Selectable marker for genetically engineered cells and tissues

摘要

The present invention relates to selectable marker gene, method of producing genetically modified cells allowing expression of a bicistronic vector, and ex vivo gene therapy applications. The invention also relates to selection of genetically engineered cells from the mixed population, prior to implantation in vivo. The invention describes the human cytidine deaminase (CD) gene as an ex vivo dominant selectable marker in gene-modified primary cells with cytosine nucleoside analogues. A bicistronic retrovector comprising the human CD coding sequence and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene is used for the transduction of cells. The invention describes the introduction of CD gene in cell and gene therapy applications for the ex vivo dominant selection of genetically engineered cells.