Abstract: An isolated human cell and populations thereof is provided comprising at least one astrocytic phenotype and at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, wherein the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype is not an astrocytic phenotype.

Abstract: System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the finding that treatment with a ROCK inhibitor increases proliferation and induces immortalization of primary keratinocytes. Accordingly, provided is a method of immortalizing primary keratinocytes by exposure to a ROCK inhibitor. Also provided are immortalized primary keratinocytes produced by the described method, as well as organotypic tissue equivalents and cell cultures comprising the immortalized primary keratinocytes. Furthermore, ROCK inhibitor-treated cells show a greatly increased ability to support viral DNA replication of both “low risk” and “high risk” HPV genomes, indicating that ROCK inhibitors will be useful for studying the life cycles of a wide range of HPVs.

Abstract: Methods and kits for expanding the number of hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise incubating cells in medium comprising isolated IGFBP-2 and an angiopoietin-like protein (Angptl). Expanded HSCs are provided as well as culture media and kits for the expansion of human HSCs in a defined medium. Methods of administering expanded human HSCs to and individual are provided as well as methods of treating an individual by administering certain growth factors and cytokines.

Abstract: The invention provides a quiescent stem cell having the capacity to differentiate into ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm, and which does not express cell surface markers including MHC class I, MHC class II, CD44, CD45, CD13, CD34, CD49c, CD73, CD105 CD90, CD66A, CD66E, CXCR4, CD133 or an SSEA. The invention further provides a proliferative stem cell, which expresses genes including Oct-4, Nanog, Sox2, GDF3, P16INK4, BMI, Notch, HDAC4, TERT, Rex-1, TWIST, KLF-4 and Stella but does not express cell surface markers including MHC class I, MHC class II, CD44, CD45, CD13, CD34, CD49c, CD73, CD105, CD90, CD66A, CD66E, CXCR4, CD133 or an SSEA. The cells of the invention can be isolated from adult mammals, have embryonic cell characteristics, and can form embryoid bodies. Methods for obtaining the stem cells, as well as methods of treating diseases and differentiated the stem cells, are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi due to inhibition of platelet activation initiation, signal transduction and/or GPIIb/IIIa blockade. A blood sample is obtained from the individual being assessed. The blood sample is mixed in combination with 1) an anticoagulant; 2) sufficient buffer to maintain the pH and salt concentration of the anticoagulated blood within a range suitable for platelet aggregation; 3) a platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor ligand immobilized on a solid surface; 4) one or more agents to enhance a signal transduction pathway and 5) a receptor activator. The combination is incubated under conditions for agglutinating particles. Platelet-mediated agglutination is assessed in the agitated mixture. The absence of agglutination indicates that the individual has a reduced ability to form platelet thrombi.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a bone-regeneration material. According to the method, a bio-compatible, open-pored body is exposed to a vacuum and osteoinductive and/or osteogenic substances are absorbed into the pores of the body, for example by means of a vacuum generated therein. It is thus possible to produce a bone-regeneration material, which contains osteoinductive and/or osteogenic substances in the pores of the bio-compatible body, said substances acting as a network structure for new somatic cells that are to grow into the porous body.

Abstract: A method of treating ischemia in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of adherent cells of a tissue selected from the group consisting of a placenta and an adipose tissue, thereby treating the ischemia in the subject. A method of treating a medical condition requiring connective tissue regeneration and/or repair is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention describes the isolation and methods of use of a non-senescent pool of adult cardiac stem cells. In particular, a subset of adult cardiac stem cells with superior regenerative capacity is disclosed. Such cells were found to have immortal DNA. Compositions comprising the non-senescent stem cells are also described. In addition, the present invention provides methods for repairing aged myocardium or damaged myocardium using the isolated non-senescent adult cardiac stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides cardiomyocyte-like cells that have been cultured from populations of bone marrow cells. The culture method includes the use of defined media that are free of agents such a 5-azacytidine. The cardiomyocyte-like cells can be engrafted to heart tissue to repair damage resulting from an ischaemic episode.

Abstract: Methods and kits for propagating hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing cells in medium comprising one or more angiopoietin-like proteins, under conditions sufficient for expansion of HSCs. Angiopoietin-like proteins include angiopoietin-like protein 2, angiopoietin-like protein 3, angiopoietin-like protein 4, angiopoietin-like protein 5, angiopoietin-like protein 7, and microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein (Mfap4). Methods for identifying hematopoietic stem cells are provided and isolated hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating chronic post-myocardial infarction including helical needle transendocardial delivery of autologous bone marrow (ABM) mononuclear cells around regions of hypo or akinesia in chronic post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. The treatment is safe and improves ejection fraction (EF).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for expanding an endothelial progenitor cell in vitro. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for culturing a hemangioblast comprising incubating a hemangioblast in a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 and thrombopoietin, and a vascular endothelial cell produced by the method; and a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand and thrombopoietin, and a kit for the preparation of the serum-free culture medium and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the differentiation of stromal cells from adipose tissue into hematopoietic supporting stromal cells and myocytes of both the skeletal and smooth muscle type. The cells produced by the methods are useful in providing a source of fully differentiated and functional cells for research, transplantation and development of tissue engineering products for the treatment of human diseases and traumatic tissue injury repair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing the differentiation of stem cells into renal progenitor cells. In particular, the present invention provides compositions containing activin-a, retinoic acid, and bmp-7, and variants thereof, for differentiating stem cells into renal cells containing tubular epithelia. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides stem cells cultured with compositions used to treat renal disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating and culturing adult stem cells derived from human amniotic membrane in high yield, and more particularly to a method for obtaining a large amount of adult stem cells, the method comprising obtaining amniotic epithelial cells from human amniotic tissue in high yield by treatment with dithiothreitol (DTT) and a low concentration of trypsin and culturing the amniotic epithelial cells in a medium containing a Rho-associated kinase inhibitor. The human amniotic epithelial cell-derived stem cells are easily extracted compared to existing therapeutic stem cells such as umbilical cord blood stem cells and bone marrow stem cells, the yield and proliferation thereof are significantly increased by DTT treatment, the addition of the ROCK inhibitor or the replacement of medium. Thus, the method can be used to efficiently prepare adult stem cells.

Abstract: The present provides methods for affecting and/or altering the differentiation state of a cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods to transdifferentiate a cell into an endothelial cell or a hematopoietic cell. In the practice of the invention, a demethylating agent (e.g., 5-azacytidine) is used to affect and/or alter the differentiation state of a cell. The invention demonstrates the transdifferentiation of numerous cell types, including cell populations that are themselves somewhat differentiated (e.g., normal fibroblasts) into distinct cell types, including hematopoietic cells and endothelial cells, which transdifferentiation is effected further through the selection of particular growth factors which, together with the demethylating agents, directs the differentiation path. The invention provides a novel approach to providing useful cell types for many types of medical applications.

Abstract: A method of selecting stem cells from heterogeneous population of cells is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the population of cells with an apoptosis inducing agent under conditions which are apoptotic to non-stem cells and non-apoptotic to stem cells, thereby selecting the stem cells from the heterogeneous population of cells. The selected stem cells may then be used for a variety of applications including transportation and differentiation.

Abstract: The described invention provides methods and regimens for treating adverse consequences of a persistent and progressive myocardial injury-due to a vascular insufficiency that occurs early or late in a subject in need thereof, and progressive myocardial injury-preventing compositions that contain a chemotactic hematopoietic stem cell product, and, optionally, an additional active agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive regulatory T cells from effector T cells by contacting the effector T cells with retinoic acid. Adaptive regulatory T cells produced by this method are Foxp3+, home to the gut, and are refractory to reversion in vivo. As such, such cells find application in the treatment of autoimmune disease and facilitating transplantation tolerance.