Abstract:
The current disclosure provides methods for reprogramming mammalian somatic cells by regulating the expression of endogenous cellular genes. Cellular reprogramming of somatic cells can be induced by activating the transcription of embryonic stem cell-associated genes (e.g., oct.3/4 ) and suppressing the transcription of somatic cell-specific and/or cell death-associated genes. The endogenous transcription machinery can be modulated using synthetic transcription factors (activators and suppressors), to allow for faster, and more efficient nuclear reprogramming under conditions amenable for clinical and commercial applications. The current disclosure further provides cells obtained from such methods, along with therapeutic methods for using such cells for the treatment of diseases amendable to stem cell therapy, as well as kits for such uses.
Abstract:
The present application is directed to compositions and methods for treating a subject with cancer and/or increasing migration of a mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) stimulated with a recombinant autocrine motility factor (rAMF) to a tumor or a tumor cell, e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, methods for increasing adhesion of MSCs to endothelial cells with rAMF are disclosed. In some embodiments, the MSCs comprise a therapeutic agent, e.g., an anti-tumor agent.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods of producing mammalian cell populations that include a high proportion of definitive endoderm cells, posterior foregut-like progenitor cells, pancreatic progenitor cells and/or pancreatic beta cells are described herein. Such cell populations are useful for treatment of diabetes.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a differentiated cell population of endothelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The present invention also relates to a composition, a system and a kit comprising those cells and uses thereof. The present disclosure also described the combination of arterial ECs derived from human pluripotent stem cells with a microfluidic system to create a vascular kit for high-throughput drug screening and/or toxicology analysis. This technology may find particular use for the identification of drugs that may have a fetal cytotoxic effect.
Abstract:
The current disclosure relates to a culture medium, different methods to generate adult-like cardiomyocytes from pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) and/or (induced) pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) using the medium, in particular from stem cells that differentiated into (foetal) cardiomyocytes, and to kits comprising the medium, or the medium together with differentiated (foetal) cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) and/or (induced) pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)
Abstract:
Here is provided a novel differentiation protocol, which was experimentally shown to give rise to corneal epithelial precursor cells or early pigmented RPE precursor cells in defined and xeno-free conditions. The early precursor cells may be further maturated towards corneal epithelium cells, stratified corneal epithelium or mature RPE cells. Such cells may contribute to treatment and research of corneal and retinal conditions, diseases, pathologies as well as toxicology and drug development.
Abstract:
The 3 '-5' exonuclease, Dis312, is responsible for the decay of uridylated pre-let-7 miRNA. Biochemical reconstitution assays revealed that 3' oligouridylation stimulates Dis312 activity in vitro, and knockdown of Dis312 in mouse embryonic stem cells leads to the stabilization of pre-let-7 miRNA. These Dis312-depleted stem cells displayed elevated expression of pluripotency genes and delayed differentiation. The present disclosure establishes 3' oligouridylation as an RNA decay signal for Dis312 and identifies the first physiological RNA substrate of this exonuclease.
Abstract:
Described are compounds and methods useful for selectively targeting cancer stem cells. The compounds preferentially induce differentiation and/or reduce the proliferation of cancer stem cells relative to normal stem cells. Compounds useful for selectively targeting cancer stem cells include polyene macrolides such as Nystatin or Amphotericin B, analogs thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.