Methods of expanding stem and progenitor cells and expanded cell populations obtained thereby

Patent Number: 7,344,881

This patent covers methods of expanding hematopoietic stem cells and their progenitors. The methods induce expansion but not differentiation of the cells. Essentially the patent teachs that expansion can be achieved by culture in media containing an "effective amount of TEPA-Cu chelate". TEPA stands for tetraethylenepentamine, which is a potent copper chelator. The inventors have published some of the data in the patent in "Peled et al. Chelatable cellular copper modulates differentiation and self-renewal of cord blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells. Exp Hematol. 2005 Oct;33(10):1092-100". The data in the paper supports the patent application, essentially expansion of CD34 proliferation and preservation of SCID-repopulating activity.

View this patent on the USPTO website.