240 results about "Stem-cell therapy" patented technology

Stem cells, including mammalian, and particularly primate primordial stem cells (pPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), hold great promise for restoring cell, tissue, and organ function. However, cultivation of stem cells, particularly undifferentiated hESCs, in serum-free, feeder-free, and conditioned-medium-free conditions remains crucial for large-scale, uniform production of pluripotent cells for cell-based therapies, as well as for controlling conditions for efficiently directing their lineage-specific differentiation. This instant invention is based on the discovery of the formulation of minimal essential components necessary for maintaining the long-term growth of pPSCs, particularly undifferentiated hESCs. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin, ascorbic acid, and laminin were identified to be both sufficient and necessary for maintaining hESCs in a healthy self-renewing undifferentiated state capable of both prolonged propagation and then directed differentiation. Having discerned these minimal molecular requirements, conditions that would permit the substitution of poorly-characterized and unspecified biological additives and substrates were derived and optimized with entirely defined constituents, providing a “biologics”-free (i.e., animal-, feeder-, serum-, and conditioned-medium-free) system for the efficient long-term cultivation of pPSCs, particularly pluripotent hESCs. Such culture systems allow the derivation and large-scale production of stem cells such as pPSCs, particularly pluripotent hESCs, in optimal yet well-defined biologics-free culture conditions from which they can be efficiently directed towards a lineage-specific differentiated fate in vitro, and thus are important, for instance, in connection with clinical applications based on stem cell therapy and in drug discovery processes.

Stem cells, including mammalian, and particularly primate primordial stem cells (pPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), hold great promise for restoring cell, tissue, and organ function. However, cultivation of stem cells, particularly undifferentiated hESCs, in serum-free, feeder-free, and conditioned-medium-free conditions remains crucial for large-scale, uniform production of pluripotent cells for cell-based therapies, as well as for controlling conditions for efficiently directing their lineage-specific differentiation. This instant invention is based on the discovery of the formulation of minimal essential components necessary for maintaining the long-term growth of pPSCs, particularly undifferentiated hESCs. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin, ascorbic acid, and laminin were identified to be both sufficient and necessary for maintaining hESCs in a healthy self-renewing undifferentiated state capable of both prolonged propagation and then directed differentiation. Having discerned these minimal molecular requirements, conditions that would permit the substitution of poorly-characterized and unspecified biological additives and substrates were derived and optimized with entirely defined constituents, providing a “biologics”-free (i.e., animal-, feeder-, serum-, and conditioned-medium-free) system for the efficient long-term cultivation of pPSCs, particularly pluripotent hESCs. Such culture systems allow the derivation and large-scale production of stem cells such as pPSCs, particularly pluripotent hESCs, in optimal yet well-defined biologics-free culture conditions from which they can be efficiently directed towards a lineage-specific differentiated fate in vitro, and thus are important, for instance, in connection with clinical applications based on stem cell therapy and in drug discovery processes.

The present invention relates to a nuclear reprogramming factor having an action of reprogramming a differentiated somatic cell to derive an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. The present invention also relates to the aforementioned iPS cells, methods of generating and maintaining iPS cells, and methods of using iPS cells, including screening and testing methods as well as methods of stem cell therapy. The present invention also relates to somatic cells derived by inducing differentiation of the aforementioned iPS cells.

The present invention relates to a nuclear reprogramming factor having an action of reprogramming a differentiated somatic cell to derive an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. The present invention also relates to the aforementioned iPS cells, methods of generating and maintaining iPS cells, and methods of using iPS cells, including screening and testing methods as well as methods of stem cell therapy. The present invention also relates to somatic cells derived by inducing differentiation of the aforementioned iPS cells.

Disclosed are methods, compounds and compositions useful for treatment of a patient with valvular dysfunction. The invention relates to using stem cells, modified stem cells, derivatives thereof, and agents stimulatory to stem cells in order to substantially ameliorate, and in some cases induce a therapeutic benefit, to a patient suffering from a dysfunction of the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonary valve. In some embodiments the invention treats the valve dysfunction itself, whereas in other embodiments treatment of associated cardiac structures is performed. Furthermore, in other embodiments the invention permits physiological compensation for the valve dysfunction, prolonging the time until surgical intervention is needed.

A method of treating diabetes in a mammalian subject is carried out by: (a) providing mammalian amniotic fluid stem cells, and then (b) administering the cells to the subject in an amount effective to treat diabetes. Optionally, the cells may be differentiated into pancreatic-like cells or at least treated to initiate subsequent differentiation into-pancreatic-like cells, prior to administration.

Methods of enhancing stem cell therapy through the administration of low level light energy are provided in several embodiments. Some embodiments comprise irradiating stem cells before or after implantation at a target tissue having loss of function due to damage or disease, with a resultant increase in the efficacy of the cell therapy. In some embodiments, light energy enhances one or more of the viability, proliferation, migration or engraftment of the stem cells, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effects of the irradiated cells during cell therapy.

The present invention relates to a nuclear reprogramming factor having an action of reprogramming a differentiated somatic cell to derive an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. The present invention also relates to the aforementioned iPS cells, methods of generating and maintaining iPS cells, and methods of using iPS cells, including screening and testing methods as well as methods of stem cell therapy. The present invention also relates to somatic cells derived by inducing differentiation of the aforementioned iPS cells.

A method of treating stroke in a patient who has undergone a stroke comprising administering at least 2 million suitable neuronal cells to at least one brain area involved in the stroke. The method comprises the step of using a twist drill or a burr to form a hole in the skull through which the cells could be administered. Exemplary cells are hNT neuronal cells, HCN-1 cells, fetal pig cells, neural crest cells, neural stem cells, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition of 95% pure hNT neuronal cells, which composition further includes a vial containing PBS and human neuronal cells. This vial is provided in a container with liquid nitrogen, whereby the composition is frozen and maintained at -170° C. before use. Also disclosed are methods of improving speech, cognitive, sensory, and motor function in a person who has experienced brain damage which interferes with function by administering a sterile composition of a sufficient number of neuronal cells or neural stem cells to the damaged area. Also disclosed is a method of replacing central nervous cells lost to neurodegenerative disease, trauma, ischemia or poisoning.

The invention provides a method for treating CNS disorders by administering a neural stem cell composition and a mesenchymal stem cell composition on opposing sides of the blood brain barrier. The neural stem cell composition is administered to the central nervous system, while the mesenchymal stem cell composition is administered to the circulatory system, such as by intravenous injection. The method finds use in the treatment of degenerative GNS disorders, as well as traumatic CNS disorders such as stroke and spinal cord injury.

The present invention relates to a nuclear reprogramming factor having an action of reprogramming a differentiated somatic cell to derive an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. The present invention also relates to the aforementioned iPS cells, methods of generating and maintaining iPS cells, and methods of using iPS cells, including screening and testing methods as well as methods of stem cell therapy. The present invention also relates to somatic cells derived by inducing differentiation of the aforementioned iPS cells.

Methods, cells and compositions of matter are provided for treatment of erectile dysfunction using stem cell therapy. In particular, various stem cells are modified or administered freshly isolated in order to induce smooth muscle regeneration, neural regeneration, and restoration of endothelial function. In some embodiments endogenous stem cells are mobilized or activated to achieve therapeutic benefit. In other embodiments compositions derived from stem cells are utilized for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The present application relates to methods and compositions for the generation of therapeutic cells having reduced incidence of karyotypic abnormalities. In several embodiments cardiac stem cells are cultured in an antioxidant-supplemented media that reduces levels of reactive oxygen species, but does not down regulate DNA repair mechanisms. In several embodiments, physiological oxygen concentrations are used during culture in order to increase the proliferation of stem cells, decrease the senescence of the cells, decrease genomic instability, and / or augment the functionality of such cells for cellular therapies.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising stem cells and partially committed progenitor cells and to methods of controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, which can be used for expansion of stem cells and their subsequent differentiation. The present invention provides expanded population of essentially undifferentiated stem cells, which are useful in clinical procedures involving stem cell therapy, and a population derived thereof of which at least part of the cells are differentiated. The cells can be used per se, as a part of a cell-bearing composition comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid-laminin gels or as a part of a composite implant for tissue regeneration.

Devices and methods for treating tissue injuries and augmenting the maturation and differentiation of stem cell populations are provided. The devices comprises ultrasonic oscillators capable of variable frequency output, user-selectable based on the tissue being treated. The devices produce therapeutic ultrasound that is pulsed and has a modulated amplitude and varying waveform of variable intensity.

An object of the present invention is to establish a cell transplantation method which can markedly improve the survival of grafted pluripotent stem cells and the efficiency of cardiomyocyte regeneration in cell therapy using pluripotent stem cells derived from heart tissue and can treat heart disease further effectively. Specifically, according to the present invention, enhancement in the survival of grafted pluripotent stem cells and significant improvement in the efficiency of cardiomyocyte regeneration are achieved by using, in combination, pluripotent stem cells derived from heart tissue and a hydrogel containing a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in cell therapy for heart disease.

The invention feature methods and compositions for treating hematopoietic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and cancer and providing stem cell therapy in a mammal.

Methods and compositions are disclosed for inhibiting, deterring or preventing apoptosis of cardiac myocytes, transplanted stem cells, vascular stem cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells by means of expressing or synthesizing clusterin. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for producing recombinant clusterin, or its biologically active peptides, and for induction of clusterin-associated lipoproteins or enzymes for deterring or preventing inflammatory injury and apoptosis induced by oxLDL, oxysterols, cytokines, and Fas Ligand. Also disclosed is an induction method and composition for enhancing expression of ALDH and ALDH-associated enzymes or co-factors to prevent cytotoxicity or detoxification. Therapeutic methods providing new expression or overexpression of clusterin in vascular or cardiac tissue are expected to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, stabilize existing atherosclerotic plaques, and repair failing or damaged cardiac tissue.

The present invention provides methods and compositions for the propagation and expansion of neural precursor cells (NPCs). NPCs may be used in the clinical implementation of stem cell therapy to treat disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, neuropathic pain and other diseases of the central nervous system. The large-scale production of NPCs in bioreactors allows for the generation of clinical quantities of these cells.

According to the present invention, when nicotinamide is added in a culture process for producing pluripotent stem cells from human differentiated cells, it can increase the efficiency of reprogramming and can significantly reduce the time required for induction of reprogramming. It was verified that nicotinamide inhibits the induction of senescence and oxidative stress in the reprogramming process and increases cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity to effectively improve culture conditions for induction of reprogramming. Particularly, the present invention will contribute to optimizing a process of producing induced pluripotent stem cells from a small amount of patient-specific somatic cells obtained from various sources, and thus it will significantly improve a process of developing clinically applicable personalized stem cell therapy agents and new drugs and will facilitate the practical application of these agents and drugs. In another aspect, according to the present invention, in defined culture conditions in which feeder cells and serum were not used, it was found that nicotinamide can provide a culture medium composition effective for maintaining the undifferentiated state of human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, which are typical pluripotent stem cells. The invention can be effectively used for the development of a high-efficiency system for culturing large amounts of human pluripotent stem cells, which is required for the industrialization of human pluripotent stem cells.

The invention discloses a probe and a kit for detecting pseudo-hypertrophic muscular dystrophy. The probe for detecting pseudo-hypertrophic muscular dystrophy comprises nucleic acid sequences shown by SEQ NO:1-SEQ ID NO:546, and the kit for detecting pseudo-hypertrophic muscular dystrophy comprises nucleic acid sequences shown by SEQ ID NO:1-SEQ ID NO:546. The probe and the kit for detecting pseudo-hypertrophic muscular dystrophy can be used for detecting complete mutation information of DMD genes, including exon deletion / repetition and point mutation, have the advantages of completeness, rapidness, accuracy and appropriate price, and can be used for solving the problems of DMD molecular diagnosis; the kit disclosed by the invention is suitable for detection of various tissue samples of muscle, blood, amniotic fluid and the like, can detect pathogenic mutation of exons and introns as well as known mutations and unreported pathogenic mutations, and is also used for detecting whether patient genotypes are corrected or not after stem cell therapy.

A method is provided for inducing and enhancing neurogenesis and / or oligodendrogenesis from endogenous as well as from exogenously administered stem cells, which comprises administering to an individual in need a neuroprotective agent such as a nervous system (NS)-specific antigen, a peptide derived therefrom, T cells activated therewith, poly-YE, microglia activated by IFN-γ and / or IL-4 and combinations thereof. The method includes stem cell therapy in combination with the neuroprotective agent.

The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by containing cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation. The proliferated cells of the subject invention are useful for cell therapy, cell / gene therapy, biological production of molecules, and as in vitro models for research, toxicity testing, and drug development.

The present invention generally concerns cell therapy and products for use in such therapy. Particularly, the invention provides a preserved cell preparation essentially free of one or more members of a group of cryoprotecting agents consisting of polyalcohols, DMSO and cryoprotecting proteins, the preserved cell preparation comprising somatic cells and at least one polyphenol, wherein upon reconstitution of cells in the cell preparation, at least a portion of said stem cells are viable, said portion being sufficient for use of the cell preparation in stem cell therapy. The invention also provides cells reconstituted from preserved somatic cells, and the use of the reconstituted cells in cell therapy. A preferred cell preparation in accordance with the invention comprises stem cells, preferably human stem cells.

The invention relates to preparation and a purification production process of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes, and application of the exosomes as a non-cell therapy in the treatment of acute lung injury. The MSCs deriving the exosomes belong to the wall adhesion type of stem cells, and the preparation and purification process have the characteristics that (1) parathyroid hormone is added specially for the preparation of MSCs condition medium, and (2) discontinuous Ficoll density gradient method and immunomagnetic beads separation and purification method are combined for separation and purification so as to obtain the exosomes. Rat acute lung injury (ALI) model experiments confirm that the exosomes can be used for treatment of ALI, so as to lay the foundation for the realization of non-stem cell therapies to substitute stem cells therapies.

The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferation cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation. The proliferation cells of the subject invention are useful for cell therapy, cell / gene therapy, biological production of molecules, and as in vitro models for research, toxicity testing, and drug development.