Stem Cell Related Patent Number US6225122

Human spinal cord cell lines and methods of use therefor

Sah, Dinah W. Y.; San Diego, CA, USA
Li, Ronghao; San Diego, CA, USA

This invention describes methods of preparing conditionally immortalized human spinal cord neural precursor cells. Described herein are methods for transfecting human spinal cord cells plated on a first surface and in a first growth medium that permit proliferation with DNA encoding a selectable marker and an externally regulatable growth-promoting gene, which is followed by a process of selecting the transfected cells on a second surface and in a second growth medium which permit attachment and proliferation, and which thereby produce a conditionally-immortalized human spinal cord neural precursor cell. Also included are therapeutic uses in the prevention and treatment of a variety of spinal cord-related diseases and injuries, in assays for the general study of spinal cord cell development and differentiation, and for producing a conditionally-immortalized human spinal cord neural precursor cell. If such cell lines are clonal, they may also be used to generate neurons, including motor neurons.

Application Number: US1998000059790

Date Filed: 04/13/98

Dated Published: 05/01/01

Assignee: Signal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA