Intracellular delivery vehicles

US6287556A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Daniel A. Portnoy · Albany, US
• Darren E. Higgins · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 11, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 21, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K39/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to intracellular delivering of agents to eukaryotic cells. The compositions include microbial delivery vehicles such as nonvirulent bacteria comprising a first gene encoding a nonsecreted foreign cytolysin operably linked to a heterologous promoter and a second gene encoding a different foreign agent. The foreign agent may be a nucleic acid or protein, and is frequently bioactive in and therapeutic to the target eukaryote. In addition, the invention provides eukaryotic cells comprising the subject nonvirulent bacteria and nonhuman eukaryotic host organisms comprising such cells.