| 摘要 |
<p>Positively identifying viable precursor cells that have entered a post-natal differentiation pathway comprises using reagents, ligands and/or antibodies to recognize an embryonic cell surface marker such as an expressed morphogenic protein, its homolog or a marker co-expressed and/or co-detectable with this marker, so as to sort and enrich the precursor cells. Independent claims are also included for: (1) producing or repairing connective tissue in a mammal by using skeletal precursor cells (I), marked with an expressed morphogenic protein, its homologs or co-expressed and/or co-detectable markers e.g. FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3), a gene, protein or mRNA expressed in the precursor cells; (2) using (I) as a source of growth factors; (3) a culture of viable precursor cells (II) that have entered a specific post-natal differentiation pathway and which express an embryonic marker which is an expressed morphogenic protein, its homolog or a marker co-expressed and/or co-detectable with this marker; (4) an implant (III) comprising (II), especially skeletal precursor cells; and (5) a diagnostic for identifying a positive marker of (II).</p> |
