| abstract |
Isolated, mammalian, bone marrow-derived, lineage negative hematopoietic ste m cell populations (Lin HSC) contain endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) capabl e of forming retinal blood vessels. At least about 50% of the cells in the isolated Lin HSC population include cell surface markers for CD31 and c-kit. Up to about 8% of the cells can include the Sca-1 cell marker, and up to abo ut 4% of the cells can include the Flk-1/KDR marker. The isolated Lin HSC populations of the present invention are useful for treatment of ocular vascular diseases. The isolated Lin HSC populations that have been transfect ed with therapeutically useful genes are also provided, which are useful for delivering genes to the eye for cell-based gene therapy. |