Efficient Method to Produce Mature Neutrophils from Embryonic Stem Cells

Tech ID: 02-08

Summary - Scientists at National Jewish Health have developed a novel method to produce neutrophils from embryonic stem cells. This in vitro differentiation system enables efficient and sustained production of functionally mature neutrophils.

Potential Applications

  • In vitro expansion of autologous neutrophil precursors (and possibly bone marrow stroma) for transplantation (for neutropenic patients for example)
  • In vitro genetic modifications of neutrophils for subsequent transplantation. Such modifications can potentially eliminate genetic defects, can help to maximize the production of specific hematopoietic cell lineages, or can improve the activity of neutrophils against certain pathogens.
  • Evaluation of the effects of various drugs (including chemotherapeutic drugs) on neutrophil differentiation, maturation and viability in vitro.

Advantages of Invention - No other comparable method currently available.

State of Development - National Jewish Health scientists have developed a method for the abundant production of neutrophils at high purity without the need of sorting for isolation of mature neutrophils. The neutrophils obtained by this method were comparable (based on several criteria) to purified mouse bone marrow neutrophils, including their cellular morphology, the ability to produce superoxides and flux calcium, as well as chemotaxis in response to MIP-2.  In addition, these ES-derived neutrophils stain for the granulocyte specific marker chloroacetate esterase and the presence of the neutrophil markers Gr-1 and the neutrophil specific antigen.

Patent - Published U.S. Patent Application # 20040076617 and International Patent Application # WO03/080806.

Publication

  • Lieber JG, Keller GM, Worthen GS. The in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into neutrophils. Methods Enzymol . 2003;365:129-42.
  • Lieber JG, Webb S, Suratt BT, Young SK, Johnson GL, Keller GM, Worthen GS. The in vitro production and characterization of neutrophils from embryonic stem cells. Blood. 2004 Feb 1;103(3):852-9 .

Inventors - Jon Lieber, PhD, Scott Worthen, MD, Gordon Keller, PhD and Saiphone Webb, PhD

Licensing Status - This technology is available for licensing.

For Further Information, Contact:
Emmanuel Hilaire, PhD
Licensing Associate
Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Program
National Jewish Health
1400 Jackson Street, Room M206a
Denver, CO 80206
Voice: (303) 398-1053
Fax: (303) 270-2352
hilairee@njc.org

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