The application describes compositions, kits, and methods for generating Schwann cells from epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC). Such EPI-NCSC can be obtained from the bulge of hair follicles.

A method for producing hepatocytes from hepatoblasts is provided. The method includes the step of culturing the hepatoblasts in a medium containing a compound selected from the group consisting of pregnenolone and an adrenergic agonist. The hepatoblasts can be obtained by culturing endodermal cells in a medium containing DMSO, and the endodermal cells can be obtained by culturing pluripotent stem cells in a medium containing Activin A and a GSK-3 inhibitor. Accordingly, a method for producing hepatocytes from pluripotent stem cells is also provided by employing the method of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a composition for inducing direct conversion from a somatic cell into one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of an induced Hepatic stem cell (iHSC), a hepatocyte, and a cholangiocyte, and a method of direct conversion of a somatic cell into one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of an induced Hepatic stem cell, a hepatocyte, and a cholangiocyte.

The invention relates to the use of a laminin (LN) as a matrix for hepatic differentiation. The invention also relates to a method for inducing hepatic differentiation comprising the steps of: (i) providing a population of human pluripotent cells, (ii) culturing the population on a support coated with a laminin in a endoderm induction medium to produce a population of human DE cells, (iii) culturing said population of human DE cells on a support coated with a laminin in a hepatic induction medium to produce a population of human hepatoblasts-like cells, and (iv) optionally culturing said population of human hepatoblasts-like cells on a support coated with a laminin in a hepatic maturation medium to produce a population of human hepatocyte-like cells. The invention further relates to a population of human hepatoblasts-like cells or human fetal hepatocyte-like cells obtained by the method of the invention. The invention further relates to a population of human hepatoblasts-like cells expressing HNF4 and expressing substantially AFP for use in a method of treatment of the human body.

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.

Provided herein are compositions and systems comprising induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes and systems and methods for acellular maturation thereof. In particular, iPSC-derived hepatocytes are matured on decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) to yield cells with enhanced hepatocytic biomarkers and functionality.

A somatic stem cell that is CD10+, CXCR4+, and CD31+ and another somatic stem cell that is CD105+, CD44+, and nestin+. Also disclosed are both a method of preparing these stem cells and a method of using them to treat degenerative diseases, e.g., a muscle-degenerative disease. The invention further includes making and using liver cells derived from the somatic cell that is CD105+, CD44+, and nestin+.

A specific culture medium and culture method are for long-term maintenance, proliferation and passaging of human hepatocytes. The culture medium contains a hepatocyte basic medium, a GSK-3 beta inhibitor which is CHIR99021 at a concentration of 0.5-10 M, a TGF beta inhibitor which is SB 431542 at a concentration of 0.5-10 M and/or a TGF beta inhibitor which is A83-01 at a concentration of 0.5-10 M.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for differentiating mesodermal cells into mesothelium cells. The present invention provides a method for producing mesothelial cells, including a first culturing step of culturing mesodermal cells in a medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and oncostatin M.

Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60/TRA1-81/SSEA1+/SSEA4 expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliay Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.