chondrocyte marker is hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), and the fibroblast marker is microfibrillar associated protein 5 (MFAP5).

Methods of evaluating cells and cell cultures

The present invention features a nucleic acid construct for expressing a product, e.g., a small peptide such as GLP-1. The construct includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal peptide and a nucleic acid sequence which encodes the pro-region of somatostatin or a functional fragment thereof. The construct can further include a sequence encoding the small peptide or the construct can be used to express an endogenous genomic sequence encoding the small peptide. The present invention further features genetically engineered cells, and methods of using such constructs or cells.

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Salem, MA, United States of America

Stephen J Duguay