A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

Induced overexpression of defined exogenous transcription factors (TFs), or alternatively treatment with specific pathway modulatory cocktails, can reprogram somatic cells to pluripotency or alternate cell states. A barrier to initiating reprogramming lies in the starting cell's molecular identity, enforced by lineage-instructive TFs. However, it remained unclear whether repression of such somatic lineage-defining TFs of the starting cell in the absence of exogenous TFs is sufficient to induce cell reprogramming Using an intra-species somatic cell hybrid model, SNAI2 and PRRX1 were identified as the most critical determinants of mesenchymal commitment in rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) and demonstrate that siRNA-mediated transient knockdown of these individual factors is adequate to convert REFs into functional adipocytes, chondrocytes or osteocytes without requiring the provision of exogenous TFs. Additionally, it was shown that siRNA-mediated transient knockdown of SNAI2 alone, in the absence of exogenous TFs, is sufficient to transform REFs to a dedifferentiated pluripotent stem-like cell (dPSC) state that forms embryoid bodies and is capable of triple germ layer differentiation. These results establish for the first time that transient repression of a single somatic lineage-defining TF can effectively induce transdifferentiation to alternative somatic cell states or dedifferentiation to dPSCs in the absence of exogenous TFs or small molecule cocktails.

A method of producing a three-dimensional cell structure includes producing a mixture of a cell cluster including an endothelial cell, an extracellular matrix component, and a polymer electrolyte, removing a liquid from the mixture to obtain a cell aggregate, and culturing the cell aggregate in a medium to obtain a three-dimensional cell structure with a thickness greater than 150 μm and having a vascular network. The extracellular matrix component is collagen or a collagen analog, and the polymer electrolyte is heparin or a heparin analog having a final concentration of 0.001 mg/mL or higher in the mixture.

The invention relates to the technical field of medicine, and provides a method of screening and identifying small molecule with anti-aging properties. The method comprises cellular models, namely premature aging mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human HGPS mesenchymal stem cells and animal models, namely premature aging progeroid mice and Caenorhabditis elegans. The method successfully screened and identified Cannabidiol (CBD), which had senolytic effects. The invention also determined that the optimal concentration of CBD treatment is 10-20 μM.

Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions related to cancer treatment for an individual utilizing recombinant fibroblast cells that comprise one or more activities that are endothelial cell-like. The cells are delivered to a tumor microenvironment following which their death results in destabilization of the tumor vasculature. In particular embodiments, the fibroblast cells recombinantly express one or more of ETV2, FOXC2, and FLI1.

The present invention relates in part to methods for producing tissue-specific cells from patient samples, and to tissue-specific cells produced using these methods. Methods for reprogramming cells using RNA are disclosed. Therapeutics comprising cells produced using these methods are also disclosed.

In some aspects, disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treatment or prevention of cerebral palsy using fibroblasts or derivatives thereof. Disclosed herein are fibroblasts and derivatives thereof capable of inducing neurogenesis and/or reducing inflammation in a subject. In some cases, the disclosed methods comprise use of conditioned fibroblasts. Fibroblasts may be conditioned with agents capable of enhancing therapeutic efficacy, for example oxytocin and/or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

The present disclosure provides for a cell stabilizing medium which comprises gelatin. The cell stabilizing medium help maintain cell viability, e.g., after thawing of a biological material post-cryopreservation.

The disclosure relates to an ex vivo generated population of educated macrophages specific to LPS and methods of making and using such macrophages.

Human cardiac fibroblasts obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are provided for use in analysis, screening programs, and the like.