Aspects of the invention relate to a novel mesenchymal stem cell line (hb-MSC), a culture medium conditioned by the hb-MSC line, and various hb-MSC compositions. The hb-MSC composition may include a plurality of hb-MSCs, an hb-MSC conditioned medium, or a combination thereof. The hb-MSC composition may also include an appropriate carrier. Also described are methods of use for the hb-MSC cells, the conditioned medium and compositions thereof.

The present invention relates to the ex vivo differentiation of NK cells from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. Such NK cells and their progenitor cells can be used in therapies of a broad range of malignancies. In the present invention it is shown that IL-12 modulates ex vivo NK cell differentiation. Specific, we achieved significantly higher expression of KIR, CD16 and CD62L in the presence of IL-12 in the cell culture system. The induction of receptor expression by IL-12 occurred predominantly on an augmented population of CD33+NKG2A+ NK cells early during NK cell differentiation. These cells further show enhanced cytolytic activity against MHC class I positive AML targets. In line with the enhanced CD16 expression, IL-12 modulated ex vivo generated NK cells exhibit an improved antibody-dependent-cytotoxicity, using anti CD20 antibody on various B cell targets. Additional to the enhanced expression of CD62L, we show that this cell population consists of a specific chemokine receptor profile. By showing an increased capacity for adhesion to lymphendothelial cells and a specific chemokine receptor profile, we show that IL-12 provided the ex vivo generated NK cells with specific tissue-homing abilities.

The present invention provides a method for producing a human cell aggregate containing a midbrain-hindbrain boundary neural progenitor tissue, including subjecting an aggregate of human pluripotent stem cells to suspension culturing in a serum-free medium containing insulin, and treating, in the suspension culturing, the aggregate of human pluripotent stem cells or a human cell aggregate derived therefrom with a ROCK inhibitor, a TGF signal inhibitor, and a first fibroblast growth factor. Furthermore, the human cell aggregate containing the midbrain-hindbrain boundary neural progenitor tissue is subjected to suspension culturing in a serum-free medium to induce formation of a neuroepithelial structure by neural progenitor in the neural progenitor tissue, whereby the human cell aggregate containing the cerebellar plate tissue can be obtained.

Aspects of the invention relate to a novel mesenchymal stem cell line (hb-MSC), a culture medium conditioned by the hb-MSC line, and various hb-MSC compositions. The hb-MSC composition may include a plurality of hb-MSCs, an hb-MSC conditioned medium, or a combination thereof. The hb-MSC composition may also include an appropriate carrier. Also described are methods of use for the hb-MSC cells, the conditioned medium and compositions thereof.

Systems, compositions, and methods for the treatment of a liver disorder is disclosed. The systems, compositions, and methods include use of activated T regulatory cells for alleviating, treating, or reducing a liver disorder. The T regulatory cells may be allogeneic T regulatory cells that may be present in an amount of about 510.sup.5 to 210.sup.6 cells. The liver disorder needing treatment may be hepatitis, cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, acute liver disease, or liver failure.

The present invention provides a method for efficiently inducing CD8-positive T cells by adding vitamin C to the medium in the steps of induction of the CD8-positive T cells from pluripotent stem cells. The present invention also provides a method for efficiently inducing CD8-positive T cells by performing culture in a medium supplemented with an adrenocortical hormone agent in the step of induction of the CD8-positive T cells from CD4/CD8 double-positive T cells.

The present invention relates to a method of inducing the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived embryoid bodies into ectoderm by CXCR2 stimulation, and more particularly, to a method of promoting the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived embryoid bodies into ectoderm by stimulating and activating the surface receptor CXCR2 of the embryoid bodies with the CXCR2-specific ligand GRO-. The method of inducing the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived embryoid bodies into ectoderm by CXCR2 stimulation according to the present invention can increase the efficiency and utility of stem cells as a cell therapeutic agent, because it promotes the differentiation of stem cells into a specific germ layer serving as the origin of target cells, which is the first important step for inducing the differentiation of stem cells into specific cells.

A composition having tissue repair activity, which is capable of promoting reactions associated with tissue repair, contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a first component that is a protein having a monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) activity, a second component that is a protein having the extracellular domain activity of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin-9 (Siglec-9), and a third component that is at least one of chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan.

The invention provides cellular compositions that contain CD34.sup.+ cells derived from bone marrow of a decease donor and CD3.sup.+ cells derived from non-bone marrow of the deceased donor. The compositions are useful to promote mixed chimerism in recipients of solid organ transplants. The invention also provides methods of making and using such compositions. In certain embodiments, the invention further provides methods of analyzing and preparing blood and blood components from a deceased donor for use in compositions of the invention to promote mixed chimerism in solid organ transplant recipients.

Methods of culturing T cells are provided. Accordingly there is provided a method of culturing T cells comprising culturing T cells in the presence of a T cell stimulator, an exogenous CCL21 and an exogenous ICAM1, thereby culturing the T cells. Also provided are cell cultures, isolated T cells and uses of same.