Maintenance of adult tissues depends on stem cell self-renewal in local niches. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) are germline adult stem cells necessary for spermatogenesis and fertility. The present invention relates utilization of testicular endothelial cells (TECs) in the SSC niche producing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and other factors to support human and mammal SSCs in long-term culture. The present invention also relates to utilization of five factors sufficient for long-term maintenance of human and mammal SSC colonies in feeder-free cultures. Male cancer survivors after chemotherapy are often infertile since SSCs are highly susceptible to cytotoxic injury. Transplantation of TECs alone is used to restore spermatogenesis in mice after chemotherapy-induced depletion of SSCs.

Provided herein are compositions and methods useful for the transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, as well as for preparing patients for receipt of such therapy, such as patients suffering from a variety of inherited metabolic disorders.

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 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.

The present invention provides methods of expanding γδ T cells from a non-haematopoietic tissue source. Further provided are compositions of expanded γδ T cells and methods of using the expanded γδ T cells (e.g., a part of an adoptive T cell therapy).

Provided is a cranial nerve disorder therapeutic agent that includes, as an active ingredient, a culture supernatant of tissue cells derived from a fetal appendage.

Described herein are mesenchymal stem cells (MCS) expressing hybrid allosteric receptors (HAR) that are responsive to stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1α) secreted from acutely infarcted myocardium. Binding of SDF-1α to CXCR4 activates the co-stimulatory signals, bone morphogenetic protein 2 type II receptor (BMP2R2) and BMP type I receptor (ALK3), in order to accelerate the differentiation into cardiomyocytes. HAR-MSC CXCR4 differentiates into cardiomyocytes through Smad1/5 phosphorylation induced by the BMP2 signaling. In acute myocardial infarction (AMI) models, HAR-MSC CXCR4 treatment leads to the functional improvements by facilitated differentiation and increased cytokine secretion. HAR-MSC CXCR4 cells can be used for the treatment of AMI.

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.

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.

Factor rich compositions produced from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and processes for making and using same are described. The manufacturing process includes utilizing secretory UC MSCs, providing serum and growth factor free growth conditions, and performing filtration of the collected conditioned medium to obtain a clinical grade product.

This disclosure provides improved method, kits, and systems and for isolating and enriching spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from livestock animal testicular tissue. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method for enriching SSCs from a population of testis-derived cells containing at least one SSC, where the method comprises contacting the population of testis-derived cells to a culture media comprising, or that is preconditioned with, endothelial feeder cells, and maintaining culture conditions suitable for SSC cell maintenance and enrichment. In some embodiments, the media and culture conditions comprise one or more growth factors selected from GDNF, FGF2, SDF-1a, CSF-1, FDGF, NGF, and TGF-β, in any combination. In exemplary embodiments, the SSCs are porcine or bovine SSCs.