Isolated CDCA1-derived epitope peptides having Th1 cell inducibility are disclosed herein. Such peptides can be recognized by MHC class II molecules and induce Th1 cells. In preferred embodiments, such a peptide of the present invention can promiscuously bind to MHC class II molecules and induce CDCA1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in addition to Th1 cells. Such peptides are thus suitable for use in enhancing immune response in a subject, and accordingly find use in cancer immunotherapy, in particular, as cancer vaccines. Also disclosed herein are polynucleotides that encode any of the aforementioned peptides, APCs and Th1 cells induced by such peptides and methods of induction associated therewith. Pharmaceutical compositions that comprise any of the aforementioned components as active ingredients find use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancers or tumors.

The present disclosure relates to a composition for promoting the production of stem cell-derived exosomes or increasing the stemness of stem cells. When the composition of the present disclosure is used in culturing stem cells, the stemness of stem cells and the yield of stem cell-derived exosomes are increased, and thus good-quality stem cells and stem cell-derived exosomes can be produced more efficiently, and accordingly, can be advantageously used in related research and development and commercialization.

Provided is a method of improving the efficiency of iPS cell establishment, comprising bringing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of proteins belonging to cyclin D family and nucleic acids that encode the same into contact with a somatic cell, in the step of nuclear reprogramming of the somatic cell. Also provided are a method of producing an iPS cell comprising the step of bringing the factor(s) and nuclear reprogramming substance(s) into contact with a somatic cell, an iPS cell comprising a nucleic acid that encodes a protein belonging to cyclin D family that can be obtained by the method of producing an iPS cell, and a method of somatic cell production by forcing the iPS cell to differentiate.

Described herein are methods relating to the differentiation of stem cells to more differentiated phenotypes, e.g. to terminally differentiated cell types and/or precursors thereof. In some embodiments, the methods relate to contacting the stem cells with differentiation factors and halting the cell cycle, thereby increasing the rate of differentiation.

The present invention provides a neural stem cell having increased passage ability and a method for manufacturing a neural stem cell having increased passage ability. A neural stem cell in which the N-type calcium channel gene is knocked out or the influx of Ca2+ via the N-type calcium channel is substantially absent can be passaged for at least 4 generations and maintains the differentiation potential into a nerve cell even after passage for 4 generations.

Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells, are also disclosed.

The present application discloses compositions and methods for use of nucleoside modified mRNA that encode for at least one liver regenerative factor. The present invention also relates to compositions and methods for use of nucleoside modified mRNA complexed to nanoparticles. The disclosed compositions and methods are useful for treating acute liver diseases, chronic liver diseases, and/or acetaminophen (acetyl-para-aminophenol, APAP) overdose.

Methods of making extracellular vesicles (EVs) by culturing keratinocytes in culture media including a ROCK inhibitor, and harvesting EVs secreted by the keratinocytes are provided. In some embodiments, the EVs include or consist of exosomes. Typically, the proliferation of the keratinocytes and/or secretion of EVs is increased in the presence of the ROCK inhibitor compared to is absence. EVs made according to the disclosed methods, and pharmaceutical compositions formed therefrom are also provided. The pharmaceutical compositions can include an effective amount of the EVs to, for example, serve a nutraceutical and therapeutic application such as improving skin, treating a skin-related disease or disorder, or enhancing recovering from injury.

The invention relates to a combination of small molecule reprogramming agents for inducing the generation of totipotent stem cells, a method for preparing the induced totipotent stem cells and the induced totipotent stem cells generated therefrom.

The present application discloses compositions and methods for use of nucleoside modified mRNA that encode for at least one liver regenerative factor. The present invention also relates to compositions and methods for use of nucleoside modified mRNA complexed to nanoparticles. The disclosed compositions and methods are useful for treating acute liver diseases, chronic liver diseases, and/or acetaminophen (acetyl-para-aminophenol, APAP) overdose.