Noncultured Wharton's Jelly stem cells and methods of their purification, storage and use are provided.

The described invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of an educated mononuclear cell product, a process for preparing the educated mononuclear cell product, and a method for treating a disease characterized by lymphocyte autoreactivity. Mononuclear cells from a diseased subject are co-cultured with a viable population of adherent umbilical cord blood stem cells at at least 80% confluence to form an educated mononuclear cell product. A therapeutic amount of the educated mononuclear cell product is returned by infusion intravascularly to the subject. The therapeutic amount is effective to modulate autoreactivity in a T cell compartment of the subject and to reduce symptoms of the disease characterized by lymphocyte autoreactivity.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidic device that can simulate capillary blood flow on a fetal side of the device and pooled blood on a maternal side of the device (i.e., intervillous space). The microfluidic device can reconstitute the maternal-fetal interface, can expand the capabilities of cell culture models, and can provide an alternative to current maternal-fetal transfer models.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.

Disclosed is a cell-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) derived in vitro from cells isolated from amniotic fluid, and methods of use for the isolation, maintenance, and proliferation of adherent cells including stem cells, as well as for the differentiation of stem cells.

Noncultured Wharton's Jelly stem cells and methods of their purification, storage and use are provided.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.

The present technology provides for methods for generation and isolation of granulosa cells and/or granulosa cell precursors from multi-potent cells, wherein the granulosa cells and/or granulosa cell precursors are useful in methods for growth and maturation of follicles or follicle-like structures. Additionally, the present technology also provides for methods of increasing steroidal hormones in a subject in need thereof.

[Problem] To activate an abnormal mesenchymal stem cell whose therapeutic effect is lost or reduced, or rather which has a disease-exacerbating effect so as to be in a state suitable for cell transplant therapy.

[Solution] An activator for mesenchymal stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells activated by the activator, a method for producing the same, and a pharmaceutical containing the activated mesenchymal stem cells are provided.

The invention is directed to methods for reducing the number of apoptotic cell deaths in a population of cells undergoing excessive cellular apoptosis. The invention is also directed to methods for preventing apoptotic cell death in a population of cells at risk for developing excessive cellular apoptosis. In particular, the invention is directed to methods for reducing or preventing excessive cellular apoptosis comprising exposing cells exhibiting or at risk for developing excessive cellular apoptosis to a cellular factor-containing composition called Amnion-derived Cellular Cytokine Solution (referred to herein as ACCS), which is obtained from the culturing of Amnion-derived Multipotent Progenitor (AMP) cells, or AMP cells.