Transgenic Ungulates Expressing CTLA4-IG and Uses Thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides ungulates, including pigs, expressing CTLA4-Ig, as well as tissue, organs, cells and cell lines derived from such animals. Such animals, tissues, organs and cells can be used in research and medical therapy, including xenotransplanation. In addition, methods are provided to prepare organs, tissues and cells expressing the CTLA4-Ig for use in xenotransplantation, and nucleic acid constructs and vectors useful therein.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 706,843, filed Aug. 9, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention provides transgenic ungulates, such as pigs, expressing cytoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4) fused to an immunoglobulin (Ig) (CTLA4-Ig), as well as organs, tissues, cells and cell lines derived therefrom. The invention also provides transgenic ungulates, and organs, tissues, cells and cell lines derived therefrom, expressing CTLA4 under the control over a tissue-specific promoter. These ungulates, including organs, tissues, cells and cell lines derived therefrom, can be used in research and medical therapy, including xenotransplantation. In addition, methods are provided to prepare organs, tissues, and cells expressing CTLA4-Ig for use in xenotransplantation, as well as nucleic acid constructs and vectors useful therein.BACKGROUND[0003]The success of allogeneic (human to human) organ transplantation has been e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030]In a sixth aspect, the present invention is a method of reducing or eliminating cell mediated rejection of a xenotransplant in a recipient comprising providing xenogenic cells, tissues or organs to a recipient which have been genetically modified to express CTLA4 fused to an immunoglobulin (Ig). In one embodiment, the CTLA4 peptide is porcine. In another embodiment, the CTLA4 peptide is human. In a still further embodiment, the cells, tissue or organs have been genetically modified to express human CTLA4 and porcine CTLA4.

[0032]In a seventh aspect, the present invention is a method of reducing or eliminating cell mediated rejection of a xenotransplant in a recipient comprising providing xenogenic cells, tissues or organs to a recipient which have been genetically modified to express a CTLA4 peptide, wherein the expression of CTLA4 peptide is under the control of a tissue-specific promoter, tissue-specific enhancer or both. In one embodiment, the expression of CTLA4 peptide is under the control of a tissue-specific promoter. In one embodiment, the CTLA4 peptide is porcine. In another embodiment, the CTLA4 peptide is human. The tissue specific promoter may be, for example, a liver-specific promoter, a lymphoid-specific promoter, a T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin promoter, an endothelial promoter, a pancreas-specific promoter or a mammary gland-specific promoters.

Problems solved by technology

A significant number of people die while awaiting an organ.

However, there are several obstacles that must be overcome before the transfer of these organs or tissues into humans can be successful.

The immunological barriers to xenografts differ from those to allografts because of the greater molecular incompatibility between host and donor tissue.

In the absence of costimulation, T-cell activation is impaired or aborted, which may result in an antigen specific unresponsive state of clonal anergy, or in deletion by apoptotic death.

A difficult balance must be reached with any immunosuppressive therapy; one must provide enough suppression to overcome the disease or rejection, but excessive immunosuppression will inhibit the entire immune system.

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