Multiponent adult stem cells and methods for isolation

Patent Number: 7015037

This patent describes a bone marrow stem cell population that is multipotent and capable of differentiating into various lineages besides hematopoietic ones. Specifically, the patent has 5 independent claims, all covering a stem cell isolated from bone marrow. The first covers a CD49c and CD90 postive cell that doubles around every 36 hours. The second covers a cell of similar phenotype that doubles about every 36 hours. The third covers a cell of similar phenotype that doubles between 36-48 hours. The fourth covers a cell of similar phenotype that is progenitor to other cells of the at least two of the ectodermal, endodermal, or mesodermal lineages. The fiveth covers a cell of similar phenotype, however expressing telomerase. The cells claimed by this patent are called by some "multipotent adult progenitor cells" and are described in a review paper by one of the inventors (Verfaillie CM Multipotent adult progenitor cells: an update. Novartis Found Symp. 2005;265:55-61; discussion 61-5, 92-7).

View this patent on the USPTO website.