The present invention provides new protease resistant polypeptides, as well as compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing conditions related to joint damage, including acute joint injury and arthritis.

The present invention provides new protease-resistant polypeptides, as well as compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing conditions related to joint damage, including acute joint injury and arthritis.

The present invention provides a method of constituting a tissue construct in vitro using a tissue without depending on scaffold materials.

A method of integrating a biological tissue with a vascular system in vitro, comprising coculturing a biological tissue with vascular cells and mesenchymal cells. A biological tissue which has been integrated with a vascular system by the above-described method. A method of preparing a tissue or an organ, comprising transplanting the biological tissue described above into a non-human animal and differentiating the biological tissue into a tissue or an organ in which vascular networks have been constructed. A method of regeneration or function recovery of a tissue or an organ, comprising transplanting the biological tissue described above into a human or a non-human animal and differentiating the biological tissue into a tissue or an organ in which vascular networks have been constructed. A method of preparing a non-human chimeric animal, comprising transplanting the biological tissue described above into a non-human animal and differentiating the biological tissue into a tissue or organ in which vascular networks have been constructed. A method of evaluating a drug, comprising using at least one member selected from the group consisting of the biological tissue described above, the tissue or organ prepared by the method described above, and the non-human chimeric animal prepared by the method described above. A composition for regenerative medicine, comprising a biological tissue which has been integrated with a vascular system by the method described above.

The present application relates to a method of inducing differentiation of stem cells into chondrocytes using an oligopeptide, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage injury disease containing differentiated chondrocytes obtained by the method.

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.

The present invention is a method of harvesting mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) from human umbilical cord/placenta tissue. A key aspect of the invention is that MSCs are harvested from a specific region of the human umbilical cord/placenta, namely, the cord placenta junction (CPJ). In accordance with the method, the tissue is divided into distinct regions, one of which is the cord placenta junction (CPJ). MSCs from the CPJ are isolated and cultured. Harvesting MSCs from the CPJ yields a higher number of cells, with greater proliferation and self-renewal capacities in vitro.

Compositions and methods of transplanting cells by grafting strategies into solid organs (especially internal organs) are provided. These methods and compositions can be used to repair diseased organs or to establish models of disease states in experimental hosts. The method involves attachment onto the surface of a tissue or organ, a patch graft, a “bandaid-like” covering, containing epithelial cells with supporting early lineage stage mesenchymal cells. The cells are incorporated into soft gel-forming biomaterials prepared under serum-free, defined conditions comprised of nutrients, lipids, vitamins, and regulatory signals that collectively support stemness of the donor cells. The graft is covered with a biodegradable, biocompatible, bioresorbable backing used to affix the graft to the target site. The cells in the graft migrate into and throughout the tissue such that within a couple of weeks they are uniformly dispersed within the recipient (host) tissue. The mechanisms by which engraftment and integration of donor cells into the organ or tissue involve multiple membrane-associated and secreted forms of MMPs.

Provided is a method of preparing a hydrogel composition including a uniform content of calcium phosphate, wherein a hydrogel composition prepared by the method has a uniform content of calcium phosphate, and thus may be used to quantify phosphates contained in the hydrogel composition. Provided is an in-vitro 3D osteoporosis model including a calcium phosphate hydrogel composition, wherein osteoblasts and osteoclasts may be three-dimensionally co-cultured inside a biogel, such that the osteoporosis model may be fabricated according to an intended use or clinical stage. Further, the model contains a calcium phosphate hydrogel with a uniform content of phosphate and thus enables quantification of calcium phosphate through measurement of phosphates, and therefore, the model may be used to screen candidate compounds for an osteoporosis drug and may effectively predict therapeutic effects of the drug on osteoporosis.

A method for producing a target cell includes producing a target cell by culturing a raw material cell in a serum-free medium containing: at least one culture factor selected from a growth factor and a differentiation inducing factor; human serum albumin; and at least one additive selected from a group consisting of a Src inhibitor, a PKC activator, methylcellulose, an Essential 8 medium, recombinant human serum albumin, and non-human animal serum albumin.

Human pluripotent stem cells are differentiated in vitro into oligodendro-spheroids comprising oligodendrocytes for use in analysis, screening programs, and the like.