Endometrial function

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of altering one or more characteristics of at least some of the cells of the reproductive tract of a mammalian individual by the introduction into said cells of a nucleic acid, together with a composition comprising nucleic acid, for use in the method.

1 . A method of altering one or more characteristics of at least some of the cells of the reproductive tract of a mammalian individual by the introduction into said cells of a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is introduced into endometrial cells.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the nucleic acid is introduced into the glandular epithelium of the endometrium.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the introduced nucleic acid is DNA.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nucleic acid is introduced in the period followint ovulation, up to and including the point at which there is a peak in the level of progesterone in the blood.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nucleic acid is introduced in a liposome, virus, or other carrier particle.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nucleic acid is introduced as a plasmid or other construct.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduced nucleic acid comprises a promoter operably linked to a sequence to be transcribed in a eukaryotic cell.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the promoter is inducible.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduced nucleic acid sequence comprises a portion operably linked in the antisense orientation to a promoter, so as to inhibit the expression of a polypeptide in the cells into which the sequence is introduced.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic altered by introduction of the nucleic acid sequence results in an alteration of the fertility of the individual.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of at least an effective portion of a cytokine or a growth factor.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of at least an effective portion of one of the following: an interleukin; leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); epidermal growth factor (EGF); heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HBEGF); insulin-binding growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II); amphiregulin; colony stimulating factor (CSF); tumour necrosis factor (TNF); hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); and fibroblast growth factor (FGF).  
     
     
         14 . A method according to any one of  claims 1  to  12 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of at least an effective portion of an antagonist of a cytokine or an antagonist of a growth factor.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist or a soluble receptor for one of the following: transforming growth factor (TGF) α; fibroblast growth factor (FGF); platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF); interleukin-6; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); or hepatocyte growth factor (“Met” receptor).  
     
     
         16 . A method according to any one of clains  1  to  11 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression in and/or the cell of at least an effective portion of a receptor for a growth factor, a cytokine or a steroid hormone.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid sequence directs the expression of at least an effective portion of a receptor for one of the following: EGF, transforming growth factor (TGF) α, or VEGF.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to any one of  claims 1  to  11 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of at least an effective portion of a polypeptide having a local immunological effect.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of at least an effective portion of an antigen from a pathogen.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of at least an immunogenic portion of a polypeptide from one of the following: HIV, papilloma viruses, Chlamydia or  N. gonorrhoea.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the introduced nucleic acid directs the expression of an immunoglobulin or an effective portion thereof.  
     
     
         22 . A composition comprising nucleic acid, for use in the method of any one of the preceding claims.  
     
     
         23 . Use of a composition comprising nucleic acid, in accordance with any one of  claims 1  to  21 .  
     
     
         24 . Use of a composition comprising nucleic acid in the preparation of a substance for altering one or more characteristics of at least some of the cells of the reproductive tract of a mammalian individual.  
     
     
         25 . A method of making a composition for use in the method of any one of  claims 1  to  21 , the method comprising mixing a nucleic acid with a physiologically acceptable carrier substance.