The invention provides a dual remuscularization-revascularization therapy comprising vascularized engineered human myocardial tissues (vEHMs).

An in vitro method of producing a population of muscle stem cells comprising co-culturing pluripotent stem cells, embryonic fibroblast cells and endothelial cells in 3D cell culture.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), especially induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a promising starting material to produce mimetic innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and ?? T-cells for cancer immunotherapy. To facilitate consistent mass production, an overall manufacturing scheme to make mimetic innate immune cells from hPSCs was designed and demonstrated. Particularly, a robust protocol to differentiate hPSCs into NK cells or ?? T-cells through sequential hematopoietic differentiation on stromal cell line deficient in expressing M-CSF and lymphoid commitment on stromal cell line deficient in expressing M-CSF ectopically expressing DLL1 without employing CD34+ cell enrichment and spin embryoid body formation is established. Using this two-stage protocol, the generation of functional mimetic NK cells and functional mimetic ?? NKT-cells was demonstrated from hPSCs, including hESCs, peripheral blood cell-derived iPSCs (PBC-iPSCs). non-T cell-derived iPSCs or ?? T cell-derived iPSCs and the use of these mimetic innate immune cells in killing cancer cells.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods employing stem cell-derived amnion tissue. In some embodiments, compositions (e.g., scaffolds and devices) and methods of generating amnion-like tissues from hPSCs are provided. In some embodiments, uses of such cells for research, compound screening and analysis, and therapeutics are provided.

The invention provides compositions and methods of use in reprogramming somatic cells. Compositions and methods of the invention are of use, e.g., for generating or modulating (e.g., enhancing) generation of induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming somatic cells. The reprogrammed somatic cells are useful for a number of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a pluripotent state and/or enhances the speed and/or efficiency of reprogramming. Certain of the compositions and methods relate to modulating the Wnt pathway.

A virus infection model which overcomes the drawbacks of conventional hepatitis virus infection models is provided.

A method for constructing a virus infection model capable of recapitulating a viral life cycle, comprising infecting a cell condensate formed by culturing a tissue or organ cell in vitro with a virus. A virus infection model capable of recapitulating a viral life cycle, comprising a virus-infected cell condensate, wherein the cell condensate is formed by culturing a tissue or organ cell in vitro. A method of screening for substances with antiviral activity, comprising using the virus infection model.

A novel class of agents has been identified to serve as cell-guard agents and/or target-specific supplements to increase cell quality and yield, as well as select for target cell populations. Several additive agents (both natural and synthetic) have been identified, including Vitamin D3, NAC, resveratrol, salubrinal, AKT, and tunicamycin (among others) that hold promise for application in cell models. In one embodiment, hypothermic stress regimes are utilized. In another embodiment, normothermic conditions are utilized while other stressors are tested in the processing. The methods of maintaining mass cell cultures and/or selecting out particular cell populations for further research and clinical use represents an important step in therapeutic discovery.

The purpose of the present invention is to efficiently produce microglia from pluripotent stem cells. Provided is a method for producing microglia from pluripotent stem cells, comprising the following steps: (a) a step of co-culturing a pluripotent stem cell together with a feeder cell for 7 days or longer, and obtaining a blood progenitor cell; (b) a step of co-culturing the blood progenitor cell obtained in step (a) together with a feeder cell in the presence of IL-3 and/or GM-CSF, and obtaining an embryonic monocyte; and (c) a step of, in the presence of M-CSF, co-culturing the embryonic monocyte obtained in step (b) together with an astrocyte, or culturing the embryonic monocyte using an astrocyte supernatant.

In various embodiments, neuroprotective compositions and uses thereof are provided. In certain embodiments, a method of protecting mammalian neurons from neurotoxins, oxidative stress or protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory gene expression, induced cell death is provided where the method involves contacting the cells, such as neurons, with an effective amount of: a plurality of proteins that are secreted by induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a healthy mammal and/or from a mammal with a disease, such as neurodegenerative pathology, exemplified by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) where said proteins are secreted when said iPSC cells are pluripotent; and/or biologically active fragments of said proteins; and/or biologically active analogs of said proteins.

The present invention provides a method for preventing or treating a demyelinating disease in a subject. Also provided herein is a method for reducing demyelination, inducing remyelination, promoting oligodendroglial progenitor cell (OPC) proliferation, and/or promoting oligodendrocyte differentiation in a subject. Kits are also described herein.