Methods for production of platelets from pluripotent stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are provided. These methods may be performed without forming embryoid bodies or clusters of pluripotent stem cells, and may be performed without the use of stromal inducer cells. Additionally, the yield and/or purity can be greater than has been reported for prior methods of producing platelets from pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are compositions and pharmaceutical preparations comprising platelets, preferably produced from pluripotent stem cells.

Factors for extending the ability of isolated pluripotent stem cells to generate extraembryonic lineages in vivo, following in vitro culture, herein, chemical extenders of pluripotency (CEP). Methods of extending the ability of a pluripotent cell to generate embryonic and extraembryonic lineages. The cell to be reprogrammed is contacted with effective amounts of the CEPs for a sufficient period of time to reprogram the cell into a chemically induced extended pluripotent cell (ciEPSC). ciEPSC are identified as an extended pluripotent cell based on properties including: (i) morphologically and (ii) functionally for example, based on their ability contribute to both TE and ICM, in vivo. The ciEPSCs can be cultured or induced to differentiate into cells of a desired type, and used in a number of applications, including but not limited to cell therapy and tissue engineering.

The present invention provides a method for preparing a cell culture medium comprising a mixture of blood products from two or more donors, comprising the steps of: a) providing at least a first blood product from a first donor; b) measuring the concentration of at least one quality factor in the first blood product; c) comparing the measured concentration of a quality factor to a concentration range predefined for the quality factor; d) selecting the first blood product for the cell culture medium if the concentration measured for the quality factor is in the predefined range and optionally converting the first selected blood product into a first processed blood product or else unselecting the first blood product.

Object of the present invention is to provide means for improving the quality of preimplantation embryos deteriorated with age or the like. The present invention relates to an agent for improving the quality of an egg, a fertilized egg, and/or an embryo, including a substance that inhibits signal transmission from CXCL5.

Provided herein are methods of in-vitro primary T cell growth that enrich T cells in a blood sample, stimulate the T cells with anti-CD2, anti-CD3, and/or anti-CD28 and that expand the T cells with a cytokine. Also provided are methods of treating a tumor in a patient using the expanded T cells.

Object of the present invention is to provide means for improving the quality of preimplantation embryos deteriorated with age or the like. The present invention relates to an agent for improving the quality of an egg, a fertilized egg, and/or an embryo, including a substance that inhibits signal transmission from CXCL5.

The present disclosure provides methods for determining signatures of immune responses to immunomodulating agents in cells and in tissues. Also provided herein are computational methods for deconvoluting gene expression profiling data. Further provided herein are methods for treating a disease or disorder (e.g, proliferative diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, allergies, etc.) in a subject comprising administering one or more immunomodulating agents to drive an immune response, in combination with a treatment for the disease or disorder (e.g, an anti-cancer therapy, an anti-viral therapy, a vaccination, etc.).

Improved hybrid neurovascular spheroids and methods for making the same are provided. In some embodiments of a method for making a hybrid neurovascular spheroid, the method includes i) propagating cortical cells to form a cortical spheroid; ii) propagating endothelial cells to form an endothelial spheroid; iii) propagating mesenchymal stem cells to form a mesenchymal cell culture; and iv) combining the cortical spheroid, endothelial spheroid, and mesenchymal spheroid under conditions to form the hybrid neurovascular spheroid.

Herein is reported a method for obtaining a B-cell comprising the following steps a) labeling B-cells, b) depositing the labeled B-cells as single cells, c) co-cultivating the single cell deposited B-cells with feeder cells, d) selecting a B-cell proliferating and secreting IgG in step c) and thereby obtaining a B-cell. The labeling can be of IgG.sup.+CD19.sup.+-B-cells, IgG.sup.+CD38.sup.+-B-cells, IgG.sup.+CD268.sup.+-B-cells, IgG.sup.CD138.sup.+-B-cells, CD27.sup.+CD138.sup.+-B-cells or CD3.sup.CD27.sup.+-B-cells. The method can comprise the step of incubating said B-cells at 37 C. for one hour in EL-4 B5 medium prior to the depositing step. The method can also comprise the step of centrifuging said single cell deposited B-cells prior to the co-cultivation. In the co-cultivation a feeder mix comprising interleukin-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha and Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowans cells or BAFF or interleukin-2 and/or interleukin-10 and/or interleukin-6 and/or interleukin-4 can be used.

Methods of inducing a polarization of macrophages. The method includes obtaining a blood fraction, fractionating the blood fraction to produce a blood fraction, and contacting the blood fraction with a source of macrophages. A blood fraction including platelet-poor plasma polarizes the source of macrophages into M1 macrophages. A blood faction including a protein solution polarizes the source of macrophages into M2 macrophages.