Multipotent neural cells

Abstract

The inventions disclosed herein are based on the identification of novel cell populations derived from human embryonic stem cells and other pluripotent cells. The inventive cell populations may be used for cell therapies for the treatment of various neurological diseases and as substrates in pharmacological assays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising a substantially homogenous population of cells characterized as CD24HI/CD29LO and CD15− and a physiologically compatible solution. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the cells are suspended in physiologically compatible solution at a density of 104 to 107 cells/μl. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the cells are suspended in physiologically compatible solution at a density of 25,000 to 100,000 cells/μl. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cells in physiologically compatible solution are contained in a microsyringe. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cells in physiologically compatible solution are formulated for injection. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the cells in physiologically compatible solution are formulated for injection into the striatum. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the cells in physiologically compatible solution are formulated for injection into the dura. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the cells in physiologically compatible solution are formulated for injection into the brain ventricles. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the cells in physiologically compatible solution are formulated for injection intrathecally. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the physiologically compatible solution is selected from the group consisting of cell culture medium, phosphate buffered saline, Hanks balances salt solution and artificial cerebrospinal fluid. 
     
     
         11 . A neural cell replacement therapeutic composition comprising a substantially homogenous population of cells characterized as CD24HI/CD29LO and CD15− in a matrix suitable for in vivo administration. 
     
     
         12 . A method of administering to a patient in need thereof a neural cell replacement therapeutic composition comprising a substantially homogenous population of cells characterized as CD24HI/CD29LO and CD15− and a physiologically compatible solution, the method comprising:
 (a) drilling a hole and piercing the dura in a patient; 
 (b) inserting a microsyringe containing said therapeutic composition into the hole; 
 (c) injecting the therapeutic composition into a selected region. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the selected region is a lesioned region of the nervous system. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the selected region is a site adjacent to the site of injury in the nervous system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic composition comprises cells suspended in physiologically compatible solution at a density of 104 to 107 cells/μl. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic composition comprises cells suspended in physiologically compatible solution at a density of 25,000 to 100,000 cells/μl.