MESODERM AND DEFINITIVE ENDODERM CELL POPULATIONS
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.