In vivo screening methods using enriched neural stem cells
View Patent ↗Enriched neural stem and progenitor cell populations, and methods for identifying, isolating and enriching for neural stem cells using reagent that bind to cell surface markers, are provided.
1. A method of drug screening or drug discovery comprising the steps of
a) selecting from a population containing neural or neural-derived cells for cells that bind to monoclonal antibody AC133 or to monoclonal antibody 5E12, thereby producing a population enriched for human neurosphere initiating cells (NS-IC) as compared with the population of neural or neural derived cells,
b) engrafting a non-human mammal with the resulting enriched population;
c) administering a test compound to the non-human mammal; and
d) comparing the effect of administration of said test compound in the engrafted mammal with a control non-human mammal not administered said test compound.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said non-human mammal is a rodent.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said enriched population is further enriched by selecting and eliminating from the population those cells that bind to monoclonal antibody 8G1 prior to the engrafting of step (b).
4. A method of drug screening or drug discovery comprising the steps of
a) selecting from a population of neural or neural-derived cells for cells that bind to monoclonal antibody AC133, and further enriching said population by additionally selecting for cells that bind monoclonal antibody 5E12, thereby producing a population enriched for human neurosphere initiating cells (NS-IC) as compared with the population of neural or neural derived cells,
b) engrafting a non-human mammal with the resulting enriched population for human CNS-SC which can initiate neurospheres (NS-IC);
c) administering a test compound to the non-human mammal; and
d) comparing the effect of administration of said test compound in the engrafted mammal with a control non-human mammal not administered said test compound.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said non-human mammal is a rodent.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said enriched population is further enriched by selecting and eliminating from the population those cells that bind to monoclonal antibody 8G1 prior to the engrafting of step (b).