Appeal No. 2006-0299 Page 3
Application No. 09/964,412
AD7c-NTP transfected cells suggests that the cell death is likely to be mediated
by apoptosis.” Id. Finally, viable cells in the AD7c-NTP transfected cultures
exhibited “extensive neuritic growth with fine interconnecting processes [ ] on
most cells” and “[i]mmunocytochemical staining . . . using [an] [anti-AD7c-NTP]
monoclonal antibody revealed intense labeling of the cell bodies and cell
processes” (id.).
According to appellants, “[t]hese studies demonstrate that over expression
of AD7c-NTP in transfected neuronal cells promotes neuritic sprouting and cell
death, two of the major features of Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration.”
Specification, page 46. Thus, reducing AD7c-NTP expression “might be effective
in . . . treating or preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease” (id., page 46).
DISCUSSION
Claims 35 and 37-42, the only claims remaining in the application, are
directed to treating dementia by administering an antisense oligonucleotide to
inhibit translation of AD7c-NTP mRNA. Claims 35, 37 and 38 are representative:
35. A method for the treatment of dementias of the Alzheimer’s type of
neuronal degeneration, said method comprising administering to an animal in
need thereof an antisense oligonucleotide which is complementary to an NTP
mRNA sequence corresponding to nucleotides 150-1139 of SEQ ID NO:1.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide is a
15 to 40 mer.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein said antisense oligonucleotide is
selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10 AND SEQ ID
NO:11.
SEQ ID NO:1 represents the AD7c-NTP cDNA; SEQ ID NOS: 9, 10 and
11 represent portions of SEQ ID NO:1.
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