Methods for generating multipotent radial glia-like cells and astrocyte-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells are provided along with the related compositions.

The present invention is primarily directed to provide a new process capable of performing direct conversion of or induction from a somatic cell to brown adipocytes with low molecular weight compounds, without performing artificial gene transfer.

The present invention includes, for example, a process for producing brown adipocytes by direct differentiation induction from somatic cells, comprising a step of culturing a somatic cell in a serum-free differentiation induction medium in the presence of a selective PPARγ agonist and a cAMP inducer.

According to the present invention, direct conversion of or induction from somatic cells to brown adipocytes can be effectively performed without gene transfer. The brown adipocytes obtained by the present invention are useful as regenerative medicine, models of human brown adipocytes and human beige cells, and the like.

Described here are methods, compositions, and systems for generating transgenic islet cells suitable for xenotransplantation.

Disclosed are means, compositions of matter and protocols useful for treatment of COVID-19 and/or other inflammatory pathologies through stimulation of T regulatory cells and/or T cells expressing CD73 using administration of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells such as JadiCells. In one embodiment dosage of JadiCells needed to treat a patient is determined by the increase of T regulatory cells and/or CD73 expressing cells that are increased in number and/or activity subsequent to a test dose of JadiCells. In another embodiment stimulators of T regulatory cells and/or CD73 expressing T cells are utilized together with JadiCells in order to augment therapeutic activity. In some embodiments administration of JadiCell is performed with low dose interleukin-2 as a treatment for COVID-19 or other inflammatory related pathologies.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inducing, maintaining and/or passaging naïve pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments, the methods are performed in the absence of MEK inhibition which has been shown to result in genomic instability of naïve pluripotent stem cells.

High-yield mammalian transient expression systems can include a cell culture media (particularly serum free, non-animal derived, and/or chemically defined media) for introducing macromolecules and compounds (e.g., nucleic acid molecules) into cells (e.g., eukaryotic cells). Cells containing such introduced materials can then be cultured in the cell culture media. In particular, the invention allows introduction of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., vectors) into cells (particularly mammalian cells) and expression of proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules in the cells. The invention obviates the need to change the cell culture medium each time a different procedure is performed with the cells (e.g., culturing cells vs. transfecting cells). The invention also relates to compositions and kits useful for culturing and transforming/transfecting cells.

A method of qualifying whether a cell population is a suitable therapeutic for treating an eye condition is disclosed. The method comprises analyzing co-expression of premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and at least one polypeptide selected from the group consisting of cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), lecithin retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) and sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX 9) in the population of cells.

The invention relates to the technical field of medicine, and provides a method of screening and identifying small molecule with anti-aging properties. The method comprises cellular models, namely premature aging mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human HGPS mesenchymal stem cells and animal models, namely premature aging progeroid mice and Caenorhabditis elegans. The method successfully screened and identified Cannabidiol (CBD), which had senolytic effects. The invention also determined that the optimal concentration of CBD treatment is 10-20 μM.

Described herein are methods of generating induced muscle progenitor cells (iMPCs) and uses thereof. Embodiments further provide for methods of promoting muscle regeneration and/or repair and methods of treating a muscle disease or disorder.

The invention is directed to methods for culturing cells so that the cells are induced to differentiate into cells that express a hepatic stellate phenotype. The invention is also directed to cells produced by the methods of the invention. The cells are useful, among other applications, for treatment of liver deficiencies, liver metabolism studies, and liver toxicity studies, fibrogenic studies, or to support hepatocyte function in co-culture setting.