Cd34 stem cell-related methods and compositions

Abstract

This invention provides novel stem cell-based methods for treating a number of conditions. These methods employ CD34 stem cells, and have a tremendous advantage in that they do not require myeloablation in the subject being treated. The CD34 stem cells used in the instant methods can be genetically, modified or not, depending on the disorder treated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a diabetic subject or a pre-diabetic subject comprising introducing into the subject's bloodstream a therapeutically effective number of genetically modified CD34− stem cells, wherein (a) each of the genetically modified CD34− stem cells contains an exogenous nucleic acid comprising (i) a region encoding a protein which enhances endothelial cell growth, which region is operably linked to (ii) an endothelium-specific promoter or promoter/enhancer combination, and (b) the introduction of the genetically modified CD34− stem cells is not preceded, accompanied or followed by myeloablation. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the subject is pre-diabetic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pre-diabetic subject is pre-diabetic for type I diabetes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pre-diabetic subject is pre-diabetic for type II diabetes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the subject is diabetic. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the diabetic subject is afflicted with type I diabetes. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the diabetic subject is afflicted with type II diabetes. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the promoter/enhancer combination is the Tie2 promoter/enhancer and the protein which enhances endothelial cell growth is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) associated with angiogenesis. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the genetically modified CD34− stem cells are allogenic with respect to the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the genetically modified CD34− stem cells are autologous with respect to the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective number of genetically modified CD34− stem cells is from about 1×10 3  to about 1×10 7  cells/kg body weight.