Transiently immortalized cells for use in gene therapy

US6451601B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Modex Therapeutiques, S.A. · CH

Inventors

• Edward E. Baetge · Barrington, US
• Shou Wong
• Philippe Dupraz · Crissier, CH
• Bernard Thorens · Épalinges, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 29, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 29, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K2319/10
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region containing a translocation carrier moiety having the function of a transport polypeptide amino acid sequence from, e.g., herpesviral VP22, HIV TAT, Antp HD, Arg repeats, or a cationic polymer, or from homologues or fragments thereof, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.