Pdx1 expressing endoderm

Abstract

Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising PDX1-positive endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified PDX1-positive endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying PDX1-positive endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of endoderm cells, such as PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and PDX1-negative definitive endoderm cells, are also disclosed.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An in vitro population of cells comprising PDX1-positive endoderm cells, wherein said population of cells is in contact with a retinoid. 
     
     
         20 . The population of cells of  claim 19 , wherein the cell population expresses SOX17. 
     
     
         21 . The population of cells of  claim 19 , wherein the PDX1-positive endoderm cells are PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells. 
     
     
         22 . The population of cells of  claim 21 , wherein the PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells are multipotent cells that can differentiate into cells, tissues or organs derived from the anterior portion of the gut tube. 
     
     
         23 . The population of cells of  claim 19 , wherein said population of cells is in contact with a TGFβ superfamily member. 
     
     
         24 . The population of cells of  claim 21 , wherein the PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells express the homeobox A13 (HOXA13) gene. 
     
     
         25 . The population of cells of  claim 19 , wherein the retinoid is retinoic acid. 
     
     
         26 . The population of cells of  claim 19 , wherein said population of cells is in contact with an FGF-family growth factor. 
     
     
         27 . An in vitro population of cells comprising PDX1-positive endoderm cells expressing a marker selected from the group consisting of HOXA13, PROX1 and HOXC6. 
     
     
         28 . The in vitro population of cells of  claim 27 , wherein the PDX1-positive endoderm cells are derived from a human pluripotent stem cell. 
     
     
         29 . The in vitro population of cells of  claim 27 , wherein said cells are in contact with a retinoid. 
     
     
         30 . The in vitro population of cells of  claim 27 , wherein said cells are in contact with an FGF-family growth factor. 
     
     
         31 . The in vitro population of cells of  claim 27 , wherein the PDX1-positive endoderm cells are multipotent cells that can differentiate into cells, tissues or organs derived from the anterior portion of the gut tube. 
     
     
         32 . The in vitro population of cells of  claim 27 , wherein the cell culture expresses SOX17. 
     
     
         33 . An in vitro population of PDX1-positive endoderm cells obtained by differentiation of pluripotent cells, wherein the population of PDX1-positive endoderm cells expresses HOXA13, PROX1 or HOXC6. 
     
     
         34 . The cell population of  claim 33 , wherein the PDX1-positive endoderm cells are derived from a human embryonic stem cell. 
     
     
         35 . The cell population of  claim 33 , wherein said cell population is in contact with a retinoid. 
     
     
         36 . The cell population of  claim 33 , wherein said cell population is in contact with an FGF-family growth factor. 
     
     
         37 . The cell population of  claim 33 , wherein the population of PDX1-positive endoderm cells are multipotent cells that can differentiate into cells of the gut tube. 
     
     
         38 . The cell population of  claim 33 , wherein the population of PDX1-positive endoderm cells expresses SOX17.