Described herein are compositions and techniques related to generation and therapeutic application of stem cell-derived exosomes. The Inventors have discovered cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) and their secreted exosomes mediate such inflammatory processes, by, for example, shifting macrophages away from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype toward M2 healing phenotype. This suggests compositions and techniques for use in both long-term reversal of heart and vascular disease pathology, and protection against such disease progression via modulation of inflammation and immune responses.

A method for treating an oral condition of a subject by grafting cultured tissue constructs to the oral tissue. The cultured tissue constructs comprise cultured cells and endogenously produced extracellular matrix components without the requirement of exogenous matrix components or network support or scaffold members. Some tissue constructs of the invention are comprised of multiple cell layers or more than one cell type. The tissue constructs of the invention have morphological features and functions similar to tissues their cells are derived and their strength makes them easily handleable. Preferred cultured tissue constructs of the invention comprise cells derived from human tissue.

Provided is a method for inducing a skeletal muscle cell including a step of introducing MyoD family gene or an expression product thereof and Myc family gene or an expression product thereof into a somatic cell of a mammal.

Provided is a double-gene knockout vector system, a method for preparing porcine fibroblasts with both CD163 gene and CD13 gene being knocked-out, prepared porcine fibroblasts, and a method for preparing a gene-edited pig with both CD163 gene and CD13 gene being knocked-out. The vector system of the present disclosure comprises a CD163 gene knockout vector and a CD13 gene knockout vector. The CD163 gene knockout vector comprises a gene editing vector backbone and a DNA fragment ligated to the gene editing vector backbone, with a nucleotide sequence of the DNA fragment being shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. The CD13 gene knockout vector comprises a gene editing vector backbone and a DNA fragment ligated to the gene editing vector backbone, a nucleotide sequence of the DNA fragment being shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4-6.

A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.

The present invention relates to inter alia, methods for the generation and maintenance of Mesoderm-derived ISL1+ Multipotent Progenitors (IMPs), the production of a number of pluripotent cells including and epicardial pluripotent cells (EPCs) and using these cells to produce endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, vascular cells and other cells and related methods as otherwise disclosed herein. The invention also relates to compositions comprising a population of cells.

A method for producing exosomes comprises steps of: providing ultrasound stimulation directly or indirectly to cells; culturing a mixture of the cells and a medium for a predetermined time; and isolating exosomes from the mixture, wherein providing the stimulation directly to the cells comprises applying ultrasound stimulation to the medium containing the cells, and providing the stimulation indirectly to the cells comprises applying ultrasound stimulation to the medium not containing the cells and then mixing the medium and the cells. This method for producing exosomes makes it possible to obtain exosomes having skin regeneration and wound healing effects not only from stem cells and progenitor cells that are difficult to isolate and multiply, but also from somatic cells that may be easily obtained and maintained, in high yield within a short time by ultrasound treatment that is a simple process.

The present invention is directed to a method of producing compositions derived from culturing cells under hypoxic conditions on a biocompatible surface in vitro. The culturing method produces both an extracellular matrix composition and a conditioned culture medium composition, which may be used separately or in combination to obtain physiologically acceptable compositions useful in a variety of medical and therapeutic applications.

A conditioned medium of CD11b.sup.low macrophages and methods for preparing it are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the CD11b.sup.low macrophages conditioned medium or a culture of CD11b.sup.low macrophages and their use in the treatment of cancer or fibrosis are also provided.

A composition comprising a first material and a second material, wherein said first material is cross-linkable by a first cross-linking reaction and said second material is cross-linkable by a second cross-linking reaction, wherein said first cross-linking reaction and said second cross-linking reaction are inducible by a common activator.