Abstract: A population of early-stage burst-forming unit-eryhtoid (BFU-E) cells characterized by low expression of the Type III Transforming Growth Factor ? Receptor (TGFRPIII) and uses thereof for producing red blood cells in vitro, genotoxicity analysis of chemicals, drug sensitivity assessment, and drug development. Also described herein are methods for producing the population of early-stage BFU-E cells and methods for producing red blood cells.

Abstract: Low oxygen tension is a critical regulator of the developing or regenerating vasculature. The present invention is based on the determination that low oxygen tension during early stages of early vascular cell (EVC) derivation induces endothelial commitment and maturation of pluripotent stem cells. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation during the early stages of differentiation abrogates the endothelial inductive effects of the low oxygen environments. Methods of generating various types of cells from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are described, as well as compositions and methods of use thereof. In particular, generation of EVCs, bicellular vascular populations, early endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes via culture in a low oxygen environment is described.

Abstract: Mitochondrial compositions and therapeutic methods of using same. Compositions of partially purified functional mitochondria and methods of using the compositions to treat conditions which benefit from increased mitochondrial function by administering the compositions to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cell system comprising eukaryotic cells in a hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose in cell storage medium at a temperature in the range of 0-25° C. The present disclosure also provides a method for storing eukaryotic cells, the method comprising providing eukaryotic cells, providing nanofibrillar cellulose, combining the cells and the nanofibrillar cellulose to form the cell system, and storing the cell system at a temperature in the range of 0-25° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for culturing mesenchymal stem cells, comprising culturing mesenchymal stem cells in a medium containing calcium in a concentration of from 2.1 to 3.8 mM and magnesium in a concentration of from 1.0 to 3.0 mM under a hypoxic condition of 2 to 5% oxygen. The culturing method can increase the population of mesenchymal stem cells even with a small number of passages by improving mesenchymal stem cells in proliferative capacity and viability. In addition, the mesenchymal stem cells prepared by the culturing method are effectively used to treat or improve a pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of culturing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells by cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells on a support in vitro for a time sufficient to produce said organized skeletal muscle tissue, including reseeding said organized skeletal muscle tissue by contacting additional precursor muscle cells to said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said solid support, and then repeating said step of cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells in said support in vitro for time sufficient to enhance the density (i.e., increased number of nuclei and/or number of multinucleated cells) of said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said support.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for freeze-drying cells in a hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, the method comprising providing a hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, providing cells, combining the cells and the hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose to form a cell system, and freeze drying the cell system to obtain dried cells in a hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose. The present disclosure also provides a freeze-dried hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose and cells.

Abstract: The current subject matter includes methods, systems, articles, and techniques to deliver material to anucleate cells, such as red blood cells. Using a rapid deformation based microfluidic system, loading of red blood cells with macromolecules of different sizes has been shown. Although delivery to some mammalian cells, such as cancer cell lines and fibroblasts had been previously demonstrated using this technique, those designs were incompatible with RBCs that have dramatically different physical properties. Through the use of smaller constriction sizes, high speeds and different buffers successful delivery to red blood cells can be achieved. By enabling robust delivery to red blood cells in a simple, scalable manner, the current subject matter can be implemented in a diversity of applications that deliver material to study red blood cell diseases and/or use red blood cells as a therapeutic platform. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for stably producing type II alveolar epithelial cells from pluripotent stem cells. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for producing type II alveolar epithelial cells from pluripotent stem cells comprising steps of: (1) culturing pluripotent stem cells in a medium containing activin A and a GSK3? inhibitor; (2) culturing the cells obtained in Step (1) in a medium containing a BMP inhibitor and a TGF? inhibitor; (3) culturing the cells obtained in Step (2) in a medium containing BMP4, retinoic acid, and a GSK3? inhibitor; (4) culturing the ventral anterior foregut cells obtained in Step (3) in a medium containing a GSK3? inhibitor, FGF10, KGF, and a NOTCH signal inhibitor; and (5) subjecting the alveolar epithelial progenitor cells obtained in Step (4) to three-dimensional culture in a medium containing a steroid drug, a cAMP derivative, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and KGF.

Abstract: A compound additive having a biological activation function. The compound additive contains water or phosphate buffer, and multiple proteins and various factors dissolved therein. The compound additive can be added into a culture medium for cell cultivation, and can also be directly used or added into a skin repair product or a cosmetic product so as to achieve certain skin repair and cosmetic effects.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of assessing the ability of a candidate therapeutic agent to reverse, reduce or prevent renal injury by a potential toxic agent using a three-dimensional, engineered, bioprinted, biological renal tubule model. Also disclosed are methods of assessing the effect of an agent on renal function, the method comprising contacting the agent with a three-dimensional, engineered, bioprinted, biological renal tubule model. Also disclosed are models of renal disorder. In one embodiment, disclosed are models of renal fibrosis, comprising a three-dimensional, engineered, bioprinted, biological renal tubule model. Also disclosed are methods of making the model of renal disorder. In one embodiment disclosed are methods of making the model of renal fibrosis comprising contacting a three-dimensional, engineered, bioprinted, biological renal tubule model with an agent that is capable of inducing interstitial fibrotic tissue formation.

Abstract: A method of producing the constituents of a therapeutic product from mammalian cells is described herein. Cells are isolated from a mammalian source. The cells are exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) for 1 to 30 minutes, where the SCCO2 is maintained at a pressure of 1071 pounds per square inch (PSI) and a temperature of 31.1 to 45 degrees Celsius during the exposure. The exposure dissociates the cellular membranes of the cells to release intramembrane components therein to produce constituents of the therapeutic product. The mammalian cells may include at least one of platelets, stem cells, germ cells, and somatic cells. The methods described herein are particularly advantageous for releasing and capturing therapeutic intramembrane components from platelets and alpha-granules.

Abstract: This invention discloses a preserving agent for organs or tissue comprising (A) quercetin, and (B) at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of fructose and sucrose; a preserving solution for organs or tissue comprising the preserving agent; and a preservation method for organs or tissue comprising the step of immersing an organ or tissue in a liquid mixture comprising (A) quercetin, and (B) at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of fructose and sucrose.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing dopaminergic cells and evaluating their functionality. When pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with laminin-111, laminin-121, laminin-521, laminin-421, or laminin-511 in cell culture medium containing a GSK3 inhibitor and a TGF-? inhibitor as well as timely administered fibroblast growth factor, desired neural cells are produced at far higher rates. Useful cell culture kits for producing such dopaminergic cells are also described herein, as are methods of using such cells for stem cell therapy.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing pathogen-inactivated platelet compositions, as well as processing sets and compositions related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a photosynthetic scaffold that delivers oxygen and its uses for tissue engineering and the treatment of ischemia.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an animal acellular tissue matrix material and a tissue matrix material manufactured by the same. The tissue matrix material manufactured by the method retains an original basic scaffold structure of a tissue extracellular matrix, with an antigen causing immunological rejection in a human body being effectively removed from the animal tissue. An animal dermal matrix manufactured by the method retains the biological integrity of a natural dermal tissue matrix and can be used for restoration and repair of lesion and missing tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to poly(alkylene terephthalate) polyesters having long poly-methylene segments and their use in a wide variety of applications. Particularly, said PAT polyesters are used in biotechnological or biomedical applications, wherein the extent of cell adhesion, cell growth or cell interaction, in particular endothelial cells, depends on the odd or even number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic segments. Also provided are methods for the preparation of poly(alkylene terephthalates) (PAT) having long poly-methylene segments, wherein the bifunctional monomers, in particular terephthalic acid (or a derivative thereof) and an aliphatic diol, are dissolved in a solvent and the polycondensation reaction takes place in solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cell-free system for producing a glycosylated protein. This system comprises an isolated oligosaccharyltransferase capable of transferring a glycan from a lipid carrier molecule to a glycoprotein target, one or more isolated glycans, where each glycan is linked to a lipid carrier molecule, and a glycoprotein target comprising one or more glycan acceptor amino acid residues or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said glycoprotein target. The present invention further relates to kits and methods for producing a glycosylated protein in this cell-free system.

Abstract: We describe the use of an exosome for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition to promote or enhance would healing or hair growth, or both, in an individual. The exosome may be derived from a stem cell such as a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC).