Combinations of human proteins to enhance viability of stem cells and progenitor cells

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include the use of a composition of placental alkaline phosphatase or other members of the alkaline phosphatase family alone, or in combination with human transferrin and, optionally, human α 1 -antitrypsin to enhance the in vitro proliferation and survival of adult or embryonic stem cells and/or progenitor cells that are derived from stem cells.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . A method for stimulating proliferation and promoting survival of stem or progenitor cells by administering to the stem or progenitor cells in vitro a composition comprising alkaline phosphatase or a combination of alkaline phosphatase and transferrin and, optionally, α 1 -antitrypsin 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the alkaline phosphatase is placental alkaline phosphatase. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the alkaline phosphatase is intestinal alkaline phosphatase, tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase, germ cell alkaline phosphatase, or active derivatives thereof. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the alkaline phosphatase, transferrin, or α 1 -antitrypsin are recombinant proteins. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the stem cells are adult stem cells or embryonic stem cells. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the stem or progenitor cells are mesenchymal or hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells that are derived from bone marrow. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the stem or progenitor cells are derived from a tissue other than from bone marrow. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the progenitor cells are skeletal muscle myoblasts or pre-adipocyte cells. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 27  wherein a composition containing about 1-20 μg/ml of alkaline phosphatase is administered to the stem or progenitor cells. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 27  wherein a composition containing about 1-20 μg/ml of purified placental alkaline phosphatase and about 1-20 μg/ml of purified human transferrin is administered to the stem or progenitor cells. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 27  wherein a composition containing about 1-20 μg/ml of purified placental alkaline phosphatase and about 1-20 jig/ml of purified human transferrin and, optionally, about 50-500 μg/ml of purified human α 1 -antitrypsin is administered to the stem or progenitor cells. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the composition is administered to the stem or progenitor cells together with other promoters of stem cell and progenitor cell survival and proliferation comprising insulin, thrombopoietin, erythropoietin, an angiopoietin-like protein, insulin-like growth factor 1, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or any other protein or agent that exert such effects.