Multipotent stem cells derived from human adipose tissue and cellular therapeutic agents comprising the same

Abstract

Human adipose tissue-derived multipotent adult stem cells are provided, which are characterized by the ability to be maintained in an undifferentiated state for a long period of time by forming spheres and which have high proliferation rates. Also provided are methods for isolating and maintaining the adult stem cells, and methods for differentiating the multipotent adult stem cells into nerve cells, fat cells, cartilage cells, osteogenic cells, muscle cells, endothelial cells, hepatic cells and insulin-releasing pancreatic β-cells. Also provided are cellular therapeutic agents for treating osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, nerve disease, diabetes and for forming breast tissue, which contain differentiated cells or the adult stem cells.

1 . Adult mesenchymal stem cells characterized by:
 (a) showing positive immunological responses to all of CD73, CD90, CD29, CD44 and CD105, and negative immunological responses to all of CD33, CD34, CD45, CD4, CD31, CD62p, CD14 and HLA-DR;   (b) growing attached to a plastic material, showing spindle-shaped morphological features, and forming spheres in a medium containing CORM-2 so as to be able to be maintained in an undifferentiated state for a long period of time; and   (c) having the ability to differentiate into ectoderm, mesoderm and/or endoderm-derived cells.   
     
     
         2 . The adult mesenchymal stem cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the adult mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in an undifferentiated state for at least 16 passages. 
     
     
         3 . The adult mesenchymal stem cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the ectoderm-derived cells are selected from the group consisting of: nerve cells and astrocytes. 
     
     
         4 . The adult mesenchymal stem cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the mesoderm-derived cells are selected from the group consisting of: cartilage cells, osteogenic cells, endothelial cells, muscle cells and fat cells. 
     
     
         5 . The adult mesenchymal stem cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the endoderm-derived cells are selected from the group consisting of: insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells and hepatic cells. 
     
     
         6 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating nerve disease containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into nerve cells, or the differentiated nerve cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         7 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating diabetes containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells, or the differentiated insulin-releasing pancreatic beta-cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         8 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating osteoarthritis containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into cartilage cells, or the differentiated cartilage cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         9 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating bone deficiency containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into osteogenic cells, or the differentiated osteogenic cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         10 . A cellular therapeutic agent for forming breast tissue containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into fat cells, or the differentiated fat cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         11 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating muscle-related disease containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into muscle cells, or the differentiated muscle cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         12 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating hepatic disease containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into hepatic cells, or the differentiated hepatic cells therefrom, as active ingredients. 
     
     
         13 . A cellular therapeutic agent for treating vascular disease containing the adult mesenchymal stem cells of  claim 1 , which have the ability of differentiation into endothelial cells, or the differentiated endothelial cells therefrom, as active ingredients.