The present disclosure relates generally to methods of producing rejuvenated T cells, comprising, contacting T cells with at least one reprogramming factor and reactivating the contacted cells; and compositions and methods of using same. The present disclosure also describes cell populations prepared according to methods described herein. The disclosure also provides for methods of treating patients using cell populations prepared by the methods described herein.

The present invention relates to stem cells derived from a multi-layered cellular structure or blastocyst structure, compositions comprising the same, and methods for obtaining the same.

Disclosed herein are kits comprising transcription factors for inducing a fibroblast cell into an induced embryonic neural progenitor cell. The induced embryonic neural progenitor cell is then capable of differentiating into an astrocyte, an oligodendrocyte or a neuron. Also disclosed are the uses of the kit as a platform for selecting a drug candidate to treat neurological diseases.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for reprogramming somatic cells using purified RNA preparations comprising single-strand mRNA encoding an iPS cell induction factor. The purified RNA preparations are preferably substantially free of RNA contaminant molecules that: i) would activate an immune response in the somatic cells, ii) would decrease expression of the single-stranded mRNA in the somatic cells, and/or iii) active RNA sensors in the somatic cells. In certain embodiments, the purified RNA preparations are substantially free of partial mRNAs, double-stranded RNAs, un-capped RNA molecules, and/or single-stranded run-on mRNAs.

The present invention relates to the production of avian induced pluripotent stem cells from non-pluripotent somatic cells, including embryonic fibroblasts and adult somatic cells. In this method, avian (including quail or chicken) somatic cells are reprogrammed into a state closely resembling embryonic stem cells including the expression of key stem cell markers alkaline phosphatase, etc. by transfecting/transducing the non-stem cells with genes (preferably using a non-integrating vector as otherwise described herein or alternatively an integrating vector, such a lentiviral vector, retroviral vector or inducible lentiviral vector, among others) which express at least nanog, Lin28 and cMyc. In preferred aspects of the invention, the transfected/transduced vectors express nanog, Lig28, cMyc, Oct 4 (POU5F1 or PouV), SOX2 and KLF4. The induced stem cells which are produced contribute to all 3 germ layers, the trophectoderm and in certain aspects, the gonad in chimeric offspring.

Disclosed are findings that: (a) induced pluripotent stem cells derived from aged donors (A-iPSC) show increased genomic instability, a defect in apoptosis, a defect in glucose metabolism, and a blunted DNA damage response are compared to those derived from young donors (Y-iPSC); and (b) inhibition of excessive glutathione-mediated H.sub.2O.sub.2 scavenging activity, found to be associated with A-iPSC and in turn inhibiting DNA damage response and apoptosis, substantially rescues these defects and reduces the oncogenic potential of A-iPSC. Supplementation of pluripotency factor ZSCAN10 (shown to be poorly activated in A-iPSC and to act upstream of glutathione involvement), e.g., by expression as an adjunct to the four Yamanaka iPSC reprogramming factors, led to substantial recovery of genomic stability, DNA damage response, and apoptosis in A-iPSC through enhancing GLUT3 and normalizing homeostasis of glutathione/H.sub.2O.sub.2; GLUT3 (a pluripotent stem cell-specific glucose transporter acting upstream of glutathione and also poorly activated in A-iPSC) has similar effects, indicating that inhibition of glutathione/H.sub.2O.sub.2 notably through delivery of ZSCAN 10 and/or GLUT3 and/or an exosome subunit will be clinically useful, resulting in A-iPSC of improved properties and reduced oncogenic potential.

Universal human induced pluripotent stem cells (universal hiPSCs) and a method of forming the same are provided in the disclosure, including the following steps: providing a first cell group including human stem cells; providing a second cell group including human mononuclear cells; in some embodiments, the second cell group further includes human stem cells, in which the human stem cells of the second cell group are allogenic cells from the first cell group; mixing the first cell group and the second cell group to form cell mixture; maintaining the cell mixture at a temperature below 30° C. for at least one day; reprogramming the human stem cells of the cell mixture to obtain universal hiPSCs. The universal hiPSCs includes human leukocyte antigen-1 (HLA class I) gene and human leukocyte antigen-2 (HLA class II) gene, but no HLA class I and HLA class II expressions.

The present disclosure provides a method of generating mature mesenchymal stem cells and the cell culture medium used in such method. Also disclosed herein include a mesenchymal stem cell culture obtained by the method as disclosed herein, and uses thereof.

Methods of enhancing fertility of a female subject by increasing the number of oogonia present in the ovary of the female subject are provided. Aspects of the methods include methods of in vivo expansion of oogonia as well as methods of ex vivo expansion of oogonia.

Methods for reprogramming primate somatic cells to pluripotency using an episomal vector that does not encode an infectious virus are disclosed. Pluripotent cells produced in the methods are also disclosed.