 Wound and skin care compositions |
| What is claimed: 1. A composition comprising a dermatologically acceptable carrier and an effective ... |
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| Water treatment apparatus |
| The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined ... |
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| Membrane cell |
| What we claim is: 1. A monopolar filter press electrolytic cell suitable for use in the ... |
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| Encapsulating biological active substances into erythrocytes |
| We claim: 1. A process for the encapsulation in human or animal erythrocytes of at least one ... |
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| Flow chamber and electro-manipulator incorporating same |
| Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a flow chamber and an electro-... |
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| Probe for electrofusion, electroporation, or like procedure |
| The present invention provides a structure and method for treating samples in a well tray. Briefly, ... |
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| Device and method for the electrophoretic separation of macromolecules |
| The invention relates to an electrophoresis device and an electrophoresis method for the separation ... |
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| Superfusion apparatus |
| It is an object of the present invention to provide a superfusion apparatus for use in receptor ... |
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Genetically engineered cells that produce produce L. Dopa
| Details |
Inventors: Kang, Un Jung; Gage, Fred H.;
Assignee: Arch Development Corporation (Chicago, IL)
Primary Examiner: LeGuyader; John I.
Assistant Examiner: McGarry; Sean
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rockey, Milnamow & Katz, Ltd.
The present invention provides a process of increasing dopamine production in a cell comprising co-transfecting the cell with one or more expression vectors containing polynucleotides that encode tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase and GTP cyclohydrolase. Cells transfected with such vectors and the use of such transformed cells to increase dopamine production in the central nervous system of animals are also provided. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of increasing the production of dopamine in a cell, the process comprising transfecting the cell with a first expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes tyrosine hydroxylase and at least one of (a) a second expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes GTP cyclohydrolase and (b) a third expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, wherein the first, second and third expression vectors drive the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, GTP cyclohydrolase, and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, respectively, in the cell.
In one embodiment, the first and one of the second or third expression vectors are the same vector and that vector is a dicistronic vector.
In a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third expression vectors are viral vectors and, more preferably, retroviral vectors.
In one embodiment, the cell is a fibroblast.
The process can further comprise exposing the transfected cell to a cofactor for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase and a cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase.
A preferred cofactor for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase is pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.
A preferred cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase is tetrahydrobiopterin (BH.
sub.
4).
In another aspect, the present invention provides a process of increasing the level of dopamine in the central nervous system of an animal having Parkinson's disease, the process comprising grafting into the central nervous system of the animal cells that have been transfected with a first expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes tyrosine hydroxylase and at least one of (a) a second expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes GTP cyclohydrolase and (b) a third expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, wherein the first, second and third expression vectors drive the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, GTP cyclohydrolase, and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, respectively, in the cells
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Gene Therapy 
