Hoxb5 identifies long-term hematopoietic stem cells. Expression of Hoxb5 distinguishes between LT-HSCs and non-LT-HSCs, and the marker identifies substantially all LT-HSC in the bone marrow. By utilizing fluorescent proteins under the endogenous expression control of Hoxb5, LT-HSC can be monitored and isolated, including without limitation detection and monitoring of HSC in bone morrow; production of LT-HSC from pluripotent stem cells such as iPS cells; for analysis of early stage LT-HSC; in screening methods for expansion and manipulation of LT-HSC, and the like.

The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. Also provided herein are methods for expanding the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. The hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include human umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cells, placental cord blood stem/progenitor cells and peripheral blood stem cells. The present invention also relates to administering hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits.

There is described herein a method of enriching a population of stem cells for hematopoietic progenitors. The method comprises inducing hematopoietic differentiation in a population of human embryonic stem cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells; sorting the population based on expression of CD43 and at least one of CD34, CD31 and CD144; and selecting a fraction that is at least one of CD34+CD43−, CD31+CD43− and CD144+CD43−. Also provided are populations of hematopoietic progenitors obtained by the methods described herein.

Provided herein are compositions and methods related to conditioning a subject for a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) using a combination of an inhibitor of a stem cell growth factor receptor (KIT), total body irradiation, and a chemotherapeutic agent. The compositions and methods described herein may be used to treat a subject in need of a transplant due to a variety of diseases or disorders, such as acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and severe combined immune deficiency.

The present invention is directed to indirect ultrasonic cavitation-derived perivascular cells, to methods of use of a perivascular cell composition, to a method of processing a tissue and to an apparatus for the processing of a tissue. The methods include the mechanic indirect ultrasonication of a cellular non-structural tissue, and produce a perivascular fraction which includes perivascular cells. The methods of use are directed to the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders and to the improvement of a tissue in a subject. The apparatus is provided for the processing of cellular non-structural tissue.

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

The present description relates to in vitro methods for culturing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) under mild hyperthermia conditions (e.g., between 38° C. and 40° C.) in the presence of a pyrimidoindole derivative agonist of hematopoietic stem cell expansion. The combined use of mild hyperthermia and the pyrimidoindole derivative act synergistically to promote expansion of CD34+ HSCs and/or differentiation into progenitor cells (e.g., megakaryocytic progenitors). The present description also relates to in vitro expanded cell populations of HSCs and/or progenitors, as well as uses thereof in therapy (e.g., transplantation).

The invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals expressing human polypeptides and their methods of use.

This invention relates to an enriched population of isolated and expanded human cord blood stem cells and a method of producing an enriched population of isolated and expanded human cord blood stem cells. The expanded human cord blood stem cells are CD34+, CD90+, CD1 84+, CD1 17+, CD49f+, ALDH+, CD45RA− and express pluripotency genes SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and ZIC3. In one embodiment, the stem cells in the enriched population of the present invention are positive for aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH+). In addition, in one embodiment the expanded stem cells are nearly depleted of T cells and B cells and contain a limited number of monocytes (CD14). Also disclosed is a method of treating a subject for a hematological disorder using the stem cells of the present invention and a method of determining the effects of a compound on hematopoietic stem cells.

Methods for maintaining and expanding human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are provided using chemically-defined culture media that allow for expansion of HSCs in as little as six days. Culture media, isolated cell populations and kits are also provided.