This invention provides a system for producing differentiated cells from a stem
cell population for use wherever a relatively homogenous cell population is desirable.
The cells contain an effector gene under control of a transcriptional control element
(such as the TERT promoter) that causes the gene to be expressed in relatively
undifferentiated cells in the population. Expression of the effector gene results
in expression of a cell-surface antigen that can be used to deplete the undifferentiated
cells. Model effector sequences encode glycosyl transferases that synthesize carbohydrate
xenoantigen or alloantigen, which can be used for immunoseparation or as a target
for complement-mediated lysis. The differentiated cell populations produced are
suitable for use in tissue regeneration and non-therapeutic applications such as
drug screening.
