Method of isolating ependymal neural stem cells

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of isolating ependymal neural CNS stem cells from a post-natal animal or a human, which method comprises the steps of(a) screening single cells obtained by dissociating CNS tissue from said animal for cells exhibiting at least one characteristic of an ependymal neural stem cell; and(b) recovering the cells that exhibit the characteristic or characteristics screened for in step (a).The screening may be performed for a specific cell surface protein or by previously labeling the ependymal cells.The invention also relates to isolated ependymal neural CNS stem cells, in vitro and in vivo assays based on the findings according to the invention and various uses of the ependymal neural stem cells according to the invention.