Stemcell Technologies Inc.

The University of British Columbia

British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch

Chemokine Therapeutics Corporation

Connie J Eaves

Ahmed Merzouk

Hassan Salari

Terry Thomas

Geeta Saxena

Christopher R Tudan

Johanne Cashman

John Stingl

Lakhdar Arab

Ian Clark-Lewis

Mary A Richter, Legal Representative

Michael Clark-Lewis, Legal Representative

The present invention relates to an improved method that permits the differential isolation of mouse mammary stem cells and colony forming cells (CFCs). The method involves depletion of non-epithelial cells from freshly dissociated mouse mammary tissue by incubation with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a. After formation of conjugates between the non-epithelial mammary cells and the antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a, the cell conjugates are removed and the remaining epithelial cells are then incubated with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f or CD24 and CD14. After formation of conjugates between the epithelial cells and the antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f or CD24 and CD14, the mouse mammary stem and the luminal-restricted CFC cells can be differentially isolated. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this method and to the cell preparations prepared by this method.

Method for the discrimination and isolation of mammary epithelial stem and colony-forming cells

The present invention relates to an improved method that permits the differential isolation of mouse mammary stem cells and colony forming cells (CFCs). The method involves depletion of non-epithelial cells from freshly dissociated mouse mammary tissue by incubation with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140. After formation of conjugates between the non-epithelial mammary cells and the antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140, the cell conjugates are removed and the remaining epithelial cells are then incubated with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49. After formation of conjugates between the epithelial cells and the antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49, the mouse mammary stem and the luminal-restricted CFC cells can be differentially isolated. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this method and to the cell preparations prepared by this method.

Method of the discrimination and isolation of mammary epithelial stem and colony-forming cells

In accordance with various aspects of the invention, CXCR4 antagonists may be used to treat hematopoietic cells, such as progenitor or stem cells, to promote the rate of cellular multiplication, self-renewal, proliferation or expansion. CXCR4 antagonists may be used therapeutically to stimulate hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell multiplication/self-renewal.

CXCR4 antagonist treatment of hematopoietic cells

In accordance with various aspects of the invention, CXCR4 agonists, including SDF-1 polypeptides and SDF-1 polypeptide homologues, may be used in reducing the rate of hematopoietic cell multiplication. Methods of the invention may comprise administration of an effective amount of an CXCR4 agonist to cells selected from the group consisting of hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells. Cells may be treated in vitro or in vivo in a patient. A therapeutically effective amount of the CXCR4 agonist may be administered to a patient in need of such treatment. Patients in need of such treatments may include, for example patients requiring bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 agonist peptides

The present invention relates to an antibody composition which contains antibodies specific for glycophorin A, CD2, CD3, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD19, CD24, CD56, CD66b and IgE antigens. A negative selection process is also provided for use on blood and bone marrow samples from a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia to recover cell preparations depleted of lineage committed cells. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this process and to the cell preparations prepared by the process.

Antibody composition for debulking blood and bone marrow samples from CML patients

The present invention relates to an antibody composition which contains antibodies directed to murine leukocyte and murine erythroid cells. This composition is used in a novel negative selection process to enrich for human hematopoietic cells from a sample from human-murine chimeric mice. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this process.

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Vancouver, Canada

Connie J Eaves