Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing cells expressing CD56/Pax3, CD56Pax7, and/or Pax3/Pax7 are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a pluripotent stem cell in an in vitro culture with one compound, or with two or more compounds at the same time, wherein the contacting the pluripotent stem cell in the in vitro culture with one compound, or with two or more compounds at the same time, directly results in generation of cells expressing CD56/Pax3, CD56/Pax7, or Pax3/Pax7. Also provided are methods of using the generated cells. Typically one of the compounds is a wnt pathway activator, such as the GSK3 inhibitor CHIR99021.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolation of cardiovascular stem cells, and more particularly to cardiovascular stem cells positive for markers isll+/Nkx2.5+/flkl+ and cardiovascular stem cells which can differentiate along endothelial, cardiac, and smooth muscle cell lineages. The invention relates to uses of the cardiovascular stem cells, in particular for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and as an assay comprising a plurality of cardiovascular stem cells. The invention also relates to a method for isolation and enrichment of stem cells using mesenchymal cell feeder layer and uses of mesenchymal feeder layer as a screening assay for agents which effect stem cells.