Exosome transfer of nucleic acids to cells

Abstract

Methods for introducing nucleic acids to cells via exosomes for use in gene modulation and therapy, such as for gene silencing and to introduce genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to induce or repress a process in the recipient cell.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A composition of isolated exosomes, wherein said isolated exosomes contain one or more selected nucleic acid constructs, and wherein said isolated exosomes do not contain any substantial amount of nucleic acids other than said selected nucleic acid constructs. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the selected nucleic acid constructs are selected from the group consisting of mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, siRNA, microRNA, regulating RNA, non-coding and coding RNA, DNA fragments, and DNA plasmids. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the isolated exosomes containing one or more selected nucleic acid constructs are isolated from donor cells, wherein said donor cells express said nucleic acid constructs or have been transfected with said nucleic acid constructs. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the exosomes were isolated from a specific donor cell, or from a person with a particular disease or condition, or from a genetically modified donor cell. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said donor cell is genetically modified to erase production of a nucleic acid, or to up-regulate or down-regulate production of a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said selected nucleic acid constructs were introduced into said isolated exosomes by transformation, transfection or microinjection. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the exosomes were obtained from tumor tissue. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the exosomes were obtained from intestinal epithelial cells, lymphocytes, mast cells or dendritic cells. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the exosomes are obtained from in vitro growing cells. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the exosomes are isolated from cell culture supernatant. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the exosomes are isolated from body fluid. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the body fluid comprises blood plasma, urine or bronchoalveolar fluid. 
     
     
         24 . A recipient cell, wherein said recipient cell comprises a selected nucleic acid construct introduced to said recipient cell via an isolated exosome of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the recipient cell is in vitro. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the recipient cell is in vivo. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the recipient cell is the cell of a patient with a malignant disease, and wherein said isolated exosome is an exosome of said patient.