Appeal No. 1996-0927
Application 07/888,203
BACKGROUND
At page 4 of the specification, the applicant describes the invention as relating to a
method for homing hematopoietic stem cells to bone marrow stromal cells in a host by
administering to a host stromal cells which have been genetically engineered to express a
first member of a ligand-receptor binding pair and hematopoietic stem cells genetically
engineered to express a second member of a ligand-receptor binding pair under
conditions which permit the first member of the ligand-receptor binding pair to bind to the
second member of the ligand-receptor binding pair and thereby resulting in the "homing" of
the stem cells to the stromal cells. The method is described as being useful for
transplanting bone marrow in a host or for treating a host afflicted with a disease
associated with a disorder of the bone marrow.
Discussion:
Claim Interpretation:
Claim 22, the sole independent claim, is directed to a method of homing
hematopoietic stem cells to transplanted bone marrow stromal cells and inducing
proliferation of the stem cells in a host, comprising administering to the host both stromal
cells which have been genetically engineered to express a first member of a ligand-
receptor binding pair and, subsequently, stem cells which have been genetically
engineered to express a second member of the ligand receptor binding pair. While not
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