Abstract: A composition which comprises human mesenchymal stem cells which have the potential to differentiate into cells of more than one connective tissue type and a composition which induces cells from the mesenchymal stem cell population to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage, and a process for inducing such differentiation. The composition for inducing such differentiation comprises a glucocorticoid, a compound which stimulates cAMP production or inhibits cAMP degradation (such as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and/or a compound which upregulates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR &ggr;) expression and/or increases its binding affinity to its DNA binding site. The process can further include isolating the adipocytes from remaining hMSCs.

Abstract: A method of controlling granule secretion comprising performing a treatment to increase or decrease an active form of calgranulin on a cell line having capability of secreting granules, thereby increasing or decreasing granule secretion from the cell line. A method of detecting a substance which inhibits or activates the granule secretion reaction by applying this controlling method. An active form of calgranulin is increased by making the cells permeabilized cells and adding a calgranulin and soluble calcium. Decrease of an active form of calgranulin is carried out by introducing a calgranulin antibody into cells. The method is useful for screening a substance which inhibits or activates granule secretion.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell culture media formulations which support the in vitro cultivation of animal epithelial cells. The media comprise at least one fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and at least one agent that induces increased intracellular cAMP levels, and optionally comprise ascorbic acid. The present invention also provides methods of cultivating animal epithelial cells in vitro using these cell culture media formulations, kits comprising the media, cell culture compositions comprising the culture media and an animal epithelial cell, and compositions that may be used as replacements for organ or gland extracts in animal cell culture media.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the differentiation of stromal cells from adipose tissue into hematopoietic supporting stromal cells and myocytes of both the skeletal and smooth muscle type. The cells produced by the methods are useful in providing a source of fully differentiated and functional cells for research, transplantation and development of tissue engineering products for the treatment of human diseases and traumatic tissue injury repair.

Abstract: A process of using a fish plasma component as a nutrient medium component for tissue culture includes obtaining blood from a fish, separating plasma from the blood, and extracting one or more specific components of the plasma. The tissue is cultured using the extracted plasma components, and none of any remainder of the plasma, in a nutrient medium. The tissue cultured using the extracted plasma component is other than fish tissue, such as mammalian tissue or insect tissue.

Abstract: An improved culture medium suitable for culture of pancreatic islets, and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for promoting the survival of islet cells, which comprises one or more growth factors in combination with FK506 in amounts having an anti-apoptotic effect on islet cells in a physiologically acceptable culture medium.

Abstract: The invention is a system for maintenance and high-throughput analysis of cerebellar granule neurons in tissue culture plates under chemically defined conditions. The invention includes serum-free granule culture medium, which is composed of high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media (DMEM), NaHCO3, sodium pyruvate, and HEPES, which is subsequently adjusted to pH 7.2. The HEPES buffered DMEM is then supplemented with L-glutamine, KCl, bovine albumin, insulin, transferrin, selenium, penicillin, and streptomycin. Unlike proprietary neuronal culture media, this invention does not include any serum, steroid hormones, phenol red, or added anti-oxidants. The serum-free granule culture medium is then placed in conventional poly-lysine coated tissue culture plates in order to conduct subsequent assays. The invention also includes the ability to package the complete neuronal culture system into a “kit” for isolation, maintenance, treatment, and analysis of cerebellar neurons.

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 novel gene induced by salt stress, barley HVD1 gene, was provided according to this invention and sequence of the gene was determined. Said gene of this invention revealed to encode RNA helicase. Furthermore, it is expected that resistance to salt stress would be rendered to a plant by incorporating said gene, through stabilizing conformation of RNA.

Abstract: The materials and methods are particularly useful in media for cell culturing but have other applications as well, such as in tissue engineering. The materials comprise at least one growth factor or other cell growth facilitating substance contained within a polymeric structure which can incorporate the substance and allow controlled release of the substance. Alginate materials are particularly useful as the polymeric structure. Another feature described herein is the above-described materials provided in a lyophilized (freeze-dried) form which greatly enhances their storage life.

Abstract: The present invention provides a serum-free supplement which supports the growth of embryonic stem 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 isolating embryonic stems cells, methods for producing a transgenic animal, and methods for expressing recombinant protein in embryonic stem cells and transgenic animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using various forms of a novel receptor expressed by hematopoietic and endothelial cells. An additional variant form of this receptor has been detected in brain cells and shown to bind to the obese gene product, leptin. Therefore, leptin may be used to stimulate the growth and development of receptor-positive hematopoietic and endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, this receptor is selectively expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells with long-term repopulating potential. Thus, agents that specifically bind to this receptor may be used to identify and isolate progenitor cells for a variety of clinical applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for the in vitro fertilization, or for the in vitro culture of follicles, male germinal cells or embryos, said compositions comprising at least two growth factors in association with a compound of the family of corticoids involved in energetic production in mammals. The invention also relates to the culture media obtained with these compositions, these latter being preferably in the form of a lyophilizate.

Abstract: Growth of keratinocytes is provided by subjecting a basal medium, insulin, pituitary compound and keratinocytes to cell growth conditions. Cell growth can be provided in the absence of exogenous epidermal growth factor. A conditioned medium results after the keratinocytes are subjected to cell growth conditions, treated keratinocytes are provided, and the treated keratinocytes are subjected to cell growth conditions in a basal medium. The conditioned medium contains autocrine factor. The conditioned medium then is contacted with further keratinocytes to provide a cell growth mixture. The cell growth mixture is subjected to incubation in order to provide replicative DNA synthesis and hence cell proliferation. Cells so provided can be used for dermatological research, toxicological testing and skin grafts.

Abstract: A method of testing cancer cells is described. Assays are provided for determining the potential for inhibiting cancer cells proliferation using albumin-derived peptides. The methods of the present invention allow for drug screening as well as for evaluation of biopsied tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a minimal essential medium for maintaining neural cell or tissue viability in an environment containing ambient levels of CO2. The medium contains less than about 2000 &mgr;M bicarbonate, a buffer having a pKa of from about 6.9 to about 7.7, wherein the medium is free of ferrous sulfate, glutamate and aspartate, from 0 to about 3000 &mgr;M CaCl2, from about 0.05 to about 0.8 &mgr;M Fe(NO3)3, from about 2500 to about 10000 &mgr;M KCl, from 0 to about 4000 &mgr;M MgCl2, from about 74000 to about 103000 &mgr;M NaCl, from about 400 to about 2000 &mgr;M NaHCO3, from about 250 to about 4000 &mgr;M NaH2PO4, from about 0.2 to about 2 &mgr;M ZnSO4, from about 2500 to about 50000 &mgr;M glucose and from about 23 to about 500 &mgr;M sodium pyruvate. The present invention also provides a process of extending neural cell or tissue viability in an atmosphere having ambient levels of carbon dioxide whereby the neural cells or tissue are placed in such a medium.

Abstract: Recombinant Factor VIII can be produced in relatively large quantities on a continuous basis from mammalian cells in the absence of any animal-derived proteins such as albumin by culturing the cells in a protein free medium supplemented with polyol copolymers, preferably in the presence of trace metals such as copper. In very preferred embodiments, the medium includes a polyglycol known as Pluronic F-68, copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate/EDTA complex, and salts of trace metals such as manganese, molybdenum, silicon, lithium and chromium. With an alternative medium which included trace copper ions alone (without polyol copolymers) we were also able to enhance the productivity of Factor VIII in recombinant cells such as BHK cells that are genetically engineered to express Factor VIII.

Abstract: Uses for Wnt polypeptides in hematopoiesis are disclosed. In particular, in vitro and in vivo methods for enhancing proliferation, differentiation or maintenance of a hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell using a Wnt polypeptide, and optionally another cytokine, are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the consistent and quantitative differentiation of human preadipocytes isolated from adipose tissue into adipocytes bearing biochemical, genetic, and physiological characteristics similar to that observed in isolated primary adipocytes. The methods of the invention comprise incubating isolated human preadipocytes, plated at least about 25,000 cells/cm.sup.2, in a medium containing, glucose, a cyclic AMP inducer such as isobutylmethylxanthine or forskolin, a glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid analogue, insulin or an insulin analogue and a PPAR.gamma. agonist or a RXR agonist. The compositions of the invention include media for the differentiation of human preadipocytes, human adipocytes differentiated by the methods of the invention and transfected adipocytes.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is based upon the development and use of a serum-free defined cell culture medium comprising a supplement mixture, a component mixture, a vitamin mixture, an inorganic salt mixture and amino acid mixture that avoids the problems inherent in the use of serum. In particular, the defined medium is useful in culturing fibroblasts, especially chondrocytes. Another object of the present invention is to claim a method of enhancing the differentiation of chondrocytes and enhancing the synthesis of a cartilage specific matrix using tumor growth factor beta (TGF-.beta.). Another object of the present invention is to claim a method of enhancing the differentiation of chondrocytes using the combination of TGF-.beta.and IGF.

Abstract: A culture medium for culturing chicken embryonic stem (ES) cells is disclosed. The culture medium is used for supporting avian ES cell cultures. The components of the avian ES cell media include cytokines, fibroblast growth factors, insulin-like growth factors and stem cell growth factors and anti-retinoic acid antibody. The culture medium is substantially free of active retinoic acid. A method for culturing avian ES cells and the resulting products are also disclosed.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rabbit embryonic stem (ES) cell line, comprising at least 70%, preferably 80 to 90% undifferentiated cells and obtainable by isolating the inner cell mass of 5.5 days postcoitus blastocysts and culturing them on feeder cells in rabbit ES medium. The invention further relates to further optimization of derivation and maintainance of the cell line and to the use thereof in inter alia generation of chimeric rabbits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising (a) obtaining a tumor cell line, (b) modifying the tumor cell line to render it capable of producing an increased level of a cytokine relative to the unmodified tumor cell line, and (c) administering the tumor cell line to a mammalian host having at least one tumor that is the same type of tumor as that from which the tumor cell line was obtained, wherein the tumor cell line is allogeneic and is not MHC-matched to the host. The present invention also provides a pancreatic tumor cell line, a method and medium for obtaining such a tumor cell line, and a composition comprised of cells of a purified pancreatic tumor cell line.

Abstract: A system for the culture of eukaryotic cells of marine invertebrates employing a culture medium containing a mixture of sodium, magnesium, chlorine, potassium, calcium, bromine, and sulfate is disclosed, as well as a system for the cryopreservation of such cells in which the medium contains dimethyl sulfoxide.

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 method of enhancing the viability of cryopreserved cells is culturing Sertoli cells in media to produce preconditioned media and adding the preconditioned media to the cells to be cryopreserved. The cells are then cryopreserved. Alternatively, a method of enhancing the viability of cryopreserved cells is co-culturing Sertoli cells and cells to be cryopreserved in media and cryopreserving both.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising (a) obtaining a tumor cell line, (b) modifying the tumor cell line to render it capable of producing an increased level of a cytokine relative to the unmodified tumor cell line, and (c) administering the tumor cell line to a mammalian host having at least one tumor that is the same type of tumor as that from which the tumor cell line was obtained, wherein the tumor cell line is allogeneic and is not MHC-matched to the host. The present invention also provides a pancreatic tumor cell line, a method and medium for obtaining such a tumor cell line, and a composition comprised of cells of a purified pancreatic tumor cell line.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the in vitro growth and proliferation of germ cells obtained from the ovarioles of an insect. By culturing these cells in a medium supplemented with soluble cytokines and mitogenic agents and independent of feeder-cells, they can be induced to proliferate. Cells are stored by cryogenic means for future use.

Abstract: A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium useful for a biochemical analysis of antioxidant function in human lymphocytes, said medium comprising, a buffered, serum-free solution containing the following ingredients: a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose and a compound biologically capable of producing glucose in the cells, a biologically usable form of pantothenic acid, choline or a biological usable form of a substance capable of producing choline in the cells, inorganic ions comprising chloride, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and iron in a biologically utilizable form, cumene hydroperoxide, deionized water, and a mitogen in an amount effective to stimulate the lymphocytes being assayed; said buffered, serum-free solution having a pH from about 6.8 to 7.6, said cell culture medium characterized by being effective to determine nutritional deficiencies, inadequacies, and imbalances and to biochemically analyze antioxidant function of the lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising (a) obtaining a tumor cell line, (b) modifying the tumor cell line to render it capable of producing an increased level of a cytokine relative to the unmodified tumor cell line, and (c) administering the tumor cell line to a mammalian host having at least one tumor that is the same type of tumor as that from which the tumor cell line was obtained, wherein the tumor cell line is allogeneic and is not MHC-matched to the host. The present invention also provides a pancreatic tumor cell line, a method and medium for obtaining such a tumor cell line, and a composition comprised of cells of a purified pancreatic tumor cell line.

Abstract: Provided is a medium for culturing normal human epidermal melanocytes in vitro. The medium comprises a basal medium for culturing animal cells, Ca.sup.2+ at a final concentration of between about 0.15 mM and about 1.2 mM and Mg.sup.2+ at a final concentration of 1.2 mM and 6 mM or Ca.sup.2+ at a final concentration of between about 0.9 mM and about 1.2 mM and Mg.sup.2+ at a final concentration between about 0.6 mM and 6.0 mM and 0.001 to 0.1% scrum (v/v). The medium can promote both dendrite formation and proliferation of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture of human olfactory neurons. The neurons may display a normal neuronal pathology or a pathology characteristic of a generalized central nervous system disease. The cultured neurons can be used for neurotoxicity tests, screening for therapeutic drugs and anti-viral agents.

Abstract: A method of inducing the proliferation and/or differentiation of human adult pancreatic cells entails contacting primary cultures of such cells with Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF), thereby inducing a proliferation of .beta.-epithelial cells, an increase in the number of .beta.-epithelial cells which form islet-like cell clusters, and an increase in insulin production per cell. The method is improved by culturing the cells on an extracellular matrix such as 804G in the presence of HGF/SF, and is further improved by reaggregating thus-treated cells and contacting said cells with an insulin gene upregulating agent such as a poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase inhibitor such as a nicotinamide or benzamide. The method provides increased numbers of functional islet-like cell clusters for transplantation.

Abstract: Human pancreatic endocrine cells are proliferated without loss of hormone function in a culture medium containing extracellular matrix from bladder carcinoma cell lines in the substantial absence of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor. Proliferation is preferably carried out in the substantial absence of any peptide growth factors and nicotinamide. The cells may be proliferated in a monolayer on a solid substrate. Islets and islet-like cell clusters are proliferated without loss of insulin-secreting function by incubation in a medium containing extracellular matrix from a human bladder carcinoma cell line, preferably cell line ATCC HTB-9.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human embryo co-culture system comprising a suspension of cultured human tubal epithelial cells. Also provided is a method of method of improving the pregnancy rate of a female undergoing in vitro fertilization, comprising the steps of: contacting an oocyte from said female with a monolayer of cultured human tubal epithelial cells; inseminating the oocyte; and transferring an embryo back to said female.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic medium with PDGF, vitronectin, IL-1.beta. and BSA added to Eagle's minimum essential medium or medium with transferrin, insulin, progesterone and putrescine further added thereto. When cultivating the postnatal central neurons using the inventive medium, there are effects such that good attachment to substrate, extension of neuritic processes and maintenance of survival are achieved, that more stable sure cultivation becomes possible as well over the astrocyte-conditioned medium used hitherto, and the like.

Abstract: A serum-free medium which supports the growth and proliferation of bone marrow cells is described. Recipes for two formulations are given, one of which provides a medium suitable for growth of bone marrow cells for use in human therapeutic protocols.

Abstract: The use of individual or combinations of cytokines, particularly IL-3, GM-CSF, and c-kit ligand are employed for long-term hematopoiesis in serum free culture in the absence of stromal cells. The cultures can be used for evaluating compounds and their effect on hematopoiesis, particularly as to lifetime and nature of differentiation. In addition, the expanded cells may be used for engraftment in a mammalian host or enhancement of particular cell lineages in a mammalian host. The subject systems may be used with any mammalian hemopoietic cells, but finds particular application with primates, more particularly humans.

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.

Abstract: A serum free medium capable of supporting production of mammalian cell products is provided. The medium comprises a basic medium and a cell viability protection agent, insulin and thrombin or a thrombin receptor activator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new hyperosmolar preservation solution useful in supporting the simultaneous in vitro growth of, and preservation of vascular endothelial cells from large vessel and microvessel origins. In addition, the preservation solution of the present invention may be used for initial flushing, and as a perfusate for storage of organs intended for transplantation using a warm preservation technology at between 18.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. Among the components of the preservation solution are colloid, mucopolysaccharide, retinal-derived fibroblast growth factor and a high magnesium concentration. Also, the present invention is directed to a method for preserving, without extreme hypothermia, an organ intended to be transplanted using the preservation solution.