New York University

Trustees of the Univ. of Penna.

University of Pennsylvania

University of New York

Trustees of Univ. of Penn

Tung-Tien Sun

Xue-Ru Wu

Robert M Lavker

Qiong Cao

George Cotsarelis

Jing-Shan Yang

Da-Wen Yu

FP-1 is a protein that is specifically expressed in the follicular papilla of the hair follicle. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of FP-1, as well as antibodies that specifically bind FP-1 are provided. In addition, methods of isolating follicular papilla cells and methods of modulating hair growth are also disclosed.

Compositions for controlling hair growth

The invention relates to recombinant DNA constructs, a method for producing a recombinant biologically active protein in vivo in the urine of a non-human mammal using a kidney-specific promoter, such as the uromodulin promoter, and the transgenic non-human mammals that serve as urine-based bioreactors for protein production.

Transgenic animals as urinary bioreactors for the production of polypeptide in the urine, recombinant DNA construct for kidney-specific expression, and method of using same

A vector is provided which contains a promoter construct linked to a heterologous gene encoding a selected biologically active molecule or oncogene wherein the promoter construct is capable of directing urothelial expression of the heterologous gene. Methods of isolating biologically active molecules from urine of animals transfected with this vector and transgenic animals containing this vector are also provided.

Transgenic mammals expressing heterologous DNA in urothelium and isolation of biologically active molecules from urine

A transgenic mouse, containing an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene operably linked to a urothelium-specific promoter in its germ cells and somatic cells serves as an animal model system for human bladder cancer.

Transgenic mouse models for human bladder cancer

Uroplakins Ia and Ib are the major urothelial receptors of type 1 fimbriated microorganisms. These uroplakins are used to screen compounds for treating urinary tract infections by testing if the compounds inhibit bacterial adhesion to the uroplakins. Additionally, compounds which inhibit adhesion of microorganisms expressing type 1 fimbriae, such as Tamm-Horsfall protein, are used to treat or inhibit infection by these microorganisms.

Method for screening compounds for inhibiting bacterial attachment to host cell receptors

The human gene for uroplakin II is identified and sequenced. Using this gene, oligonucleotide primers were constructed which were then used to identify bladder cancer cells in blood and tissue.

Human uroplakin II gene and methods for detecting and classifying bladder cancer via human uroplakin genes

A vector is provided which contains a promoter construct linked to a heterologous gene encoding a selected biologically active molecule wherein the promoter construct is capable of directing urothelial expression of the heterologous gene. Methods of isolating biologically active molecules from urine of animals transfected with this vector and transgenic animals containing this vector are also provided.

Method and vector for expression and isolation of biologically active

A recombinant nucleic acid construct is presented in which a mouse uroplakin-II (UP-II) gene promoter is coupled to a heterologous gene of interest. When the resultant construct is introduced into a transgenic mouse, the UP-II promoter directs the expression of the heterologous gene in the urothelium of the said mouse.

Method for expression and isolation of biologically active molecules in

A method of modulating hair growth by contacting selected cells with a selected growth-modulating molecule is provided. A method for hair reconstitution or transplantation by expanding selected cells in vitro and combining them with other cells that regulate hair growth are also provided. Compositions containing a growth-modulating molecule which is synthesized by follicular cells and which undergoes hair-cycle-dependent concentration changes in hair follicles are also provided.

Methods for stimulating follicular growth

A method of culturing hair follicular stem cells by isolating a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle, dispersing the isolated keratinocytes into a single cell suspension, and growing the dispersed isolated keratinocytes in the presence of 3T3 feeder cells is provided. A method of evaluating the efficacy of agents for modulating the activity of bulge cell populations by exposing bulge cells to an agent to be tested and comparing the response of the test cells to established controls for bulge cells is also provided. Methods of modulating the activity of hair follicular stem cells by identifying a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle and contracting the cells with a selected agent to stimulate growth or to selectively kill the cells is also provided.

Methods of culturing and modulating the growth of hair follicular stem

Methods of detecting label retaining cells in self-renewing tissues, such as hair follicle, are provided. Methods of modulating the activity of slow-cycling cells and methods of evaluating the efficacy of agents for modulating the activity of stem cell populations are also provided. Generally, cells are continuously labeled, induced into a proliferative phase by exposure to an agent such as TPA or a cytokine, and then observed in relation to established criteria.

Growing community of inventors

Dobbs Ferry, NY, United States of America

Tung-Tien Sun