Human embryonic germ cell line and methods of use
First Claim
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1. A cell having the characteristics of a human pluripotent embryonic germ (EG) cell.
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Abstract
Primordial germ cells isolated from human embryonic tissue, such as from the gonadal ridges of human embryo, are disclosed. The primordial germ cells are cultured resulting in cells that resemble embryonic stem cells or embryonic germ cells in morphology and pluripotency. The cells are maintained several months in culture and can be genetically manipulated using transgenic technology to insert heterologous genetic material.
25 Citations
33 Claims
- 1. A cell having the characteristics of a human pluripotent embryonic germ (EG) cell.
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12. A method for producing EG, comprising culturing human primordial germ cells (PCGs) in the presence of STO cells in a culture medium containing an effective amount of:
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(a) a ligand which binds to a receptor which can associate with glycoprotein 130 (gp
130) or an antibody that binds to and activates gp130; and
(b) a growth factor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for identifying a compound which modulates EG cell function comprising:
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(a) incubating components comprising the compound and at least one EG cell under conditions sufficient to allow the components to interact; and
(b) determining the effect of the compound on an EG cell function before and after incubating in the presence of the compound. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of using an EG cell to produce restricted developmental lineage cells, comprising:
contacting the EG cell with a differentiation agent, thereby producing restricted developmental lineage cells from the EG cell. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of using an EG cell to produce an immortalized human restricted developmental lineage cell, comprising:
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(a) generating a differentiation signal in an EG cell thereby producing restricted developmental lineage cells from the EG cell; and
(b) expressing recombinant telomerase in the restricted developmental lineage cell, thereby producing immortalized human cells having the characteristics of a restricted developmental lineage cell.
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33. A method for identifying a compound which can differentiate EG cells, comprising:
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(a) incubating components comprising the compound and an EG cell under conditions sufficient to allow the components to interact; and
(b) determining the effect of the compound on the EG cell wherein the appearance in culture of a restricted developmental lineage cells indicates differentiation of the EG cell.
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Specification