Hypoxia-mediated neurogenesis

Abstract

Methods are described for the production of neurons or neuronal progenitor cells. Multipotent neural stem cells are proliferated in the presence of growth factors and erythropoietin which induces the generation of neuronal progenitor cells. The erythropoietin may be exogenously applied to the multipotent neural stem cells, or alternatively, the cells can be subjected to hypoxic insult which induces the cells to express erythropoietin.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of culturing multipotent neural stem cells comprising the steps of: 
 a) inducing the multipotent neural stem cells to proliferate;    b) exposing said multipotent neural stem cells to hypoxic conditions; and    c) continuing said culture in the presence of a mitogenic growth factor.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cells are exposed to hypoxic conditions for between 1 and 8 hours.