Method and system for introducing a gene into a human stem cell

Abstract

A method and vector system for delivering of a gene into a human stem cell for therapeutic uses is disclosed. The method includes linking a therapeutic gene to human sperm cells through a linker and fertilizing a human oocyte. The resulting zygote may then be cultured and established as human embryonic stem cells, which may later be differentiated into different types of cells for transplantation into the human body.

1 . A method for delivering a polynucleotide into a human stem cell, said method comprising the steps of: 
 associating the polynucleotide to a human sperm cell through a non-liposome based linker, wherein said linker is an antibody; and    effecting in vitro fertilization of a human oocyte with the human sperm cell to form a zygote.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising culturing and establishing an embryonic stem cell from the zygote.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 screening cells derived from the embryonic stem cell for immunological compatibility with a patient.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the embryonic stem cell has the ability to differentiate into different cell types selected from the group consisting of: myoblasts, hematopoietic stem cells, and neural stem cells.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is able to express a gene product selected from a group consisting of an RNA or a protein.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is associated with an external surface of the human sperm cell through the linker.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A vector comprising: 
 a human sperm cell;    at least one non-liposome based linker bound to the external surface of said sperm cell, wherein said linker is an antibody; and    a polynucleotide linked to said human sperm cell through said linker.    
   
   
       9 . The vector of  claim 8  wherein the polynucleotide is introduced into a human oocyte during fertilization by the human sperm cell.  
   
   
       10 . The vector of  claim 8  further comprising an embryonic stem cell derived from fertilization of the human sperm cell with a human oocyte.  
   
   
       11 . The vector of  claim 8  wherein the polynucleotide is able to express a gene product selected from a group consisting of an RNA or a protein.  
   
   
       12 . The vector of  claim 8  wherein the polynucleotide is associated to an external surface of the human sperm cell through the linker.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . An embryonic stem cell derived from fertilization of a human oocyte with a human sperm cell linked to a polynucleotide through a linker, wherein said linker is an antibody.  
   
   
       15 . The embryonic stem cell of  claim 14  wherein the embryonic stem cell is immunologically compatible with a patient.  
   
   
       16 . The embryonic stem cell of  claim 14  wherein the human sperm cell and the human oocyte are derived from biological parents of the patient.  
   
   
       17 . The embryonic stem cell of  claim 14  wherein the polynucleotide is able to express a gene product selected from a group consisting of an RNA and a protein.  
   
   
       18 . The embryonic stem cell of  claim 14  wherein the embryonic stem cell has the ability to differentiate into different types of cells.  
   
   
       19 . The embryonic stem cells of  claim 18  wherein the different types of cells are selected from a group consisting of myoblasts, hematopoietic stem cells, and neural stem cells.  
   
   
       20 . The embryonic stem cells of  claim 14  the polynucleotide is linked to an external surface of the human sperm cell.  
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . An antibody characterized by having binding affinity to a sperm cell, wherein a sperm cell bound to said antibody retains the ability to fertilize an oocyte.  
   
   
       23 . The antibody of  claim 22  wherein the sperm cell is a human sperm cell.  
   
   
       24 . The antibody of  claim 22  wherein the sperm cell is selected from a group consisting of mouse sperm cell, cow sperm cell, pig sperm cell, chicken sperm cell, sheep sperm cell, and goat sperm cell.  
   
   
       25 . The antibody of  claim 22  wherein the binding affinity to sperm cells is further characterized by the ability to bind to sperm cells from a plurality of species of animal.  
   
   
       26 . The antibody of  claim 22  also exhibiting binding properties to a polynucleotide such that upon fertilization, the polynucleotide is introduced into the zygote.