Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the selectivity of a pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance for striated muscle or smooth muscle. The method comprises measuring the effect induced by a pre-determined quantity of pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance upon electrically stimulating striated muscle tissue, measuring the effect induced by a pre-determined quantity of a pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance upon electrically stimulating smooth muscle tissue, and calculating a quotient of the results obtained in order to determine the selectivity of the pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance for striated muscle or for smooth muscle.

Abstract: Described herein are cell culture media, kits and methods for preparing cell culture media, and methods for culturing cells, for example, cells of the female reproductive tract, and tumor cells.

Abstract: An engineered three-dimensional structure includes living cells cohered with each other. The living cells suitably include Schwann cells and at least one other type of cell. The cells accompanying the Schwann cells can suitably be bone marrow stem cells or another type of cell having one or more anti-inflammatory properties. The structure is suitably a graft that facilitates restorative axon growth when the graft is implanted between the proximal and distal stubs of a severed nerve in a living organism. The graft can optionally include a plurality of acellular conduits extending between opposite axial ends of the graft. Bio-printing techniques can be used to assemble a three-dimensional construct that becomes through maturation an axon-guiding graft, by stacking a plurality of multicellular bodies, each of which includes a plurality of living cells cohered to one another to sufficiently to avoid collapsing when the multicellular bodies are stacked to form the structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro three-dimensional organotypic cell co-culture. Cultures of the invention comprise tumour cells three-dimensionally disposed within a matrix of matrix cells which are distinct from the tumour cells, wherein the co-culture does not comprise a basement membrane. The cultures are useful for the study of cancers, for testing anti-tumour agent efficacy, and for high-throughput screening of candidate drugs.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro-organ composite which comprises a core group of cells and an outer layer of cells, wherein the cells of the core group are mesenchymal cells and the cells of the outer layer are epithelial cells or wherein the cells of the core group are epithelial cells and the cells of the outer layer are mesenchymal cells, and wherein the core group of cells is at least partially encapsulated by the outer layer of cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for obtaining cells of the chondrocyte lineage by differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells. The process involves culturing the cells as a micromass or other aggregate form in a cocktail of differentiation agents that facilitates outgrowth of the desired cell type. Progeny are capable of synthesizing Type II collagen or aggrecan, or other products that are characteristic of the chondrocyte lineage. Chondrocytes and chondrocyte precursor cells obtained according to this disclosure are suitable for use in both research and clinical therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of reproductive medicine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method determining the developmental stage of human cumulus cells issues from MII oocyte.

Abstract: The present invention is long-term cultures of avian PGCs and techniques to produce germline chimeric and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. In some embodiments, these PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs produce germline chimeric birds. These germline chimeric birds do not have PGC derived somatic cells or tissues. This invention includes compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs that can be genetically modified by gene targeting, that can accept large amounts of foreign DNA and that contribute to the germline of recipient embryos.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of creating a fully-human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining a mixture of neural cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), wherein the neural cells and BMECs that comprise the mixture were produced from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs); (b) purifying BMECs from the mixture of neural cells and BMECs of step (a); and (c) co-culturing the purified BMECs with a cell type selected from the group consisting of pericytes, astrocytes and differentiated neural progenitor cells (NPCs), wherein a blood brain barrier model is created.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for making erythroid progenitor cells that comprise in vitro-activated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and embryoid bodies (EBs) or pluripotent stem cells, and methods for making and using them, including ameliorating (e.g., preventing or treating) anemia and/or stimulating erythropoiesis. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of increasing propensity of committed stem cell differentiation towards the erythroid lineage.

Abstract: Disclosed are engineered, living, three-dimensional connective tissue constructs comprising connective tissue cells. In some embodiments, the connective tissue cells are derived from multi-potent cells such as mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. In some embodiments, the cells are cohered to one another. In some embodiments, the multi-potent cells have been exposed to one or more differentiation signals to provide a living, three-dimensional connective tissue construct. In some embodiments, the constructs are substantially free of pre-formed scaffold at the time of use. Also disclosed are implants for engraftment, arrays of connective tissue constructs for in vitro experimentation, as well as methods of making the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing cell populations with anti-tumor immune response activity, which includes co-culturing tumor and mononuclear cell in a three-dimensional cell culture device, separating and amplifying the cell populations with anti-tumor immune response activity from the cultures. The present invention, at the same time, discloses the cell populations with anti-tumor immune response activity obtained by the method and the kit comprising the cell populations.

Abstract: Engineered cardiac tissues are provided herein. The tissues include cardiomyocyte cells derived from a pluripotent cell, fibroblast cells and extracellular matrix components. Methods of using the tissues described herein are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for priming T cells suitable for administration to a patient having a viral infection. The invention is also directed to the composition obtained by the method and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and uses of cells for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases and disorders and the repair and regeneration of tissues and organs using low passage and extensively passaged in vitro cultured, self-renewing, colony forming somatic cells (CF-SC). For example, adult bone marrow-derived somatic cells (ABM-SC), or compositions produced by such cells, are useful alone or in combination with other components for treating, for example, cardiovascular, neurological, integumentary, dermatological, periodontal, and immune mediated diseases, disorders, pathologies, and injuries.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to fluorescent cell lines and to the use of such cell lines in monitoring cellular activity, such as angiogenesis. This disclosure further relates to the use of such cell lines in a three-dimensional cell culture to monitor angiogenic and metastatic potential of tumor cells and selecting personalized therapeutics for treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The types and relative proportions of cells constituting a cell sheet stack, and the number of cells to be seeded are altered to change the state of the cells in the cell sheet stack, whereby production of an angiogenesis-promoting cytokine as well as construction of a vascular endothelial network can be optimized.

Abstract: A biological barrier model is disclosed. In some embodiments the barrier may be configured to model the blood brain barrier. The model may include a membrane having one or more cell cultures disposed thereon. The cells cultures may be grown in the presence of shear stress induced by flow through the device in some embodiments. The size of the barrier, as well as the distance to electrodes and other sensors, may be in the microscale range. Further, in some embodiments the model may comprise an array of parallel channels and membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the culture of animal pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny cells, tissues, and organs, and nonhuman animal embryos and fetuses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a myocardial sheet using a group of cells derived from embryonic stem cells. This method is characterized by mixing Flk/KDR positive cells, cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and mural cells, all derived from embryonic stem cells, and culturing the mixed cells. Furthermore, the myocardial sheet can be used as a therapeutic agent for heart diseases since VEGF is released from the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to adenovirus E4ORF1 gene and to endothelial cells engineered to express the E4ORF1 gene. The present invention also relates to uses of the E4ORF1 gene, and cells expressing the E4ORF1 gene, and to compositions comprising the E4ORF1 gene, or comprising cells expressing the E4ORF1 gene.

Abstract: Cell aggregate forming chambers are described, suitable for automated loading and unloading, where the airtight chamber contains a mold with a plurality of cavities, where there is an inlet and an outlet for cells, and where air is filtered before it comes into the chamber. Method of using the chamber include injecting cells into the chamber, providing conditions where the cells may grow to form cell aggregates, and extracting the cell aggregates through a cell outlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to stabilize and/or improve the function of parenchymal cells. Also provided are systems of co-cultures of hepatocyte-stabilizing non-parenchymal cells used in bioreactor microenvironments to identify hepatic stabilizing factors by gene-expression profiling.

Abstract: The invention features methods of inducing hair follicle formation in a mammal by transplantation of skin-derived precursors (SKPs) and keratinocytes into the skin of the mammal. The invention also features compositions and kits including SKPs and keratinocytes. In other aspects, the invention features methods for producing dermal sheets from SKPs, methods for using such sheets and dermal sheets produced by SKPs.

Abstract: Methods of producing a three-dimensional, physiologically relevant immune tissue system, including culturing an immune cell and at least one other cell type separately; placing immune cell and the at least one other cell type in a low fluid shear environment for a time period; and co-culturing the cells under conditions selected to produce a three-dimensional immune tissue system with physiologically relevant characteristics.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure provide tissue constructs comprising a decellularized biomatrix and a neoplastic cell cultured within the biomatrix, as well as methods, reagents, and bioreactors for generating and using such tissue constructs. Tissue constructs as provided herein resemble clinically presenting tumors more closely than conventional in vitro and in vivo tumor models in various aspects, and can be used, for example, as tumor models for research and for the identification of anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is in particular the use of an amino acid sequence of IDE, or of an analogue or fragment thereof, or of at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding this sequence, as a biomarker, or as an active agent, with regard to a dandruff condition of the scalp.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell cultures and enriched cell populations of endocrine precursor cells, immature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells and mature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing such cell cultures and cell populations.

Abstract: A method for transferring a foreign substance includes: preparing a construct for transferring a foreign substance that contains a carrier peptide fragment including any amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 1-6, or an amino acid sequence formed by the substitution, deletion, and/or addition (insertion) of 1, 2, or 3 amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of the selected sequence identification number, and a foreign substance of interest that is bonded to the N-terminus and/or C-terminus of the carrier peptide fragment; supplying the construct for transferring a foreign substance to a test sample that contains a target eukaryotic cell; and incubating the test sample that has been supplied with the construct for transferring a foreign substance to thereby transfer the construct into the eukaryotic cell in the test sample.

Abstract: A 3D organotypic culture which phenocopies aggressive, invasive cancer and methods of use thereof are provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods of expanding hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprising culturing the HSCs with Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs), a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs, or a combination thereof, thereby producing a HSC culture; and maintaining the HSC culture under conditions in which the HSCs expand in the culture, thereby expanding the HSCs. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of transplanting the expanded HSCs in an individual in need thereof. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising HSCs and Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs). The composition can further comprise a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of culturing hepatocyte cells and non-hepatocyte cells that are capable of secreting liver secretory factors and their use in implantable compositions for treating liver diseases and disorders in patients in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ex vivo-derived mineralized three-dimensional bone constructs. The bone constructs are obtained by culturing osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors under randomized gravity vector conditions. Preferably, the randomized gravity vector conditions are obtained using a low shear stress rotating bioreactor, such as a High Aspect Ratio Vessel (HARV) culture system. The bone constructs of the disclosure have utility in physiological studies of bone formation and bone function, in drug discovery, and in orthopedics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, systems, and tools for modeling liver inflammation and methods of using the same. The disclosure provides micropatterned hepatocyte co-cultures where individual cell populations remain functionally stable during long-term culture. The in vitro liver inflammation models of the present disclosure may be useful for evaluating inflammation-mediated toxicities of compounds in a pre-clinical setting.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for causing the selective targeting and killing of tumor cells. Through ex vivo gene therapy protocols tumor cells are engineered to express an ?(1,3)galactosyl epitope. The cells are then irradiated or otherwise killed and administered to a patient. The ?-galactosyl epitope causes opsonization of the tumor cell enhancing uptake of the opsonized tumor cell by antigen presenting cells which results in enhanced tumor specific antigen presentation. The animal's immune system thus is stimulated to produce tumor specific cytotoxic cells and antibodies which will attack and kill tumor cells present in the animal.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a composition that comprises co-culture of small embryonic-like stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, where cell media is reduced or lacking in exogenously supplied growth factors, as well as compositions of growth media that result from, or are manufactured by, co-culture of at least two types of different cells. Also provided are methods for selecting cell media that meet criteria pertaining to cell migration (gap assays) and to confluence.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for causing the selective targeting and killing of tumor cells. Through ex vivo gene therapy protocols tumor cells are engineered to express an ? (1,3) galactosyl epitope. The cells are then irradiated or otherwise killed and administered to a patient. The ? galactosyl epitope causes opsonization of the tumor cell enhancing uptake of the opsonized tumor cell by antigen presenting cells which results in enhanced tumor specific antigen presentation. The animal's immune system thus is stimulated to produce tumor specific cytotoxic cells and antibodies which will attack and kill tumor cells present in the animal.

Abstract: A method of enhancing or initiating regeneration of an organ in a subject in need thereof comprising the administration of endothelial cells specific to said organ, or inductive endothelial cells specific to said organ, into the area of the body in which organ regeneration is desired in said subject.

Abstract: Swine animal models comprising a genomic disruption of an endogenous gene chosen from the group consisting of a Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor gene LDLR, Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) gene, and hairless gene (HR). Methods of preparing transfected cells useful for making a transgenic animal comprising exposing a first group of cells to a transfection agent and reseeding the group with additional cells that have not been exposed to the agent. The transgenic animals are useful for medical and scientific animal models of human diseases and conditions, as well as sources for cells, tissues, and biomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention provides for heterologous expression of polypeptides encoded by wild-type and codon-optimized cbh2 genes from the organisms Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Gibberella zeae, Irpex lacteus, Volvariella volvacea, and Piromyces sp. in host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression in such host cells of the corresponding genes, and variants and combinations thereof, result in improved specific activity of the expressed cellobiohydrolases. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.

Abstract: Compositions for inducing or enhancing immunogenicity of a tumor comprise bi- and multi-specific aptamers binding to a tumor cell and an immune cell. These compositions have broad applicability in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for regenerating hair follicles comprising CD36-expressing dermal sheath cells (DSc).

Abstract: A method is provided for co-culturing viable cells and microorganisms for at least 48 hours in which an adhesion module is provided including a basal compartment and a luminal compartment separated by a semi-permeable membrane, and a continuous or semi-continuous flow of fresh medium is applied to the basal compartment.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of culturing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells by cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells on a support in vitro for a time sufficient to produce said organized skeletal muscle tissue, including reseeding said organized skeletal muscle tissue by contacting additional precursor muscle cells to said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said solid support, and then repeating said step of cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells in said support in vitro for time sufficient to enhance the density (i.e., increased number of nuclei and/or number of multinucleated cells) of said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said support.

Abstract: Existence of human trophoblast stem (hTS) cells has been suspected but unproved. The isolation of hTS cells is reported in the early stage of chorionic villi by expressions of FGF4, FGFR-2, Oct4, Thy-1, and stage-specific embryonic antigens distributed in different compartments of the cell. hTS cells are able to derive into specific cell phenotypes of the three primitive embryonic layers, produce chimeric reactions in mice, and retain a normal karyotype and telomere length. In hTS cells, Oct4 and fgfr-2 expressions can be knockdown by bFGF. These facts suggest that differentiation of the hTS cells play an important role in implantation and placentation. hTS cells could be apply to human cell differentiation and for gene and cell-based therapies.

Abstract: A human T cell population which has both cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities, is efficiently produced by first fractionating CD2-positive CD14-negative cells from mononuclear cells collected from a human umbilical cord blood, and then co-culturing them with stromal cells. The resulting blast cells, which have the desired activity, are proliferated by further culture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of generating antigen specific T cells. Furthermore, the invention is directed to antigen specific T cells, isolated transgenic TCR's, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and their use in adoptive cell therapy. This invention in particular pertains to the use of cells co-expressing allogeneic MHC molecules and antigens to induce peptide-specific T cells from non-selected allogeneic T cell repertoires.

Abstract: The compositions and methods of the present invention comprise the efficient and effective presentation of antigens to the appropriate components of the immune system resulting in the production of species-specific antibodies in vitro. In general, these compositions comprise one or more antigenic components together with a colloidal metal, optionally combined with derivatized PEG (polyethylene glycol) or other agents. The invention also comprises methods and compositions for making such colloidal metal compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new three-dimensional co-culture method of podocytes and endothelial cells, and a relative co-culture system. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of said co-culture system as an in vitro study model of pathologies affecting the kidneys, and in particular the renal glomerular filtration barrier.

Abstract: The invention is directed to isolated renal cells, including tubular and erythropoietin (EPO)-producing kidney cell populations, and methods of isolating and culturing the same, as well as methods of treating a subject in need with the cell populations.