Methods of differentiating and protecting cells by modulating the p38/mef2 pathway
AssigneeSanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
InventorsStuart A. Lipton, Shu-ichi Okamoto
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of differentiating progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. A method of the invention includes the steps of contacting the progenitor cells with a differentiating agent; and introducing into the progenitor cells a nucleic acid molecule encoding a MEF2 polypeptide or an active fragment thereof, thereby differentiating the progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. In one embodiment, the MEF2 polypeptide is human MEF2C or an active fragment thereof.
Claims22
A method of differentiating progenitor cells, comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting said progenitor cells with a differentiating agent;
- and
- (b) introducing into said progenitor cells a nucleic acid molecule encoding a MEF2 polypeptide or an active fragment thereof,
- thereby differentiating said progenitor cells to produce a cell population containing protected neuronal cells.
22-57. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.