Gail M Harrison

US Patent:

55545289, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

Nov 4, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/147829

Inventors:

Gail M. Harrison - Denver CO
Ian H. Maxwell - Denver CO
Tyler J. Curiel - Denver CO
Francoise Maxwell - Denver CO

Assignee:

Board of Revents of University of Colorado - Boulder CO

International Classification:

C12N 500
C12N 1500

US Classification:

4352402

Abstract:

All lines of mammalian origin which have been stably transformed with a chimeric toxin gene expressed under the regulatory control of HIV cis-acting sequences and HIV trans-acting factors are provided by the present invention. HIV infection of a cell of such a transformed cell line results in the death of that cell due to the specific induction of toxin gene expression within the cell. As specifically exemplified, the toxin gene is the diphtheria toxin fragment A gene or a tox176 fragment A chain gene. Also provided by the present invention are recombinant nucleic acid molecules suitable for the stable transformation of a mammalian cell line to produce a transformed cell which will effectively commit suicide in response to HIV infection due to induction of toxin gene expression.

US Patent:

53066316, Apr 26, 1994

Filed:

Apr 15, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/685601

Inventors:

Gail Harrison - Denver CO
Ian H. Maxwell - Denver CO
Francoise Maxwell - Denver CO
L. Michael Glode - Aurora CO

Assignee:

University of Colorado Foundation, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

C12N 1500
C12N 500

US Classification:

4351723

Abstract:

A method for the selective killing of HIV-infected cells, via HIV-regulated expression of a toxin gene, is provided in the present invention. Specifically, the expression of the diphtheria toxin fragment A gene is subject to tight control by cis-acting HIV regulatory sequences and trans-acting regulatory factors. Also provided is a method of protecting a host from HIV infection by the stable transformation of target cells, those cells which can be infected with HIV, with an HIV-regulated toxin gene. When such a stably transformed cell becomes infected with HIV, induction of the toxin gene prevents the replication and spread of the virus.