Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing induced natural killer (iNK) cells, into which a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene encoding a CAR is introduced, iNK cells produced by the method, and a cell therapy composition and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, comprising the iNK cells. The method according to the present invention has the effects of producing the iNK cells, into which a CAR gene is introduced, with high efficiency through direct reprogramming from isolated cells without limiting an initial cell, and directly producing the same without a differentiation process, thereby simplifying the production process and reducing costs and time. The method according to the present invention has the effect of producing excellent NK cells having enhanced safety by directly producing NK cells from human somatic cells that are easy to obtain, without passing through induced pluripotent stem cells produced through conventional reprogramming technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a method for producing immunocytes, specifically induced natural killer T (iNKT) cells that are induced by direct reprogramming of isolated somatic cells, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-iNKT cells into which a CAR gene encoding a CAR is introduced; iNKT cells produced by the method; and a cell therapy composition and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, comprising the iNKT cells. The method according to the present invention can produce, through direct reprogramming, iNKT cells or iNKT cells into which a CAR gene is introduced, from isolated cells so as to simplify the production process and shorten production time, thereby reducing costs, to have excellent NKT cell production efficiency, and to ensure safety according to the production without passing through induced pluripotent stem cells, thereby having an excellent NKT cell production effect distinguished from that of a conventional reprogramming technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing natural killer cells using direct reprogramming, natural killer cells produced thereby, a biomarker specific to the natural killer cells, a cell therapeutic agent comprising the natural killer cells, a composition for treatment and prevention of cancer, a cryopreservation cell vial for storing the natural killer cells, and a medium kit for inducing the direct reprogramming. Exhibiting excellent proliferative potential and cancer cell killing potential, the natural killer cells produced by the production method can be effectively utilized for mass production and in a composition for treatment and prevention of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a repressor of mitofusin gene expression, an inhibitor of mitofusin protein activity, or a mixture thereof as an active ingredient for promoting reprogramming a differentiated cell into a pluripotent stem cell, and a use thereof. The composition according to the present invention increases the efficiency of reprogramming as well as reduces the time required for reprogramming to produce pluripotent stem cells. Therefore, the present composition can be beneficially used to develop the production technology of high efficiency pluripotent stem cell and secure a large-scale culture system. Further, the present composition can be beneficially used to maintain pluripotent stem cells and screen the compounds capable of promoting the reprogramming into pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel indoleacrylic acid-based compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for the production, maintenance and proliferation of pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are cell culture compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in the production and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing induced dopaminergic neuronal progenitors (iDPs) comprising inducing an expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc genes in adult cells and direct reprogramming of the adult cells to the iDPs by treating the cells with sonic hedgehog (SHH) and fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8); and a cell therapy product and a composition for treating or preventing Parkinson's Disease (PD) which comprises the iDPs as active ingredients. In addition to this, the present invention relates to a method for preparing midbrain dopaminergic neurons comprising isolating NSC-like colony by culturing the iDPs, dissociating the isolated NSC-like colony, and culturing the cells on the neural cell differentiation medium. Further, the present invention relates to a method for treating PD or a method for screening medicine for preventing or treating PD using the cells of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a GM1 gangliosidosis human cell model based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSCs originated neural progenitor cells, and a use of the GM1 model above for the development of a GM1 gangliosidosis treating agent. The iPSCs originated from GM1 patient fibroblasts can be differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurosphere cells that can emulate the characteristics shown in GM1 patient, so that the said cells can be efficiently used for the investigation of intracellular GM1 symptoms such as the GM1 gangliosidosis and lysosome accumulation and the gene expression pattern change. So, the GM1 cell model of the present invention can be efficiently used for the study of GM1 development mechanism and the study for the development of a therapeutic agent for the disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for detecting the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells comprising an agent useful for measuring the level of Desmoglein 2 (Dsg 2) mRNA or the protein thereof, a kit for detecting the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells comprising the said composition, a method for detecting the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells containing the step of measuring the level of Desmoglein 2 mRNA or the protein thereof, a method for evaluating the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and thereafter for separating the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells, a method for reducing the undifferentiated status of human pluripotent stem cells by inhibiting the expression or activation of Desmoglein 2, and a monoclonal antibody binding specifically to human Desmoglein 2.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel indoleacrylic acid-based compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for the production, maintenance and proliferation of pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are cell culture compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in the production and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel indoleacrylic acid-based compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for the production, maintenance and proliferation of pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are cell culture compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in the production and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a repressor of mitofusin gene expression, an inhibitor of mitofusin protein activity, or a mixture thereof as an active ingredient for promoting reprogramming a differentiated cell into a pluripotent stem cell, and a use thereof. The composition according to the present invention increases the efficiency of reprogramming as well as reduces the time required for reprogramming to produce pluripotent stem cells. Therefore, the present composition can be beneficially used to develop the production technology of high efficiency pluripotent stem cell and secure a large-scale culture system. Further, the present composition can be beneficially used to maintain pluripotent stem cells and screen the compounds capable of promoting the reprogramming into pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing induced dopaminergic neuronal progenitors (iDPs) comprising inducing an expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc genes in adult cells and direct reprogramming of the adult cells to the iDPs by treating the cells with sonic hedgehog (SHH) and fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8); and a cell therapy product and a composition for treating or preventing Parkinson's Disease (PD) which comprises the iDPs as active ingredients. In addition to this, the present invention relates to a method for preparing midbrain dopaminergic neurons comprising isolating NSC-like colony by culturing the iDPs, dissociating the isolated NSC-like colony, and culturing the cells on the neural cell differentiation medium. Further, the present invention relates to a method for treating PD or a method for screening medicine for preventing or treating PD using the cells of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for detecting the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells comprising an agent useful for measuring the level of Desmoglein 2 (Dsg 2) mRNA or the protein thereof, a kit for detecting the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells comprising the said composition, a method for detecting the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells containing the step of measuring the level of Desmoglein 2 mRNA or the protein thereof, a method for evaluating the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and thereafter for separating the undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells, a method for reducing the undifferentiated status of human pluripotent stem cells by inhibiting the expression or activation of Desmoglein 2, and a monoclonal antibody binding specifically to human Desmoglein 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a GM1 gangliosidosis human cell model based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSCs originated neural progenitor cells, and a use of the GM1 model above for the development of a GM1 gangliosidosis treating agent. The iPSCs originated from GM1 patient fibroblasts can be differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurosphere cells that can emulate the characteristics shown in GM1 patient, so that the said cells can be efficiently used for the investigation of intracellular GM1 symptoms such as the GM1 gangliosidosis and lysosome accumulation and the gene expression pattern change. So, the GM1 cell model of the present invention can be efficiently used for the study of GM1 development mechanism and the study for the development of a therapeutic agent for the disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a GM1 gangliosidosis human cell model based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSCs originated neural progenitor cells, and a use of the GM1 model above for the development of a GM1 gangliosidosis treating agent. The iPSCs originated from GM1 patient fibroblasts can be differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurosphere cells that can emulate the characteristics shown in GM1 patient, so that the said cells can be efficiently used for the investigation of intracellular GM1 symptoms such as the GM1 gangliosidosis and lysosome accumulation and the gene expression pattern change. So, the GM1 cell model of the present invention can be efficiently used for the study of GM1 development mechanism and the study for the development of a therapeutic agent for the disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing endothelial progenitor cells, comprising a method for producing induced pluripotent stem cells by using only Oct4 and Sox2 as a reprogramming factor of human dental pulp cells, and differentiating endothelial progenitor cells from the induced pluripotent stem cells produced by the method for producing induced pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for producing endothelial cells, comprising differentiating endothelial cells from endothelial progenitor cells produced by the method for producing the endothelial progenitor cells. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for producing smooth muscle cells, comprising differentiating smooth muscle cells from endothelial progenitor cells produced by the method for producing the endothelial progenitor cells.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when the novel low-molecular-weight compound RSC-133 is added in a culture process for producing reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells from human differentiated cells, it can increase the efficiency of reprogramming and can significantly reduce the time required for the induction of reprogramming. Particularly, the novel compound RSC-133 can substitute for c-Myc acting as both a reprogramming factor and an oncogenic factor, and it can effectively increase the efficiency of reprogramming in both normal oxygen culture conditions and hypoxic culture conditions. In addition, RSC-133 can inhibit the induction of aging occurring in the reprogramming process, exhibits the effect of promoting cell proliferation, and induces epigenetic activation to improve culture conditions for induction of reprogramming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a large-scale propagation and maintenance method of embryoid bodies generated from stem cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to a large-scale propagation and maintenance method of embryoid bodies retaining their intrinsic characteristics for a long period of time, comprising the step of continuously subculturing embryoid bodies that are primarily produced from embryonic stem cells or from induced pluripotent stem cells. According to the method of the present invention, after preparation of embryoid bodies from a limited number of stem cells, large-scale production and maintenance of embryoid bodies can be realized by a simple mechanical subculturing method without the continuous supply of stem cells.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when nicotinamide is added in a culture process for producing pluripotent stem cells from human differentiated cells, it can increase the efficiency of reprogramming and can significantly reduce the time required for induction of reprogramming. It was verified that nicotinamide inhibits the induction of senescence and oxidative stress in the reprogramming process and increases cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity to effectively improve culture conditions for induction of reprogramming. Particularly, the present invention will contribute to optimizing a process of producing induced pluripotent stem cells from a small amount of patient-specific somatic cells obtained from various sources, and thus it will significantly improve a process of developing clinically applicable personalized stem cell therapy agents and new drugs and will facilitate the practical application of these agents and drugs.

Abstract: A reprogramming inducing composition including the Rex1 protein or a nucleic acid molecule coding for the Rex1 protein for producing induced pluripotent stem cells from body cells or non-embryonic cells through a reprogramming process. A method for producing induced pluripotent stem cells by using the Rex1 is also disclosed.