Meningeal-derived stem cells

Abstract

Described herein are stem cells derived from the meninges; specifically, the dura mater, pia mater or arachnoid mater. Methods for isolating, differentiating and explanting these cells are described, as well. In particular embodiments, the stem cells of the present invention are differentiated into nerve cells, bone cells, cartilage cells and Schwann cells. The stem cells of the invention can be taken from a small biopsy, and rapidly expanded to large populations of cells using specially defined media that maintain their undifferentiated state. Use of the stem cells of the present invention in biomedical applications is also described.

1 . A stem cell line, comprising cells derived from a meningeal tissue.  
   
   
       2 . The stem cell line of  claim 1 , wherein said meningeal tissue is selected from the group consisting of dura mater, pia mater, arachnoid mater and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The stem cell line of  claim 1 , wherein said meningeal tissue is obtained by biopsy from a patient or aseptically from a fetus.  
   
   
       4 . A composition comprising a substantially pure population of meningeal-derived stem cells.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said population of meningeal-derived stem cells includes greater than 80% of totipotent or pluripotent meningeal-derived stem cells.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said population of meningeal-derived stem cells includes greater than 90% of totipotent or pluripotent meningeal-derived stem cells.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said population of meningeal-derived stem cells includes greater than 99% of totipotent or pluripotent meningeal-derived stem cells.  
   
   
       8 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 4 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
   
   
       22 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the meningeal-derived stem cells are obtained by a process, comprising: 
 obtaining meningeal tissue from a subject;    washing said meningeal tissue in a physiologic buffer to produce washed meningeal tissue;    placing said washed meningeal tissue in a solution including said physiologic buffer and collagenase to produce dissociated meningeal tissue;    recovering said dissociated meningeal tissue; and    plating said dissociated meningeal tissue onto a culture substrate including a growth medium to culture said meningeal-derived stem cells.    
   
   
       34 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein obtaining said meningeal tissue is performed by a technique selected from biopsy from said subject and aseptic removal from said subject.  
   
   
       35 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said physiologic buffer is selected from the group consisting of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Hanks balanced salt solution and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       36 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein placing said washed meningeal tissue in said solution further includes maintaining said washed meningeal tissue in said solution for about 5 to about 30 minutes at a temperature of about 37° C.  
   
   
       37 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein recovering said dissociated meningeal tissue further includes centrifuging said meningeal tissue and washing a resulting pellet.  
   
   
       38 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said culture substrate is selected from the group consisting of a tissue culture plate plastic, a laminin-covered substrate, a polyamino acid, fibronectin and type I collagen.  
   
   
       39 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said growth medium includes Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM), about 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and about 1% glutamine.  
   
   
       40 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the meningeal-derived stem cells are obtained by a process, comprising: 
 obtaining meningeal tissue from a subject;    washing said meningeal tissue in a physiologic buffer to produce washed meningeal tissue;    placing said washed meningeal tissue on a culture substrate including a growth medium to culture said meningeal-derived stem cells.    
   
   
       41 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein obtaining said meningeal tissue is performed by a technique selected from biopsy from said subject and aseptic removal from said subject.  
   
   
       42 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein said physiologic buffer is selected from the group consisting of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Hanks balanced salt solution and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       43 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein said culture substrate is selected from the group consisting of a tissue culture plate plastic, a laminin-covered substrate, a polyamino acid, fibronectin and type I collagen.  
   
   
       44 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein said growth medium includes Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM), about 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and about 1% glutamine.  
   
   
       45 . (canceled)