Mesoderm and definitive endoderm cell populations

Abstract

The present invention provides cell populations that are enriched for mesendoderm and mesoderm, and cell populations that are enriched for endoderm. The cell populations of the invention are useful for generating cells for cell replacement therapy. The present invention further provides a method of generating hepatocytes, cell populations enriched for hepatocytes, and a method of hepatocyte replacement therapy.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of inducing the differentiation of stem cells to endoderm comprising culturing stem cells in the presence of activin or nodal and in the presence of an inhibitor Wnt signaling for a time sufficient to induce differentiation to endoderm. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the stem cells are human stem cells. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the time is about two to about ten days. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30  where activin is present at a concentration of at least about 30 ng/ml. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30  wherein activin is present at a concentration of about 100 ng/ml. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the inhibitor of Wnt signalling is Wnt-I or DKK-1. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein DKK-1 is present at a concentration of at least about 30 ng/ml. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  DKK-1 is present at concentration of about 100 ng/ml. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the stem cells are cultured in the absence of serum.