RECOMBINANT VECTOR FOR GENE THERAPY FOR INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS AND THERAPEUTIC COMPOSITIONS THEREOF

摘要

Disclosed are a recombinant vector for use in gene therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and a therapeutic composition thereof. Following the injection of a beta -galactosidase expression vector having a K14 promoter gene, along with a Drosophola's P transposase expression helper vector, into murine skin in a liposome-mediated manner, the beta -galactosidase gene is expressed in the keratinocyte layer from 24 hours to 20 weeks after injection as measured by X-gal staining. With the enhancement effect and tissue specificity, the K14 promoter is applied for the expression of a human insulin gene in keratinocytes, thereby suggesting a new gene therapy method for treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. When, in combination with the P-element expression helper vector, a human insulin expression vector with the K14 promoter is injected into the skin of diabetic mice, which lack insulin-producing beta -cells of the pancreas, their blood glucose levels are maintained in a normal range. IMAGE