Abstract: Provided are methods for isolating subpopulations of stem cells. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed methods include selecting subsets of cells that are positive for CD34 or Sca-1, are further positive for one or more of FSHR, LHCGR, PRLR, AR, ESR?, ESR?, and PGR; and are negative for each of CD45R/B220, Gr-1, TCR??, TCR??, CD11b, and Ter-119. In some embodiments, the subpopulations are further fractioning into CD45? and CD45+ fractions. Also provided are populations of stem cells isolated by the presently disclosed methods, compositions that include the presently disclosed subpopulations in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, methods for expanding stem cells, methods for stimulating proliferation of MSCs, methods for treating subjects suffering from exposure to radiation, and methods for producing gametes in vitro.

Abstract: Methods for ex vivo expansion of very small embryonic like stem cells in the absence of feeder cells are provided. In some embodiments the methods include providing a plurality of VSELs; and growing the VSELs in a culture medium that includes a histone deacetylase inhibitor, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and optionally transforming growth factor beta in an amount that is sufficient to overcome quiescence of the VSELs. Also provided are feeder cell-free cell cultures, ex vivo expanded VSELs, pharmaceutical compositions that include the disclosed ex vivo expanded VSELs, methods for overcoming quiescence in VSELs, methods for re-establishing imprinting in VSELs, method for treating injuries to tissues in subjects, methods for repopulating cell types in subjects, methods for bone marrow transplantation, methods for treating radiation exposure in subjects, and methods that relate to regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Methods for ex vivo expansion of very small embryonic like stem cells in the absence of feeder cells are provided. In some embodiments the methods include providing a plurality of VSELs; and growing the VSELs in a culture medium that includes a histone deacetylase inhibitor, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and optionally transforming growth factor beta in an amount that is sufficient to overcome quiescence of the VSELs. Also provided are feeder cell-free cell cultures, ex vivo expanded VSELs, pharmaceutical compositions that include the disclosed ex vivo expanded VSELs, methods for overcoming quiescence in VSELs, methods for re-establishing imprinting in VSELs, method for treating injuries to tissues in subjects, methods for repopulating cell types in subjects, methods for bone marrow transplantation, methods for treating radiation exposure in subjects, and methods that relate to regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Methods for ex vivo expansion of very small embryonic like stem cells in the absence of feeder cells are provided. In some embodiments the methods include providing a plurality of VSELs; and growing the VSELs in a culture medium that includes a histone deacetylase inhibitor, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and optionally transforming growth factor beta in an amount that is sufficient to overcome quiescence of the VSELs. Also provided are feeder cell-free cell cultures, ex vivo expanded VSELs, pharmaceutical compositions that include the disclosed ex vivo expanded VSELs, methods for overcoming quiescence in VSELs, methods for re-establishing imprinting in VSELs, method for treating injuries to tissues in subjects, methods for repopulating cell types in subjects, methods for bone marrow transplantation, methods for treating radiation exposure in subjects, and methods that relate to regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Provided are methods for isolating subpopulations of stem cells. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed methods include selecting subsets of cells that are positive for CD34 or Sca-1, are further positive for one or more of FSHR, LHCGR, PRLR, AR, ESR?, ESR?, and PGR; and are negative for each of CD45R/B220, Gr-1, TCR??, TCR??, CD11b, and Ter-119. In some embodiments, the subpopulations are further fractioning into CD45? and CD45+ fractions. Also provided are populations of stem cells isolated by the presently disclosed methods, compositions that include the presently disclosed subpopulations in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, methods for expanding stem cells, methods for stimulating proliferation of MSCs, methods for treating subjects suffering from exposure to radiation, and methods for producing gametes in vitro.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides populations of stem cells that are purified from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides populations of stem cells that are purified from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides adult pluripotent stem cells (PSC) for treatment or prophylaxis for radiological exposure. In an embodiment of the invention, the cells are very small embryonic like stem cells (VSELs). The VSELs can be used to rescue the hematopoietic and immune systems of individuals suffering from the delayed effects of acute radiation syndrome (ARS).

Abstract: Characteristics of the VSELs stem cell population of a mammal are correlated with aging, including VSEL number, imprinting status of genetic loci, and expression of markers of pluripotent stem cells. The present invention provides VSEL-based methods and compositions for determining the biological age of a mammal.

Abstract: Methods for determining a degree of pluripotency in a first putative stem cell relative to a second putative stem cell are provided. In some embodiments the methods include comparing the imprinting status in the first versus the second putative stem cell of a locus selected from among Igf2-H19, Rasgrf1, lgf2R, Kcnq1, and Peg1/Mest. Also provided are methods for distinguishing very small embryonic like (VSEL) stem cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), methods for isolating VSELs from sources expected to include VSELs, methods for assessing the purity of a very small embryonic like stem cell (VSEL) preparation, and kits that include oligonucleotide primers that can be employed in the practice of the claimed methods.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods of isolating populations of stem cells that from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides populations of stem cells that are purified from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods of isolating populations of stem cells that from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides populations of stem cells that are purified from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides populations of stem cells that are purified from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and/or other sources. Also provided are methods of using the stem cells for treating tissue and/or organ damage in a subject.