The invention features compositions featuring (a) one or more of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and human C-terminal CTGF peptide; and (b) one or more of insulin and IGF-1; and methods of using such compositions to reduce cardiac tissue damage associated with an ischemic event or to enhance engraftment of a cell in a cardiac tissue.

The present invention relates to methods of generating and expanding hitman embryonic stem cell derived mesenchymal-like stem/stromal cells. These hES-MSCs are characterized at least in part by the low level of expression of IL-6. These cells are useful for the prevention and treatment of T cell related autoimmune disease, especially multiple sclerosis, as well as for delivering agents across the blood-brain barrier and the blood-spinal cord barrier. Also provided is a method of selecting clinical grade hES-MSC and a method of modifying MSC to produced a MSC with specific biomarker profile. The modified MSC are useful for treatment of various diseases.

Compositions and methods of use pertaining to exosomes, and more particularly to exosomes from pericytes and endothelial progenitor cells are presented.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating pacemaker cells from non-pacemaker cardiomyocytes. For example, the method includes the step of culturing the non-pacemaker cardiomyocytes with silk fibroin so that the silk fibroin induces the transformation of at least a portion thereof into pacemaker cells.

The present invention provides a cell population and a method of obtaining the same. The cell population of the present invention is obtained by culturing mononuclear cells derived from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or peripheral blood in a medium containing serum and four or less of factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, thrombopoietin, and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Provided is a technology allowing for stable supply of brain microvascular endothelium-like cells. This coating agent for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into brain microvascular endothelium-like cells contains at least one component of a Laminin-221 fragment or an N-terminal Vitronectin.

Disclosed herein are methods for generating stem cell-derived beta cells and compositions including stem cell-derived beta cells.

Provided are methods of isolating pericyte progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, by isolating CD105+, CD73+ and/or CD105+/CD73+ cells from embryoid bodies and optionally by enriching the cells with CD31− cells. Also provided are methods of isolating endothelial cells and co-derivation of pericyte and endothelial cells progenitor cells from embryoid bodies, and methods of differentiating same for various therapeutic applications. In addition, the invention provides an isolated pericyte progenitor cell having an expression marker signature of CD105+/CD73+CD31−/alpha SMA−/CD133−/Flk-1−.

The application is directed to a method for treating or preventing vasculopathy comprising administrating to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) and a prostacyclin. Also provided a method for treating or preventing vasculopathy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a prostacyclin and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or a MSC-conditioned culture medium or administering to the subject a MSC or a MSC-conditioned culture medium that has treated with prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatments are also provided.

A medical device for implantation into vessels or luminal structures within the body is provided, which stimulates positive blood vessel remodeling. The medical device, such as a stent and a synthetic graft, is coated with a pharmaceutical composition consisting of a controlled-release matrix and one or more pharmaceutical substances for direct delivery of drugs to surrounding tissues. The coating on the medical device further comprises a ligand such as a peptide, an antibody or a small molecule for capturing progenitor endothelial cells in the blood contacting surface of the device for restoring an endothelium at the site of injury. In particular, the drug-coated stents are for use, for example, in balloon angioplasty procedures for preventing or inhibiting restenosis.