NEW METHOD FOR TISSUE SELECTIVE GENE OR VIRUS EXPRESSION

BACKGROUND:

Pathogenicity of viruses is often dependent on specific tissue or cell tropism. For example, poliovirus replication in the gut is not life threatening, while infection of the motor neurons of the spinal cord leads to poliomyelitis. The ability to rationally design viral strains that are selectively disabled in their replication in a given tissue would be extremely useful in the development of vaccines as well as in multiple therapeutic arenas. There is currently no reliable and straightforward method for specific exclusion of viral replication in a given cell type, because it is exceedingly difficult to identify the cell type specific determinants of replication.

DESCRIPTION:

Scientists at UCSF have discovered a method to control cell and tissue specific expression of viral vectors. Studies conducted at UCSF have shown that this method successfully disrupted viral replication in one cell type but not another. Accordingly, the control virus did not discriminate between the two cell types. This invention will allow specific targeting of viruses and viral vectors to unique cell types.

ADVANTAGES:

• Selectivity in therapeutic targeting leads to lower toxicity and fewer side effects.



• Tissue specific vaccine development may decrease the potential for pathogenicity.

APPLICATIONS:

• Develop vaccines for viral pathogens whose replication leads to an immune response in some tissues and pathogenicity in other tissues.



• Engineer viral vectors that serve as vehicles in gene therapy.



• Design oncolytic viruses that will replicate preferentially in tumors.
  

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Karin Immergluck, Ph.D.
Licensing Officer
(415) 353-4469 phone
(415) 348-1579 fax
Karin.Immergluck@ucsf.edu

Reference: OTM Case #SF04-097