Abstract: Methods for culturing undifferentiated mammalian cells, such as stem and progenitor cells, are provided. The methods involve incubating the cell in the presence of a sustained release composition containing at least one growth factor, wherein the sustained release composition continuously releases the growth factor(s), and wherein the presence of the sustained level of growth factor maintains the cell in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of liver conditions are provided, such methods and compositions comprising Notch2 antagonists, e.g., anti-Notch2 antibodies. Liver conditions include, but are not limited to, chronic liver disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to truncated growth factors and variants thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the truncated growth factors. The invention further relates to compositions including a protease and a growth factor comprising a bone morphogenic protein (BMP) or a variant thereof. The invention also relates to methods of using the composition.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating a pathological condition associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation by providing an AQP-9 modulator. The modulator can be an AQP-9 inhibitor or an AQP-9 inducer. Also provided are methods for modulating osteoclast differentiation, methods for treating pathological conditions associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation, as well as pharmaceutical composition including such modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for brown fat induction and activity through modulation of Fndc5 activity and/or expression. Also provided are methods for preventing or treating metabolic disorders in a subject through modulation of Fndc5 activity and/or expression. Further provided are methods for identifying compounds that are capable of modulating Fndc5 activity and/or expression.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for generating a neuron expressing Hoxc8 transcription factor or a caudal motor neuron comprising culturing an embryonic stem cell in a composition which is essentially free of retinoids and comprises an isotonic salt solution, so as to generate the neuron which expresses Hoxc8 transcription factor or the caudal motor neuron. Disclosed are also methods for generating a caudal brachial motor neuron, a thoracic motor neuron, or a lumbar motor neuron from an embryonic stem cell in a composition essentially free of retinoids and comprising ADFNK medium, an amount of FGF-2, or Gdf11 respectively. Disclosed are also methods of transplanting a motor neuron into a subject comprising generating the motor neuron and transplanting the motor neuron into the subject. Disclosed is also a population of motor neuron cells enriched for motor neuron cells expressing Foxp1 and expressing a gene associated with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of inhibitors of ?-catenin expression or activity or modulators downregulating ?-catenin expression or activity for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases or disorders and their use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and disorders, such as heart failure syndrome. The use of those agents resulted in particular in cardiomyocyte differentiation of endogenous cardiac stem cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for differentiating progenitor cells into insulin producing pancreatic islet cells and compositions and methods for using such cells.

Abstract: Methods are described that bias cells, such as potent and multipotent stem cells, by transfection with a nucleic acid sequence, to differentiate to a desired end-stage cell or a cell having characteristics of a desired end-stage cell. In particular embodiments, human neural stem cells are transfected with vectors comprising genes in the homeobox family of transcription factor developmental control genes, and this results in a greater percentage of resultant transformed cells, or their progeny, differentiating into a desired end-stage cell or a cell having characteristics of a desired end-stage cell.

Abstract: The invention includes methods that can be used to increase ? cell populations in vivo and in vitro, useful in the treatment of diabetes and related disorders.

Abstract: Described herein, inter alia, are methods and compositions useful for induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials and methods for maintaining and propagating mammalian mesenchymal stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cells and applications of the same.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating cardiovascular tissue. For example, stem cells, compositions containing stem cells, methods for obtaining stem cells, compositions for generating stem cells expressing particular markers, and methods for repairing cardiovascular tissue are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating a meiotic kinase-associated disease, preferably the meiotic kinase HSET, by administering an inhibitor of the meiotic kinase. Preferably, the disease is associated with the presence of supernumerary centrosomes, such as cancer. Methods of inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell by contacting the cell with an inhibitor of a meiotic kinase, preferably HSET, are also provided. Screening methods for identifying inhibitors of the meiotic kinase HSET are also provided. Methods of selecting subjects for treatment with an inhibitor of a meiotic kinase, such as HSET, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to novel preparations of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from hemangioblasts, methods for obtaining such MSCs, and methods of treating a pathology using such MSCs. The methods of the present invention produce substantial numbers of MSCs having a potency-retaining youthful phenotype, which are useful in the treatment of pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic multifunctional immature dental pulp stem cells (IDPSCs), and IDPSCs multi-lineage compositions. The invention is further directed to the use of IDPSCs and compositions to reduce the risk of and/or treat degenerative diseases or for other medicinal and aesthetic purposes.

Abstract: A method is provided, including obtaining a population of isolated immature antigen-presenting cells; enriching a population of isolated stem/progenitor cells within a larger population of cells; activating the population of immature antigen-presenting cells; and following the activating, inducing at least one process selected from the group consisting of: differentiation, expansion, activation, secretion of a molecule, and expression of a marker, by exposing the enriched stem/progenitor cell population to the population of activated antigen-presenting cells. Inducing the at least one process includes generating a lineage specific precursor/progenitor population (LSP) from the enriched stem/progenitor cell population.

Abstract: A three-dimensional microwell system that supports long term pluripotent cell culture and formation of homogeneous embryoid bodies (EBs) is described. Microwell-cultured pluripotent cells remain viable and undifferentiated for several weeks in culture and maintain undifferentiated replication when passaged to Matrigel®-coated, tissue culture-treated polystyrene dishes. Microwell-cultured pluripotent cells maintain pluripotency, differentiating to each of the three embryonic germ layers. Pluripotent cell aggregates released from microwells can be passaged for undifferentiated replication or differentiated to monodisperse EBs. The ability to constrain pluripotent cell growth in three dimensions advantageously provides for more efficient, reproducible culture of undifferentiated cells, high-throughput screening, and the ability to direct pluripotent cell differentiation by generating monodisperse EBs of a desired size and shape.

Abstract: This invention provides treatment compositions as well as systems and methods of determining and administering an effective amount of treatment for a neurological disorder. The treatment composition can contain a labeled interfering RNA (iRNA) agent capable of decreasing expression of a target RNA associated with the neurological disorder. The methods of the invention include determining an effective amount of a therapeutic composition by introducing a solution containing a tracer into the brain of a mammal. The tracing solution is monitored until a target volume of distribution at steady state distribution is substantially achieved, and the rate of delivery of the therapeutic composition is determined. The therapeutic composition can then be administered at the rate determined by use of the tracing solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing iPS cells, comprising reacting cells with at least one connexin inhibitor and at least one TGF? signaling inhibitor; iPS cells comprising at least one connexin inhibitor; an iPS cell inducer comprising at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of connexin inhibitors and TGF? signaling inhibitors; a medium for inducing iPS cells, comprising at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of connexin inhibitors and TGF? signaling inhibitors; and a kit for inducing iPS cells, comprising at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of connexin inhibitors and TGF? signaling inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention concerns RPE cells obtainable by directed differentiation from stem cell, particularly, human stem cells. It has been specifically found that culturing stem cells in the presence of one or more member of the TGF? superfamily, such as Activin A) induced directed differentiation into mature and functional RPE cells. This was evidenced by the expression of markers specific to mature RPE cells, including MiTF-A, RPE65 or Bestrophin). In accordance with one particular embodiment, the cells are a priori cultured with nicotinamide (NA) which was found to augment the cells' response to the inductive effect of the one or more member of the TGF? superfamily. The invention also provides methods of performing the directed differentiation, as well as methods for use of the resulting RPE cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel peptide that can be effectively used to produce or grow tissue-specific stem cells or tissue-specific progenitor cells in vitro. The peptide of the invention is a peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of the amino acid residues set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, or an analog thereof. A feature of the peptide of the invention is having at least one of the following effects: (1) an effect of inhibiting differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells or hematopoietic progenitor cells into myeloid cells, (2) an effect of promoting amplification of mesenchymal stem cells, and (3) an effect of inducing hematopoietic stem cells from pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of isolating a substantially homogeneous population of pluripotent stem cells from adult neural crest tissue (e.g., periodontal ligament) as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such isolated pluripotent stem cells. Methods of inducing the isolated pluripotent stem cells into specific cell lineages, such as neurogenic and retinogenic lineages, are also described. The isolated pluripotent stem cells find use in various regenerative medicine applications and the treatment of degenerative diseases.

Abstract: The object aims to form and maintain a cell, a tissue or an organ induced by differentiation. Disclosed is a composition for inducing the differentiation of a cell capable of being differentiated in a given direction to thereby produce a cell, a tissue or an organ through the further induction of the differentiation in the given direction. The composition comprises NELL-1 or a substance which can be altered so as to act as NELL-1 upon the differentiation. Also disclosed is a composition for maintaining a cell, a tissue or an organ produced by the induction of the differentiation.

Abstract: An in vitro expansion process for rapid expansion of antigen specific T cells, such as allogeneic antigen specific T cells comprising the steps culturing in a gas permeable vessel a population of PBMCs (such as allogeneic PBMCs) in the presence of antigen, for example a peptide or peptide mix relevant to a target antigen(s), in the presence of an exogenous cytokine characterized in that the expansion to provide the desired population of T cells is 14 days or less, for example 9, 10, 11 or 12 days, such as 10 days. The disclosure also extends to T cell populations generated by and obtained from the method and the use of same in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selective cell attachment/detachment, cell patternization and cell harvesting by means of near infrared rays. More particularly, conducting polymers or metal oxides having exothermic characteristics upon irradiation of near infrared light is used as a cell culture scaffold, thus selectively attaching/detaching cells without an enzyme treatment. The scaffold has an effect of promoting proliferation or differentiation of stem cells, and therefore, can be used as a stem cell culture scaffold. The scaffold enables cell attachment/detachment without temporal or spatial restrictions, thus enabling cell patternization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for expanding and stabilizing the phenotype of natural regulatory T cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating natural regulatory T cells that renders the cells resistant to factors present in the inflammatory milieu and stabilizes the suppressive properties of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides for modulation of target RNA activity. Thus, the invention provides oligonucleotides that bind to microRNA binding sites of target RNA. The oligonucleotides may activate RNase H or RNAi. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides prevents a microRNA from binding to its binding site of the target RNA and thereby prevent the microRNA from regulating the target RNA. Such oligonucleotides have uses in research and development of new therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of safely and simply inducing differentiation of mononuclear cells into cells that promote neovascular stabilization and maturation, and lead to recovering from ischemia or tissue repair. The cells according to the present invention are obtained by inducing differentiation of a mononuclear cell by culturing the mononuclear cell in a medium (particularly a serum-free medium) containing one or more selected from vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), thrombopoietin (TPO), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L), and collecting a cell population expressing CD11b.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.

Abstract: Methods for generating high-yield, high-purity cardiomyocyte progenitors or cardiomyocytes from pluripotent cells are described. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is first activated in pluripotent cells, e.g., by inhibition of Gsk-3 to obtain a first population of cells. Wnt/?-catenin signaling is then inhibited in the first cell population to induce cardiogenesis under fully defined, growth factor free culture conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the development of compositions, such as extracellular matrices, and processes for using the same, that both maintain stem cells in vitro pluripotency and enable self-renewal. In this regard, it has been discovered that when pluripotent mouse and human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-10 (laminin-511) or their functional domains, in the absence of differentiation inhibitors or feeder cells, the embryonic stem cells proliferated and maintained their pluripotency.

Abstract: The present invention provides placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating and expanding the same. The invention also provides methods of differentiating the placental stem cells. The invention further provides methods of using the placental stem cells in assays and for transplanting.

Abstract: A method of generating neural stem cells or motor neurons is disclosed, the method comprising up-regulating a level of at least one exogenous miRNA and/or down-regulating at least one miRNA using an agent which hybridizes to the miRNA in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or down-regulating Related to testis-specific, vespid and pathogenesis protein 1 (RTVP-1).

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing cells within a lineage (lineage restricted cells) from post-mitotic differentiated cells of the same lineage ex vivo and in vivo, and for treating a subject in need of tissue regeneration therapy by employing these lineage-restricted cells. In addition, the production of lineage restricted cells from postmitotic tissues derived from patients with diseases allows for a characterization of pathways that have gone awry in these diseases and for screening of drugs that will ameliorate or correct the defects as a means of novel drug discovery. Also provided are kits for performing these methods.

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: A method for directing, enhancing, and accelerating mesenchymal stem cell functions using alternating electric current. Mesenchymal stem cells are preferentially directed to either osteoblast or chondrocyte lineages, but not to the adipocyte lineage. when exposed to alternating electric current.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for culturing cells derived from the adipose tissue and in particular the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) to induce formation of cardiomyocytes, the use of the cells obtained by said culture method to reconstitute an ischemized cardiac zone, in particular following an infarction, as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing said cells. The method for obtaining cardiac cells comprises at least the following steps: a) selecting cardiomyogenic cells from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF); b) culturing the cells selected at step a) in a liquid medium optimized for expanding ex vivo the cardiomyogenic cells; c) maintaining and expanding said cells by successive passes in the liquid medium; and d) obtaining cardiac cells.

Abstract: Provided are an iPS cell derived from a somatic cell such as an NKT cell, having the ?-chain region of the T cell antigen receptor gene rearranged to uniform V?-J? in an NKT cell receptor-specific way, NKT cells differentiated from the iPS cell, a method of creating the same, and an immune cell therapy agent prepared using cells differentiated from the iPS cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modulating production of neurons and/or oligodendrocytes from neural progenitor cells of human white matter and to a method of treating a subject for a condition modulated by underproduction of oligodendrocytes from human white matter. Both of these methods involve administering an agonist or antagonist of one or more molecules set forth in Tables 1 and/or 2 to the neural progenitor cells. Also disclosed is a method of using an inhibitor of sterol synthesis to differentiate oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to oligodendrocytes.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: Provided are a culture medium for preparing neural stem cell and use thereof, the culture medium for preparing neural stem cell comprising: a basic culture medium suitable for the growth of stem cell, and a cell signal pathway inhibitor selected from at least one of GSK inhibitor, MEK inhibitor, TGF-? inhibitor, ROCK inhibitor and BMP inhibitor.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a means for proliferating a monocyte with high efficiency and in a simple manner. The present invention provides a proliferating agent for a monocyte, which consists of at least one component selected from Flt-3L, IL-3 and IFN-? and can be used before a treatment for differentiation of a monocyte into a dendritic cell. The present invention also provides a culture medium for use in the proliferation of a monocyte, which contains at least one component selected from Flt-3L, IL-3 and IFN-? and can be used before a treatment for differentiation of a monocyte into a dendritic cell. The culture medium for use in the proliferation of a monocyte according to the present invention may contain GM-CSF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stem cells in which a gene that activates signaling is introduced and to a method for proliferating the stem cells. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of significantly increasing the ability of stem cells to proliferate, either by transfecting stem cells with the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to activate the Notch signaling pathway, or by transfecting stem cells with the c-MET gene and treating the transfected stem cells with the HGF ligand protein to activate the c-MET/HGF signaling pathway. According to the present invention, as a result of activating the Notch signaling pathway or the c-MET/HGF signaling pathway, stem cells having an excellent ability to proliferate can be produced in large amounts. Particularly, since neural stem cells which have been difficult to culture in vitro can be proliferated in large amounts, thus the neural stem cells will be more useful for the preparation of cell therapeutic agents for treating cranial nerve diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.

Abstract: Provided are engineered soluble hIL-17RA receptors with high affinity to hIL-17 that inhibit downstream IL17A induced signaling events in cells. Also provided are methods of inhibiting hIL-17A induced secretion of CXCL1 and/or IL-6 in cells, as well as methods of treating inflammation and/or inflammatory disorders in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transdifferentiation of somatic cells, for example, directly converting a somatic cell of a first cell type, e.g., a fibroblast into a somatic cell of a second cell type, are described herein. In particular, the present invention generally relates to methods for converting a somatic cell, e.g., a fibroblast into a motor neuron, e.g., an induced motor neuron (iMN) with characteristics of a typical motor neuron. The present invention also relates to an isolated population comprising induced motor neurons (iMNs), compositions and their use in the treatment of motor neuron diseases such as ALS and SMA. In particular, the present invention relates to direct conversion of a somatic cell to an induced motor neuron (iMN) having motor neuron characteristics by increasing the protein expression of at least three motor-neuron inducing (MN-inducing) factors selected from Lhx3, Ascl1, Brn2, Myt1l, Isl1, Hb9, Ngn2 or NeuroD1 in a somatic cell, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intercellular protein delivery system comprising an engineered peptide (EP), composed of secretion part (SP) and nuclear translocation part (NTP), a functional or therapeutic protein (FP), cells that express the fusion proteins and cells that accept the fusion proteins. The system can be used in vivo or in vitro to sustainably supply proteins of interest for cellular reprogramming, cellular differentiation and cell-based protein therapies.

Abstract: Described herein are aminoquinoline and aminoacridine based hybrids, pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include such aminoquinoline and aminoacridine based hybrids, and methods of using such compounds for diagnosing and/or treating infections, neurodegerative diseases or disorders, inflammation, inflammation associated diseases and disorders, and/or diseases or disorders that are treatable with dopamine agonists such as the restless leg syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that there exists a long felt need for reliable hair growth methods and compositions that do not suffer from side effects and limitations of current technologies, such as surgery using a subject's own hair and pharmaceutical compositions. A first aspect of the present invention is a method of making at least one three dimensional collection of cells capable of forming a functional hair follicle. A second aspect of the present invention is a product produced by the method of making at least one three dimensional collection of cells capable of forming a functional hair follicle of the present invention. A third aspect of the present invention is a method of making at least one functional hair follicle. A fourth aspect of the present invention is a product produced by the method of making at least one functional hair follicle of the present invention.