The present invention relates to a method for preparation of mesenchymal stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells and, more particularly, to a method for preparation of mesenchymal stem cells, wherein mesenchymal stem cells differentiated from embryoid bodies of a certain size in a xeno-free and serum-free environment are prepared, whereby the mesenchymal stem cells exhibit increased safety and maintain their own characteristics for a long period of time. A method for preparation of mesenchymal stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells according to the present invention employs a feeder cell-free, xeno-free, and serum-free culture environment to solve the problem of contamination with a foreign animal-derived material and allow the preparation of highly safe mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, the method utilizes spheroidal embryoid bodies to form mature embryoid bodies uniform in shape and size, thereby improving the differentiation efficiency to mesenchymal stem cells and exhibiting an exceptional effect of stably maintaining mesenchymal stem cell characteristics even after a long-term subculture, such as 20 or more passages, through which human pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be prepared in a large amount. Therefore, the invention is advantageous for commercializing cell therapeutic agents superb in safety and efficiency.

Provided herein are methods of producing a distinct bilayer culture of retinal epithelial cells (RPE) with photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor precursor cells (PR/PRP). Further provided herein is a therapy comprising transplantation of the RPE and PR/PRP bilayer as well as methods for testing candidate drugs using the bilayer.

Well-defined, xeno-free culture media which comprise a TGF-beta isoform or the chimera formed between IL6 and the soluble IL6 receptor (IL6RIL6), which are capable of maintaining stem cells, and particularly, human embryonic stem cells, in an undifferentiated state are provided. Also provided are cell cultures comprising the culture media and the stem cells and methods of expanding and deriving embryonic stem cells in such well-defined, xeno-free culture media. In addition, the present invention provides methods of differentiating ESCs or EBs formed therefrom for the generation of lineage specific cells.

The present invention relates to a novel process of producing therapeutic GMP grade Müller cells and Miller cells obtainable therefrom, derived from stem cells using products that are free of animal-derived components. The Müller cells are suitable for treatment of eye disease, including glaucoma. There is also provided a cell culture medium.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for culturing cells in a manner that inhibits culture induced senescence. In one aspect, the methods comprise the administration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursors to the culture. Further disclosed are NAD precursors used in the methods, comprising nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), and/or nicotinamide riboside (NR).

Disclosed are means, compositions of matter and protocols useful for treatment of COVID-19 and/or other inflammatory pathologies through stimulation of T regulatory cells and/or T cells expressing CD73 using administration of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells such as JadiCells. In one embodiment dosage of JadiCells needed to treat a patient is determined by the increase of T regulatory cells and/or CD73 expressing cells that are increased in number and/or activity subsequent to a test dose of JadiCells. In another embodiment stimulators of T regulatory cells and/or CD73 expressing T cells are utilized together with JadiCells in order to augment therapeutic activity. In some embodiments administration of JadiCell is performed with low dose interleukin-2 as a treatment for COVID-19 or other inflammatory related pathologies.

Microbial starter cultures. More specifically, a method for preparing a microbial culture such as a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) starter culture wherein at least one microbial strain such as a lactic acid bacteria and at least one inactivated yeast strain is inoculated in a culture medium.

The engineered system disclosed herein takes extracted adult stem cells from individual mammal organs (such as adipose fat, bone marrow, or blood) and epigenetically rejuvenates the adult stem cells ex vivo back to a youthful fetal state using chemically defined small molecules. The rejuvenated multipotent stem cells are then exponentially expanded ex vivo in an automated bioreactor under novel conditions that maintain the youthful stem cell function while greatly reducing the risks of producing cancer stem cells. In another variation, this engineered system can also include improving the genetics of autologous adult stem cells using CRISPR base editing of genes affecting all-cause morbidity or mortality or genetic mutations. With or without gene editing, rejuvenated autologous multipotent stem cells are then reintroduced back into an organ or injected systemically into the circulation or bone marrow. The engineered system also includes small molecule treatment of the mammal around the time of stem cell injection to promote tissue regeneration and stem cell engraftment. The engineered system has the potential to promote overall health and longer life expectancy in humans, cats, dogs, and other mammals. The rejuvenated stem cell and small molecule systems offer the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders such as heart failure, kidney disease, Chronic Pulmonary Disease, frailty, various cancers, rare genetic diseases via CRISPR treated stem cells, and brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and vascular dementia. The engineered system treatment with rejuvenated stem cells also has the potential to reverse aging and reduce mortality in humans, dogs, cats, and horses.

Provided are novel serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3 and ascorbic acid at a concentration of at least about 50 microgram/ml; ascorbic acid at a concentration range of about 400-600 microgram/ml, bFGF at a concentration range of about 50-200 ng/ml, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture; the IL6RIL6 chimera at a concentration range of about 50-200 picogram per milliliter (pg/ml); or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) at a concentration of at least 2000 units/ml; cell cultures comprising same with pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems; and methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation.

The present invention relates to improvement of the yield of skin-derived pluripotent precursor cells in induction of differentiation of stem cells to skin-derived pluripotent precursor cells. The present invention provides a method for preparing skin-derived pluripotent precursor cell comprising culturing a neural crest stem cells in the presence of at least one selected from the group consisting of laminin and a fragment thereof to differentiate the cells to skin-derived pluripotent precursor cells, wherein the laminin is at least one selected from the group consisting of laminin 111, laminin 121, laminin 332, laminin 421, laminin 511, laminin 521, and a variant thereof.