Methods of Inducing Differentiation of Stem Cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of embryonic stem cells into muscle cells or vascular endothelial cells. The invention also includes cells, cell lines, testing models and culture systems used in the methods of the present invention and differentiated cells produced therefrom. The present invention also provides methods of using the differentiated cells of the present invention for therapeutic purposes.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A co-culture comprising human embryonic stem cells and END2 cells. 
     
     
         46 . The co-culture of  claim 45 , further comprising cardiomyocytes. 
     
     
         47 . The co-culture of  claim 45 , further comprising cells expressing ANF, α1c, Kv4.3 and KvLQT1. 
     
     
         48 . The co-culture of  claim 46 , wherein the cardiomyocytes are beating. 
     
     
         49 . The co-culture of  claim 45  further comprising endothelial cells. 
     
     
         50 . The co-culture of  claim 45 , wherein the END2 cells have been treated with mitomycin C before being co-cultured with the human embryonic stem cells. 
     
     
         51 . The co-culture of  claim 45  further comprising FGF or BMP. 
     
     
         52 . A cell culture comprising human embryonic stem cells and media conditioned by END2 cells. 
     
     
         53 . The co-culture of  claim 52 , further comprising cardiomyocytes. 
     
     
         54 . The co-culture of  claim 52 , further comprising cells expressing ANF, α1c, Kv4.3 and KvLQT1. 
     
     
         55 . The co-culture of  claim 53 , wherein the cardiomyocytes are beating. 
     
     
         56 . The co-culture of  claim 52  further comprising endothelial cells.