Compounds, compositions and methods for improving the viability and/or function of cells or for the in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo protection of cells, tissue, graft or organs from various damages are described. The reagents and composition are based on activation of the heat shock response and/or the antioxidant response and include for example, HSP90 co-factor inhibitor such as Celastrol or Celastrol analogs used alone or in combination with an adjunct agent (e.g., a NRF-2 activator, antioxidant, etc.). Therapeutic enhancement may also include increase in paracrine effector production and signaling. Methods for improving the resistance of cells, tissue, grafts or organs to damages or stress, such as hypoxic or oxidative stress-induced cell death, and/or for improving the viability and retention of transplanted or transfused cells are also described. Therapeutic treatment or prevention of ischemic injury (e.g. myocardial infarct, ischemia/reperfusion injury) and related stressors (hypoxia, oxidative stress, inflammation, sepsis/shock, etc) are also provided.

Compounds, compositions and methods for improving the viability and/or function of cells or for the in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo protection of cells, tissue, graft or organs from various damages are described. The reagents and composition are based on activation of the heat shock response and/or the antioxidant response and include for example, HSP90 co-factor inhibitor such as Celastrol or Celastrol analogs used alone or in combination with an adjunct agent (e.g., a NRF-2 activator, antioxidant, etc.). Therapeutic enhancement may also include increase in paracrine effector production and signaling. Methods for improving the resistance of cells, tissue, grafts or organs to damages or stress, such as hypoxic or oxidative stress-induced cell death, and/or for improving the viability and retention of transplanted or transfused cells are also described. Therapeutic treatment or prevention of ischemic injury (e.g. myocardial infarct, ischemia/reperfusion injury) and related stressors (hypoxia, oxidative stress, inflammation, sepsis/shock, etc) are also provided.

A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes a self-purging preservation apparatus to suspend a sample in preservation fluid and perfuse a tissue with preservation fluid. The self-purging preservation apparatus is placed in an insulated transport container having a cooling medium. When assembled, the system allows for transport of biological samples for extended periods of time at a stable temperature.

A system for the hypothermic transport of biological samples, such as tissues, organs, or body fluids. The system includes a self-purging preservation apparatus to suspend a sample in preservation fluid and perfuse a tissue with preservation fluid. The self-purging preservation apparatus is placed in an insulated transport container having a cooling medium. When assembled, the system allows for transport of biological samples for extended periods of time at a stable temperature.

The present invention provides a method for the normalized culturing of corneal endothelial cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a culture-normalizing-agent of a corneal endothelial cell, comprising a fibrosis inhibitor. In detail, the present invention provides a culture-normalizing agent comprising a transforming growth factor (TGF) signal inhibitor. The present invention also provides a culture medium for culturing a corneal endothelial cell normally, which comprises the culture-normalizing agent according to the present invention and corneal endothelium culture components. The present invention also provides a method for culturing a corneal endothelial cell normally, comprising the step of culturing a corneal endothelial cell using the culture-normalizing agent according to the present invention or the culture medium according to the present invention.

The present invention provides a method for the normalized culturing of corneal endothelial cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a culture-normalizing-agent of a corneal endothelial cell, comprising a fibrosis inhibitor. In detail, the present invention provides a culture-normalizing agent comprising a transforming growth factor (TGF) signal inhibitor. The present invention also provides a culture medium for culturing a corneal endothelial cell normally, which comprises the culture-normalizing agent according to the present invention and corneal endothelium culture components. The present invention also provides a method for culturing a corneal endothelial cell normally, comprising the step of culturing a corneal endothelial cell using the culture-normalizing agent according to the present invention or the culture medium according to the present invention.

The present disclosure provides, among other things, a cryopreservation medium for cryopreserving mammalian cells, the medium comprising: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), disaccharide, human serum, and IL-7 and/or IL-15. The present disclosure also provides, among other things, a cryopreservation medium for cryopreserving mammalian cells, the medium comprising: between about 1 w/v % and 10 w/v % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), between about 0.25 w/v % and 5 w/v % disaccharide, and between about 10 w/v % and 90 w/v % human serum. The present disclosure also provides, among other things, a cryopreservation medium for cryopreserving mammalian cells, the medium comprising: between about 1 w/v % and 10 w/v % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), between about 0.25 w/v % and 5 w/v % disaccharide, and between about 0.5 w/v % and 30 w/v % human serum albumin.

The present disclosure provides, among other things, a cryopreservation medium for cryopreserving mammalian cells, the medium comprising: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), disaccharide, human serum, and IL-7 and/or IL-15. The present disclosure also provides, among other things, a cryopreservation medium for cryopreserving mammalian cells, the medium comprising: between about 1 w/v % and 10 w/v % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), between about 0.25 w/v % and 5 w/v % disaccharide, and between about 10 w/v % and 90 w/v % human serum. The present disclosure also provides, among other things, a cryopreservation medium for cryopreserving mammalian cells, the medium comprising: between about 1 w/v % and 10 w/v % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), between about 0.25 w/v % and 5 w/v % disaccharide, and between about 0.5 w/v % and 30 w/v % human serum albumin.

The present invention relates to organ perfusion systems that can be used at room temperature. The organ perfusion systems do not comprise a temperature controller. In some embodiments, the organ perfusion systems do not comprise a cleaning device for cleaning the perfusion fluid. The perfusion fluid can comprise Williams' medium E. The organ perfusion systems can be portable and can be used to preserving an organ, preventing ischemic damage in an organ, or recovering an ischemically damaged organ.

The present invention relates to organ perfusion systems that can be used at room temperature. The organ perfusion systems do not comprise a temperature controller. In some embodiments, the organ perfusion systems do not comprise a cleaning device for cleaning the perfusion fluid. The perfusion fluid can comprise Williams' medium E. The organ perfusion systems can be portable and can be used to preserving an organ, preventing ischemic damage in an organ, or recovering an ischemically damaged organ.