Abstract: Provided here are methods for treating a cytokine storm in a subject. One such method includes the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), a Ca2+-release-activated Ca2+(CRAC) channel inhibitor, or combinations thereof. Methods include treatment of acute lung injury or acute kidney injury with a therapeutically effective amount of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) pyrazole derivative or teriflunomide, either individually or in combination with IGF-1.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis are provided. In some embodiments, the composition comprises an isolated peptide comprising a partial amino acid sequence of a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein, wherein the peptide activates regulatory T cells. In some embodiments, the composition comprises dendritic cells pulsed with a MOG peptide that activates regulatory T cells. In some embodiments, the peptide activates HLA-E-restricted regulatory CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: Gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme.

Abstract: Gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis are provided. In some embodiments, the composition comprises an isolated peptide comprising a partial amino acid sequence of a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein, wherein the peptide activates regulatory T cells. In some embodiments, the composition comprises dendritic cells pulsed with a MOG peptide that activates regulatory T cells. In some embodiments, the peptide activates HLA-E-restricted regulatory CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: Gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme.

Abstract: A vector for generating induced pluripotent stem cells from human target cells comprising a) a vector backbone, b) exactly two, three or four transcription and reprogramming factor genes, each gene separated by a 2a self-cleavage peptide sequence, c) a spleen focus-forming virus promoter, and d) a post-transcriptional regulatory element Wpre, with or without an anti-apoptotic factor gene. A method for generating integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising: a) providing target cells, b) providing one or more than one vector according to the present invention, c) transducing or transfecting the target cells with the one or more than one vector, and d) culturing the transduced or transfected cells in a cell culture, thereby generating integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: A vector for generating induced pluripotent stem cells from human target cells comprising a) a vector backbone, b) exactly two, three or four transcription and reprogramming factor genes, each gene separated by a 2a self-cleavage peptide sequence, c) a spleen focus-forming virus promoter, and d) a post-transcriptional regulatory element Wpre, with or without an anti-apoptotic factor gene. A method for generating integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising: a) providing target cells, b) providing one or more than one vector according to the present invention, c) transducing or transfecting the target cells with the one or more than one vector, and d) culturing the transduced or transfected cells in a cell culture, thereby generating integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair).

Abstract: A method for treating a patient with an episode of sepsis. A method for categorizing the severity of an episode of sepsis in a patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair).

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair).

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.

Abstract: A vector for generating induced pluripotent stem cells from human target cells comprising a) a vector backbone, b) exactly two, three or four transcription and reprogramming factor genes, each gene separated by a 2a self-cleavage peptide sequence, c) a spleen focus-forming virus promoter, and d) a post-transcriptional regulatory element Wpre, with or without an anti-apoptotic factor gene. A method for generating integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising: a) providing target cells, b) providing one or more than one vector according to the present invention, c) transducing or transfecting the target cells with the one or more than one vector, and d) culturing the transduced or transfected cells in a cell culture, thereby generating integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.

Abstract: Gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages. Gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, inflammation-specific monocytes that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme when the monocytes transdifferentiate into gene-modified, inflammation-specific macrophages.