Primate Embryonic Stem Cells

Abstract

A purified preparation of primate embryonic stem cells is disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the following cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (−); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); and alkaline phosphatase (+). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for eleven months. The embryonic stem cell lines also retain the ability, throughout the culture, to form trophoblast and to differentiate into all tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). A method for isolating a primate embryonic stem cell line is also disclosed.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a disease in a subject comprising the steps of:
 (a) obtaining a culture of embryonic stem cells, wherein the embryonic stein cells have the potential to differentiate to derivatives of endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm tissues;   (b) culturing the embryonic stem cells so that they differentiate into a desired differentiated cell type, and   (c) administering the differentiated cells to the subject to treat the disease.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are genetically manipulated to prevent immune rejection after transplantation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are primate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are human. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's disease, juvenile onset diabetes, and Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are negative for the SSEA-1 cell surface marker and positive for SSEA-4 cell surface marker. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are positive for the TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81 markers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the subject is mammal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the mammal is human. 
     
     
         21 . A method of differentiating embryonic stem cells into a desired cell type, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining a culture of embryonic stern cells, wherein the embryonic stem cells have the potential to differentiate to derivatives of endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm tissues;   (b) culturing the embryonic stem cells so that they differentiate into a desired differentiated cell type.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are genetically manipulated. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are primate. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are human. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are negative for the SSEA-1 cell surface marker and positive for SSEA-4 cell surface marker. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the embryonic stem cells are positive for the TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81 markers.