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: 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 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 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: 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: The present invention relates to a method for treating a disease or condition for which treatment involves the promotion of growth of neuronal cell processes and whose therapy comprises the administration of an agonist for neuronal cell surface receptors that promote outgrowth of neuronal processes said method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of said agonist in combination with a therapeutically effective concentration of one or more antioxidants/free radical scavengers and/or an agent capable of raising intracellular thiol levels and/or a steroid. A representative intracellular thiol is glutathione, the agent capable of raising intracellular thiol levels is N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and representative antioxidantsfree radical scavengers may be selected from the group consisting of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, analogs thereof and mixtures thereof. A representative Vitamin E analog is trolox.

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 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.