Inflammation-induced anti-inflammatory gene expression

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a self-regulating gene expression system that activates the production of anti-inflammatory proteins specifically in inflamed tissues. The core invention uses an inflammation-inducible promoter, such as a COX-2 gene promoter, to drive the expression of genes encoding anti-inflammatory molecules (like IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, or anti-TNFα antibodies) in mammalian cells. The system ensures that therapeutic genes are expressed only at sites of inflammation, providing targeted and feedback-regulated anti-inflammatory effects.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Gene therapy for autoimmune or inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in humans and animals (notably dogs).
• Targeted anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes-associated inflammation and certain cancers exhibiting inflammatory microenvironments.
• Regulated delivery of cytokines, cytokine antagonists, or monoclonal antibodies as pharmaceutical interventions in mammals experiencing acute or chronic inflammation.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Precision targeting: Therapeutic genes are expressed only at inflamed sites, reducing off-target effects and systemic side effects.
• Self-regulation: The gene expression is linked to the presence of inflammation, allowing for autonomous initiation and cessation of therapy as inflammation resolves.
• Reduced side effects: Avoids the negative outcomes associated with broad-spectrum or long-term use of drugs like NSAIDs, due to local and controllable gene expression.
• Wide applicability: Can be adapted for use in a range of species (including humans and dogs) and for multiple inflammatory diseases.
• Customizable platform: Various anti-inflammatory molecules can be expressed using specific promoter and gene combinations, offering flexible therapeutic options.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a self regulating DNA expression vector is provided that allows for the inflammation-specific expression of immunologically or metabolically active polypeptide gene products. The gene expression construct comprises a RNA polymerase promoter sequence that is induced by inflammation and which is operable in a mammalian cell, a transcribed sequence under the control of said promoter sequence, encoding a transcription product that has the ability to modulate the immune response, and/or encoding the mRNA for a polypeptide gene product that has the ability to modulate the immune response.