Abstract: The present specification provides a spontaneous-contracting cardiac organoid, a method for manufacturing the organoid, and a method for evaluating drug toxicity by using same, the cardiac organoid comprising: a chamber in which a fluid is stored; a first pipe connected to the chamber so that the fluid flows therethrough; a second pipe connected to the chamber so that the fluid is discharged therethrough; and a valve formed on the first pipe so as to spontaneously open/close an inflow pipe.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of making vascular smooth muscle like cells from precursor stem cells. In certain embodiments the vascular smooth muscle like cells are able to contract in response to vasoactive agents, In certain embodiments, the methods comprise contacting pluripotent stem cells with a mesoderm induction growth medium, followed by replicating the cells in a serum-free vascular smooth muscle cell growth medium in the presence of collagen, and purifying replicated cells that express cadherin-2. In certain embodiments, the purified cells are used to treat or prevent a cardiovascular disease or condition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using a ETV2 gene or gene products including DNA, RNA, mRNA, ETV2 proteins, or protein containing exosomes, to directly reprogram and convert resident non-endothelial cells of host into endothelial cells in situ, i.e., in places of the body or tissue where ETV2 is injected. In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that directly reprogrammed and converted endothelial cells will enhance blood vessel regeneration in the tissues where blood vessels have been damaged.

Abstract: The present specification provides: a method of isolation of a pure culture of vascular endothelial cells, the method capable of isolating homogeneous endothelial cells adhered to a matrix for a specific time in a cell line of an endothelial cell lineage differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells; a medium for maintaining characteristics of vascular endothelial cells, comprising high-purity vascular endothelial cells isolated through the method, 4 ng/ml to 6 ng/ml of FGF2, 5 ng/ml to 10 ng/ml of EGF, 10 ng/ml to 30 ng/ml of VEGF-A, 20 ng/ml to 50 ng/ml of ascorbic acid, and DMEM/F-12 as active ingredients; and a culture method comprising same.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to endothelial and smooth muscle like vascular tissue produced from urine cells. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of producing endothelial and smooth muscle like vascular tissue by exposing urine derived cells with ETV2 in a first growth media under conditions such that the cells are modified to form a pool of cells expressing increased levels of endothelium surface markers and thereafter exposing the pool of cells to a second growth media under conditions such that the cells are modified to form tissue containing cells expressing increased levels of smooth muscle surface markers in addition to the endothelium surface markers. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to using cells and tissues reported herein for the treatment of vascular, cardiac, and wound healing indications.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to managing diabetic neuropathy using compounds disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing vascular conditions such as diabetic neuropathy comprising administering a compound capable of epigenetic modification, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors, to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to the use of HDAC inhibitors to treat directly diabetic neuropathies and pain without the use of progenitor cells or stem cells. In certain embodiments, the subject is at risk of, exhibiting symptoms of, or diagnoses with diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, radiculoplexus neuropathy, mononeuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, or complications related thereto. In certain embodiments, the compound is selected from belinostat, quisinostat, and vorinostat.

Abstract: The present specification provides an antibody for pure isolation of vascular endothelial cells and a preparation method thereof, the antibody comprising: a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain which specifically bind to an extracellular matrix domain of PECAM1 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; or a heavy chain variable domain and a light chain variable domain which specifically bind to an extracellular matrix domain of CDH5 having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Provided in the present specification is an ETV2 transcription factor comprising: a polyamide comprising a domain binding to DNA (DNA binding domain) of an ETV2 gene; a nuclear localization signal peptide; and a nano-particle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods of epigenetically transforming cells. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of generating epigenetically altered cells comprising mixing isolated cells with compositions disclosed herein under conditions such that epigenetically altered cells are formed. In certain embodiments, methods of treating or preventing vascular or diabetic diseases or conditions are contemplated. In certain embodiments, epigenetically reprogramming adult bone marrow-derived stem or progenitor cells including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for autologous treatments are contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods related to the isolation, culture and therapeutic use of CD31-expressing cells.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions comprising ascorbic acid and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) for growing cells and making tissues. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of creating cardio-mimetic tissues (CMTs) by culturing the cells in the presence of ascorbic acid and bone morphogenetic protein 4 and optionally inserting into cells a muscle specific microRNA or related nucleobase polymer and under conditions such that a cardio-mimetic tissue is formed that is capable of spontaneously contracting.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and methods of cardiac repair. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to a composition comprised of peptide amphiphiles and cardiac and/or cardiac precursor cells, and administering such a composition to a subject for the treatment of a cardiac condition. In certain embodiments, the peptide amphiphiles comprise a cell adhesive sequence and a metalloprotease degradable sequence.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions comprising ascorbic acid and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) for growing cells and making tissues. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of creating cardio-mimetic tissues (CMTs) by culturing the cells in the presence of ascorbic acid and bone morphogenetic protein 4 and optionally inserting into cells a muscle specific microRNA or related nucleobase polymer and under conditions such that a cardio-mimetic tissue is formed that is capable of spontaneously contracting.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to endothelial or endothelial like cells cultured from fibroblasts exposed to transcription factor ETV2. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of producing endothelial or endothelial like cells comprising exposing fibroblasts with ETV2 under conditions such that the fibroblasts are modified to form a pool of cells expressing increased levels of endothelium surface markers compared to the fibroblasts. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to using endothelial like cells reported herein for the treatment of vascular, cardiac, and wound healing indications.

Abstract: This disclosure is in the area of research and therapeutics. In certain embodiments, it provides methods to assist in the purification of cell mixtures, e.g., cardiomyocytes, using molecular beacons targeting cell-type specific RNA, e.g. mRNA.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of generating endothelial cells derived from stem cells. In certain embodiments, the cells are useful for inducing vasculature in muscles and cardiac tissue. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of transforming pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, such as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, into endothelial cells derived therefrom using a GSK3 inhibitor and/or delta like canonical notch ligand 4 (DLL4).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods of epigenetically transforming cells. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of generating epigenetically altered cells comprising mixing isolated cells with compositions disclosed herein under conditions such that epigenetically altered cells are formed. In certain embodiments, methods of treating or preventing vascular or diabetic diseases or conditions are contemplated. In certain embodiments, epigenetically reprogramming adult bone marrow-derived stem or progenitor cells including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for autologous treatments are contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods related to the isolation, culture and therapeutic use of CD31-expressing cells.

Abstract: This disclosure is in the area of research and therapeutics. In certain embodiments, it provides methods to assist in the purification of cell mixtures, e.g., cardiomyocytes, using molecular beacons targeting cell-type specific RNA, e.g. mRNA.

Abstract: This disclosure is in the area of research and therapeutics. In certain embodiments, it provides methods to assist in the purification of cell mixtures, e.g., cardiomyocytes, using molecular beacons targeting cell-type specific RNA, e.g. mRNA.