Abstract:
The present disclosure discloses a unified cell differentiation protocol for obtaining photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium, and 3D retinal organoid from pluripotent stem cells. The present disclosure also discloses photoreceptor cells, retinal pigmented epithelium, and 3D retinal organoid obtained from pluripotent stem cells. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition and a medicament comprising the photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium, and 3D retinal organoid as described in the present disclosure.
Abstract:
This invention relates to compositions and methods for directed differentiation of cells towards a Müller cell phenotype. Cells produced using the compositions and methods may be used in the study of retinal diseases and disorders, for drug screening and for therapeutic purposes.
Abstract:
Compositions and provided to induce cells of the inner ear to renter the cell cycle and to proliferate. In particular, hair cells are induced to proliferate by administration of a composition which activates the Myc and Notch. Supporting cells are induced to transdifferentiate to hair cells by inhibition of Myc and Notch activity or the activation of Atoh1. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.
Abstract:
Described herein are mammalian taste papillae cells, cell lines, and cell membranes, methods, and kits for identifying agents, including ligands for olfactory receptors and enhancers and blockers thereof, that bind to or modulate the activity of olfactory receptors on mammalian taste papillae cells.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising agents that activate the expression of Atoh1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or polymorphs thereof; and agents that inhibit the expression of p27 Kipl , or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or polymorphs thereof, which are useful for inducing the formation of cochlear hair cells; and methods of treating hearing impairments or disorders using the compositions. In one aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising β-catenin; and agents that activate the expression of Atoh1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or polymorphs thereof. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating cultures and isolated cell populations containing preplacodal ectoderms cells, otic placode cells, and inner ear sensory hair cells derived from pluripotent cells by modulating TGFβ, BMP, and FGF signaling pathways under defined culture conditions. Also described are methods for obtaining non-otic placodal tissues from pluripotent stem cells. Methods for identifying agents that induce or enhance differentiation and generation of hair cells are also disclosed. Methods for identifying cytoprotective agents for hair cells are also described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of isolating a substantially homogeneous population of pluripotent stem cells from adult neural crest tissue ( e.g ., periodontal ligament) as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such isolated pluripotent stem cells. Methods of inducing the isolated pluripotent stem cells into specific cell lineages, such as neurogenic and retinogenic lineages, are also described. The isolated pluripotent stem cells find use in various regenerative medicine applications and the treatment of degenerative diseases.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for producing mammalian neural plate border stem cells (NPBSCs), comprising: (a) differentiation of mammalian pluripotent stem cells by (a-i) culturing mammalian pluripotent stem cells in pluripotent stem cell medium for about 24 to about 96 hours, wherein the pluripotent stem cell medium comprises: (i) an inhibitor of the activin/TGF-β signalling pathway; (ii) an inhibitor of the BMP signalling pathway; (iii) an activator of the canonical WNT signalling pathway; and (iv) an activator of the Hedgehog signalling pathway; subsequently (a-ii) culturing the cells obtained in step (a-i) for about 24 to about 96 hours in a neural medium, wherein the neural medium comprises: (i) an inhibitor of the Activin/TGF-β signalling pathway; (ii) an inhibitor of the BMP signalling pathway; (iii) an activator of the canonical WNT signalling pathway; and (iv) an activator of the Hedgehog signalling pathway; subsequently (a-iii) culturing the cells obtained in step (a-ii) for about 24 to about 96 hours in a neural medium, wherein the neural medium comprises: (i) an activator of the canonical WNT signalling pathway; (ii) an activator of the Hedgehog signalling pathway; and (iii) an inhibitor of oxidation; and (b) plating the obtained differentiated mammalian pluripotent stem cells in NPBSCs expansion medium, wherein the NPBSCs expansion medium comprises (i) an activator of the canonical WNT signalling pathway; (ii) an activator of the Hedgehog signalling pathway; and (iii) an inhibitor of oxidation; and expanding the cells in the NPBSCs expansion medium for about 24 to about 96 hours; (c) splitting the cells obtained in (b) and further expanding the cells in the NPBSCs expansion medium; and (d) repeating step (c) at least two times. The present invention further relates to neural plate border stem cells obtainable by the method of the invention and the use of the cells of the invention in medicine.