Methods for using gene expression changes and mutations in neural organoids to identify neural networks that predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease and associated comorbidities are disclosed.

An ex vivo tissue composition comprising an isolated tissue explant and tissue graft is provided. Methods of making and using the tissue composition are also provided.

The invention relates to a method of producing an iPSC-derived Kupffer Cell (IKC). The method may comprise providing a macrophage precursor (preMcp) derived from an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC). The macrophage precursor (preM-cp) may be cultured in the presence of a hepatic cue, such as a combination of primary human hepatocyte conditioned media and Advanced DMEM, thereby obtaining the iPSC-derived Kupffer Cell. The iPSC-derived Kupffer Cell may display a biological property of a primary Kupffer cell, such as a primary adult human KC (pKC). The biological activity comprises expression of a macrophage marker such as CD11, CD14, CD68, CD163, CD32, CLEC-4F, ID1 and ID3.

Disclosed herein are methods for obtaining endometrial stromal fibroblast cells from pluripotent stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells. The present disclosure also provides methods of obtaining a three-dimensional, multilayered endometrial tissue composition. Methods of using the cells and tissue compositions in drug screening and therapeutic applications are also provided.

Provided herein are systems and methods for preserving and transporting tissues for transplantation. In particular, tissue to be implanted is encapsulated in an alginate gel, which is exposed to culture medium to improve cell viability and suppress inflammatory factors during long-term storage and transport.

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.

Compositions and methods are provided for biologically relevant in vitro screening of neural function, including determination of the effects of an agent on neural cells. The compositions of the invention useful in such screening methods include a neural co-culture system comprising human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived neurons and human glial cells, which may be derived by culture methods allowing for rapid and robust development of highly mature neuronal activity, particularly spontaneous synchronous network bursts.

Provided herein is a method for making a tissue engineering scaffold. The method includes layering at least one sheet of cells onto a flexible scaffold, casting the sheets into geometries, and thereby creating the tissue engineering scaffold. Preferred geometry are non-linear (i.e. not a substantially flat surface such as may be provided by a flat glass substrate). The flexible scaffold is characterized by tensile strength, viscosity, stress, strain, modulus of polymers, or any combination thereof.

The subject matter of the present invention is a method for differentiating epithelial stem cells, comprising culturing one or more epithelial stem cells in contact with an extracellular matrix in the presence of an expansion medium, a bovine pituitary extract, a receptor tyrosine kinase ligand, a supernatant of primary fibroblasts and optionally, a Rho kinase inhibitor.

Provided is a cell structure including: a connective tissue structure; and an epithelial structure placed on the connective tissue structure, in which the connective tissue structure contains a fragmented extracellular matrix component and first cells including mesenchymal cells, at least a part of the fragmented extracellular matrix component is placed between the first cells, and the epithelial structure contains epithelial cells.