Expansion of adult stem cells in vitro

摘要

Disclosed are methods for manipulating and expanding stem cell populations, including adult stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, and various protein constructs related thereto.

主权项

1. A method for producing a population of conditionally immortalized adult stem cells comprising: providing one or more adult stem cells with
a) an exogenously synthesized Myc-fusion polypeptide that promotes one or more of cell survival or proliferation; and b) an exogenously synthesized Bcl-2 domain polypeptide that inhibits apoptosis; and wherein the Myc-fusion polypeptide is provided to the one or more adult stem cells at intervals of at least 24 hours, and wherein the Myc-fusion polypeptide is continuously provided to the cells for at least 24 hours; wherein the Bcl-2 domain polypeptide is provided to the one or more adult stem cells at intervals of at least 24 hours, so as to produce a population of conditionally immortalized adult stem cells; and wherein the Myc-fusion polypeptide comprises a Myc polypeptide fused to a protein transduction domain.