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.

Provided is a method for producing a cell population containing embryonic erythroblasts, including the steps of: (1) subjecting pluripotent stem cells to suspension culture to form a cell aggregate; and (2) obtaining the cell population from the cell aggregate obtained in step (1), step (2) including step (2a) of subjecting the cell aggregate to adhesion culture. In addition, provided are an embryonic erythroblast-containing cell population, a cell culture composition containing the cell population, and a compound test method that uses the embryonic erythroblast-containing cell population.

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.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for improving the production of cells comprising an antigen-recognizing receptor (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a TCR like fusion molecule). The methods disclosed herein can improve the activity and/or efficiency of the cells.

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.

The invention provides culture platforms, cell media, and methods of differentiating pluripotent 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, NK cells, NKT cells and B cells.

The present disclosure provides methods for generating hematopoietic progenitor cells. In some embodiments, the methods involve an in vitro or ex vivo cell culture model utilizing rentionic acid signaling for producing hematopoietic progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells.

The present disclosure provides for efficient ex vivo processes for generating NK cell lineages from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Cells generated according to the disclosure in various embodiments are functional and/or more closely resemble the corresponding lineage isolated from peripheral blood or lymphoid organs. The present invention in some aspects provides isolated cells and cell compositions produced by the methods disclosed herein. as well as methods for cell therapy.

The present disclosure provides for efficient ex vivo processes for generating myeloid cell lineages from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Cells generated according to the disclosure in various embodiments are functional and/or more closely resemble the corresponding lineage isolated from peripheral blood, bone marrow, or other tissues. The present invention in some aspects provides isolated cells and cell compositions produced by the methods disclosed herein, as well as methods for cell therapy.

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 Ciliary 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.