The presently disclosed subject matter is to provide a hepatocyte structure, particularly, a hepatocyte structure that mimics nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

A hepatocyte construct including an aggregate containing hepatocytes and adherent cells that are non-hepatocytes, and wherein the hepatocytes include ballooned hepatocytes is provided. Further, a method for producing a hepatocyte construct, comprising: (i) forming an aggregate by aggregating a cell group comprising hepatocytes and adherent cells that are non-hepatocytes; and (ii) culturing the aggregate is provided.

Methods of producing stem cell conditioned media to treat mammalian injuries or insults. In at least one embodiment of a method of producing a stem cell conditioned media of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of culturing at least one stem cell in a first cell culture medium, replacing some or all of the first cell culture medium with a second cell culture medium and further culturing the at least one stem cell in the second cell culture medium, and collecting a quantity of the second cell culture medium after a culture duration, wherein the quantity of the second cell culture medium contains a cell culture byproduct effective to treat a mammalian insult or injury.

A cell medium for in vitro inducing chondrogenesis or tenogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The medium is a glucose medium supplemented with at least one growth factor is chosen from the group of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) or the group of transforming growth factors (TGF), and the FGF or TGF is present in a total concentration of between 1 and 15 ng/ml. In both cases, IGF can be added to enhance the induction process. The use of the cell medium, a method for inducing isolated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and a cell composition obtained by the method are also provided.

A technology regarding the production, formulation and use of conditioned media and the factors included therein is disclosed. The conditioned media may be inoculated with animal cells, plant cells and any combination thereof. The inoculations may occur simultaneous or at different times. Cells retrieved from different areas of the animal and/or the plant may also be cultured together to form conditioned media and associated growth factors.

The invention features pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids, and cell cultures and methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of pancreatic islet and pancreatic islet organoids. The invention also features methods of treating pancreatic diseases and methods of identifying agents that are useful for treatment of pancreatic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer, using the pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids of the invention.

Provided are compositions and methods of treating impaired glucose tolerance which substantially increase the islet donor pool and safety as well as remove the need for anti-rejections drugs. Described are methods of making cell clusters comprising: expanding pancreatic islet cells; and forming cell clusters comprising: the expanded islet cells and mesenchymal/adipose stem cells. Expansion of the islet cells may include=>five population doublings. The islet cells may be primary islet cells obtained from an adult, non-diabetic donor having a North America Islet Donor Score (NAIDS) of <80. Described are cell clusters produced by the methods. Additionally, methods of treatment by intraperitoneal administration of islet-sized cell clusters composed of high numbers of mesenchymal stem cells and expanded pancreatic islet cells, durably and reversibly treats, without hypoglycemia, both streptozotocin-induced and spontaneous Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods for the efficient isolation and use of pluripotent adipose-derived stem cells (PASCs) are provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve providing an adipose tissue sample from which the stromal vascular fraction is co-cultured with the adipocyte fraction. PASCs can be isolated with a high degree of purification without requiring an additional cell enrichment process (e.g. cell sorting). PASCs and their conditioned media can be used for tissue regeneration within hours of harvesting the adipose tissue, and without requiring cell expansion. PASCs can grow as floating individual cells, as clusters of cells, or attached to surface(s) of the culture vessel. PASCs do not produce teratomas in vivo, nor do they induce immunorejection upon transplantation, and they achieve a high efficiency in grafting. The cells and compositions can be used for cell therapy and to screen new drugs.

Provided is a method of preparing a three-dimensional cell spheroid, the method including forming the cell spheroid by co-culturing adipose-derived stem cells or mesenchymal stem cells with hepatocytes. According to the cell spheroid prepared by the method, the secretome secreted by the adipose-derived stem cells affects hepatocyte maturation, and therefore, hepatic functions of the finally formed three-dimensional cell spheroid, i.e., organoid, may be enhanced. Further, a composition including a culture medium of the adipose-derived stem cells may prevent or treat liver diseases including hepatitis, hepatotoxicity, cholestasis, fatty liver, etc., and may enhance hepatic functions.

A method of extracting human progenitor cells from perivascular tissue of human umbilical cord. The extracted cells are then co-cultured with nonhematopoietic stem cells and are useful to grow and repair human tissues including bone. Also included are related methods and compositions related thereto.

The invention features pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids, and cell cultures and methods that are useful for the rapid and reliable generation of pancreatic islet and pancreatic islet organoids. The invention also features methods of treating pancreatic diseases and methods of identifying agents that are useful for treatment of pancreatic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer, using the pancreatic islet and pancreatic organoids of the invention.