Multipotent stem cells and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a quiescent stem cell having the capacity to differentiate into ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm, and which does not express cell surface markers including MHC class I, MHC class II, CD44, CD45, CD13, CD34, CD49c, CD73, CD105 and CD90. The invention further provides a proliferative stem cell, which expresses genes including Oct-4, Nanog, Sox2, GDF3, P16INK4, BMI, Notch, HDAC4, TERT, Rex-1 and TWIST but does not express cell surface markers including MHC class I, MHC class II, CD44, CD45, CD13, CD34, CD49c, CD73, CD105 and CD90. The cells of the invention can be isolated from adult mammals, have embryonic cell characteristics, and can form embryoid bodies. Methods for obtaining the stem cells, as well as methods of treating diseases and differentiated the stem cells, are also provided.

1 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . An isolated adult stem cell which is capable of proliferating and differentiating into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, expresses at least one of Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox-2, and does not detectibly express CD13, CD45, CD90, and CD34. 
     
     
         60 . An isolated adult quiescent stem cell which is capable of proliferating and differentiating into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm and does not detectibly express Oct-4, CD13, CD45, CD90, and further does not detectibly express at least one of MHC class I, MHC class II, CD44, CD105, CD49c, and CD73. 
     
     
         61 . An isolated adult stem cell which is capable of proliferating and differentiating into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, expresses at least one of Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox-2, and does not detectibly express CD13, CD45, CD90, CD34 and further does not detectibly express at least one of MHC class I, MHC class II, CD44, CD105, CD49c, and CD73. 
     
     
         62 . The cell of  claim 59 , wherein said cell is synovial fluid derived, blood derived or tissue derived. 
     
     
         63 . The cell of  claim 59 , wherein said cell is substantially purified. 
     
     
         64 . The cell of  claim 59 , wherein said cell is isolated from a mammal. 
     
     
         65 . The cell of claim  04 , wherein said cell is isolated from a human. 
     
     
         66 . The cell of  claim 59 , wherein said cell is isolated from an adult mammal. 
     
     
         67 . The cell of  claim 59 , comprising a heterologous nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
         68 . A population of cells wherein at least 10% of the cells are the stem cells of  claim 59 .