US Patent 7410797 Meningeal-derived stem cells

Stem cell lines derived from meningeal tissue such as dura mater, pia mater, or arachnoid mater, are disclosed. In various embodiments, the stem cell lines include greater than 80%, greater than 90%, or greater than 99% of pluripotent meningeal-derived stem cells. In other embodiments, the stem cell lines are induced to form nerve cells, bone cells, cartilage cells, Schwann cells, adipocytes, fibroblasts, or melanocytes with various inducing agents, such as antioxidants, steroid hormones, laminin, or various growth factors. Derivation of the current stem cell lines is accomplished through explantation or enzymatic dissociation of meningeal tissue, followed by expansion to large populations using growth media.