Ependymal neural stem cells and method for their isolation

Patent Number: 7,320,872

Glia are the non-neuronal cells of the central nervous system. There are several types of glia. For example, microglia are generally hematopoietically derived cells similar to macrophages that are capable of phagocytosis and clearing local debris. Astrocytes are responsible for physically connecting the neurons to the vasculature feeding them. Astrocytes also regulate the ionic environment, as well as the flow of blood from the adjacent blood vessels. Oligodendrocytes coat the axons with myelin, similarly how the Schwann cell myelinates the peripheral CNS. Radial cells are involved in regulating synaptic plasticity. Ependymal cells are responsible for production of the cerebrospinal fluid. They are usually found on the walls of the ventricles of the brain.

The current invention deals with the ependymal cells. Specifically, the inventors have found that ependymal neural stem cells may be isolated by specific surface and intracellular markers.

The patent covers, amongst other things, "an isolated ependymal neural CNS stem cell" with the markers Notch 1 and/or Notch 2, Notch 3, CAR, and CFTR. The claims also cover "a cell preparation" and "a method of isolation".

The specification teaches that these cells are useful as bona fide "neural stem cells" in that they can generate neurospheres and be useful for treatment of spinal cord injury and other conditions where new neurons are needed.

There are two other patents issued belonging to this family and assigned to NeuroNova, 6541247 which covers isolation and 7279332 which includes drug discovery uses of the cells.

View this patent on the USPTO website.