Isolation and enrichment of neural stem cells from uncultured tissue based on cell-surface marker expression

摘要

The invention provides methods for the prospective identification, isolation, and self-renewal of neural stem cells from the mammalian peripheral nervous system and compositions of neural stem cells derived from uncultured tissue. Using flow-cytometry, neural crest derived cells of embryonic peripheral nerve were fractionated based on cell surface markers. The isolated p75^+ P₀ cells from embryonic sciatic nerve were phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) previously isolated from neural tube explant cultures. Furthermore, freshly isolated p75^+ P₀ cells gave rise to both neurons and glia when transplanted in vivo. Cell cycle analysis and BrdU labeling indicated that p75^+ P₀ NCSCs persist in the peripheral nerve by undergoing self-renewing divisions after neural crest migration has ceased.