The technology described herein relates to methods and kits for directed differentation of primordial NKX2-1+ lung progenitors along proximal differentiation pathways into functional airway epithelial cells and airway organoids (bronchospheres) or along distal lineage pathways using modulation of Wnt signaling. Other aspects relate cell lines, methods, assays and kits comprising airway epithelial cells, and assays for diagnosing a disease that affects swelling of the bronchospheres, and/or for assessing genetic lesions and/or drugs for treating the the disease, where the disease is cystic fibrosis. Other aspects relate to personalized medicine and methods of treatment of cystic fibrosis using the airway epithelial cells.

Embodiments of the invention relate to human, non-mesenchymal c-kit positive lung stem cells negative for the CD44, CD73 and CD105 markers of the mesenchymal stromal cell lineage (non-mhLSCs) and their therapeutic use in the treatment and/or prevention of lung diseases or disorders. Provided herein are compositions comprising non-mhLSCs and methods of preparing and using non-mhLSCs for the treatment and/or prevention of lung diseases or disorders.

Provided is an epithelial tissue stem cell derived from an adult, which lacks at least one tumor suppressor gene.

Provided herein are methods and compositions relating, in part, to the generation and isolation of human lung progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells.

Described herein are new methods for making lung bud organoids (LBOs) that have the capacity of developing into branching airways and alveolar structures that a least partially recapitulate human lung development from mammalian, preferably human, pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC), either by culturing branched LBO in a 3D matrix or by transplanting the LBO under the kidney capsule of immune deficient mice. Branched LBOs contain pulmonary endoderm and mesoderm compatible with pulmonary mesenchyme, and undergo branching morphogenesis. Also described are LBOs harboring certain mutations that induce a fibrotic phenotype, and methods of making same. The mutated (B)LBOs can be used for screening agents that may treat pulmonary fibrosis.

Described herein are stein cells and related factors for treating degenerative and inflammatory disorders of lung tissue.

Provided herein are methods and compositions relating, in part, to the generation of human progenitor cells committed to the lung lineage and uses of such cells for treatment of lung diseases/disorders or injury to the lung. Whether an adult stem cell can be isolated from human adult lung remains controversial in the art and at present, methods for isolating and using adult lung stem cells from humans lack reproducibility. Thus, the methods and compositions described herein are advantageous over the present state of knowledge in the art and permit the generation of human lung progenitor cells for treatment, tissue engineering, and screening assays.

Provided herein are methods and compositions relating, in part, to the generation and isolation of human lung progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells.

Provided herein are methods and compositions relating, in part, to the generation of human progenitor cells committed to the lung lineage and uses of such cells for treatment of lung diseases/disorders or injury to the lung. Whether an adult stem cell can be isolated from human adult lung remains controversial in the art and at present, methods for isolating and using adult lung stem cells from humans lack reproducibility. Thus, the methods and compositions described herein are advantageous over the present state of knowledge in the art and permit the generation of human lung progenitor cells for treatment, tissue engineering, and screening assays.

The present invention relates to a culture media system that is useful for the isolation and epigenetically stable propagation of normal stem cells in culture, wherein the stem cells are derived from stratified epithelial tissues and cancer stem cells from epithelial cancers. In certain embodiments, the culture system is a feeder-free system.