PREPARATION AND DISTRUBUTION OF ADULT STEM CELLS

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案的总体目标是建立一个中心，用于制备、质量检测和向多名研究者分发成体干细胞（称为MSC）。 这些细胞吸引了越来越多的关注，因为它们很容易从患者中分离出来，在培养中扩增，并进行遗传工程改造。 它们可以分化成多种细胞谱系，最近有报道称，它们在动物模型中对诸如成骨细胞、脊髓损伤、中风和心肌病等疾病具有一定的疗效。 该中心将解决一个严重的问题，推迟了与MSC的研究，许多研究人员在获得标准化的细胞制剂遇到的困难。 84名其他调查员已为本申请提供了支持信，这反映出迫切需要设立此处提议的这类中心。 这份名单基本上包括了这一快速发展领域的所有主要研究人员。 具体目标是建立一个中心，该中心将：1）准备连续供应经过全面质量检测的人MSC，并根据要求将其分发给多个机构的其他研究者进行细胞研究; 2）准备类似的连续供应大鼠MSC，以分发给多个机构的研究者; 3）从其他机构研究者送来的人骨髓穿刺液中制备MSC，并将质量检测合格的MSC返还给同一研究者。 此外，对其他机构的研究人员制备的MSC进行质量检测; 4）使用最近在细胞上鉴定的一系列表面表位的抗体开发分离和表征人类MSC的改进方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall aim of this proposal is to establish a Center for preparation, quality testing, and distribution to multiple investigators of the adult stem cells referred to as MSCs. The cells have attracted increasing attention because they are readily isolated from the patient, expanded in culture, and genetically engineered. They can differentiate into multiple cell lineages and have recently reported to have some efficacy in animal models for diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, spinal cord injury, stroke, and cardiomyopathies. The Center will address a critical problem that has delayed research with MSCs; the difficulties that many investigators have encountered in obtaining standardized preparations of the cells. The urgent need for a Center of the kind proposed here is reflected by the fact that 84 other investigators have provided Letters of Support for the present application. The list includes essentially all the leading investigators in this rapidly growing field. The Specific Aims are to establish a Center that will: 1) prepare a continuous supply of human MSCs that are thoroughly quality tested and distribute them on request to other investigators at multiple institutions for research on the cells; 2) prepare a similar continuous supply of rat MSCs for distribution to investigators at multiple institutions; 3) prepare MSCs from human bone marrow aspirates sent by investigators from other institutions and return the quality-tested MSCs to same investigators. Also, carry out quality testing of MSCs prepared by investigators at other institutions; and 4) develop improved methods of isolating and characterizing human MSCs using the antibodies to a series of surface epitopes that have recently been identified on the cells.