Negative-sense RNA virus vector for nerve cell

Abstract

Use of a negative-sense RNA virus vector has enabled transfer of nucleic acid into nerve cells. The method of this invention can be used for introducing a gene efficiently into nerve cells including the central nerve tissue in gene therapy, etc.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A method for the delivery of a nucleic acid to the nerve cells of a mammal, said method comprising administering directly to the nerve cells: 
 (a) a negative-sense RNA viral vector; or    (b) cells comprising said vector;    wherein said negative-sense RNA virus is a Sendai virus comprising a Sendai viral genome and a foreign gene, wherein the foreign gene is inserted between the R1 and R2 loci of the Sendai virus.    
     
     
         18 . A method of  claim 17 , wherein said nerve cells are central nervous system cells.  
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 18 , wherein said central nervous system cells are ventricular ependymal cells.  
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 18 , wherein said central nervous system cells are hippocampus cells.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising transient expression of said foreign gene.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said gene encodes a protein that acts on the hypothalamic nuclei.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said gene encodes a protein capable of protecting the brain from ischemia selected from the group consisting of fibroblast growth factors, nerve growth factors, apoptosis inhibitors, heat shock proteins, peroxidases, and neurotrophic factors.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said protein is a neurotrophic factor.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said foreign gene is selected from the group consisting of FGF-1, FGF-2, FGF-5, NGF, CNTF, BDNF, GDNF, p35, CrmA, ILP, bcl-2 and ORF 150.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said administering comprises intraventricular administration.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said administering comprises intraspinal administration.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the foreign gene is selected from the group consisting of FGF-1, FGF-5, and GDNF.