Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to produce cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage that co-express NKX6.1 and insulin and minimal amounts of glucagon.

Abstract: Immune cells (Z cells) activated by zinc finger-like protein that regulates apoptosis (Zfra) and uses thereof in cancer treatment.

Abstract: A method of culturing human pluripotent stem cells to produce pancreatic lineage, the method comprising the steps of (a) culturing the stem cells in the presence of a chemically defined medium comprising an effective amount of FGF, Activin A, and BMP; (b) culturing the cells from step (a) in the presence of a chemically defined medium comprising an effective amount of insulin, transferrin, and selenium (ITS), and FGF; (c) culturing the cells from step (b) in the presence of a chemically defined medium comprising an effective amount of insulin, transferrin, and selenium (ITS), and Noggin-Nicotinamide-Retinoic acid; and (d) culturing the cells from step (c) in the presence of a serum free chemically defined medium (ITSFINE and Noggin) comprising an effective amount of ITS, FGF7, islet neogenesis associated peptide (INGAP), nicotinamide, and Exendin-4, wherein pancreatic lineage cells are produced, wherein the pancreatic lineage cells are insulin+ cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides for identification and use of small molecules to induce pluripotency in mammalian cells as well as other methods of inducing pluripotency.

Abstract: A bicellular vascular population derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) undergoes morphogenesis and assembly in a synthetic hydrogel. It is shown that hPSCs can be induced to co-differentiate into early vascular cells (EVCs) in a clinically-relevant strategy dependent upon Notch activation. These EVCs mature into ECs and pericytes, and self-organize to form vascular networks in an engineered matrix. Upon in vivo implantation, multicellular human vascular networks are functionally perfused. Thus, a derived bicellular population is exploited for its intrinsic self-assembly capability to create functional microvasculature in a deliverable matrix.

Abstract: Regenerative cells present in adipose tissue are used to treat patients, including patients with musculoskeletal diseases or disorders. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of regenerative cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Accordingly, in a preferred method, regenerative cells present in adipose tissue are placed directly into a recipient along with such additives necessary to promote, engender or support a therapeutic musculoskeletal benefit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of maintaining the phenotype of differentiated cells. Generally, the natural environment of the body is replicated for the differentiated cell. The differentiated cell is plated on a cell culture substrate comprising a laminin, such as laminin-521 or laminin-511. The substrate may also contain a cadherin. This maintains the phenotype of the differentiated cell.

Abstract: A method of producing an induced pluripotent stem cell includes introducing into a somatic cell one or more non-viral expression vectors. The vectors include one or more of an Oct family gene, a Klf family gene, a Sox family gene, a Myc family gene, a Lin family gene, and Nanog gene. The somatic cell is then cultured in a medium that supports pluripotent stem cells. At least a portion of the one or more introduced non-viral expression vectors is not substantially integrated in the chromosome.

Abstract: This invention provides an artificially synthesized peptide having an activity to inhibit the expression of type 2 TNF receptor (TNF-R2), and a TNF-R2 expression-inhibiting composition including the peptide as an active ingredient. Also provided is a method for inhibiting the expression of TNF-R2 in cells capable of expressing TNF-R2, by using the peptide. The expression of TNF-R2 in the cells is inhibited, by supplying the cells capable of expressing TNF-R2 with a synthetic peptide essentially including of an amino acid sequence constituting a signal peptide in an amyloid precursor protein (APP) or an amino acid sequence formed by substituting, deleting and/or adding one or several amino acid residues in/from/to the amino acid sequence of the signal peptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of differentiating stem cells via modulating miR-124, and the differentiated cells thereby. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of diseases using the differentiated cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cell culture, specifically, the derivation of retinal pigmented epithelial cells from pluripotent cells. The invention comprises the use of various cell culture medium supplements, medium formulations, and methods of using such medium supplements and formulations, in order to effect the rapid differentiation of pluripotent cells into retinal pigmented epithelial cells with very high yields. The invention further includes cell culture media formulations for the efficient maintenance, propagation, and maturation of cultured retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to vectors for the immortalisation of cells independent of their type. It further relates to a cell or a cell line produced with the method or the vectors of the invention. The invention also relates to the use of this cell or cell line in in vitro applications and in the treatment of disease.

Abstract: The present inventions describes a method that, starting from pluripotent cells, leads to the obtainment, in a reproducible and efficient manner, of endodermal cells precursor. These cells reveal useful also for application in the regenerative therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for administration of an effective amount of RANKL-binding molecules that act on prechondrocytes and/or mesenchymal stem cells, accelerate cartilage differentiation, proliferation, and maturation of such cells, enhance chondrocyte differentiation, and induce chondrocyte proliferation to induce chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation or increase cartilage matrix production and a pharmaceutical composition used for inducing chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation or increasing cartilage matrix production.

Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding human hemangio-colony forming cells and non-engrafting hemangio cells in vitro and methods of expanding and using such cells are disclosed. The methods permit the production of large numbers of hemangio-colony forming cells, non-engrafting hemangio cells as well as derivative cells, such as hematopoietic and endothelial cells. The cells obtained by the methods disclosed may be used for a variety of research, clinical, and therapeutic applications. Human non-engrafting hemangio cells are a novel progenitor cell population that is related to but distinct from the hemangioblast and human hemangio-colony forming cells. The invention also provides compositions, preparations, and solutions comprising hemangio-colony forming cells, non-engrafting hemangio cells or cells differentiated therefrom.

Abstract: A method of generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing the pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation medium so as to differentiate the pluripotent stem cells into endoderm cells; and (b) culturing the endoderm cells in a medium comprising at least one growth factor, a cAMP inducer and retinoic acid (RA), said at least one growth factor being selected from the group consisting of FGF10, bFGF and FGF7 so as to generate further differentiated cells; and (c) culturing the further differentiated cells in a medium comprising a maturation factor selected from the group consisting of nicotinamide, GLP-1 and exendin 4, thereby generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells. Further methods of generating islet cells are also disclosed, isolated cell populations comprising same and uses thereof.

Abstract: Provided are improved methods using Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibitors by which endodermal cells, notably endodermal cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPS), such as but not limited to hiPS-cells and hES-cells may be differentiated into hepatocyte like cells. The specific modulation of wingless integration gene (WNT)-signalling pathway and use of GSK3 inhibitors achieve direct differentiation and maturation of hepatocytes derived from human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells. GSK-3 inhibitors, when added to the growth medium at certain developmental stages, leads to more mature and functional features for the hepatocyte like cells as well as more pure and homogenous populations of hepatocyte like cells. Provided are also hepatocyte like cells obtained by these methods as well as compositions comprising them.

Abstract: A method of generating pluripotent stem cells is described. The method comprises: (a) expanding human pancreatic beta cells; and subsequently (b) generating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from the human pancreatic beta cells. Methods of redifferentiating the iPS cells into particular cell types are also disclosed. Uses of the cell populations are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to increase the expression of markers associated with the pancreatic endocrine lineage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of generating progenitor cells, such as hematopoietic or neural progenitor cells, from fibroblasts, such as dermal fibroblasts, comprising providing fibroblasts that express or are treated with a POU domain containing gene or protein and culturing the cells under conditions that allow production of progenitor cells, without traversing the pluripotent state. Also provided is a method of isolating a subpopulation of fibroblasts with reprogramming potential comprising providing fibroblasts that express an Oct-4-reporter and isolating cells that are positive for the reporter. Further provided is a method of generating reprogrammed fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are uses and assays of the cells produced by the methods of the disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for dedifferentiating lineage committed mammalian cells into stem cells. The present invention also provides methods of inducing dedifferentiation of lineage committed mammalian cells into stem cells, which can be further differentiated into various lineage committed cells. Methods of identifying additional compounds useful for inducing dedifferentiation of lineage committed cells into stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for stimulating insulin production, increasing beta cell mass, or decreasing beta cell loss in a subject. For example, methods of the embodiments can comprise administration of a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)1 receptor agonist and a CRF2 receptor agonist. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a selective CRF1 receptor agonist and a selective CRF2 receptor agonist.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Certain of the compositions and methods are useful for inducing epithelial cells to undergo an EMT. The invention further provides cells generated using the inventive methods and methods of use thereof. Certain of the compositions and methods are useful for inhibiting epithelial cells from undergoing an EMT. Certain of the compositions and methods are useful for inhibiting EMT in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells with cell signaling regulators are described. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide novel compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cells essentially free of exogenous retroviral vector elements in the presence of a medium comprising signaling inhibitors. In certain aspects, feeder-free episomal reprogramming methods may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to equine amniotic fluid-derived multipotent stem cells (Eaf-MSCs) and a preparation method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to equine amniotic fluid-derived multipotent stem cells which exhibit all negative immunological characteristics with respect to the human markers, CD19, CD20, CD28, CD31, CD34, CD38, CD41A, CD62L, CD62P and CD200, and exhibit all positive immunological characteristics with respect to the human markers, CD44, CD90 and CD105, and have the ability to differentiate into ectoderm, mesoderm or endoderm-derived cells.

Abstract: Methods for generating human endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells under defined conditions in the absence of VEGF are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is activated in human pluripotent stem cells for a defined period, e.g., by inhibition of Gsk3, and then cultured without further exogenous activation of Wnt/?-catenin signaling to obtain a cell population containing human endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods of culturing non-keratinocyte epithelial cells, with the methods comprising culturing non-keratinocyte epithelial cells in the presence of feeder cells and a calcium-containing medium while inhibiting the activity of Rho kinase (ROCK) in the feeder cell, the non-keratinocyte epithelial cells or both during culturing.

Abstract: The invention provides means and methods for modulating the occurrence of somatic hypermutations in antibody producing plasmablast-like B-cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of generating neural stem cells from differentiated somatic cells. The present disclosure also provides induced neural stem cells generated using a subject method, as well as differentiated cells generated from a subject induced neural stem cell. A subject neural stem cell, as well as differentiated cells derived from a subject neural stem cell, is useful in various applications, which are also provided in the present disclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of populations of Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs) of specific embryonic lineages, such as neuroectodermal and mesodermal SMCs. Pluripotent stem cells are cultured in one or more lineage induction media to produce progenitor cells of a defined embryonic lineage, which are then cultured in an SMC induction medium to produce a population of SMCs of the embryonic lineage. Populations of SMCs of defined lineages may be useful, for example, in accurately modelling vascular disease.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a cardiomyocyte population from a mammalian pluripotent stem cell population. Aspects of the methods include using a Wnt signaling agonist and antagonist, each in minimal media, to modulate Wnt signaling. Also provided are kits for practicing the methods described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising PDX1-positive endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified PDX1-positive endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying PDX1-positive endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of endoderm cells, such as PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and PDX1-negative definitive endoderm cells, are also disclosed.

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

Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing tumor-specific T cells is disclosed. According to the invention, antitumor-active, tumor-specific T cells are prepared by transducing a TCR gene from a tumor-specific CTL into antitumor-active T cells that have been nonspecifically activated, thus enabling tumor-specific cellular immunotherapy to be carried out from even small amounts of blood. MHC class I-restricted, tumor-specific Th cells are obtained by the method, allowing for the production of cells that react with tumor cells expressing an MHC class I molecule and show a helper activity and an antitumor activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method utilizing a CYP26A inhibitor to produce a population of pancreatic endocrine precursor cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic, activated leukocyte conditioned supernatants, methods of making them, and methods of using the conditioned supernatants to repair or promote healing of wounds.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of culturing cells, particularly maintaining the differentiation potential of a population of cells with differentiation potential. The methods involve contacting cells with an inhibitor of miRNA-181a* and/or incubation in a serum-free medium. A serum-free medium is also provided. Also provided are progeny stem cells, methods of obtaining them, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of producing pancreatic cells or pancreatic cell precursors by exposing human embryonic stem cells to an effective amount of at least one compound listed in Table I to differentiate the human embryonic stem cells into the pancreatic cells or the pancreatic cell precursors. Kits and pancreatic cell lines produced using the methods are also described.

Abstract: A composition and method for generating patient- or person-specific proliferative and substantially pure cardiac myocyte cell lines from pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is described herein. The patient-specific cardiac myocyte cell lines of the present invention find applications in research, drug screening and autologous cell-based therapy. The method of the present invention is simple and reproducible and generates cardiac myocyte cells having high purities and proliferating capacities.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of proliferating stem cells. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans to promote the growth of stem cells in ex vivo culture, while preserving their multipotentiality.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of an intracellular segment of CD40 and an amino acid sequence mediating the association of the recombinant protein with the constant region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. The recombinant proteins according to the present invention are—useful for inducing clonal expansion of a B cell having a predetermined antigen-specificity without the need for T cell or CD40L mediated co-stimulation. Thus, the present invention provides tools for clonal expansion of B cells specific for an antigen of interest and the production of B cells secreting antibodies specific for an antigen of interest. The recombinant proteins of the present invention may also be used for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies with a predetermined antigen-specificity from the B cell repertoire of a human subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of generating an induced pluripotent stem cell; as well as nucleic acids and genetically modified host cells useful in generating iPSCs. The present disclosure provides iPSCs, and methods of use of same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing primate retinal progenitor cells, comprising culturing primate embryonic stem cells as suspended aggregates in a serum-free medium, and obtaining retinal progenitor cells from the culture. The present invention further provides a method of producing photoreceptor precursor cells, comprising culturing isolated retinal progenitor cells differentiated from embryonic stem cells, under adhesive conditions, in the presence of a gamma secretase inhibitor, and obtaining a photoreceptor precursor from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to increase the expression of NGN3 and NKX6.1 in populations of cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide vectors for conveniently and efficiently producing ES-like cells in which foreign genes are not integrated into the chromosome. The present inventors discovered methods for producing ES-like cells from somatic cells using chromosomally non-integrating viral vectors. Since no foreign gene is integrated into the chromosome of the produced ES-like cells, they are advantageous in tests and research, and immunological rejection and ethical problems can be avoided in disease treatments.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for influencing the stability of an antibody producing cell, comprising directly or indirectly influencing the amount of BCL6 and/or Blimp 1 expression product within said antibody producing cell. Stable antibody producing cells and cell lines are also provided, as well as methods for producing antibodies using such cells and/or cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for culturing stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells. Specifically, the invention relates to a culture medium that supports proliferation of substantially undifferentiated stem cells, while maintaining potency of the cells. An an embodiment, the culture medium is defined and supports proliferation of substantially undifferentiated embryonic stem cells in essentially serum free and feeder cell free conditions. Compositions for making the medium and methods using the culture medium are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising a corticosteroid and an insulin analog. Further provided is a composition comprising a corticosteroid, insulin lispro and at least one organic acid. The present invention also provides methods of stimulating bone and/or cartilage growth by administering the formulation described herein for the treatment of bone fractures and cartilage damage. Further provided are the methods for the treatment of tumors and cysts of the jaw by administering the formulation described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for differentiating stem cells along the pancreatic lineage as well as large scale culture methods. The present invention further provides pancreatic progenitor cells derived from stem cells to provide pancreatic cells to a subject.