The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 22, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 02, 1996
Michael G Kaplitt, New York, NY (US);
Joost Verhaagen, Utrecht, NL;
The Rockefeller University, New York, NY (US);
Rudolf Magnus Institute, , NL;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a viral vector capable of the transfer and in vivo expression of growth-associated protein (B-50/GAP-43) in neuronal target cells of a mammalian host. The viral vector contains a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a B-50/GAP-43 gene operably associated with a promoter, which promoter controls short term, high level expression of the B-50/GAP-43 gene. Preferably, the viral vector is a defective viral vector, in particular a defective herpes virus or an adeno-associated virus. In a specific embodiment, defective herpesvirus, adenovirus, and adeno-associated virus viral vectors containing the rat B-50/GAP-43 gene under control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter have been prepared. The invention further provides a method for treating nerve damage in a subject. The method comprises introducing a vector comprising a B-50/GAP-43 gene operably associated with a promoter into a damaged nerve tissue of a subject. Preferably, the promoter controls short term, high level expression of the B-50/GAP-43 gene, such that the B-50/GAP-43 gene is expressed in the tissue of the subject. Preferably, the vector used in the therapeutic methods of the invention is a viral vector. The vectors of the invention, capable of expression a B-50/GAP-43 gene, can also be used in vitro to enhance the survival of cultured cells, in particular, cultured neurons for transplantation.