One or more type 7 long terminal repeat (LTR7) nucleic acid sequences of type H human endogenous retroviruses (HERVH) (“LTR7/HERVH nucleic acid sequences”) can be used for identifying primate naïve pluripotent stem cells. LTR7/HERVH-associated transcription can be used as a marker for primate naive pluripotent stem cells. A reporter construct that includes LTR7/HERVH nucleic acid sequences can be used for optimizing culture conditions for naïve primate pluripotent stem cells. A cell growth medium can be used for cultivation of primate naive pluripotent stem cells, which can exhibit elevated levels of LTR7/HERVH-associated transcription in comparison to control cells.

The present disclosure provides methods and kits for the differentiation of stem cells into relevant liver cell lineages, as well as methods of using the relevant liver cell lineages in screening for a cellular response, a phenotype and in the treatment of a condition. In one embodiment, stem cells are first differentiated into cells of the definitive endoderm lineage, which are differentiated into posterior foregut (PFG) lineage cells by one or more of retinoic acid activators and/or one or more inhibitors of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). An additional embodiment provides a method for the differentiation of posterior foregut lineage cells into liver bud progenitors (LB) by one or more activators of TGFβ signalling, and/or one or more modulators of Wnt signalling, and/or one or more activators of cyclic AMP/PKA signaling; and a further embodiment provides a method for the differentiation of liver bud progenitors into hepatic progenitors by one or more inhibitors of TGFβ signalling and/or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) inhibitors and/or one or more Notch inhibitors. Another embodiment discloses the differentiation of hepatic progenitors into hepatocyte-like cells or perivenous hepatocyte-like cells by one or more of Notch inhibitors and/or activators of glucocorticoid signalling and/or one or more activators of insulin signalling and/or one or more of ascorbic acid signalling activators and/or additional factors. Methods and kits for maintaining LB in self renewal state, hepatocyte-like cells in perivenous or periportal state, as well as surface markers for LB and mid/hindgut (MHG) cells are also disclosed.

Disclosed herein are cell cultures and enriched cell populations of endocrine precursor cells, immature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells and mature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing such cell cultures and cell populations.

Methods are provided for the production of retinal ganglion (RG) progenitor cells and mature RG cells from pluripotent stem cells optionally under feeder-free conditions, and further optionally under xeno-free conditions. Additionally provided are compositions of RG progenitor cells and mature RG cells, as well as methods of use thereof including therapeutic use thereof. Exemplary methods may produce substantially pure populations and cultures of RG progenitor cells and mature RG cells.

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic endoderm, pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. The present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer.

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.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods to prepare insulin secreting cells from a skin sample from a mammal.

The present invention is a method of creating a population of hemogenic endothelial cells with arterial specification. In one embodiment, the method uses ETS transgene induction at the mesodermal stage of differentiation. In another embodiment, the method activates ERK signaling at the mesodermal stage of differentiation.

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.

Provided herein are methods for the activation and expansion of T cells. Further provided are methods for the use of the T cells for therapy.