Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for achieving efficient, directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).SOLUTION: Cell cultures comprise human PDX1-positive pancreatic endoderm cells and human embryonic endoderm cells. The cell cultures comprise at least 5 human PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells for every 95 human embryonic endoderm cells and further includes multipotent stem cells, retinoid, growth factors of nodal/activin subgroups of the TGFβ superfamily, and the like.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify markers which can be used to identify and/or segregate cells at their earliest stages of differentiation away from hESCs, in addition to achieving efficient directed differentiation of hESCs.SOLUTION: A method for producing human mesendoderm cells in vitro includes the steps of (a) obtaining a cell population comprising human pluripotent stem cells, (b) providing the human pluripotent stem cells with at least one TGFβ superfamily growth factor to obtain a cell population comprising at least 5% of the human mesendoderm cells, wherein the expression of mRNA of a marker selected from the group consisting of brachyury, FGF4, and SNAI1 is greater than the expression of mRNA of a marker selected from the group consisting of SOX17 and SOX7.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of achieving efficient, directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonic germ (EG) cells.SOLUTION: A cell culture comprises a human pluripotent cell and a human definitive endoderm cell differentiated from the human pluripotent cell, wherein at least one human definitive endoderm cell exists per five human pluripotent cells.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells induced from human embryonic stem cells in vitro, and provide reliable methods for production of such cells.SOLUTION: This invention provides cell populations that express markers characteristic of pancreatic endoderm lineage and express pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) or NKX6 transcription factor related locus 1 (NKX6.1).
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently direct hESCs toward the pancreatic islet/β-cell lineage at the very earliest stages of differentiation.SOLUTION: A cell culture comprising human cells that are pancreatic-duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX1) positive, foregut endoderm cells.