The present invention provides Jagged 1 and Frizzled 4 as
cell surface markers for isolating human cardiomyogenic ventricular
progenitor cells, in particular
progenitor cells that preferentially differentiate into cardiac
ventricular muscle cells. Thus, the invention provides human ventricular
progenitor (HVP) cells. The invention provides
in vitro methods of the separation of
Islet 1+ Jagged 1+ ventricular progenitor cells and / or
Islet 1+ / Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells and / or
Islet 1+ / Jagged 1+ / Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells, and the large scale expansion and propagation thereof. Large clonal populations of isolated Jagged 1+ and / or Frizzled 4+ventricular progenitor cells are also provided. Methods of
in vivo use of Jagged 1+ and / or Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells for
cardiac repair or to improve cardiac function are also provided. Methods of using the Jagged 1+ and / or Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells for cardiac
toxicity screening of test compounds are also provided.