The present invention relates to cells with altered cell cycle control. In particular, the present invention provides cells with altered cell cycle control and uses of such cells to identify metabolically active agents.

A three-layer structure is comprised of an extra-cellular matrix, a sheet-shaped cell culture, and a biodegradable gel layer (single layer). By virtue of this three-layer structure, breakage of the sheet-shaped cell culture due to high spray pressure is reduced. The fibrin gel may be formed on one surface of the sheet-shaped cell culture by spraying of a thrombin liquid. A production method may involve culturing cells on a temperature-responsive cell culture substrate, dripping fibrinogen onto a sheet-shaped cell culture having an extra-cellular matrix on a lower surface thereof, further spraying a thrombin liquid onto the sheet-shaped cell culture from an oblique direction, whereby the result is a three-layer structure having a fibrin gel layer only on one surface of the sheet-shaped cell culture and having an extra-cellular matrix layer on the opposite surface.

A rapid method for preparing stem cell and physiologically acceptable matrix compositions for use in tissue and organ repair is described. Compared with previous tissue engineering materials, the stem cell-matrix compositions of the present invention do not require long-term incubation or cultivation in vitro prior to use in in vivo applications. The stem cells can be from numerous sources and may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, autologous, and/or allogeneic in the matrix material. The stem cell-matrix compositions provide point of service utility for the practitioner, wherein the stem cells and matrix can be combined not long before use, thereby alleviating costly and lengthy manufacturing procedures. In addition, the stem cells offer unique structural properties to the matrix composition which improves outcome and healing after use. Use of stem cells obtained from muscle affords contractility to the matrix composition.

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.

Methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject with an effective amount of an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist and an effective amount of an ALK5 antagonist. In certain aspects, the OXTR agonist may be oxytocin or an oxytocin analog (e.g., a small molecule). The ALK 5 antagonist may be a small molecule, such as 2-(3-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,5-naphthyridine, LY2157299, A 83-01, D 4476, GW 788388, LY 364947, Rep Sox, SB 431542, SB 505124, SB 525334, or SD 208. In certain aspects, the amounts of the OXTR agonist and ALK5 antagonist may be sufficient to induce muscle regeneration and/or neural cell regeneration in the subject.

Provided is a humanized antibody that, through IGF-I receptor, increases muscle mass but does not lower the blood glucose level. This humanized antibody: is an anti-IGF-I receptor humanized antibody, a fragment thereof, or a derivative thereof; has a specific amino acid sequence such as SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 6 serving as a CDR sequence; and specifically binds to IGF-I receptor extracellular domain.

The present invention relates to a method for generating neuronal and muscular cells from pluripotent stem cells.

The invention relates to culturing motor neuron cells together with skeletal muscle cells in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the interaction of these cells mimic the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) providing a NMJ-on-chip. Good viability, formation of myo-fibers and function of skeletal muscle cells on fluidic chips allow for measurements of muscle cell contractions. Embodiments of motor neurons co-cultures with contractile myo-fibers are contemplated for use with modeling diseases affecting NMJ's, e.g. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The present invention relates to immortalized human cells particularly useful for cell encapsulation therapy and methods of preparation and use thereof.

The disclosure relates to methods, systems and compositions for physically manipulating a muscle tissue culture either mechanically, or manually, or both. Specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods of physically manipulating, either mechanically or manually, a resilient container of bioprinted tissue culture having non-random three dimensional cell structure by elongation, compression, torque and shear of the tissue culture.