OPTICAL REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION IN THE RETINA
The present invention provides methods and compositions for regulating transgene expression in a subject using heat generated by electro-magnetic radiation in a target cell. The heat is generated by a thermo generator resided in the target cell upon application the electromagnetic radiation. The amount of the heat is controlled by the energy delivered by the electromagnetic radiation.
1 . A method for modulating gene expression in a subject, comprising;
(a) expressing a transgene in a plurality of cells in a subject, wherein said plurality of cells comprises a target cell, wherein said target cell comprises;
(i) a polynucleotide encoding said transgene; and
(ii) a thermo generator capable of generating heat upon application of an electromagnetic radiation; and
(b) applying said electromagnetic radiation to said target cell to destroy said target cell, thereby modulating expression of said transgene in said subject.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said target cell is a pigmented cell and said thermo generator comprises a chromophore or pigment.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said pigmented cell is selected from the group consisting of: retinal pigment epithelium, iris epithelium, trabecular meshwork epithelium, and a cell in the pigmented choroid.
4 .- 10 . (canceled)
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is produced by a laser.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said laser has a beam width of less than 1 mm.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said laser has a power of about 500 mW to 5,000 mW.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is applied by one or more pulses.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the duration of said pulse of electromagnetic radiation is less than 100 μs.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is applied by scanning a beam of electromagnetic radiation.
17 . (canceled)
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the scanning beam has a dwell time less than 100 μs.
19 . A method for modulating gene expression in a target cell by electromagnetic radiation, comprising;
(a) expressing a transgene in a target cell, wherein said target cell comprises:
(i) a polynucleotide encoding heat-responsive promoter that controls expression of said transgene; and
(ii) a thermo generator that is capable of generating heat upon application of an electromagnetic radiation; and
(b) applying said electromagnetic radiation to said target cell to increase the expression of said transgene.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said target cell is a pigmented cell and said thermo generator comprise a chromophore or pigment.
21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said pigmented cell is selected from the group consisting of: retinal pigment epithelium, iris epithelium, trabecular meshwork epithelium, and a cell in the pigmented choroid.
22 .- 28 . (canceled)
29 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is a laser.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein said laser has a beam width of less than 1 mm.
31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein said laser has a power of about 5 mW to 500 mW.
32 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is applied by one or more pulses.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the duration of applying said pulses of electromagnetic radiation is less than 100 μs.
34 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is applied by scanning a beam of electromagnetic radiation.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the scanning beam has a dwell time less than 100 μs.