The invention relates generally to methods of treating spasticity, rigidity, or muscular hyperactivity conditions by introducing a portion of an expanded population of neural stem cells into an area of a recipient spinal cord.

The present invention provides cell populations that are enriched for mesendoderm and mesoderm, and cell populations that are enriched for endoderm. The cell populations of the invention are useful for generating cells for cell replacement therapy. The present invention further provides a method of generating hepatocytes, cell populations enriched for hepatocytes, and a method of hepatocyte replacement therapy.

The invention provides methods for using Umbilical Cord Lining Stem Cells (ULSCs) to produce therapeutic factors including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and extracellular matrix components. ULSCs are mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord lining. They can be efficiently propagated and expanded in vitro. Under specific conditions ULSCs produce useful therapeutic factors that can be used to treat injuries and degenerative conditions.

The invention provides cell culture conditions for culturing stem cells, including feeder-free conditions for generating and culturing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). More particularly, the invention provides a culture platform that allows long-term culture of pluripotent cells in a feeder-free environment; reprogramming of cells in a feeder-free environment; single-cell dissociation of pluripotent cells; cell sorting of pluripotent cells; maintenance of an undifferentiated status; improved efficiency of reprogramming; and generation of a naïve pluripotent cell.

Factor rich compositions produced from umbilical cord (UC) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are described. Secretory UC MSCs in serum free culture conditions produce a factor rich conditioned medium which may be concentrated and filtered to obtain clinical grade products.

To provide means for efficient growth of epithelial cells capable of being used to manufacture regenerated hair follicle germs. Provided are a culture medium for growth of epithelial cells capable of being used to manufacture regenerated hair follicle germs, the culture medium comprising basal medium and at least (1) through (3), below: and a method for growing the epithelial cells using the culture medium: (1) at least one species of BMP inhibitor: (2) at least one species of fibroblast growth factor: and (3) at least one species of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and/or SHH agonist.

Provided herein are in vitro and in vivo methods of inducing cardiomyocyte proliferation by contacting cardiomyocytes with or administering to a subject an effective amount of an agent capable of activating sterol biosynthesis, such as mevalonate biosynthesis. Methods and compositions for regenerating a cardiac tissue in a subject that include administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of activating sterol biosynthesis in a cardiomyocyte are also provided herein.

The present invention is drawn, in part, to biocompatible compositions comprising a biocompatible polymer matrix and conditioned cell medium comprising i) a cell culture medium and ii) one or more agents synthesized by and secreted from one or more cells cultured in the cell culture medium, as well as therapeutic uses thereof, particularly in modulating bone and/or gum tissue growth.

Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions for treatment or reduction in risk of coagulopathy of any kind, including associated with inflammation. In specific embodiments, the coagulopathy is associated with upregulated production of tissue factor in the individual. In specific embodiments, the coagulopathy is in an individual that has SARS-CoV-2 infection or is at risk for having SARS-CoV-2 infection. In specific embodiments, the methods and compositions include fibroblasts, and/or modified fibroblasts, and/or derivatives of fibroblasts, including those fibroblasts exposed to TNF-alpha or one or more other inflammatory agents before activation of the fibroblasts.

The present invention provides a cell culture for obtaining an epithelial organoid, the cell culture comprising i) epithelial stem cells, or tissue fragments comprising said epithelial stem cells, ii) a basal medium for animal or human cells, iii) a Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) inhibitor, iv) a mitogenic growth factor selected from the group consisting of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), v) at least one soluble culture enhancer, wherein said at least one culture enhancer induces correct polarization of the cells in said cell culture within the developing organoid such as a laminin/entactin complex or entactin, and vi) a Wnt agonist if said epithelial stem cells, or tissue fragments comprising said epithelial stem cells are healthy cells, wherein said at least one soluble culture enhancer in said cell culture is a laminin/entactin complex in a concentration between 0.2 mg/ml and 3.4 mg/ml. A cell culture medium, an in-vitro method for obtaining an epithelial organoid, and an epithelial organoid obtained by said method are also disclosed.