Identification and Isolation of Osteogenic Progenitor Cells

Invention A novel gene, termed chromatin remodeling protein (ChroM1), from osteoblast progenitor cells has been cloned and sequenced. ChroM1 functions as a transcriptional regulator of genes involved in osteoblast differentiation and is differentially expressed on osteogenic progenitor cells. It can serve as a marker with which to enrich isolated populations of osteogenic progenitor cells and may server as a novel drug target for the development of therapies for the treatment of bone diseases.
The Need The promising clinical applications of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in tissue engineering requires detailed knowledge about their molecular characteristics. Due to the lack of specific markers for hMSC their detection in vivo and their distinction from mature host tissue is a major challenge. The ability to identify the most appropriate population and assay methods that characterize the clinical potential of candidate human mesenchymal stem cells are currently lacking. Isolation and characterization standards would permit the development of clinical protocols for cell-based therapy.
Potential Applications
· Drug Discovery

o Screening for agents that influence ChroM1 gene expression.

o Screening for agonists and antagonists of ChroM1 protein activity

o These screens should yield a novel drugs for osteoporosis and osteopetrosis.

· Tissue Engineering

o Enrichment of osteogenic progenitor cells

o For application at the site of tissue damage

o For incorporation into a scaffold, matrix or prosthetic device

· Diagnostics

o Utilizing the presence of ChroM1 as a specific disease marker

Advantages The ChroM1 gene and its expression products provide novel marker for the identification of hMSC and their distinction from mature host tissue.
Stage The ChroM1 gene has been cloned and sequenced. Antibodies have been raised against the isolated protein and in vitro studies successfully performed.
Patent Pending
Tech Transfer Officer Ms. Irit Ben-Chlouch Office: +972-3-6406601 Fax: +972-3-6406675 Mail: [email protected]

Inventor(s): Dafna Benayahu

Type of Offer: Licensing



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