The present disclosure relates to methods for expansion of stem cell populations using a polypeptide that enhances stem cell growth and proliferation. The present disclosure further relates to novel homeobox protein mutants (e.g., HOXA9 and HOXB4 mutant proteins) and the use thereof to expand certain stem cell populations. The present disclosure also provides methods for treating a subject in need of transplantation of stem cells.

Preparations containing deep-frozen blood are used for test procedures for determining blood response.

Described in the present application are methods for preparing populations of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), e.g., autologous and/or allogenic HSCs, using mechanical stretching or Trpv4 agonisists, and methods of use of the HSCs in transplantation. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a population comprising hemogenic endothelial (HE) cells, and (i) contacting the HE cells with an amount of an agonist of transient receptor potential cation channel-subfamily vanilloid member 4 (Trpv4); and/or (ii) subjecting the cells to cyclic 2-dimensional stretching, for a time and under conditions sufficient to stimulating endothelial-to-HSC transition. Also provided herein are methods for treating subjects who have, bone marrow, metabolic, and immune diseases; the methods include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) obtained by a method described herein.

Disclosed are methods of preparing hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for transplant into a subject and to methods of using the treated cells. More particularly, methods of the invention comprise treating HSPCs ex vivo with an effective amount of a GABBR1 agonist and administering the treated HSPCs to the subject.

This disclosure is directed to the methods of enhancing hematopoietic stem cells (HSPC) and progenitor cell (HSPC) engraftment procedure. Treatment in vivo of a HSPC donor with compounds that reduce PGE.sub.2 biosynthesis or PGE.sub.2 receptor antagonists alone, or in combination with other hematopoietic mobilization agents such as AMD3100 and G-CSF, increases the circulation of available HSPCs. Compounds that reduce the cellular synthesis of PGE.sub.2 include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds such as indomethacin. Treatment ex vivo of HSPC with an effective amount of PGE.sub.2 or at least one of its derivatives such as 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E.sub.2 (dmPGE.sub.2), promotes HSPC engraftment. Similar methods may also be used to increase viral-mediated gene transduction efficacy into HSPC.

The present invention relates to methods of generating and expanding hitman embryonic stem eel! derived mesenchymal-like stem/siromal cells. These hES-MSCs are characterized at least in part by the low level of expression of IL-6. These cells are useful for the prevention and treatment of T cell related autoimmune disease, especially multiple sclerosis, as well as for delivering agents across the blood-brain barrier and the blood-spinal cord barrier. Also provided is a method of selecting clinical grade hES-MSC and a method of modifying MSC to produced a MSC with specific biomarker profile. The modified MSC are useful for treatment of various diseases.

Described herein are methods for enhancing engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using farnesyl compounds identified using a zebrafish model of hematopoietic cell engraftment. The compounds can be used to treat hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo prior to transplantation of the cells. Alternatively, the compounds can be administered to an individual undergoing cell transplantation.

The present invention is a method of creating a population of hemogenic endothelial cells with arterial specification. In one embodiment, the method uses ETS transgene induction at the mesodermal stage of differentiation. In another embodiment, the method activates ERK signaling at the mesodermal stage of differentiation.

The present invention relates to methods for deriving human hematopoietic progenitors, primitive macrophages, and microglial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, provided herein are highly efficient and reproducible methods of obtaining human primitive macrophages and microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, where the primitive macrophages and microglia can be suitable for clinically relevant therapeutic applications.

The invention provides methods of preparing cellular products to support organ transplantation using hematopoietic cells from deceased donors. The methods include proving to a deceased subject an agent that promotes mobilization of hematopoietic cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood, harvesting hematopoietic cells from the subject, and preparing a cellular product comprising the harvested hematopoietic cells.