Gene transfer for treating a connective tissue of a mammalian host

Abstract

Methods for treating a connective tissue disorder by introducing at least one gene encoding a product into at least one target cell of a mammalian host for use in treating the mammalian host are disclosed. These methods include employing recombinant techniques to produce a vector molecule containing the DNA sequence encoding for the product and infecting the target cell of the mammalian host using the vector. The injection can be done in vivo, by directly injecting the vector into the host, or can be done in vitro by transfecting a population of cultured target cells with the vector and transplanting them each into the host. Nonviral means can also be used to introduce the DNA sequence to the host. Administration of more than one gene of interest results in an enhanced therapeutic benefit. Also disclosed is a method for treating a connective tissue disorder by introducing at least one gene encoding a product into at least one target cell of a joint of a host for use in treating multiple joints of the host. Injection of a vector molecule containing the DNA sequence encoding for a product of interest, or non-viral introduction of such a DNA sequence, to one joint of a mammalian host results in a therapeutic benefit in that joint as well as other joints in the host.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 685,212, filed Jul. 23, 1996, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 027,750, filed Mar. 8, 1993, now abandoned, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07 / 630,981, filed Dec. 20, 1990, now abandoned.[0002] 1. Field Of The Invention[0003] The present invention relates to a method of introducing at least one gene encoding a product of interest into at least one cell of a mammalian host for use in treating the mammalian host. This method discloses employing vector molecules containing a gene encoding the product and infecting the target cells of the mammalian host using the vector molecule. Both viral and non-viral means call be used for effecting introduction of the gene into the host.[0004] Numerous methods are within the scope of the invention for effecting introduction of a gene into a host. For example, in vivo methods can be employed to inject a DNA sequence e...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When present in a sufficient concentration, interleukin-1 may cause fever, muscle wasting and sleepiness.

Therapeutic intervention in arthritis is hindered by the inability to target drugs, such as the NSAIDs, to specific areas within a mammalian host, such as a joint.

This is inefficient because transynovial transfer of small molecules from the synovial capillaries to the joint space occurs generally by passive diffusion.

This diffusion is less efficient with increased size of the target molecule.

Thus, the access of large drug molecules, for example, proteins, to the joint space is substantially restricted.

Intra-articular injection of drugs circumvents those limitations; however, the half-life of drugs administered intraarticularly is generally short.

Another disadvantage of intra-articular injection of drugs is that frequent repeated injections are necessary to obtain acceptable drug levels at the joint spaces for treating a chronic condition such as, for example, arthritis.

Exposure of non-target organs in this manner exacerbated the tendency of anti-arthritis drugs to produce serious side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset and changes in the hematological, cardiovascular, hepatic and renal systems of the mammalian host.

Preferably, the virus is a pseudo-type retrovirus, the genome having been altered such that the pseudo-type retrovirus is capable only of delivery and stable maintenance within the target cell, but not retaining an ability to replicate within the target cell or tissue.

Connective tissues are difficult to target therapeutically.

Intravenous and oral routes of drug delivery that are known in the art provide poor access to these connective tissues and have the disadvantage of exposing the mammalian host body systemically to the therapeutic agent.

However, most of the injected drugs have a short intraarticular half-life.

Preferably, the virus is a pseudo-type retrovirus, the genome having been altered such that the pseudo-type retrovirus is capable only of delivery and stable maintenance within the target cell, but not retaining an ability to replicate within the target cell or tissue.

However, significant levels (>1 ng / ml) of TNF.alpha. inhibitor molecules were not detected in sera or lavage fluids from untreated joints.

However, there was no apparent local anti-inflammatory effect.

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