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: The present invention relates to a process for producing a desired polypeptide using rat cells. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing the polypeptide which comprises culturing rat cells such as YB2/3HL.P2.G11.16Ag.20 (hereinafter referred to as YB2/0), preferably rat cells to which a recombinant DNA comprising DNA encoding a desired polypeptide such as an immunologically functional molecule is introduced, in a medium which does not contain serum (hereinafter referred to as a serum-free medium). Among the desired polypeptides obtained by the process of the present invention, an antibody obtained by using a transformant of YB2/0 has a high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as ADCC activity) and is useful as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of neurological diseases and disorders, particular in the field of neurodegenerative diseases in which the myelin cover of nerves is lost. IL6R/IL6 chimera is used to promote the formation of oligodendrocytes from embryonic stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or posttraumatic nerve damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the cultivation of a population of cells in a serum free cell culture medium, wherein the population of cells has a cell concentration of less than 100 cells/ml, wherein a serum free cell culture medium containing recombinant albumin and recombinant transferrin is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for culturing stem cells, such that neuronal differentiation can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue culture system for primary cells (e.g. normal mammalian primary epithelial progenitors). This system includes: a) a serum-free, chemically defined cell culture media; and, b) methods for isolation and in vitro long-term propagation of primary cells (e.g. primary epithelial cells). Primary cells so isolated and cultured can be kept undifferentiated and proliferate for many weeks (>15 weeks) or population doubling (>35 PD) without senescence, or any detectable genetic alterations. Upon changing media/culture conditions, these cells can be induced to differentiate. The invention also provides methods to transform normal primary cells so cultured into “cancer stem cells.” The genetically defined cancer stem cell tumor model mimics the behavior of the disease closely, e.g., the cells are invasive, hormone responsive and metastatic when injected into mice. The tumor cells express genes that are specific to cancer stem cells identified in patient samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.

Abstract: This invention discloses a substantially pure population of human urinary bladder-derived epithelial cells and methods of isolating and culturing the urinary bladder-derived epithelial cells. In addition, several uses of human urinary bladder-derived epithelial cells and cells differentiating therefrom are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant protein comprising the sequence of a transferrin mutant, wherein Ser415 is mutated to an amino acid which does not allow glycosylation at Asn413 and/or wherein Thr613 is mutated to an amino acid which does not allow glycosylation as Asn611. It also provides polynucleotides encoding the same and methods of making and using said recombinant protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for culturing human embryonic stem cells by culturing the stem cells in an environment essentially free of mammalian fetal serum and in a stem cell culture medium including amino acids, vitamins, salts, minerals, transferring, insulin, albumin, and a fibroblast growth factor that is supplied from a source other than just a feeder layer the medium. Also disclosed are compositions capable of supporting the culture and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells without the need for feeder cells or for exposure of the medium to feeder cells.

Abstract: Self renewal of pluripotent cells in culture is promoted using a serum-free medium that comprises, inter alia, insulin and progesterone and has an osmolarity of 260-270 Osm/kg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrapure human transferrin, and to methods for manufacturing the ultrapure transferrin. The transferrin may be holo-, apo- or at any desired degree of iron saturation. The invention further relates to the use of ultrapure transferrin as the protein moiety of conjugates, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ultra transferrin alone as well as in the form of a conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a serum-free supplement which supports the growth of hematopoietic cells in culture. Also provided are a medium comprising a basal medium supplemented with the serum-free supplement of the present invention. The present invention also provides methods for culturing and for differentiating hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: Serum free media for growth and proliferation of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells in culture are provided. A serum free medium for growth of chondrocytes includes a serum free composition comprising FGF-2, linoleic acid, ascorbic acid, B-mercaptoethanol, transferrin and dexamethasone. Further the composition comprises EGF, PDGFbb, insulin and albumin. A method for growing chondrocytes in a serum free medium comprising the composition is also provided. Also provided for mesenchymal stem cell growth, is a serum free medium which includes a composition comprising FGF-2, LIF, SCF, pantotenate, biotin and selenium and method, therefore.

Abstract: A chemically defined-serum free growth medium for the in vitro and ex vivo of cells and cell lines. The medium consists of about a one to one ratio (v/v) of two basal growth media containing &agr;-ketoglutarate, insulin, transferrin, selenium, bovine serum albumin, linoleic acid, ceruloplasmin, cholesterol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, &agr;-tocopherol acid succinate, reduced glutathione, taurine, triiodothyronine, hydrocortisone, parathyroid hormone, L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate, &bgr;-glycerophosphate, PDGF, EGF and FGF. Chondrocytes, when cultured in this medium in the presence of a cartilage derived morphogenetic protein or bone morphogenetic protein, retain their cartilaginous phenotype.

Abstract: A method for culturing Langerhans islets to obtain an amount sufficient for transplant and autotransplant is disclosed. The islets are cultured in a culture serum (rat/human) medium which is supplemented with radical scavengers, growth factors, a matrix material, nerve growth factor, cell migrating/scattering factors and anti-integrin &bgr;1 antibody at proper the time during the culturing process The medium is supplemented with radical scavengers and growth factors for the first time and then further supplemented with matrix material, radical scavengers, nerve growth factor and the growth factors around 12-24 hours after culturing. Thereafter, the medium is supplemented with growth factors, cell migrating/scattering factors and anti-integrin &bgr;1 antibody at 4-5 days into the culturing process.

Abstract: A method for culturing Langerhans islets to obtain an amount sufficient for transplant and autotransplant is disclosed The islets are cultured in a culture serum (rat/human) medium which is supplemented with radical scavengers, growth factors, a matrix material, nerve growth factor, cell migrating/scattering factors and anti-integrin &bgr;1 antibody at proper the time during the culturing process. The medium is supplemented with radical scavengers and growth factors for the first time and then further supplemented with matrix material, radical scavengers, nerve growth factor and the growth factors around 12-24 hours after culturing. Thereafter, the medium is supplemented with growth factors, cell migrating/scattering factors and anti-integrin &bgr;1 antibody at 4-5 days into the culturing process. The culturing process is conducted for an extended period of time, so that any latent red blood cells are eliminated from the islet culture.

Abstract: A chemically defined mammalian cell culture medium is provided that supports maintenance and long term clonal growth of mammalian hepatocytes and other cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the establishment and maintenance in long term culture of hormone secreting cells. Cells are derived from tumorous or non-tumorous animal or human tissues, including ovary, endometrium, trophoblast, pituitary, thyroid, and pancreas. The cells secrete into the culture medium hormones such as estrogens, progestins, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin, thyroxin, glucagon, and insulin, depending on the tissue of origin of individual cell cultures. Contact with an appropriate secretogogue causes the cells to respond with increased hormone secretion. For instance, ovarian follicular cells respond to follicle-stimulating hormone with increased estrogen and progesterone secretion. Pancreatic cells respond to elevated glucose with increased insulin secretion. The cells proliferate in in vitro for up to one year or longer, during which time they retain their hormone-secretion profile.

Abstract: A chemically defined-serum free growth medium for the in vitro and ex vivo of cells and cell lines. The medium consists of about a one to one ratio (v/v) of two basal growth media containing &agr;-ketoglutarate, insulin, transferrin, selenium, bovine serum albumin, linoleic acid, ceruloplasmin, cholesterol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, &agr;-tocopherol acid succinate, reduced glutathione, taurine, triiodothyronine, hydrocortisone, parathyroid hormone, L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate, &bgr;-glycerophosphate, PDGF, EGF and FGF. Chondrocytes, when cultured in this medium in the presence of a cartilage derived morphogenetic protein or bone morphogenetic protein, retain their cartilaginous phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides a serum-free supplement which supports the growth of hematopoietic cells in culture. Also provided are a medium comprising a basal medium supplemented with the serum-free supplement of the present invention. The present invention also provides methods for culturing and for differentiating hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: A serum-free medium which supports the proliferation and differentiation of CD34+ cells purified from normal bone marrow, peripheral blood of patients treated with cytokines, and umbilical cord blood is described. The recipe for the formulation is given, which provides a medium suitable for the proliferation and differentiation of CD34+ cells for use in human therapeutic protocols. The cells CD34+ cultured in a the medium of the present invention are used in a method for repopulating human host bone marrow.

Abstract: Isolation, characterization, proliferation, differentiation and transplantation of mammalian neural stem cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A chemically defined mammalian cell culture medium is provided that supports maintenance and long term clonal growth of mammalian hepatocytes and other cells.

Abstract: A perfusion device such as a liver assist device containing a housing defining a perfusion inlet and a perfusion outlet, a porous membrane structure mounted within said housing to define a perfusion compartment and an adjacent hepatocyte compartment, and porcine hepatocytes isolated from a porcine liver by retrograde perfusion.

Abstract: A serum-free medium which supports the proliferation and differentiation of CD34.sup.+ cells purified from normal bone marrow, peripheral blood of patients treated with cytokines, and umbilical cord blood is described. The recipe for the formulation is given, which provides a medium suitable for the proliferation and differentiation of CD34.sup.+ cells for use in human therapeutic protocols.

Abstract: A composition and method for maintaining the viability of human mesenchymal precursor cells in a serum-free environment which composition includes (1) a minimum essential medium; (2) serum albumin; (3) an iron source; (4) insulin or an insulin-like growth factor; and (5) at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of glutamine, arginine and and cysteine, and is free of serum. Also, a composition and method for culture expanding human mesenchymal precursor cells in a serum-free environment. This composition further includes a mitogen, paricularly a serotonergic agonist. The cells are preferably isolated human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: Normal mammalian tissue and the culturing process has been developed for the three groups of organ, structural and blood tissue. The cells are grown in vitro under micro-gravity culture conditions and form three dimensional cells aggregates with normal cell function. The microgravity culture conditions may be microgravity or simulated micro-gravity created in a horizontal rotating wall culture vessel. The medium used for culturing the cells, especially a mixture of epithelial and mesenchymal cells contains a mixture of Mem-alpha and Leibovits L15 supplemented with glucose, galactose and fructose.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the survival and/or proliferation of Schwann cells (especially human Schwann cells) in cell culture is disclosed which involves culturing the cells in serum free culture medium comprising gas6 and other mitogenic agents, such as heregulin and forskolin. The culturing step is generally preceded by a pre-incubation period wherein nerve tissue comprising the Schwann cells is cultured under appropriate conditions and for a period of time such that demyelination occurs. The isolated Schwann cells can be used as cellular prostheses to treat patients with nervous system injuries. The invention also provides a cell culture medium for culturing Schwann cells.