Methods and compositions for anchoring stem cells in a microenvironment
OwnerTing Xieinventor
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Abstract
The present invention relates to various glycoproteins, such as cadherins and related nucleic acid molecules, which are used to anchor and attract stem cells to a specified niche. Location of the stem cells in the niche can result in cell differentiation and the regeneration of surrounding tissue.
Claims89
A method for anchoring a stem cell in a niche, comprising:
- (a) isolating a nucleic acid molecule which, when expressed, produces an adhesive protein;
- (b) expressing the nucleic acid molecule to produce the protein;
- and,
- (c) contacting the protein with a selected niche of cells thereby causing the stem cell to attach to the niche, the stem cell will communicate with the cells which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell can occur, or maintenance of the stem cell will occur.
A method for anchoring stem cells in a niche, comprising:
- (a) isolating at least one adult stem cell;
- (b) isolating a nucleic acid molecule which expresses an adhesive protein;
- (c) transfecting the stem cell with the nucleic acid molecule;
- (d) placing the stem cell in a selected niche of cells;
- and,
- (e) expressing the nucleic acid molecule to produce the adhesive protein, thereby causing the stem cell to attach to the niche, the stem cell will communicate with the cells which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell will occur, or maintenance of the stem cell will occur.
A method for regenerating tissue in vivo, comprising:
- (a) isolating at least one stem cell;
- (b) isolating a nucleic acid molecule which expresses an adhesive amino acid sequence;
- (c) transfecting the stem cell with the nucleic acid molecule;
- (d) placing the stem cell in a niche located in a tissue system where cell regeneration is desired;
- and,
- (e) expressing the nucleic acid molecule to produce the adhesive amino acid sequence, thereby causing the stem cell to attach to the niche, the stem cell will communicate with cells which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell will occur, and the tissue will be regenerated.
An isolated stem cell comprising:
- a stem cell transfected with a nucleic acid molecule vector, which can be over-expressed, the nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ.
- ID NOs. 110-117, or complementary sequences thereof;
- (b) degenerate variants of the sequences of step a;
- and,
- (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a cadherin protein according to (a) or (b).
A method for causing lineage commitment and differentiation in a stem cell, comprising:
- (a) isolating at least one adult stem cell;
- (b) isolating a nucleic acid molecule which expresses an adhesive protein;
- (c) transfecting the stem cell with the nucleic acid molecule;
- (d) placing the stem cell in a selected niche;
- and,
- (e) expressing the nucleic acid molecule to produce the adhesive protein, thereby causing the stem cells to attach to the niche, the stem cell will communicate with cells which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell will occur.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule which causes stem cells to be anchored in an niche, selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOs. 110- 117, or complementary sequences thereof;
- (b) degenerate variants of the sequences of step a;
- and,
- (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes an shg protein according to (a) or (b).
A method for anchoring stem cells in a niche comprising, contacting an adhesive protein with a selected niche, thereby causing stem cells to attach to the niche, the stem cells will communicate with cells which form the microenvironment, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cells can occur.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule which causes stem cells to be anchored in an niche, selected from the group consisting of:
- (a) an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ. ID NO. 111, or complementary sequences thereof;
- (b) degenerate variants of the sequences of step a;
- and,
- (c) an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes an β-catenin protein according to (a) or (b).
An antibody that binds specifically to arm protein.
An antibody that selectively binds to an epitope in the receptor-binding domain of the arm protein.
A method for anchoring a stem cell in a niche, comprising:
- (a) contacting a protein with a selected niche, thereby causing the stem cell to attach to the niche, the stem cell will communicate with cells which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell can occur;
- and
- (b) the protein is selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOs. 2-6.
A method for anchoring a stem cell in a niche, comprising:
- (a) contacting a the protein with a selected niche, thereby causing the stem cell to attach to the niche, the stem cell will communicate with cells, which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell can occur;
- and
- (b) the protein is selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOs. 2-6.
A method for anchoring a germline stem cell in a Drosophila niche, comprising:
- (a) isolating at least one adult Drosophila germline stem cell;
- (b) isolating an shg gene which expresses a cadherin protein;
- (c) transfecting the stem cell with the gene;
- (d) placing the stem cell in a selected Drosophila GSC niche;
- and,
- (e) expressing the shg gene to produce the cadherin, thereby causing the germline stem cell to attach to the GSC niche, the stem cell will communicate with cells which form the niche, whereby lineage commitment in the stem cell will occur.
A family of proteins selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID NOs. 2-6.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.