Abstract: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

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 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: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

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 is differentiated adipose tissue-derived stromal cells that exhibit the improved properties of increased extracellular matrix proteins and/or a lower amount of lipid than a mature isolated adipocyte. Methods for the expansion and differentiation of these cells are also provided. The cells of the invention are used for the treatment, repair, correction and/or regeneration of soft tissue cosmetic defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment of neural injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Also included in the present invention is the use of adipose tissue derived stromal cells for the treatment of neural injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury) and neurodegeneration (i.e. Parkinson's disease).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment of neural injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Also included in the present invention is the use of adipose tissue derived stromal cells for the treatment of neural injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury) and neurodegeneration (i.e. Parkinson's disease).

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 invention is in the area of pleuripotent stem cells generated from adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and uses thereof. In particular, the invention includes isolated adipose tissue derived stromal cells that have been induced to express at least one phenotypic characteristic of a neuronal, astroglial, hematopoietic progenitor, or hepatic cell. The invention also includes an isolated adipocyte tissue-derived stromal cell that has been dedifferentiated such that there is an absence of adipocyte phenotypic markers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the consistent and quantitative differentiation of human preadipocytes isolated from adipose tissue into adipocytes bearing biochemical, genetic, and physiological characteristics similar to that observed in isolated primary adipocytes. The methods of the invention comprise incubating isolated human preadipocytes, plated at least about 25,000 cells/cm2, in a medium containing, glucose, a cyclic AMP inducer such as isobutylmethylxanthine or forskolin, a glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid analogue, insulin or an insulin analogue and a PPAR? agonist or a RXR agonist. The compositions of the invention include media for the differentiation of human preadipocytes, human adipocytes differentiated by the methods of the invention and transfected adipocytes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is differentiated adipose tissue-derived stromal cells that exhibit the improved properties of increased extracellular matrix proteins and/or a lower amount of lipid than a mature isolated adipocyte. Methods for the expansion and differentiation of these cells are also provided. The cells of the invention are used for the treatment, repair, correction and/or regeneration of soft tissue cosmetic defects.

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 invention provides cells, compositions and methods based on the use of stromal cells to support the proliferation of undifferentiated embryonic or adult stem cells in vitro. The stem cells produced in the method are useful in providing a source of uncommitted or differentiated and functional cells for research, transplantation and development of tissue engineered products for the treatment of human diseases and traumatic tissue injury repair in any tissue or organ site within the body.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying compounds and compositions useful in the regulation of weight, the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other insulin resistance-related disorders hypertension, cardiovascular disease and the like. The methods comprise the use of adipocytes and predipocytes in assays and screens for compounds or compositions of interest. The present invention recognizes the presence of the sulfonylurea receptor in adipocytes and its utility in identifying compounds and in treating obesity and other insulin resistance-related disorders. In addition to assaying for agonists and antagonists of the sulfonylurea receptor, the methods of the invention also provide for identifying novel calcium channels or other calcium regulatory channels that are selectively expressed in human adipocytes as compared to human preadipocytes and for screening adipocytes for compounds that selectively antagonize calcium.

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.