Abstract: A glial precursor cell population from mammalian central nervous system has been isolated. These A2B5+ E-NCAM? glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells are capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, A2B5+ process-bearing astrocytes, and A2B5? fibroblast-like astrocytes, but not into neurons. GRP cells can be maintained by regeneration in culture. GRP cells differ from oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells in growth factor requirements, morphology, and progeny. Methods of use of GRP cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multipotent neuroepithelial stem cells and lineage-restricted oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are described. The neuroepithelial stem cells are capable of self-renewal and of differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are derived from neuroepithelial stem cells, are capable of self-renewal, and can differentiate into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, but not neurons. Methods of generating, isolating, and culturing such neuroepithelial stem cells and oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multipotent neuroepithelial stem cells and lineage-restricted oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are described. The neuroepithelial stem cells are capable of self-renewal and of differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are derived from neuroepithelial stem cells, are capable of self-renewal, and can differentiate into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, but not neurons. Methods of generating, isolating, and culturing such neuroepithelial stem cells and oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: An isolated, pure homogeneous population of mammalian astrocyte restricted precursor cells which is CD44 immunoreactive and which generate astrocytes but not oligodendrocytes is provided. Methods for isolating and using these mammalian astrocyte restricted precursor cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method for isolating human neuroepithelial precursor cells from human fetal tissue by culturing the human fetal cells in fibroblast growth factor and chick embryo extract and immunodepleting from the cultured human fetal cells any cells expressing A2B5, NG2 and eNCAM is provided. In addition, methods for transplanting these cells into an animal are provided. Animals models transplanted with these human neuroepithelial precursor cells and methods for monitoring survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells in the animal model via detection of human specific markers are also provided.

Abstract: A method for isolating human neuroepithelial precursor cells from human fetal tissue by culturing the human fetal cells in fibroblast growth factor and chick embryo extract and immunodepleting from the cultured human fetal cells any cells expressing A2B5, NG2 and eNCAM is provided. In addition, methods for transplanting these cells into an animal are provided. Animals models transplanted with these human neuroepithelial precursor cells and methods for monitoring survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells in the animal model via detection of human specific markers are also provided.

Abstract: A self-renewing restricted stem cell population has been identified in developing (embryonic day 13.5) spinal cords that can differentiate into multiple neuronal phenotypes, but cannot differentiate into glial phenotypes. This neuronal-restricted precursor (NRP) expresses highly polysialated or embryonic neural cell adhesion molecule (E-NCAM) and is morphologically distinct from neuroepithelial stem cells (NEP cells) and spinal glial progenitors derived from embryonic day 10.5 spinal cord. NRP cells self renew over multiple passages in the presence of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) and express a characteristic subset of neuronal epitopes. When cultured in the presence of RA and the absence of FGF, NRP cells differentiate into GABAergic, glutaminergic, and cholinergic immunoreactive neurons. NRP cells can also be generated from multipotent NEP cells cultured from embryonic day 10.5 neural tubes.

Abstract: A glial precursor cell population from mammalian central nervous system has been isolated. These A2B5+ E-NCAM? glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells are capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, A2B5+ process-bearing astrocytes, and A2B5? fibroblast-like astrocytes, but not into neurons. GRP cells can be maintained by regeneration in culture. GRP cells differ from oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells in growth factor requirements, morphology, and progeny. Methods of use of GRP cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A glial precursor cell population from mammalian central nervous system has been isolated. These A2B5+ E-NCAM? glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells are capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, A2B5+ process-bearing astrocytes, and A2B5? fibroblast-like astrocytes, but not into neurons. GRP cells can be maintained by regeneration in culture. GRP cells differ from oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells in growth factor requirements, morphology, and progeny. Methods of use of GRP cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multipotent neuroepithelial stem cells and lineage-restricted oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are described. The neuroepithelial stem cells are capable of self-renewal and of differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are derived from neuroepithelial stem cells, are capable of self-renewal, and can differentiate into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, but not neurons. Methods of generating, isolating, and culturing such neuroepithelial stem cells and oligodendrocyte-astrocyte precursor cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A glial precursor cell population from mammalian central nervous system has been isolated. These A2B5+ E-NCAM? glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells are capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, A2B5+ process-bearing astrocytes, and A2B5? fibroblast-like astrocytes, but not into neurons. GRP cells can be maintained by regeneration in culture. GRP cells differ from oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells in growth factor requirements, morphology, and progeny. Methods of use of GRP cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for isolating human neuroepithelial precursor cells from human fetal tissue by culturing the human fetal cells in fibroblast growth factor and chick embryo extract and immunodepleting from the cultured human fetal cells any cells expressing A2B5, NG2 and eNCAM is provided. In addition, methods for transplanting these cells into an animal are provided. Animals models transplanted with these human neuroepithelial precursor cells and methods for monitoring survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of the cells in the animal model via detection of human specific markers are also provided.

Abstract: An improved ceramic bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength ceramic having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block is coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone ingrowth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.

Abstract: A method of generating neural crest stem cells involves inducing neuroepithelial stem cells to differentiate in vitro into neural crest stem cells. Differentiation can be induced by replating the cells on laminin, withdrawing mitogens, or adding dorsalizing agents to the growth medium. Derivatives of the peripheral nervous system can be generated by inducing the neural crest stem cells to differentiate in vitro.

Abstract: A method of obtaining and the resulting isolated progenitor or stem cell population of proliferating cells persistently expressing a candidate molecule. Further, novel methods of ex vivo gene product (e.g., protein) production and treating symptoms of neurological or neurodegenerative disorders are also provided.

Abstract: An improved ceramic bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength ceramic having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block is coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone ingrowth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.

Abstract: A self-renewing restricted stem cell population has been identified in developing (embryonic day 13.5) spinal cords that can differentiate into multiple neuronal phenotypes, but cannot differentiate into glial phenotypes. This neuronal-restricted precursor (NRP) expresses highly polysialated or embryonic neural cell adhesion molecule (E-NCAM) and is morphologically distinct from neuroepithelial stem cells (NEP cells) and spinal glial progenitors derived from embryonic day 10.5 spinal cord. NRP cells self renew over multiple passages in the presence of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) and express a characteristic subset of neuronal epitopes. When cultured in the presence of RA and the absence of FGF, NRP cells differentiate into GABAergic, glutaminergic, and cholinergic immunoreactive neurons. NRP cells can also be generated from multipotent NEP cells cultured from embryonic day 10.5 neural tubes.

Abstract: A self-renewing restricted stem cell population has been identified in developing (embryonic day 13.5) spinal cords that can differentiate into multiple neuronal phenotypes, but cannot differentiate into glial phenotypes. This neuronal-restricted precursor (NRP) expresses highly polysialated or embryonic neural cell adhesion molecule (E-NCAM) and is morphologically distinct from neuroepithelial stem cells (NEP cells) and spinal glial progenitors derived from embryonic day 10.5 spinal cord. NRP cells self renew over multiple passages in the presence of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) and express a characteristic subset of neuronal epitopes. When cultured in the presence of RA and the absence of FGF, NRP cells differentiate into GABAergic, glutaminergic, and cholinergic immunoreactive neurons. NRP cells can also be generated from multipotent NEP cells cultured from embryonic day 10.5 neural tubes.

Abstract: A glial precursor cell population from mammalian central nervous system has been isolated. These A2B5+ E-NCAM− glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells are capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, A2B5+ process-bearing astrocytes, and A2B5− fibroblast-like astrocytes, but not into neurons. GRP cells can be maintained by regeneration in culture. GRP cells differ from oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells in growth factor requirements, morphology, and progeny. Methods of use of GRP cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved ceramic bone graft is provided for human implantation, particularly such as a spinal fusion cage for implantation into the inter-vertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The improved spinal fusion cage includes a substrate block of high strength ceramic having a selected size and shape to fit the anatomical space, and a controlled porosity analogous to natural bone. The substrate block is coated with a bio-active surface coating material such as hydroxyapatite or a calcium phosphate to promote bone ingrowth and enhanced bone fusion. Upon implantation, the fusion cage provides a spacer element having a desired combination of mechanical strength together with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity to promote bone ingrowth and fusion, as well as radiolucency for facilitated post-operative monitoring. The fusion cage may additionally carry one or more natural or synthetic therapeutic agents for further promoting bone ingrowth and fusion.