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.