Embryonic stem cells and neural progenitor cells derived therefrom

Patent Number: 7,504,257

This patent covers methods of generating neural progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells in vitro.  In its one issued claim the inventors teach the administration of EGF and FGF-2 to serum-free media containing undifferentiated pluripotent human embryonic stem cells in order to give rise to tripotent neural progenitor cells.  The neural progenitor cells are capable of differentiating into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes.  Further description of the neural progenitor cells generated includes their expression of polysialated N-CAM, nestin, vimentin and the transcription factor Pax-6.

The assignee, ES Cell International from Singapore, has numerous patents in the area of embryonic stem cells and neural precursors, for example, #7,011,828 covers methods of administration of neural progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells into various parts of the brain including the lateral cerebral ventricle.  #7,413,903 teaches ways of expanding embryonic stem cells without differentiating them by culture in media containing LPL receptor agonists.  #6,946,293 is interesting since it teaches expansion of pancreatic precursor cells extracted from non-ES sources.

View this patent on the USPTO website.