Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides CD4+CD25? T cells and Tr1-like regulatory T cells (i.e., contact-independent Type 1-like regulatory T cells), processes for their production and their use for regulatory purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing ready to use, antigen loaded or unloaded, cryoconserved mature dendritic cells especially for the production of a vaccine containing said dendritic cells, wherein immature dendritic cells are cultivated in the presence of suitable maturation stimuli and the mature dendritic cells thus obtained are frozen. The dendritic cells can be loaded with antigen before freezing. The invention also relates to a vaccine which can be obtained according to the inventive method and to a composition containing frozen, mature dendritic cells which are loaded with antigen.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating or preventing an undesired immune response in a patient, comprising: administering to said patient, cells that transiently express, and/or that are transfected with mRNA encoding, one or more polypeptides selected from the group consisting of an IL-4 receptor agonist, an IFN-? receptor antagonist, an IFN-? receptor antagonist, an IL-12 receptor antagonist, an IL-23 receptor antagonist, and a TNF antagonist. Preferably, the cells selectively accumulate in one or more secondary lymphoid tissues at or proximate to the site of the undesired immune response. Related compositions are provided. The methods and compositions are useful for the treatment or prevention of undesired immune responses including, but not limited to, transplant rejection, autoimmune disease, allergy and immune responses directed against therapeutic compositions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of dendritic cells from monocytes that have been incubated at a temperature of 1° C.-34° C. for a period of approximately 6 to 96 hours from the time they are isolated from a subject. After the incubation period, the monocytes can then be induced to differentiate into dendritic cells. Mature dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention have increased levels of one or more of CD80, CD83, CD86, MHC class I molecules, or MHC class II molecules as compared to mature dendritic cells prepared from monocytes that have not been held at 1° C.-34° C. for at least 6 hours from the time they were isolated from a subject. Dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention are useful for the preparation of vaccines and for the stimulation of T cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of a liquid using a diaphragm that separates a working fluid volume from a working air volume and can controllably induce a change pressure to draw or expel a target fluid into a tube. The apparatus is particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier under the diaphraghm, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device.

Abstract: The present invention provides humanized anti-human IFN-? monoclonal antibodies useful for therapeutic applications in humans. Preferred antibodies are humanized versions of murine antibodies ACO-1 and ACO-2, as well as variants thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides humanized anti-human IFN-? monoclonal antibodies useful for therapeutic applications in humans. Preferred antibodies are humanized versions of murine antibodies ACO-1 and ACO-2, as well as variants thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides suppressive and/or regulative human CD4+CD25+ T cells, a method for expanding same, and the use of the suppressive and/or regulative human CD4+CD25+ T cells and the expanded T cells as regulatory agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing ready to use, antigen loaded or unloaded, cryoconserved mature dendritic cells especially for the production of a vaccine containing said dendritic cells, wherein immature dendritic cells are cultivated in the presence of suitable maturation stimuli and the mature dendritic cells thus obtained are frozen. The dendritic cells can be loaded with antigen before freezing. The invention also relates to a vaccine which can be obtained according to the inventive method and to a composition containing frozen, mature dendritic cells which are loaded with antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods and compositions for the nucleic acid amplification of one or multiple variants (strains) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) present in a sample, and preferably in a sample from a pathogen infected individual. In particular, novel primers, methods and kits for the amplification of one or more species of HIV Rev, Gag and Nef nucleic acids are provided. The amplified HIV nucleic acid can be used to identify and/or quantitate HIV variants present in a sample. Nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention or the proteins encoded thereby can also be used directly as vaccines or to transfect/load antigen presenting cells. The loaded antigen presenting cells can be used as a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing ready to use, antigen loaded or unloaded, cryoconserved mature dendritic cells especially for the production of a vaccine containing said dendritic cells, wherein immature dendritic cells are cultivated in the presence of suitable maturation stimuli and the mature dendritic cells thus obtained are frozen. The dendritic cells can be loaded with antigen before freezing. The invention also relates to a vaccine which can be obtained according to the inventive method and to a composition containing frozen, mature dendritic cells which are loaded with antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods and compositions for the nucleic acid amplification of one or multiple variants (strains) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) present in a sample, and preferably in a sample from a pathogen infected individual. In particular, novel primers, methods and kits for the amplification of one or more species of HIV Rev, Gag and Nef nucleic acids are provided. The amplified HIV nucleic acid can be used to identify and/or quantitate HIV variants present in a sample. Nucleic acids produced by the methods of the invention or the proteins encoded thereby can also be used directly as vaccines or to transfect/load antigen presenting cells. The loaded antigen presenting cells can be used as a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: The invention provides CD4+CD25? T cells and Tr1-like regulatory T cells (i.e., contact-independent Type 1-like regulatory T cells), processes for their production and their use for regulatory purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of dendritic cells from monocytes that have been incubated at a temperature of 1° C.-34° C. for a period of approximately 6 to 96 hours from the time they are isolated from a subject. After the incubation period, the monocytes can then be induced to differentiate into dendritic cells. Mature dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention have increased levels of one or more of CD80, CD83, CD86, MHC class I molecules, or MHC class II molecules as compared to mature dendritic cells prepared from monocytes that have not been held at 1° C.-34° C. for at least 6 hours from the time they were isolated from a subject. Dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention are useful for the preparation of vaccines and for the stimulation of T cells.

Abstract: The invention provides CD4+CD25? T cells and Tr1-like regulatory T cells (i.e., contact-independent Type 1-like regulatory T cells), processes for their production and their use for regulatory purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides humanized anti-human IFN-? monoclonal antibodies useful for therapeutic applications in humans. Preferred antibodies are humanized versions of murine antibodies ACO-1 and ACO-2, as well as variants thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the production of dendritic cells from monocytes that have been incubated at a temperature of 1° C.-34° C. for a period of approximately 6 to 96 hours from the time they are isolated from a subject. After the incubation period, the monocytes can then be induced to differentiate into dendritic cells. Mature dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention have increased levels of one or more of CD80, CD83, CD86, MHC class I molecules, or MHC class II molecules as compared to mature dendritic cells prepared from monocytes that have not been held at 1° C.-34° C. for at least 6 hours from the time they were isolated from a subject. Dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention are useful for the preparation of vaccines and for the stimulation of T cells.