Regeneration of damaged neurons in neurodegenerative disorders like cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury is a major challenge. The possibility of replacing the non-functional neurons remains an attractive but an unflinching approach. We describes a novel human embryonic cell (hESC) line that has been developed in animal-free conditions during derivation and long-term culture. The absence of any xenoproduct makes it suitable for clinical cell therapy. The cell line has been derived using a patented technology from a single, spare, throw-away fertilized ovum 24 to 48 hr after fertilization donated during a regular in vitro fertilization cycle. The cells thus obtained are very small cells (50 nm-2.5 µm) procured 24 hr after fertilization. They harbor all the properties of hESCs and blastocysts and express pluripotent stem cells markers like octamer-binding transcription factor 4, (sex determining region Y)-box 2, Nanog, stage-specific embryonic antigen-4, trophoectoderm marker; keratin 18, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (negative), immune-regulatory marker; human leukocyte antigen G (negative), gene activating marker 5-methylcytosin, and other markers like telomerase and α fetoprotein. We have also explored the differentiation of neuronal cells by determining the lineage specific neuronal marker, Neu N. This is the first report of culturing and maintaining hESCs obtained from 2-celled stage without providing any culture feeder layer embryo. Further, these cell lines have proven to be effective for the treatment of neuronal disorders.
