Abstract:
Methods for the delivery of genes to improve cardiac function including the use of viral vectors, isolation of the heart from systemic circulation, and induction of hypothermia/cardiac arrest are described. The method results in high-level, long-term expression of reporter genes and enhanced cardiac function in hamster models of heart disease.
Abstract:
Methods for generating human induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC) from human pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, are provided. Progenitors of iMSCs are first generated in a two-step protocol, with further differentiation to iMSCs accomplished by a third step culture. The iMSCs express mesenchymal surface markers and exhibit trilineage differentiation to adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Culture media, methods of isolating extracellular vesicles from the iMSCs and kits are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods for the delivery of genes to improve cardiac function including the use of viral vectors, isolation of the heart from systemic circulation, and induction of hypothermia/cardiac arrest are described. The method results in high-level, long-term expression of reporter genes and enhanced cardiac function in hamster models of heart disease.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to isolation of cardiovascular stem cells, and more particularly to cardiovascular stem cells positive for markers isll + /Nkx2.5 + /flkl + and cardiovascular stem cells which can differentiate along endothelial, cardiac, and smooth muscle cell lineages. The invention relates to uses of the cardiovascular stem cells, in particular for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and as an assay comprising a plurality of cardiovascular stem cells. The invention also relates to a method for isolation and enrichment of stem cells using mesenchymal cell feeder layer and uses of mesenchymal feeder layer as a screening assay for agents which effect stem cells.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to isolation of cardiovascular stem cells, and more particularly to cardiovascular stem cells positive for markers isll + /Nkx2.5 + /flkl + and cardiovascular stem cells which can differentiate along endothelial, cardiac, and smooth muscle cell lineages. The invention relates to uses of the cardiovascular stem cells, in particular for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and as an assay comprising a plurality of cardiovascular stem cells. The invention also relates to a method for isolation and enrichment of stem cells using mesenchymal cell feeder layer and uses of mesenchymal feeder layer as a screening assay for agents which effect stem cells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides genetic markers for identifying engraftable human cardiac ventricular progenitor cells. The engraftment markers of the invention include angiogenic markers and extracellular matrix markers. Human ventricular progenitor cells expressing these markers are capable of forming ventricular tissue in vivo that is vascularized and supported by an extracellular matrix. Methods of engrafting human cardiac ventricular progenitor cells by transplanting into a subject progenitor cells that express the engraftment markers are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides Jagged 1 and Frizzled 4 as cell surface markers for isolating human cardiomyogenic ventricular progenitor cells, in particular progenitor cells that preferentially differentiate into cardiac ventricular muscle cells. Thus, the invention provides human ventricular progenitor (HVP) cells. The invention provides in vitro methods of the separation of Islet 1+ Jagged 1+ ventricular progenitor cells and/or Islet 1+/Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells and/or Islet 1+/Jagged 1+/Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells, and the large scale expansion and propagation thereof. Large clonal populations of isolated Jagged 1+ and/or Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells are also provided. Methods of in vivo use of Jagged 1+ and/or Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells for cardiac repair or to improve cardiac function are also provided. Methods of using the Jagged 1+ and/or Frizzled 4+ ventricular progenitor cells for cardiac toxicity screening of test compounds are also provided.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to compositions including mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) that harbor one or more modified RNA molecules encoding a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), e.g., human BMP, and one or more modified RNA molecules encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), e.g., human VEGF or VEGF-A, or first and second separate pluralities of MSCs, wherein each MSC in the first plurality of MSCs harbors one or more modified RNA molecules encoding BMP, and wherein each MSC in the second plurality of MSCs harbors one or more modified RNA molecules encoding VEGF; and a carrier, e.g., a solid or semi-solid carrier. The disclosure also relates to methods and uses of these compositions to treat bone defects.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a population of committed ventricular progenitor (CVP) cells and their use to generate a tissue engineered myocardium, in particular two dimensional tissue engineered myocardium which is comparable to functional ventricular heart muscle. One embodiment of present invention provides a composition and methods for the production of a tissue engineered myocardium which has functional properties of cardiac muscle, such as contractibility (e.g. contraction force) and numerous properties of mature fully functional ventricular heart muscle tissue. In particular, in one embodiment, a composition comprising the tissue engineered myocardium comprises committed ventricular progenitor (CVP) cells seeded on a free-standing biopolymer structure to form functional ventricular myocardium tissue.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for the induction and a cell to enter the Islet 1 + (Isl1 + ) lineage and methods for expansion of cells of islet 1 + lineage. One aspect of the present invention relates to methods to induce a cell to enter the islet 1 + lineage, and more particularly to a method to induce a cell to enter a the Isl1 + lineage to become an Isl1 + progenitor that is capable of differentiating along multiple different lineages such as a endothelial lineage, a smooth muscle lineage or a cardiac lineage. In particular, one embodiment present invention relates to methods to induce a cell to enter the Isl1 + lineage by inhibiting a wnt signalling pathway in the cell. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to expand a cell of the Isl1 + lineage, such as a Isl1 + progenitor by activating a wnt signalling pathway in the Isl1 + progenitor. Another aspect of the present invention relates to use of cells of the isl1 + lineage in subjects for therapeutic and preventative treatment of cardiovascular diseases.