Neural Progenitor Cell Populations

• US 20090117639A1
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asterias Biotherapeutics Incorporated (Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Melissa K. Carpenter
• Inventors: Carpenter, Melissa K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,252,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/189
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/12 Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells vaccines or medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/08 Antiepileptics; Anticonvulsants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/14 for treating abnormal movements, e.g. chorea, dyskinesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/16 Anti-Parkinson drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/28 for treating neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, e.g. nootropic agents, cognition enhancers, drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/08 Vasodilators for multiple indications
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/01 Modulators of cAMP or cGMP, e.g. non-hydrolysable analogs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, cholera toxin
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/105 Insulin-like growth factors [IGF]
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/11 Epidermal growth factor [EGF]
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/115 Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/119 Other fibroblast growth factors, e.g. FGF-4, FGF-8, FGF-10
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/13 Nerve growth factor [NGF]; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]; Cilliary neurotrophic factor [CNTF]; Glial-derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF]; Neurotrophins [NT]; Neuregulins
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/135 Platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF]
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2503/02 Drug screening
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2506/02 from embryonic cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2510/00 Genetically modified cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0618 : Cells of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0623 : Stem cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6881 : for tissue or cell typing, e.g. human leukocyte antigen [HLA] probes
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2600/158 : Expression markers

Abstract

This invention provides populations of neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, glial cells, and astrocytes. The populations are obtained by culturing stem cell populations (such as embryonic stem cells) in a cocktail of growth conditions that initiates differentiation, and establishes the neural progenitor population. The progenitors can be further differentiated in culture into a variety of different neural phenotypes, including dopaminergic neurons. The differentiated cell populations or the neural progenitors can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of neurological disorders.

Claims

1-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A system for generating neural progenitor cells comprising a) a first in vitro population of cells comprising human embryonic stem cells;

and b) a second isolated cell population comprising progeny of a portion of the first population of cells, wherein the progeny express NCAM.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the first and second populations of cells are contained in separate containers.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the second population of cells express β

-tubulin III.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the second population of cells express Map-2.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the second population of cells have the morphology of a neuron.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the second population of cells are GABA immunoreactive.

37. A system for generating a multipotent neural progenitor cell population comprising a) a first in vitro population of cells comprising human embryonic stem cells;

and b) a second isolated cell population comprising progeny of a portion of the first population of cells, wherein the progeny express A2B5.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the first and second populations of cells are contained in separate containers.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the second population of cells express NCAM.

40. The system of claim 37, wherein the second population of cells express β

-tubulin III.

41. The system of claim 37, wherein the second population of cells express Map-2.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein the second population of cells express GFAP.

43. A system for generating tyrosine hydroxylase expressing cells comprising a) a first in vitro population of cells comprising human embryonic stem cells;

and b) a second isolated cell population comprising progeny of a portion of the first population of cells, wherein the progeny express tyrosine hydroxylase.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the second population of cells express Map-2.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the second population of cells express NCAM.