Adult cerebellum-derived neural stem cells and compositions and methods for producing oligodendrocytes
View Patent ↗This disclosure describes a novel population of cerebellum-derived neural stem cells that can be isolated from the adult brain, expanded, and differentiated into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This disclosure also describes compositions and methods for producing oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes can be produced in vitro (e.g., in culture) or in vivo (e.g., for therapy or in a non-human transgenic animal) using the compositions and methods described herein.
1. A method of inducing stem cells to differentiate into oligodendrocytes in culture, comprising:
contacting stem cells in culture with a composition comprising a noggin polypeptide and a LIF polypeptide; and
determining the percentage of oligodendrocytes in the culture.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said stem cells are neural stem cells or embryonic stem cells.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said noggin polypeptide is a mouse or a human noggin polypeptide.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said LIF polypeptide is a mouse or a human LIF polypeptide.