Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into somatic cells in a culture medium containing a heparin binding growth factor, the method comprising bringing cells into contact with a conjugate of a laminin E8 fragment and a growth factor binding domain-containing fragment of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. According to the present invention, pluripotent stem cells can be induced to differentiate into any desired somatic cells in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gel formed of fibrin and a molecule generated by thrombin treatment of a chimeric protein that comprises a fibrinogen fragment capable of binding to fibrinogen upon thrombin treatment and a laminin fragment having integrin-binding activity, and optionally further comprises a protein having growth factor-binding activity. The gel of the present invention is suitable as a gel substrate that has properties of the basement membrane and can be used in medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises selecting a laminin or a fragment thereof based on binding affinity for the pluripotent stem cells and inducing differentiation of the pluripotent stem cells in the presence of the laminin or a fragment thereof. Here, the binding affinity for cells can be assessed by time-course observation of the survival rate and motility of the cells. According to the present invention, a cell population containing any desired proportion of differentiated cells can be produced from pluripotent stem cells in a simple manner. The cell population obtained by this production method is very useful for cell therapy-based treatment strategies for diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (i) performing adherent culture of pluripotent stem cells on an extracellular matrix in a medium containing a reagent(s) selected from the group consisting of BMP inhibitor, TGF? inhibitor, SHH signal-stimulating agent, FGF8, and GSK3? inhibitor; (ii) collecting Corin- and/or Lrtm1-positive cells from the cells obtained in Step (i) using a substance which binds to Corin and/or a substance which binds to Lrtm1; and (iii) performing suspension culture of the cells obtained in Step (ii) in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying highly pure retinal pigment epithelial cells from a cell population obtained by induction of differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells, by a simple and easy operation in a short period. The purification method of the present invention includes a step of introducing a cell population containing retinal pigment epithelial cells obtained by differentiation induction of pluripotent stem cells on laminin or a fragment thereof on a filter, and obtaining a cell population that passed the filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvement of the yield of skin-derived pluripotent precursor cells in induction of differentiation of stem cells to skin-derived pluripotent precursor cells. The present invention provides a method for preparing skin-derived pluripotent precursor cell comprising culturing a neural crest stem cells in the presence of at least one selected from the group consisting of laminin and a fragment thereof to differentiate the cells to skin-derived pluripotent precursor cells, wherein the laminin is at least one selected from the group consisting of laminin 111, laminin 121, laminin 332, laminin 421, laminin 511, laminin 521, and a variant thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (i) performing adherent culture of pluripotent stem cells on an extracellular matrix in a medium containing a reagent(s) selected from the group consisting of BMP inhibitor, TGF? inhibitor, SHH signal-stimulating agent, FGF8, and GSK3? inhibitor; (ii) collecting Corin- and/or Lrtm1-positive cells from the cells obtained in Step (i) using a substance which binds to Corin and/or a substance which binds to Lrtm1; and (iii) performing suspension culture of the cells obtained in Step (ii) in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently culturing dermal papilla cells while maintaining an ability to induce hair follicles. A method for culturing dermal papilla cells in the presence of at least one selected from the group consisting of EMILIN and a fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (i) performing adherent culture of pluripotent stem cells on an extracellular matrix in a medium containing a reagent(s) selected from the group consisting of BMP inhibitor, TGF? inhibitor, SHH signal-stimulating agent, FGF8, and GSK3? inhibitor; (ii) collecting Corin- and/or Lrtm1-positive cells from the cells obtained in Step (i) using a substance which binds to Corin and/or a substance which binds to Lrtm1; and (iii) performing suspension culture of the cells obtained in Step (ii) in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: A method for observing the dynamics of sweat glands and a method for evaluating a substance of interest, which are useful for development of a preparation for external application, such as a cosmetic. In each of the methods, an observation sample is used, which is prepared by staining all sweat glands, which are isolated alive, with a staining reagent, and then holding the all sweat glands on a support using at least one material selected from the group consisting of collagen, agarose, basement membrane matrix, poly-D-lysine and a membrane.

Abstract: An immortalized sweat gland myoepithelial cell which expresses ?-SMA and pan-cytokeratin and has a sphere forming ability after subculture at least 5 times. A method for producing immortalized sweat gland myoepithelial said method comprising: while culturing a cell structure, wherein sweat gland myoepithelial cells are exposed on a surface, in a state of being suspended in a medium, transferring an immortalizing gene into the cells; and then culturing the transgenic structure thus obtained in a state of being suspended in the medium to thereby obtain immortalized sweat gland myoepithelial cells.

Abstract: An immortalized sweat gland myoepithelial cell which expresses ?-SMA and pan-cytokeratin and has a sphere forming ability after subculture at least 5 times. A method for producing immortalized sweat gland myoepithelial said method comprising: while culturing a cell structure, wherein sweat gland myoepithelial cells are exposed on a surface, in a state of being suspended in a medium, transferring an immortalizing gene into the cells; and then culturing the transgenic structure thus obtained in a state of being suspended in the medium to thereby obtain immortalized sweat gland myoepithelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a clinically applicable, safe and less damaged cardiomyocyte population through a brief and simple procedure from a cell population obtained by induced differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The present invention relates to a method for preparing a cardiomyocyte population, the method comprising the steps of: (1) inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, (2) bringing a cell population obtained by the induced differentiation into contact with a laminin selected from the group consisting of laminin ?2?1?1, laminin ?2?2?1, laminin ?1?1?1 and laminin ?1?2?1, or a fragment thereof having integrin binding activity, and (3) retrieving cells adherent to the laminin or the laminin fragment.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing vascular endothelial cells from pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) a step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in a culture medium comprising a BMP, on a culture vessel coated with a first matrix, to produce mesodermal progenitor cells; (ii) a step of dissociating the resulting cells into single cells; and (iii) a step of culturing the resulting cells in a culture medium comprising VEGF, on a culture vessel coated with a second matrix selected from the group consisting of laminin-411 or a fragment thereof, laminin-511 or a fragment thereof, Matrigel, type IV collagen and fibronectin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises selecting a laminin or a fragment thereof based on binding affinity for the pluripotent stem cells and inducing differentiation of the pluripotent stem cells in the presence of the laminin or a fragment thereof. Here, the binding affinity for cells can be assessed by time-course observation of the survival rate and motility of the cells. According to the present invention, a cell population containing any desired proportion of differentiated cells can be produced from pluripotent stem cells in a simple manner. The cell population obtained by this production method is very useful for cell therapy-based treatment strategies for diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel technique in a cell culture method using a cell culture vessel coated with a laminin fragment, which novel technique achieves cell culture as in the case of using a recommended coating concentration even when the coating concentration is lower than the recommended coating concentration. The present invention relates to a method for enhancing an activity for mammalian cultured cells of a laminin fragment or a variant thereof each having integrin binding activity.

Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into somatic cells in a culture medium containing a heparin binding growth factor, the method comprising bringing cells into contact with a conjugate of a laminin E8 fragment and a growth factor binding domain-containing fragment of a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. According to the present invention, pluripotent stem cells can be induced to differentiate into any desired somatic cells in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for culturing pluripotent stem cells, comprising the step of contacting pluripotent stem cells with laminin 421 or a fragment thereof, laminin 121 or a fragment thereof, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a clinically applicable, safe and less damaged cardiomyocyte population through a brief and simple procedure from a cell population obtained by induced differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The present invention relates to a method for preparing a cardiomyocyte population, the method comprising the steps of: (1) inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, (2) bringing a cell population obtained by the induced differentiation into contact with a laminin selected from the group consisting of laminin ?2?1?1, laminin ?2?2?1, laminin ?1?1?1 and laminin ?1?2?1, or a fragment thereof having integrin binding activity, and (3) retrieving cells adherent to the laminin or the laminin fragment.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture vessel characterized in that a surface to be in contact with cells is coated with a laminin fragment having integrin ?6?1 binding activity or a modified form thereof in a dry state, the laminin fragment being derived from at least one kind selected from laminin ?5?1?1 and laminin ?5?2?1, the cell culture vessel being any of the following: (1) a cell culture vessel of which a surface to be in contact with cells is coated only with a laminin fragment having integrin ?6?1 binding activity or a modified form thereof in a dry state; (2) a cell culture vessel of which a surface to be in contact with cells is coated with a laminin fragment having integrin ?6?1 binding activity or a modified form thereof in combination with a laminin fragment having no integrin ?6?1 binding activity in a dry state; and (3) a cell culture vessel of which a surface to be in contact with cells is coated with a laminin fragment having integrin ?6?1 binding activity or a modified form thereof in combinatio