Gene delivery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of delivery of a therapeutic agent to a target cell, the method comprising targeting particles comprising the therapeutic agent to the cell using magnetic means to apply a magnetic force to said particles so as to tend to move said particles towards said magnetic means and at the same time moving said magnetic means.

1 . A method of treatment of a disease, the method comprising delivery of a therapeutic agent into target cells in vivo, wherein the method comprises targeting magnetic particles comprising the therapeutic agent into the target cells in vivo by using magnetic means to apply a magnetic force to said particles so as to move said particles towards said magnetic means, and at the same time oscillating said magnetic means, thereby delivering the therapeutic agent to said cells. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic means are used to apply the magnetic force to said magnetic particles so as to move said magnetic particles in a first direction towards said magnetic means and at the same time moving said magnetic means relative to said magnetic particles in a second direction at an angle greater than 0° and less than 180° to said first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said angle is greater than 0° and less than 90° to said first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the direction of oscillation of said magnetic means is substantially perpendicular to the direction of attraction of the magnetic particles toward said magnetic means. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic force applied to said magnetic particles is a translational force. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic means is a magnet or array of magnets. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic means is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic means is a magnetic field. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic means oscillates with a frequency in the range of 1 to 100 Hz. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amplitude of oscillation of the magnetic means is in the nanometer to millimeter range. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles have a mean size of between 10 μm and 5 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles are made from a magnetizable material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles are made from a magnetizable material selected from the group consisting of: elemental iron, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and compounds thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the magnetizable material is an iron salt. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the iron salt is selected from the group consisting of: magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), maghemite (γFe 2 O 3 ), greigite (Fe 3 S 4 ), and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells are mammalian or human cells. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells are lung cells kidney cells, nerve cells, mesenchymal cells, muscle cells (cardiomyocyte), liver cells, red or white blood cells, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, leukocytes, pancreatic β cells; epithelial cells, lung, gastric cells, endothelial cells, bone cells, skin cells, gastrointestinal cells, bladder cells, reproductive cells, sperm cells, egg cells, cells of the uterus, prostate or endocrine gland, pituitary cells, embryonic stem (ES) cells, embryonal germ (EG) cells, tumor cells, or cancer cells. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is DNA, RNA, interfering RNA (RNAi), a peptide, a polypeptide, an antibody, a single chain antibody fragment, an aptamer, or a small molecule. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a polynucleotide, RNA or DNA, and the method involves the genetic transformation of the target cell.