Human cardiovascular progenitor cells
The present invention provides populations of human cardiovascular progenitor cells, methods of making such cells, and methods of using the cells for production of populations of cardiovascular colonies and populations of cardiomyocytes. Methods of cardiomyocytes replacement therapy are also provided.
1. An isolated population of human cardiovascular progenitor cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells in vitro, wherein the progenitor cells express KDR and do not express C-KIT and VE-CADHERIN and wherein the progenitor cells are progenitors of cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells.
2. The population of human cardiovascular progenitor cells of claim 1 obtained by culturing human embryoid bodies in serum free media in the presence of activin and BMP.
3. The population of claim 2 wherein activin is activin A.
4. The population of claim 2 wherein BMP is BMP4.
5. A composition comprising the isolated population of human cardiovascular progenitor cells of claim 1 .