Platelets from stem cells
First Claim
1. A method for the production of human platelets in vitro comprising the steps of (a) culturing human embryonic stem cells under conditions which favor the differentiation of the cells into the hematopoietic lineage;
- (b) culturing the cells of the hematopoietic lineage into megakaryocytes;
(c) culturing the megakaryocytes so that they will produce platelets; and
(d) recovering the platelets apart from the megakaryocytes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells are induced to differentiate first into the hematopoietic lineage and then into megakaryocytes, the cells which generate platelets. The proper in vitro culture of megakaryocytes results in the production and shed of platelets. This makes possible, for the first time, the in vitro production of a human blood factor needed by many patients. The in vitro produced platelets lack the immune functions that are the source of incompatibility with current platelet transfusions and thus can be universally transfused to patients without issues of immune rejection.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for the production of human platelets in vitro comprising the steps of
(a) culturing human embryonic stem cells under conditions which favor the differentiation of the cells into the hematopoietic lineage; -
(b) culturing the cells of the hematopoietic lineage into megakaryocytes;
(c) culturing the megakaryocytes so that they will produce platelets; and
(d) recovering the platelets apart from the megakaryocytes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Human platelets produced in in vitro culture, the platelets being biologically active to initiate clotting, the platelets being substantially free of and never having been exposed to blood antigens, lymphocytes and constituents of human blood plasma.
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12. An aliquot of human platelets comprising functional human platelets produced in vitro and substantially free of immunoglobulins and substantially free of ABO and Rh antigens.
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13. An aliquot of human platelets produced by in vitro culture, the platelets being biologically active to initiate clotting in vivo, the platelets carried in a medium containing no human serum or plasma.
Specification