Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for preparing neural scaffolds. The scaffolds comprise tissue taken from the spinal cord and/or dura mater of vertebrate and can be processed to form gels or sheets. Methods of treating patient with CNS injury are also presented.

Abstract: An isolated multipotent neural stem cells has a phenotype identified by expression of the protein ?-tubulin IV and Olig2 and the absence of the proteins NG2, PLP, and GFAP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of deriving an induced neural stem cell (iNCS) by nuclear reprogramming of a somatic cell, wherein the method comprises a step of contacting the somatic cell with Oct4 protein or a functionally equivalent analogue, variant or fragment thereof for a limited time period, as well as an induced neural stem cell obtained by this method.

Abstract: The invention concerns human neural progenitor cells containing introduced genetic material encoding a product of interest, and their use for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immortalizing progenitor cells by providing a population of progenitor cells (e.g, neural progenitor cells) and immortalizing the progenitor cells either before or after they are enriched or purified. The present invention is also directed to an enriched or purified population of immortalized progenitor cells (e.g., neural progenitor cells).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing oligodendrocytes from multipotent neural stem cells by using at least one oligodendrocyte promoting factor, particularly granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, interleukin 3 or interleukin 5. The neural stem cells may optionally be expanded prior to being subjected to the oligodendrocyte promoting factor.

Abstract: There is provided a method of inducing differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to neural cells or skeletal muscle cells by introduction of a Notch gene. Specifically, the invention provides a method of inducing differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to neural cells or skeletal muscle cells in vitro, which method comprises introducing a Notch gene and/or a Notch signaling related gene into the cells, wherein the finally obtained differentiated cells are the result of cell division of the bone marrow stromal cells into which the Notch gene and/or Notch signaling related gene have been introduced. The invention also provides a method of inducing further differentiation of the differentiation-induced neural cells to dopaminergic neurons or acetylcholinergic neurons. The invention yet further provides a treatment method for neurodegenerative and skeletal muscle degenerative diseases which employs neural precursor cells, neural cells or skeletal muscle cells produced by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel populations of neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, and methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: The invention features a method for detecting an increased likelihood of hyperhomocysteinemia and, in turn, an increased or decreased likelihood of neural tube defects or cardiovascular disease. The invention also features therapeutic methods for reducing the risk of neural tube defects, colon cancers and related cancers. Also provided are the sequences of the human methionine synthase gene and protein and compounds and kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method is described for inducing in vivo proliferation of precursor cells located in mammalian neural tissue by administering to the mammal a fibroblast growth factor and at least one additional growth factor selected from the group consisting of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, and amphiregulin. The method can be used to replace damaged or missing neurons and/or glia. Another method is described for transplanting multipotent neural stem cell progeny into a mammal. The method comprises the steps of administering growth factors to a mammal to induce in vivo proliferation of neural precursor cells, removing the precursor cell progeny from the mammal, culturing the removed cells in vitro in the presence of one or more growth factors that induces multipotent neural stem cell proliferation, and implanting the multipotent neural stem cell progeny into the mammal.

Abstract: An isolated multipotent neural stem cells has a phenotype identified by expression of the protein ?-tubulin IV and Olig2 and the absence of the proteins NG2, PLP, and GFAP.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for preparing neural scaffolds. The scaffolds comprise tissue taken from the spinal cord and/or dura mater of vertebrate and can be processed to form gels or sheets. Methods of treating patient with CNS injury are also presented.

Abstract: Production of fully differentiated, optionally immortalized, neural cells—by enhancing replication then inducing differentiation by mimicking cell's natural environment in vitro. The cells are useful for transplantation or drug screening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolating ependymal neural CNS stem cells from a post-natal animal or a human, which method comprises the steps of (a) screening single cells obtained by dissociating CNS tissue from said animal for cells exhibiting at least one characteristic of an ependymal neural stem cell; and (b) recovering the cells that exhibit the characteristic or characteristics screened for in step (a). The screening may be performed for a specific cell surface protein or by previously labeling the ependymal cells. The invention also relates to isolated ependymal neural CNS stem cells, in vitro and in vivo assays based on the findings according to the invention and various uses of the ependymal neural stem cells according to the invention.

Abstract: An isolated gene and protein product, designated Hepp, having a role in mammalian hematopoiesis and neural function, and a genetically modified non-human mammal that is homozygous or heterozygous for a disruption in the endogenous Hepp gene.

Abstract: Provided are a culture medium for preparing neural stem cell and use thereof, the culture medium for preparing neural stem cell comprising: a basic culture medium suitable for the growth of stem cell, and a cell signal pathway inhibitor selected from at least one of GSK inhibitor, MEK inhibitor, TGF-? inhibitor, ROCK inhibitor and BMP inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are neural extracellular vesicles (EVs) and methods of using these EVs in the treatment of spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Porcine neural cells and methods for using the cells to treat neurological deficits due to neurodegeneration are described. The porcine neural cells are preferably embryonic mesencephalic, embryonic striatal cells, or embryonic cortical cells. The porcine neural cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human. For example, the porcine neural cells can be modified such that an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in a xenogeneic subject is altered (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof) to inhibit rejection of the cell when introduced into the subject. In one embodiment, the porcine neural cells are obtained from a pig which is essentially free from organisms or substances which are capable of transmitting infection or disease to the recipient subject.

Abstract: Porcine neural cells and methods for using the cells to treat neurological deficits due to neurodegeneration are described. The porcine neural cells are preferably embryonic mesencephalic, embryonic striatal cells, or embryonic cortical cells. The porcine neural cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human. For example, the porcine neural cells can be modified such that an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in a xenogeneic subject is altered (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof) to inhibit rejection of the cell when introduced into the subject. In one embodiment, the porcine neural cells are obtained from a pig which is essentially free from organisms or substances which are capable of transmitting infection or disease to the recipient subject.

Abstract: There is provided a method of inducing differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to neural cells or skeletal muscle cells by introduction of a Notch gene. Specifically, the invention provides a method of inducing differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to neural cells or skeletal muscle cells in vitro, which method comprises introducing a Notch gene and/or a Notch signaling related gene into the cells, wherein the finally obtained differentiated cells are the result of cell division of the bone marrow stromal cells into which the Notch gene and/or Notch signaling related gene have been introduced. The invention also provides a method of inducing further differentiation of the differentiation-induced neural cells to dopaminergic neurons or acetylcholinergic neurons. The invention yet further provides a treatment method for neurodegenerative and skeletal muscle degenerative diseases which employs neural precursor cells, neural cells or skeletal muscle cells produced by the method of the invention.