3534 results about "Hepatocyte" patented technology

The present invention is directed compositions for targeted delivery of RNA interference (RNAi) polynucleotides to hepatocytes in vivo. Targeted RNAi polynucleotides are administered together with co-targeted delivery polymers. Delivery polymers provide membrane penetration function for movement of the RNAi polynucleotides from outside the cell to inside the cell. Reversible modification provides physiological responsiveness to the delivery polymers.

The present invention discloses one kind of tissue engineering liver unit and its construction process. The tissue engineering liver unit containing vascular endothelial cell and liver cell is prepared through in vitro pre-introducing liver cell and vascular endothelial cell with mesenchyme stem cell, separate combining with albumen glue containing induction factor and filling to the inner wall and outer wall of one tubular rack, coating with one outer enclosure to form a cell complex, and further culturing the cell complex in culture liquid. The present invention obtains great amount of seed cells for liver tissue engineering with mesenchyme stem cell and combines the seed cells with proper bioactive material to obtain auxiliary liver function structure unit. The tissue engineering liver unit may be transplanted to body of hepatic failure patient to compensate and replace liver function. The present invention provides one new treating way.

The subject invention a method for converting liver stem / progenitor cells to a pancreatic functional cell by transfecting said liver cells with a pancreatic development gene and / or by culturing with pancreatic differentiation factors. The resulting cells produce and secrete insulin protein in response to glucose stimulation.

The invention is in the area of pleuripotent stem cells generated from adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and uses thereof. In particular, the invention includes isolated adipose tissue derived stromal cells that have been induced to express at least one phenotypic characteristic of a neuronal, astroglial, hematopoietic progenitor, or hepatic cell. The invention also includes an isolated adipocyte tissue-derived stromal cell that has been dedifferentiated such that there is an absence of adipocyte phenotypic markers.

The present invention relates to the design and synthesis of homogeneous A-L-P constructs, which contain a hepatic ligand to direct an oligomer or “payload” to a hepatocyte intracellularly via a receptor-mediated, ligand-directed pathway.

The present invention relates to agents, compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, comprising an RNAi agent bearing at least one galactosyl moiety. These are useful for delivering the gene expression inhibiting activity to cells, particularly hepatocytes, and more particularly in therapeutic applications.

The present invention is directed to protocells for specific targeting of hepatocellular and other cancer cells which comprise a nanoporous silica core with a supported lipid bilayer; at least one agent which facilitates cancer cell death (such as a traditional small molecule, a macromolecular cargo (e.g. siRNA or a protein toxin such as ricin toxin A-chain or diphtheria toxin A-chain) and / or a histone-packaged plasmid DNA disposed within the nanoporous silica core (preferably supercoiled in order to more efficiently package the DNA into protocells) which is optionally modified with a nuclear localization sequence to assist in localizing protocells within the nucleus of the cancer cell and the ability to express peptides involved in therapy (apoptosis / cell death) of the cancer cell or as a reporter, a targeting peptide which targets cancer cells in tissue to be treated such that binding of the protocell to the targeted cells is specific and enhanced and a fusogenic peptide that promotes endosomal escape of protocells and encapsulated DNA. Protocells according to the present invention may be used to treat cancer, especially including hepatocellular (liver) cancer using novel binding peptides (c-MET peptides) which selectively bind to hepatocellular tissue or to function in diagnosis of cancer, including cancer treatment and drug discovery.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for generating novel nucleic acid molecules through targeted spliceosomal mediated RNA trans-splicing. The compositions of the invention include pre-trans-splicing molecules (PTMs) designed to interact with a SERPINA1 target precursor messenger RNA molecule (target pre-mRNA) and mediate a trans-splicing reaction resulting in the generation of a novel chimeric RNA molecule (chimeric RNA). In particular, the PTMs of the present invention include those genetically engineered to interact with SERPINA1 target pre-mRNA so as to result in correction of SERPINA1 genetic defects responsible for AAT deficiency. The PTMs of the invention may also comprise sequences that are processed out of the PTM to yield duplex siRNA molecules directed specifically to mutant SERPIN A1 mRNAs. Such duplexed siRNAs are designed to reduce the accumulation of toxic AAT protein in liver cells. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be used in gene therapy for correction of SERPINA1 disorders such as AAT deficiency.

A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver. Liver cells, are introduced into one or more annular compartments and media and aeration are provided in others. Plasma from an ailing patient is introduced into another compartment for biotransformation of blood-borne toxins and biosynthesis of proteins, lipids, and other metabolic products.

The present invention relates to a skin equivalent and a method for producing the same, wherein the skin equivalent comprises a scaffold and stem / progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord. These stem / progenitor cells may be mesenchymal (UCMC) and / or epithelial (UCEC) stem cells, which may then be further differentiated to fibroblast and keratinocytes. Further described is a method for isolating stem / progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem / progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The invention also refers to therapeutic uses of these skin equivalents. Another aspect of the invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem / progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating an insulin-producing cell using stem / progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses thereof. The invention further refers to a method of treating a bone or cartilage disorder using UCMC. Furthermore, the invention refers to a method of generating a dopamin and tyrosin hydroxylase as well as a HLA-G and hepatocytes using UCMC and / or UCEC. The present invention also refers to a method of inducing proliferation of aged keratinocytes using UCMC.

The invention features modular chambers for culturing cells in which the volume of a chamber can be adjusted without compromising the seal or sterility of the chamber. The invention is based on the principle that the volume of a chamber formed between two plates sandwiching a compressible gasket and a substantially incompressible stop can be adjusted using a gasket that forms a fluid-tight seal between the plates at a plurality of levels of compression. The invention enables the culture of cells between substantially parallel and rigid plates in which a relatively large volume can be used to seed the cells and the holdup volume reduced for perfusion without opening or otherwise disassembling the system to compromise its liquidtightness and sterility. The new closed, modular and scalable cell-culturing chamber can be thus perfused and used to culture cells (e.g., hepatocytes) with high levels of cell function in organ (e.g., liver) assist systems, for production of cells, for production of cell-derived products, such as proteins or viruses, or for systems to treat biological liquids to remove toxins, such as ammonia, add cell-synthesized products, or both.

This disclosure provides a newly developed strategy and particular options for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into cells of the hepatocyte lineage. Many of the protocols are based on a strategy in which the cells are first differentiated into early germ layer cells, then into hepatocyte precursors, and then into mature cells. The cells obtained have morphological features and phenotypic markers characteristic of human adult hepatocytes. They also show evidence of cytochrome p450 enzyme activity, validating their utility for commercial applications such as drug screening, or use in the manufacture of medicaments and medical devices for clinical therapy.

The present invention relates to an in vitro diagnostic method for malaria in an individual comprising placing a tissue or a biological fluid taken from an individual in contact with a molecule or polypeptide composition, wherein said molecule or polypeptide composition comprises one or more peptide sequences bearing all or part of one or more T epitopes of the proteins resulting from the infectious activity of P. falciparum, under conditions allowing an in vitro immunological reaction to occur between said composition and the antibodies that may be present in the tissue or biological fluid, and in vitro detection of the antigen-antibody complexes formed. The invention further relates to a polypeptide comprising at least one T epitope from a liver-stage specific protein produced by P. falciparum and a vaccine composition directed against malaria comprising a molecule having one or more peptide sequences bearing all or part of one or more T epitopes resulting from the infectious activity of P. falciparum in the hepatic cells.

This invention is directed to compounds and compositions that have biological properties useful for modulating HGF / SF activity. In certain embodiments, said compounds and compositions may be used in the treatment and prophylaxis of cancer or other dysproliferative diseases.

Systems and methods are disclosed for microscale pharmacokinetics. Various organs and their interactions with drug compounds can be simulated in vitro by use of microscale compartments that can be interconnected by microscale channels. Cells or cellular materials associated with the organs can be cultured in such compartments to allow interactions with drug compounds in one or more fluidic flows. Such fluidic systems can include, by way of examples, gastrointestinal flow, blood flow, bile flow, urinary flow, and brain fluid flow. Interactions between fluidic systems can be simulated by a microscale permeable member. In one example, blood-biliary interaction can be simulated by a microscale permeable material having hepatocytes bound to a permeable substrate via a binder.

Systems and methods are disclosed for microscale pharmacokinetics. Various organs and their interactions with drug compounds can be simulated in vitro by use of microscale compartments that can be interconnected by microscale channels. Cells or cellular materials associated with the organs can be cultured in such compartments to allow interactions with drug compounds in one or more fluidic flows. Such fluidic systems can include, by way of examples, gastrointestinal flow, blood flow, bile flow, urinary flow, and brain fluid flow. Interactions between fluidic systems can be simulated by a microscale permeable member. In one example, blood-biliary interaction can be simulated by a microscale permeable material having hepatocytes bound to a permeable substrate via a binder.

The present invention is directed compositions for targeted delivery of RNA interference (RNAi) polynucleotides to hepatocytes in vivo. Targeted RNAi polynucleotides are administered together with co-targeted melittin delivery peptides. Delivery peptides provide membrane penetration function for movement of the RNAi polynucleotides from outside the cell to inside the cell. Reversible modification provides physiological responsiveness to the delivery peptides.

The present invention is embodied by a composition capable of chaperoning a typically non-orally available therapeutic or diagnostic agent through the environment of the digestive tract such that the therapetucic or diagnostic agent is bioavailable. The composition may or may not be targeted to specific cellular receptors, such as hepatocytes. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, insulin, calcitonin, serotonin, and other proteins. Targeting is accomplished with biotin or metal based targeting agents.

The invention features modular chambers for culturing cells in which the volume of a chamber can be adjusted without compromising the seal or sterility of the chamber. The invention is based on the principle that the volume of a chamber formed between two plates sandwiching a compressible gasket and a substantially incompressible stop can be adjusted using a gasket that forms a fluid-tight seal between the plates at a plurality of levels of compression. The invention enables the culture of cells between substantially parallel and rigid plates in which a relatively large volume can be used to seed the cells and the holdup volume reduced for perfusion without opening or otherwise disassembling the system to compromise its liquidtightness and sterility. The new closed, modular and scalable cell-culturing chamber can be thus perfused and used to culture cells (e.g., hepatocytes) with high levels of cell function in organ (e.g., liver) assist systems, for production of cells, for production of cell-derived products, such as proteins or viruses, or for systems to treat biological liquids to remove toxins, such as ammonia, add cell-synthesized products, or both.

The present inventors used a model of intrasplenically induced liver metastasis to determine whether or not NF-κB activation in the liver is involved in the onset of metastatic tumors. When IKKβ was deleted from both liver cells and hematopoietically-derived cells, the onset of tumors was reduced remarkably. Tumor cells activated neighboring bone marrow cells (Kupffer cells) and produced mitogens such as interleukin (IL)-6, and this promoted angiogenesis and growth of tumors. The mitogen production depended on NF-κB in hematopoietically-derived Kupffer cells. Furthermore, treatment with an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody decreased the degree of metastatic tumor development. That is, the present inventors showed that tumor metastasis depends on inflammation, and proinflammatory intervention that targets Kupffer cells is useful for chemical prevention of metastatic tumors. Furthermore, it was shown that inhibition of the IKKβ / NF-κB signal transduction pathway, in particular IL-6 inhibition, can be utilized for anti-metastasis agents.

The instant invention provides methods of expressing polynucleotides in the cells of the liver comprising administering viral particles comprising a recombinant AAV vector into a mammal, preferably a human.

The present invention provides a highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme comprising an iduronate-2-sulfatase polypeptide with at least 5 kilodalton (kDa) more sugar than iduronate-2-sulfatase purified from a natural source, e.g. human liver. The present invention also provides an enzymatically active polypeptide fragment or variant of such a highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase. The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding iduronate-2-sulfatase, as well as an expression vector, a host cell and a method for producing the present highly glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme. In one embodiment the present invention is directed to a method for producing a glycosylated iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme which comprises culturing a host cell containing a nucleic acid encoding an enzymatically active iduronate-2-sulfatase polypeptide wherein the host cell glycosylates the polypeptide to a greater degree than a native iduronate-2-sulfatase polypeptide expressed by a natural human liver cell.

The present invention relates to therapeutic protocols and pharmaceutical compositions designed to target HBx mediated activation of Src kinase, members of the Src tyrosine kinase family and components of the Src kinase family signal transduction pathways for the treatment of HBV infection and related disorders and diseases, such as HCC. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of HBV infection targeted to HBx and its essential activities required to sustain HBV replication. The invention is based, in part, on the Applicants' discovery that activation of Src kinase signaling cascades play a fundamental role in mammalian hepadnavirus replication. Applicants have demonstrated that HBx mediates activation of the Src family of kinases and that this activation is a critical function provided by HBx for mammalian hepadnavirus replication.

Objective methods for detecting, diagnosing, treating and preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are described herein. In particular, the present invention relates to two genes up-regulated in HCC cells as compared to normal cells, referred to herein as MGC47816 and HES6. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves the determining the expression level of MGC47816 or HES6 that discriminate between hepatocellular carcinoma cells and normal cells. The present invention further provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of HCC, methods of treating HCC, and methods for vaccinating a subject against HCC.