A method for preparing myotubes in a non-invasive and simple manner and establishes an in vitro test system of an agent used for exon skipping therapy for muscular dystrophy. The method can prepare myotubes from urine-derived cells by introducing the MYOD 1 gene into urine-derived cells and exposing the urine-derived cells to at least one epigenetic regulatory compound.

Current kidney organoids model development and diseases of the nephron but not the con-tiguous epithelial network of the kidney's collecting duct (CD) system. Here, we report the generation of an expandable, 3D branching ureteric bud (UB) organoid culture model that can be derived from primary UB progenitors from mouse and human fetal kidneys, or gen-erated de novo from human pluripotent stem cells. In chemically-defined culture conditions, UB organoids generate CD organoids, with differentiated principal and intercalated cells adopting spatial assemblies reflective of adult kidney's collecting system. Aggregating 3D-cultured nephron progenitor cells with UB organoids results in a reiterative process of branching morphogenesis and nephron induction, similar to kidney development. Applying a gene editing strategy to remove RET activity, we demonstrate genetically modified UB organoids can model congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). These platforms facilitate an understanding of development, regeneration and diseases of the mammalian collecting system.

The present disclosure relates to compositions, nucleic acid constructs, methods and kits thereof for cell induction or reprogramming cells to the dendritic cell state or antigen presenting cell state, based, in part, on the surprisingly effect described herein of novel use and combinations of transcription factors that permit induction or reprogramming of differentiated or undifferentiated cells into dendritic cells or antigen presenting cells. Such compositions, nucleic acid constructs, methods and kits can be used for inducing dendritic cells in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo, and these induced dendritic cells or antigen presenting cells can be used for immunotherapy applications.

A nephrospheroid comprising urine-derived epithelial cells, the nephrospheroid is capable of forming a tubular nephric tissue upon transplantation. Also provided are methods of producing the nephrospheroid and using same.

A method of generating a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) comprises integrating AD related gene to hiPSC to induce increased beta secretase and/or Abeta 42 peptides, and the cellular model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is prepared by the method.

A method for inducing reprogramming of neural stem cells from urine cells by introducing mRNAs of reprogramming factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Glis1 is disclosed. A composition for the prevention or treatment of neurological damage diseases with the neural stem cells induced by the method as an active ingredient is disclosed.

Provided herein are compositions, systems, kits, and methods for generating human podocyte cells by contacting human nephron progenitor cells with an FGFR pathway inhibitor, a BMP pathway inhibitor, and a WNT pathway inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the nephron progenitor cells are further contacted with at least one factor selected from: BMP4, BMP7, lysophosphatidic acid, and gamma-secretase inhibitor XX. In certain embodiments, the contacting the nephron progenitor cells is performed under serum-free conditions.

A method for producing pancreatic endocrine cells, the method including introducing one or more genes of a GLIS family or one or more gene products thereof and a Neurogenin3 gene or one or more gene products thereof into somatic cells.

The disclosure relates to a method of producing induced beta cells from urine-derived cells, the method comprising providing urine-derived cells; inducing the urine-derived cells by culturing said urine-derived cells in a primary induction culture medium comprising an effective amount of at least one small molecule reprogramming factor(s) for a first period of time to obtain induced endoderm cells; inducing the induced endoderm cells by culturing said induced endoderm cells in a secondary induction culture medium comprising an effective amount of at least one small molecule reprogramming factor(s) for a second period of time to obtain induced pancreatic precursor cells; and inducing the induced pancreatic precursor cells by culturing said pancreatic precursor cells in a tertiary induction culture medium comprising an effective amount of at least one small molecule reprogramming factor(s) for a third period of time to obtain induced beta cells.

Expression of exogenous SNAI2, EYA1 and SIX1 genes in a cell, tissue or organ not normally having nephron progenitor activity, induces or re-programs that cell to have or subsequently develop nephron progenitor activity. Nephron progenitors induced 5 by expression of SNAI2, EYA1 and SIX1 may be used for the production of nephron cells and tissues that are useful in treatment of kidney disorders, kidney regeneration, kidney transplantation, bioprinting and nephrotoxocity testing.