Isolation of precursor cells and their use for tissue repair

Abstract

Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein CDMP-1 or a transforming growth factor β having at least 80% homology with CDMP-1, or a factor co-expressed and/or co-detectable therewith, is used as a marker of skeletal precursor cells from any part of a mammalian body.

1 . A method for repairing a cartilage defect in a mammal comprising the steps of:
 providing an expanded or passaged population of chondrocyte precursor cells isolated from a joint interzone or from bone marrow, and,   implanting said cells into said cartilage defect, thereby repairing said cartilage defect.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said joint interzone is periosteum or synovial membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of detecting the expression of CDMP-1, or the expression of a gene co-expressed therewith, in said expanded or passaged population of chondrocyte precursor cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of selecting the cells expressing CDMP-1, or expressing a gene co-expressed therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of detecting cells expressing FGFR-3 in said expanded or passaged population of chondrocyte precursor cells. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of removing the cells expressing FGFR-3. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chondrocyte precursor cells are co-implanted together with chondrocytes. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said chondrocyte precursor cells are administered in a prosthetic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cartilage defect is selected from the group consisting of subglottic stenosis, tracheomalacia, chondromalacia patellae, osteoarthritis and traumatic cartilage lesions. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of administering a factor that stimulates differentiation of said chondrocyte precursor cells into cartilage.