Mesendoderm and mesoderm cell populations

Abstract

The present invention provides cell populations that are enriched for mesendoderm and mesoderm, and cell populations that are enriched for endoderm. In accordance with the present invention, a selectable marker gene has been recombinantly targeted to the brachyury locus to allow the isolation and characterization of cell populations that comprise brachyury positive mesendoderm and mesoderm cells. The cell populations of the invention are useful for generating cells for cell replacement therapy.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An isolated mammalian cell population enriched for brachyury +  and KDR/Flk-1 +  precardiac mesoderm cells derived from brachyury +  and KDR/Flk-1 −  cells wherein the KDR/Flk-1 +  cells are capable of becoming cells of a cardiomyocyte lineage. 
     
     
         32 . An isolated mammalian cell population enriched for brachyury +  and KDR/Flk-1 −  pre-hemangioblast mesoderm cells wherein the cells are capable of becoming cells of a vascular smooth muscle lineage, an endothelial cell lineage, and a hematopoietic cell lineage, and are not capable of becoming cells of endodermal or ectodermal lineages.