Abstract: Provided are methods for propagating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and particularly adipose derived stem cells, including incubating isolated cells obtained from a tissue or organ including MSC in a growth medium including an apoptosis inducing agent, under specified conditions. Further provided is an isolated cell population and kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing a population of cells enriched with non-activated/non-mature cells, in particular non-activated/non-mature T and/or B cells, optionally genetically modified T and/or B cells. The method includes contacting a heterogeneous population of mammalian cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand, wherein said contacting induces apoptosis of active/mature cells while non active/mature cells remain resistant to the apoptotic signal. Further provided are therapeutic uses of the enriched cell populations.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for propagating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and in particular adipose derived stem cells, comprising incubating cells isolated from a body tissue with at least one TNF superfamily ligand, and at least one apoptosis inhibitory agent. The cells can be used for transplantation into subjects in need thereof or be induced to differentiate into various cell types that can be used in transplantation.

Abstract: Provided are methods for propagating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and particularly adipose derived stem cells, including incubating isolated cells obtained from a tissue or organ including MSC in a growth medium including an apoptosis inducing agent, under specified conditions. Further provided is an isolated cell population and kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and a kit adapted for selection of cells that are resistant to receptor-mediated apoptosis and a method for using the device and kit. The device enables negative selection of mature immune cells which induce graft versus host disease (GvHD) out of a heterogeneous cell population which is introduced into the device. The device enables an efficient cell selection in simplified and cheaper setting by an off the shelf product—a solution that currently do not exist. The present invention further discloses uses for the device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses selective surfaces, wherein said selective surfaces comprise a biocompatible polymer comprising maleic anhydride molecules and an apoptosis inducing ligand bound to the maleic anhydride molecules. The invention also encompasses devices and kits comprising the selective surface and methods for its production. The selective surfaces may be used for functional selection of cell populations suitable for transplantation into human subjects.

Abstract: The description discloses a device and a kit adapted for selection of cells that are resistant to receptor-mediated apoptosis and a method for using the device and kit. The device enables negative selection of mature immune cells which induce graft versus host disease (GvHD) out of a heterogeneous cell population which is introduced into the device. The device enables an efficient cell selection in simplified and cheaper setting by an off the shelf product—a solution that currently do not exist. The description further discloses uses for the device.

Abstract: An isolated immune regulatory cell having an exogenous cell death-inducing moiety attached to a surface thereof is disclosed herein. Additionally, a molecule comprising a cell death-inducing moiety heterologously attached to an immune regulatory cell-specific binding moiety is disclosed herein. Methods of generating and using same as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for enhancing the engraftment and improving transplantation outcome of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by exposure of the cells to ligands of the TNF superfamily prior to transplantation. The invention also provides populations of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that were activated according to the method of the invention, for use in transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and a kit adapted for selection of cells that are resistant to receptor-mediated apoptosis and a method for using the device and kit. The device enables negative selection of mature immune cells which induce graft versus host disease (GvHD) out of a heterogeneous cell population which is introduced into the device. The device enables an efficient cell selection in simplified and cheaper setting by an off the shelf product—a solution that currently do not exist. The present invention further discloses uses for the device.

Abstract: An isolated immune regulatory cell having an exogenous cell death-inducing moiety attached to a surface thereof is disclosed herein. Additionally, a molecule comprising a cell death-inducing moiety heterologously attached to an immune regulatory cell-specific binding moiety is disclosed herein. Methods of generating and using same as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new approach for the therapy of allergic responses, based on targeted elimination of cells expressing the Fc?RI receptor by a chimeric cytotoxin Fc2?-3-PE40. A sequence encoding amino acids 301-437 of the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule was genetically fused to PE40?—a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The chimeric protein, produced in E. coli, specifically and efficiently kills mouse mast cell lines expressing the Fc?RI receptor, as well as primary mast cells derived from bone marrow. The present invention provides a chimeric protein for targeted elimination of Fc?RI expressing cells especially useful for the therapy of allergic responses. The said chimeric protein is comprised of a cell targeting moiety for Fc?RI expressing cells and a cell killing moiety. The preferred killing moiety is the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). This Pseudomonas exotoxin is a product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new approach for the therapy of allergic responses, based on targeted elimination of cells expressing the Fc?RI receptor by a chimeric cytotoxin FC2?-3-PE40. A sequence encoding amino acids 301-437 of the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule was genetically fused to PE40—a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The chimeric protein, produced in E. coli, specifically and efficiently kills mouse mast cell lines expressing the Fc?RI receptor, as well as primary mast cells derived from bone marrow. The present invention provides a chimeric protein for targeted elimination of Fc?RI expressing cells especially useful for the therapy of allergic responses. The said chimeric protein is comprised of a cell targeting moiety for Fc?RI expressing cells and a cell killing moiety. The preferred killing moiety is the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). This Pseudomonas exotoxin is a product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric proteins with cell-targeting specificity and apoptosis-inducing activities. In particular, the invention is illustrated by a recombinant chimeric protein between human interleukin-2 (IL2) and Bax. The chimeric protein specifically targets IL2 receptor (IL2R)-expressing cells and induces cell-specific apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to neoplastic cells targeted chimeric toxins comprising of cell targeting moieties and cell killing moieties for recognizing and for destroying the neoplastic cells, wherein the cell targeting moieties consist of gonadotropin releasing hormone homologues and the cell killing moieties consist of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing as an active ingredient these neoplastic cells targeted chimeric toxins and to a method for the production of these chimeric toxins. The said invention also relates to a method for cancer therapy, treating malignant carcinoma cells and benign hyperplasia including uterine leiomyoma cells, extrauterine endometrial island cells, benign hyperplasia of prostate and breast and pituitary tumor adenoma cells, by the use of the above-mentioned chimeric toxins.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new approach for the therapy of allergic responses, based on targeted elimination of cells expressing the Fc?RI receptor by a chimeric cytotoxin FC2?-3-PE40. A sequence encoding amino acids 301-437 of the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule was genetically fused to PE40—a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The chimeric protein, produced in E. coli, specifically and efficiently kills mouse mast cell lines expressing the Fc?RI receptor, as well as primary mast cells derived from bone marrow. The present invention provides a chimeric protein for targeted elimination of Fc?RI expressing cells especially useful for the therapy of allergic responses. The said chimeric protein is comprised of a cell targeting moiety for Fc?RI expressing cells and a cell killing moiety. The preferred killing moiety is the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). This Pseudomonas exotoxin is a product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric proteins with cell-targeting specificity and apoptosis-inducing activities. In particular, the invention is illustrated by examples of chimeric proteins including recombinant chimeric proteins between a gonadoptropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and an apoptosis-inducing moiety, such as a pro-apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, such as Bik, Bax and Bak, or caspases, such as caspase-3. The chimeric proteins specifically target cells expressing a GnRH-binding site, such as adenocarcinoma cells, and induce cell-specific apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for modifying gene expression in a pathological process, thereby preventing or ameliorating said process. More particularly the compositions comprise quinazolinones, especially halofuginone, for inhibiting or preventing alterations in gene expression during fibrosis. The present invention particularly relates to pharmaceutical compositions for improving the regeneration of cirrhotic liver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing quinazolinones. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition for treatment renal fibrosis, comprising as active ingredient a quinazolinone derivative as herein defined. The currently preferred embodiment is halofuginone, which is now show to slow or prevent progression of renal fibrosis in vivo, thereby preventing end-stage renal failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for improving the effectiveness of anti-tumor treatments. The compositions of the present invention comprise quinazolinones, specifically halofuginone. In currently preferred embodiments the compositions and methods of the present invention improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and concomitantly alleviate or prevent the damage induced by radiation therapy.