The invention provides culture platforms, cell media, and methods of differentiating pluriptent cells into hematopoietic cells. The invention further provides pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic cells generated using the culture platforms and methods disclosed herein, which enable feed-free, monolayer culturing and in the absence of EB formation. Specifically, pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic cell of this invention include, and not limited to, iHSC, definitive hemogenic endothelium, hematopoietic multipotent progenitors, T cell progenitors, NK cell progenitors, T cells, and NK cells.

Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60/TRA1-81/SSEA1+/SSEA4 expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliay Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.

Embodiments herein relate to in vitro production methods of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) that have long-term multilineage hematopoiesis potentials upon in vivo engraftment. The HSC and HSPCs are derived from pluripotent stem cells-derived hemogenic endothelia cells (HE) by non-integrative episomal vectors-based gene transfer.

Provided herein are methods for the production of antigen-specific effector T cells and NK cells from pluripotent stem cells which express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Further provided herein are methods for the adoptive cell therapy by administering the effector T cells and/or NK cells provided herein.

Compositions and methods for manufacturing induced immune regulatory cells comprising induced myeloid suppressive cells including MDSCs (myeloid-derived suppressor cells), dendritic cells, macrophages, and subpopulations thereof are provided. Also provided are methods and compositions for further modifying and modulating the induced immune regulatory cells to achieve enhanced therapeutic potential in treating autoimmune disorders, hematological malignancies, solid tumors, viral infections, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory conditions, or GvHD.

Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60/TRA1-81/SSEA1+/SSEA4 expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliay Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.

An in vitro method for identifying, isolating and/or enriching primate naive pluripotent stem cells, the method including analyzing transcription of a type 7 long terminal repeat (LTR7) nucleic acid sequence of a type H human endogenous retrovirus (HERVH) (LTR7/HERVH-associated transcription), and identifying, isolating and/or enriching primate naive pluripotent stem cells based on LTR7/HERVH-associated transcription, wherein LTR7/HERVH-associated transcription is a marker for primate naive pluripotent stem cells. An isolated in vitro population of primate naive pluripotent stem cells is obtained by the method, wherein in the cells LTR7/HERVH-associated transcription is elevated in comparison to control cells, wherein control cells are primed pluripotent stem cells or differentiated cells.

The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of embryonic hematopoietic stem cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGF pathway. Also provided herein are methods for expanding embryonic hematopoietic stem cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGF pathway. The embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include cells derived from an embryo (e.g., aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of the embryo), embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or reprogrammed cells of other types. The present invention also relates to administering the embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGF pathway to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits.

Methods for production of platelets from pluripotent stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are provided. These methods may be performed without forming embryoid bodies or clusters of pluripotent stem cells, and may be performed without the use of stromal inducer cells. Additionally, the yield and/or purity can be greater than has been reported for prior methods of producing platelets from pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are compositions and pharmaceutical preparations comprising platelets, preferably produced from pluripotent stem cells.

A method for meat production by in vitro cell culture includes isolating tissue from an animal or plant source and making a cell suspension of cells, and growing the cells into a solid or semi-solid structure that mimics an animal organ by growing the cells on a food grade scaffold in a culture medium. Expression of one or more proteins in the growing cells may be increased by altering a level of one or more micro RNAs that regulate expression of the protein. Additionally, the growing cells may be co-cultured with bioengineered cells that secrete growth factors and cytokines that support the growth of the cells in situ. The co-culturing technique reduces or eliminates the need for animal-derived fetal bovine serum in the culture medium.