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Stem Cell Related Patent Number US5744347
| Title: | Yolk sac stem cells and their uses | | Inventors: | Wagner, Thomas E.; Albany, OH, USA
Antczak, Michael R.; Albany, OH, USA | | Summary: | Described herein are stem cells derived from the yolk sac of a mammalian embryo. The invention relates to a cellular composition comprising a substantially homogeneous population of cultured murine stem cells displaying a phenotype of CD34-, MHC Class I- and MHC Class II- and which are capable of giving rise to blood cells. Further disclosed are properties of the characterization, culturing, long-term expansion and uses of yolk sac stem cells for in vivo reconstitution and therapy. Central to the invention is the discovery that yolk sac stem cells that have been isolated from the early embryonic yolk sac prior to blood island formation exhibit a homogeneous morphology and a primitive cell surface phenotype without the expression of mature leukocyte markers or major histocompatibility complex-encoded antigens. Methods of long-term culturing and expansion of the cells with minimal differentiation and without alteration of their pluripotency are described. Also provided are methods by which the cells can be induced to express various blood cell and endothelial markers upon stimulation with specific cytokines. Therapeutic and experimental applications of yolk sac stem cells are included for the treatment of a wide range of hematological and immunological disorders, and for the in vivo reconstitution of a lymphohematopoietic system. | | Abstract: | The present invention is directed to mammalian yolk sac stem cells. In particular, it relates to the characterization, culturing, long-term expansion and uses of yolk sac stem cells for in vivo reconstitution and therapy. Yolk sac stem cells isolated from the early embryonic yolk sac prior to blood island formation exhibit a homogeneous morphology and a primitive cell surface phenotype without the expression of mature leukocyte markers and major histocompatibility complex-encoded antigens. The cells can be cultured and expanded long-term with minimal differentiation, and without alteration of their pluripotency. However, such cells can be induced to express various blood cell markers upon stimulation with specific cytokines. In addition, the cells also express certain endothelial cell markers and growth characteristics. Such yolk sac cells may be particularly effective in the reconstitution of a lymphohematopoietic system, as they are capable of forming both endothelial cells and blood cells. Therefore, yolk sac stem cells may have a wide range of applications including but not limited to the reconstitution of a destroyed or deficient human hematopoietic system, and the construction of large and small animal models for the production of human blood cells, human antibodies, and testing of human diseases, immune function, vaccines, drugs and immunotherapy. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US5744347 | | Application Number: | US1994000223902 | | Date Filed: | 06/04/1994 | | Date Published: | 28/04/1998 | | Assignee: | Ohio University Edison Biotechnology Institute, Athens, OH, USA |
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