Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6361998

Efficient culture of stem cells for the production of hemoglobin

Bell, David N.; Oakville, Canada
Matthews, Kathryn Emma; Toronto, Canada
Mueller, Susan G.; Milton, Canada

This invention introduces a serum-free defined medium and methods of its use in the improved culture of stem cells. Described herein is a serum-free medium that promotes the growth and differentiation of erythroid cells which are highly transducible by a non-viral method, and genes which increase the growth of erythroid cells and decrease their dependency on Epo and other cytokines. Further disclosed are methods by which such a medium may be used in the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells to produce cultures of erythroid cells as a source of erythroid-specific proteins such as hemoglobin, wherein the hematopoietic stem cells are cultured ex vivo in a serum-free culture medium with the addition of IL-3, SCF and EPO. Claims of the invention include a reduction in the cost of the production of hemoglobin when produced according to these methods. Therapeutic applications in the production of hemoglobin are included.

Application Number: US1999000339838

Date Filed: 06/25/99

Dated Published: 03/26/02

Assignee: Hemosol Inc., Mississauga, Canada