The present invention relates to methods for deriving multipotent Isl1+ cells (i.e. methods for inducing a cell to enter a multipotent Isl1+ lineage), methods for differentiating Isl1+ cells to cardiac cells, cells obtainable by such methods, kits and compositions for carrying out the methods in accordance with the invention, and also medical applications and pharmaceutical compositions of said cells.

The present specification provides a method of producing induced functional astrocytes (iAs) from human pluripotent stem cells substantially more rapidly than previously achieved. These iAs express biomarkers and have functional characteristics typical of natural astrocytes. The iAs are useful in the exploration of astrocyte biology, pathophysiology, and in models of neurologic diseases and disorders.

Disclosed are T regulatory cells endogenously occurring or generated in vitro which possess regenerative activity. In one embodiment said T regulatory cells are created by culture with derivatives of activated/enhanced mesenchymal stem cells. Said derivatives include apoptotic bodies, conditioned media, exosomes, microvesicles, proteins and various metabolites. In one embodiment said mesenchymal stem cells are activated with cytokines such as interferon gamma. In other embodiments are said mesenchymal stem cells are activated by ligation of toll like receptors. Cells of the invention are useful for treatment of autoimmune, degenerative, and combination of autoimmune and degenerative disease. Other uses of said regenerative T cells include treatment of heart failure, liver failure, stroke, and ischemic diseases.

The invention provides culture platforms, cell media, and methods of differentiating pluriptent cells into hematopoietic cells. The invention further provides pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic cells generated using the culture platforms and methods disclosed herein, which enable feed-free, monolayer culturing and in the absence of EB formation. Specifically, pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic cell of this invention include, and not limited to, iHSC, definitive hemogenic endothelium, hematopoietic multipotent progenitors, T cell progenitors, NK cell progenitors, T cells, and NK cells.

The present invention relates to a method to differentiate pluripotent stem cells to a primitive streak cell population, in a stepwise manner for further maturation to definitive endoderm.

The current disclosure provides methods for reprogramming mammalian somatic cells by regulating the expression of endogenous cellular genes. Cellular reprogramming of somatic cells can be induced by activating the transcription of embryonic stem cell-associated genes (e.g., oct3/4) and suppressing the transcription of somatic cell-specific and/or cell death-associated genes. The endogenous transcription machinery can be modulated using synthetic transcription factors (activators and suppressors), to allow for faster, and more efficient nuclear reprogramming under conditions amenable for clinical and commercial applications. The current disclosure further provides cells obtained from such methods, along with therapeutic methods for using such cells for the treatment of diseases amendable to stem cell therapy, as well as kits for such uses.

This invention is directed to, inter alia, compounds, methods, systems, and compositions for the maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells derived from one or more sources of CD34+ cells. Sources of CD34+ cells include bone marrow, cord blood, mobilized peripheral blood, and non-mobilized peripheral blood. Also provided herein are compounds of Formula I

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which are useful in maintaining, enhancing, and expanding of hematopoietic stem cells.

Provided herein are blastoids and methods for producing the same that are obtained from an extended pluripotent stem (EPS) cell. The herein-disclosed methods provide a unique and highly malleable in vitro system for studying early preimplantation development. Also provided are EPS-blastoids derived from a somatic cell.

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, kits, and agents useful for inducing β cell maturation, and isolated populations of SC-β cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

An object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a mesenchymal stem cell in which differentiation into an adipocyte is suppressed with a simple step, a mesenchymal stem cell, a method for producing a differentiation-induced cell using the method for producing a mesenchymal stem cell described above, a differentiation-induced cell, and an inhibitor of differentiation into an adipocyte. According to the invention, there is provided a method for producing a mesenchymal stem cell, including: a step of culturing a mesenchymal stem cell in a liquid medium in which a recombinant gelatin having an amino acid sequence derived from a partial amino acid sequence of collagen has been dissolved, wherein differentiation into an adipocyte is suppressed.