A method of cell isolating a homogenous population of mammary stem cells using specific cell surface marker proteins

摘要

Disclosed is a method for isolating a substantially homogenous population of mammary stem cells (MASCs). The MaSCs are isolated on the basis of differential levels of cell surface marker proteins, and the cells are characterized by being CD45lo, Lin(TER119)lo, CD31lo, CD24hi and CD29hi. The MaSCs of the present disclosure are particularly useful as targets for identifying agents which modulate MaSC survival, self-renewal, proliferation and/or differentiation in both normal and diseased tissue such as, but not limited to, tumor tissue, and, also as source of tissue for the regeneration, replacement and/or augmentation of tissue damaged and/or lost after disease or injury.