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Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6465249
Title: | Use of .beta.-catenin in the expansion of stem and progenitor cells | Inventors: | Reya, Tannishtha; Mountain View, CA, USA
Nusse, Roeland; Stanford, CA, USA
Weissman, Irving L.; Redwood City, CA, USA | Summary: | Described herein is an in vitro expansion of mammalian stem or progenitor cells, and methods of their use in the production of cells that retain pluripotency of phenotype after expansion. The invention relates to methods by which mammalian progenitor or stem cells are expanded in vitro by increasing the levels of ?-catenin in the cell, such that the expanded cells substantially maintain their original phenotype including the ability to give rise to multiple types of differentiated cells. Further disclosed are the intracellular levels of ?-catenin which may be manipulated by providing exogenous ?-catenin protein to the cell, or by introduction into the cell of a genetic construct encoding ?-catenin. The ?-catenin is further described as being a wild-type or stabilized mutant form of the protein, and the long term cell culture medium is described preferentially as being substantially lacking in stromal cells and cytokines. Therapeutic applications in transplantation and in an increase in the levels of cellular ?-catenin are included. | Abstract: | Mammalian progenitor or stem cells are expanded in vitro by increasing the levels of .beta.-catenin in the cell. The expanded cells substantially maintain their original phenotype including the ability to give rise to multiple types of differentiated cells. The intracellular levels of .beta.-catenin may be manipulated by providing exogenous .beta.-catenin protein to the cell, or by introduction into the cell of a genetic construct encoding .beta.-catenin. The .beta.-catenin may be a wild-type or stabilized mutant form of the protein. Preferably the long term cell culture medium substantially lacks stromal cells and cytokines. | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | Title Number: | US6465249 | Application Number: | US2001000766387 | Date Filed: | 18/01/2001 | Date Published: | 15/10/2002 | Assignee: | The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Palo Alto, CA, USA |
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