Provided is the use of Notch signaling inhibitors such as γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs), which increase expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1), to selectively increase browning of white adipose tissue, for example, in the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and others, including comorbidities thereof.

The invention relates to an in vitro method to generate T cell progenitors, comprising the step of culturing CD34+ cells in a medium containing TNF-alpha and/or an antagonist of the Aryl hydrocarbon/Dioxin receptor, in particular StemRegenin 1 (SR1), in presence of a Notch ligand and optionally a fibronectin fragment.

The invention relates to an in vitro method to generate T cell progenitors, comprising the step of culturing CD34+ cells in a medium containing TNF-alpha and/or an antagonist of the Aryl hydro-carbon/Dioxin receptor, in particular StemRegenin 1 (SR1), in presence of a Notch ligand and optionally a fibronectin fragment.

The present disclosure provides an immune cell genetically modified to produce two antigen triggered polypeptides, each recognizing a different cell surface antigen. The present disclosure provides a system two antigen-triggered polypeptides, each recognizing a different cell surface antigen. The present disclosure provides a method of killing a target cancer cell, using a genetically modified immune cell or a system of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a computational method to identify target N antigen pairs on a cancer cell.

Disclosed herein is a method for cultivating primary human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC), which includes cultivating the primary HPAEpiC in a first medium containing a basal medium, a culture supplement, and a Rho kinase inhibitor, and a second medium containing the basal medium and the culture supplement in sequence. The culture supplement includes Jagged-1 (JAG-1) peptide, human Noggin protein, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type I receptor inhibitor SB431542, human fibroblast growth factor 7 (hFGF-7), hFGF-10, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) inhibitor CHIR99021. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a three-dimensional cell culture of alveolar epithelium using the first medium and the second medium.

This application describes liver stem cells (LSC), and differentiated hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and 3D cellular structures derived therefrom. Methods for producing LSC and mature, differentiated hepatocytes and cholangiocytes in culture are provided. Also provided are cell culture systems and cell culture media for producing a homogenous population of liver stem cells that remain in an undifferentiated state over multiple passages in culture. The LSC and methods are useful for producing homogenous populations of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes for downstream applications. The LSC can be transplanted into subjects to treat liver diseases.

The present invention relates to a culture media system that useful for the isolation and epigenetically stable propagation of normal stem cells in culture which are derived from columnar epithelial tissues and cancer stem cells from epithelial cancers. In certain embodiments, the culture system is a feeder-free system.

Provided are methods for making yolk sac like hematopoietic progenitors by specifying a KDR+CD235a/b+ mesoderm cells capable of giving rise to T lymphoid lineage cells or cells differentiated therefrom. The method involves contacting pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) with a mesoderm specifying culture composition comprising a BMPR1/R2 agonist, an FGF receptor agonist and an activin receptor agonist to produce a KDR+CD235a/b+ mesoderm cells; and optionally isolating the KDR+CD235a/b+ mesoderm cells.

The present invention provides genetic markers for identifying engraftable human cardiac ventricular progenitor cells. The engraftment markers of the invention include angiogenic markers and extracellular matrix markers. Human ventricular progenitor cells expressing these markers are capable of forming ventricular tissue in vivo that is vascularized and supported by an extracellular matrix. Methods of engrafting human cardiac ventricular progenitor cells by transplanting into a subject progenitor cells that express the engraftment markers are also provided.

Method and compositions for inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells comprised by a cochlear cell population, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells.