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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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: 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 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.

Abstract: This application relates to a method for differentiating pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into vascular bed cells. Moreover this application relates to a method for differentiating human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into vascular bed cells based on linked steps of chemically defined medium inductions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell, which comprises the steps of (1) culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing one or more WNT signaling activators, and (2) culturing a cell produced in the step (1) in a medium containing one or more WNT signaling inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for differentiating mammalian (e.g., human) pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro, by plating a single-cell suspension of PSCs onto a suitable surface such as type IV collagen and culturing the cells with VEGF after which ECs can be harvested. A preferred embodiment of the method first cultures the cells without VEGF and then sequentially cultures the cells with VEGF. Differentiation can be enhanced by adding an inhibitor of transforming growth factor ? to the culturing with VEGF.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel process for expanding T cells, such as autologous T cells, cell populations therefrom, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the said cell populations and use of the cells and compositions for treatment, particular the treatment or prophylaxis of virus infection and/or cancer, for example in immune compromised or immune competent human patients.

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: In some aspects, compositions and methods useful for generating stem cells from epithelial cells are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells which can be safely used for transplantation. That is, the present invention provides a method for selecting human iPS cells having reduced differentiation resistance, comprising the steps of: (1) inducing differentiation of human iPS cells; (2) detecting remaining undifferentiated cells after the step (1); and (3) selecting human iPS cells whose rate of remaining undifferentiated cells detected in step (2) is equivalent to or not more than that of control cells.

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: The present invention is directed to the identification of a novel repressor located between ˜1.2 kb to ˜1.6 kb from the translation start site of the IFN-?1 promoter. The present invention provides a method of using siRNAs against ZEB1 (binds to the repressor region) and BLIMP-1 (binds outside the repressor region) and increases the promoter activity of IFN-?1 (i.e., increases the production of IFN-?1 protein). siRNAs against ZEB1 mRNA or BLIMP-1 mRNA increase IFN-?1 gene activity. There is provided a therapeutic application of siRNAs against ZEB1 and BLIMP-1 mRNAs in treating a mammal (including a human) by increasing the production of IFN-?1 protein that promotes an anti-viral response as well as treats asthma diseases and colon diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of more efficiently producing pancreas cells, particularly pancreatic hormone-producing cells, a method of stably producing pancreas cells in a large amount by more efficiently inducing differentiation of stem cells into pancreas cells, a medicament containing a pancreas cells and a screening method using the cells.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a patient comprises immortalizing B cells collected from the patient by infection with Epstein Barr virus, transforming the cells to a latent stage, culturing the cells in the presence of a cancer antigen, harvesting exosomes released from the cells, administering the exosomes to the patient. Alternatively the harvested exosomes are loaded with cancer antigen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a set of human microRNAs, or a primary transcript for such microRNAs, or a precursor of such microRNAs, or a mimic of such microRNAs or a combination thereof, and their use as medicaments for inducing proliferation of cardiomyocytes for the prevention and treatment of heart diseases associated with a loss of cardiomyocytes. The invention also relates to a method for screening microRNAs and biological and therapeutically active compounds for their ability to increase proliferation of cardiomyocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cell biology, in particular the lineage specific differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can include, but is not limited to, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) in addition to nonembryonic human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), somatic stem cells, stem cells from patients with a disease, or any other cell capable of lineage specific differentiation. Specifically described are methods to direct the lineage specific differentiation of hESC and/or hiPSC into floor plate midbrain progenitor cells and then further into large populations of midbrain fate FOXA2+LMX1A+TH+ dopamine (DA) neurons using novel culture conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing mammalian neural plate border stem cells (NPBSCs), comprising: (a) differentiation of mammalian pluripotent stem cells by (a-i) culturing mammalian pluripotent stem cells in pluripotent stem cell medium for about 24 to about 96 hours, wherein the pluripotent stem cell medium comprises: (i) an inhibitor of the activin/TGF-? signalling pathway; (ii) an inhibitor of the BMP signalling pathway; (iii) an activator of the canonical WNT signalling pathway; and (iv) an activator of the Hedgehog signalling pathway; subsequently (a-ii) culturing the cells obtained in step (a-i) for about 24 to about 96 hours in a neural medium, wherein the neural medium comprises: (i) an inhibitor of the Activin/TGF-? signalling pathway; (ii) an inhibitor of the BMP signalling pathway; (iii) an activator of the canonical WNT signalling pathway; and (iv) an activator of the Hedgehog signalling pathway; subsequently (a-iii) culturing the cells obtained in step (a-ii) for about 24 to

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing a bone matrix solution, a bone matrix implant, and variants thereof. The invention also relates to methods of cell culture using the same. The invention further relates to bone matrix scaffolds comprising one or more bone matrix nanofibers, methods of preparing, and methods of use thereof. The invention also relates to methods of culturing cells and promoting differentiation of stem cells using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ex vivo differentiation of NK cells from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. Such NK cells and their progenitor cells can be used in therapies of a broad range of malignancies. In the present invention it is shown that IL-12 modulates ex vivo NK cell differentiation. Specific, we achieved significantly higher expression of KIR, CD16 and CD62L in the presence of IL-12 in the cell culture system. The induction of receptor expression by IL-12 occurred predominantly on an augmented population of CD33+NKG2A+ NK cells early during NK cell differentiation. These cells further show enhanced cytolytic activity against MHC class I positive AML targets. In line with the enhanced CD16 expression, IL-12 modulated ex vivo generated NK cells exhibit an improved antibody-dependent-cytotoxicity, using anti CD20 antibody on various B cell targets. Additional to the enhanced expression of CD62L, we show that this cell population consists of a specific chemokine receptor profile.

Abstract: A medium which comprises a fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and a sulfated compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a concentration which promotes the growth of a stem cell in the presence of FGF, is useful for culturing stem cells.

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: The present invention provides a method for preparing a cytotoxic lymphocyte characterized in that the method comprises the step of carrying out at least one step selected from induction, maintenance and expansion of a cytotoxic lymphocyte using a medium containing serum and plasma at a total concentration of 0% by volume or more and less than 5% by volume, in the presence of fibronectin, a fragment thereof or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a method of improving the efficiency of establishment of iPS cells, comprising the step of contacting one or more substances selected from the group consisting of members of the GLIS family (e.g., GLIS1) and nucleic acids that encode the same and one or more substances selected from the group consisting of members of the Klf family and nucleic acids that encode the same, with a somatic cell, an iPS cell comprising an exogenous nucleic acid that encodes a member of the GLIS family or a member of the Klf family, that can be obtained by the method, and a method of producing a somatic cell by inducing the differentiation of the iPS cell.

Abstract: The present invention develops a straightforward and rapid method for generating immunomodulatory cells from peripheral mononuclear cells, comprising treating peripheral mononuclear cells with a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to induce differentiation of the peripheral mononuclear cells into immunomodulatory leukocytes. The present invention also provides an immunomodulatory cell prepared according to this method. The present invention further provides a method for treating a disease caused by abnormal immune response comprising administering a HGF to a patient exhibiting the disease, inducing the patient's peripheral mononuclear cells to differentiate into immunomodulatory leukocytes, and modulating the abnormal immune response.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of producing endoderm cells, such as definitive endoderm cells by exposing stem cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to an effective amount of at least one compound described herein to differentiate the stem cells into the endoderm cells such as definitive endoderm cells. Differentiated endoderm cells produced by the methods disclosed herein can be differentiated into pancreatic epithelium, and other endoderm derivatives such as thymus, liver, stomach, intestine and lung. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of producing pancreatic progenitor cells, such as Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells by exposing endoderm cells, such as definitive endoderm cells to an effective amount of at least one compound described herein to differentiate the definitive endoderm cells into Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and compositions for expanding the number of CD34+ cells for transplantation. The invention further relates to a cell population comprising expanded hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and its use in autologous or allogeneic transplantation for the treatment of patients with inherited immunodeficient and autoimmune diseases and diverse hematopoietic disorders to reconstitute the hematopoietic cell lineages and immune system defense.

Abstract: Methods for producing interfering RNA molecules in mammalian cells are provided. Therapeutic uses for the expressed molecules, including inhibiting expression of HIV, are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing AR target RNA and protein levels via use of dsRNAs, e.g., Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents.

Abstract: A method of generating pancreatic progenitor cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) differentiating stem cells under conditions such that at least a portion of the cells express glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) so as to generate GLUT2-expressing cells; and (b) enriching for the GLUT2-expressing cells so as to generate a population of GLUT2 enriched cells, wherein at least 80% of the population of GLUT2 enriched cells express GLUT2, thereby generating pancreatic progenitor cells. Isolated populations of cells generated according to the method, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing natural killer cells using a two-step expansion and differentiation method. Also provided herein are methods of suppressing tumor cell proliferation, of treating individuals having cancer or a viral infection, comprising administering the NK cells produced by the method to an individual having the cancer or viral infection.

Abstract: A method of generating an induced progenitor population (iPP) of cells and/or induced population of cells from somatic cells, comprising the steps: a) obtaining a starting cell population, wherein cells of the starting cell population comprise, or are contacted with, a nucleic acid molecule encoding four reprogramming factors under the control of a control element, wherein the four reprogramming factors are optionally Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-Myc, and wherein the control element prevents or stops expression of the reprogramming factors under its control in the absence of induction by an inducing agent; and b) transiently inducing expression of the reprogramming factors in the starting cell population to obtain an iPP, c) optionally isolating the iPP, and d) terminating the transient induction while the proliferative capacity of the iPP remains under the control of the one or more exogenous reprogramming factors to produce an induced population of cells.

Abstract: Methods of culturing mesenchymal stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing MSCs in a medium comprising nicotinamide and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). Populations of mesenchymal stem cells generated using the methods described herein and uses thereof are also provided.