The present disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising human platelet releasate (hPR), a xeno-free media supplement. The disclosure also relates to a cGMP process for the rapid, efficient and large-scale manufacturing of hPR that may be performed in less than 4 hours. The platelet releasate of the current disclosure prevents gelation of growth media alleviating the need for heparin or other anticoagulants. Mesenchymal stem cells expanded in the presence of platelet releasate have demonstrated superior expansion rates and potency compared to commercial supplements including platelet lysates. The releasate has therapeutic and medical applications. The disclosure also relates to compositions and methods related to platelet-rich fibrin.

This disclosure relates generally to new methods of maintaining the expression of hepatic genes in human hepatocytes and method for maintaining the functional hepatic enzyme activity of primary hepatocytes in culture. The disclosure also encompasses new methods of deriving a population of pure hepatocytes without selecting or sorting the cells from the cultured pluripotent cells.

This invention relates to culture methods and media for in vitro expansion of hepatocytes, particularly primary hepatocytes; hepatocyte cultures and organoids obtainable and obtained by said methods; and uses of said hepatocyte cultures and organoids.

Cells derived from postpartum tissue and methods for their isolation and induction to differentiate to cells of a chondrogenic or osteogenic phenotype are provided by the invention. The invention further provides cultures and compositions of the postpartum-derived cells and products such as lysates related thereto. The postpartum-derived cells of the invention and products related thereto have a plethora of uses, including but not limited to research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications, for example, in the treatment of bone and cartilage conditions such as osteoarthritis.

The present invention relates to methods of promoting growth of pancreatic islet cells, especially beta islet cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods of promoting growth of pancreatic islet cells by administration of HGF-MET agonists, such as MET agonist antibodies or fragments thereof. The invention further relates to HGF-MET agonists, such as MET agonist antibodies or fragments thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said agonists, for use in methods of the invention.

Compositions and methods are described herein for transdifferentiation of multipotent stromal cells into cells that can express insulin.

The present invention relates to methods for preparing in vitro models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

As a method for producing enterocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells and having functions corresponding to those of actual enterocytes, a method for producing enterocytes using an enterocyte differentiation medium containing a GSK3 inhibitor, and at least one selected from the group consisting of an activator of a hepatocyte growth factor receptor, an adrenal cortex hormone, calcitriol, and dimethyl sulfoxide is provided.

Provided are a method for expanding a hepatocyte in vitro and an application thereof. A culture system is provided for reprogramming a human hepatocyte into a proliferating intermediate-state cell between a mature hepatocyte and a liver progenitor cell. The liver repopulation ability of the system was verified in animals. The method does not require the introduction of an exogenous gene into a hepatocyte, and the expansion of the hepatocyte can be realized by conventional culture. The obtained hepatocyte can be passaged, and can be cultured to maturation to obtain a functional mature human hepatocyte.

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and the products related to or resulting from such methods. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. In addition, the present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer and the products related to or resulting from such methods. The present invention also provides methods to promote glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in insulin-producing cells derived from pluripotent stem cells.