Abstract: Provided is a method for inducing T cells for a cell-based immunotherapy, comprising the steps of: (1) providing Rag 1 and/or Rag 2 gene knockout human pluripotent stem cells bearing genes encoding a T cell receptor specific for a desired antigen, and (2) inducing T cells from the pluripotent stem cells of step (1). Further provided are a cell-based immunotherapy method that uses the T cells for the cell-based immunotherapy and an iPS cell bank for the cell-based immunotherapy.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor is provided, including an extracellular segment, including a single-chain antibody region binding to an antigen human CD19 and a hinge region, a trans-membrane segment, including a trans-membrane domain of human CD8? linked to the hinge region of the extracellular segment and embedded in cell membrane of T lymphocyte, and an intracellular segment, including an intracellular domain of human CD8?, an intracellular domain of molecule 4-1BB and an intracellular domain of CD3 ? chain. The single-chain antibody region includes a heavy-chain variable region and a light-chain variable region of the single-chain antibody, the hinge region includes an extracellular domain of human CD8 alpha (CD8?) of 55 amino acid residues and three alanine residues (AAA) located at the N-terminal of the extracellular domain of human CD8?, and the intracellular domain of human CD8? includes seven amino acid residues and linked to the trans-membrane domain of human CD8?.

Abstract: It has been found that a cell cluster obtained by causing just isolated cells to adhere to each other secretes adiponectin after transplantation to the heart, and thereby has an excellent therapeutic effect on heart disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to methods for combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of a cancer.

Abstract: Novel lentivirus packaging systems engineered with a synthetic gene network having a positive feedback loop to amplify the expression of virus genes are provided. When co-transfected into a host cell with a transfer plasmid and envelope vector, extremely high viral titers are achieved when compared to transfection of a host cell with conventional third generation packaging systems. Methods for enhancing production of lentivirus, compositions comprising high titer lentivirus, and therapeutic methods based on delivery of lentiviral nucleic acid to target cells are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising in vitro generated beta cells capable of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, methods of inducing beta cell maturation from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived beta-like cells, and methods of using in vitro generated beta cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or a related disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods to produce a population of cells, wherein greater than 10% of the cells in the population express markers characteristic of single hormonal pancreatic beta cells.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to systems for synthetically-engineered reciprocal chromosomal translocation for gene insertion into a population of organisms such as insects.

Abstract: Provided herein are adeno-associated virus (AAV) compositions for correcting a mutation in a beta globin gene (HBB) gene and methods of using the same to correct an HBB gene mutation in a cell. Also provided are packaging systems for making the adeno-associated virus compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing tolerance and/or suppressing an immune response to an antigen by passing a cell suspension containing an anucleate cell through a constriction, wherein the constriction deforms the cell thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that an antigen and/or tolerogenic factor enters the cell. In some embodiments, the anucleate cell is delivered to an individual and the antigen is delivered to and processed in a tolerogenic environment to induce tolerance and/or suppress an immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and compositions for performing bone marrow transplants using a non-myeloablative chemotherapeutic agent and chemotherapeutic-resistant cells. Using the methods and compositions described herein, a patient's bone marrow may be reconstituted and the patient avoids adverse side effects, including myeloablation and/or an impaired immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to viral vectors and methods of their production and use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cells and populations of cells comprising a genome in which the B2M gene has been edited to eliminate surface expression of MHC Class I protein in the cells or population of cells, and methods for allogeneic administration of such cells to reduce the likelihood that the cells will trigger a host immune response when the cells are administered to a subject in need of such cells.

Abstract: A recombinant mutant BoV genome is provided, as well as methods of using the vector, e.g., to prepare helper-free virus.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to engineered immune cells, method for their preparation and their use as medicament, particularly for immunotherapy. The engineered immune cells of the present invention are characterized in that at least one gene selected from a gene encoding GCN2 and a gene encoding PRDM1 is inactivated or repressed. Such modified Immune cells are resistant to an arginine and/or tryptophan depleted microenvironment caused by, e.g., tumor cells, which makes the immune cells of the invention particularly suitable for immunotherapy. The invention opens the way to standard and affordable adoptive immunotherapy strategies using immune cells for treating different types of malignancies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology, molecular biology and medicine, in particular to nuclease enzyme and use thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to PaCas9 nuclease enzyme. The invention also relates to a nucleic acid encoding the nuclease, a genetic construct, an expression vector, a delivery vector, which comprise the nucleic acid, a liposome comprising the nuclease or nucleic acid encoding the nuclease, a method for producing a nuclease, methods for delivery, and a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding the nuclease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding a reduced-size ATP7A protein. Also disclosed are vectors and recombinant viruses (such as recombinant adeno-associated viruses) including the codon-optimized nucleic acids encoding the reduced-size ATP7A protein and compositions including the disclosed vectors and viruses. Further disclosed herein are methods of treating copper transport disorders, for example by administering a disclosed nucleic acid, vector, or recombinant virus to a subject with a copper transport disorder, such as Menkes disease, occipital horn syndrome, or ATP7A-related distal motor neuropathy.

Abstract: Provided are methods of determining whether a mammalian subject having an inflammatory condition (e.g., an oral inflammatory condition) will respond positively to mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, as well as method of treating such inflammatory conditions by administering MSCs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell cultures and enriched cell populations of endocrine precursor cells, immature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells and mature pancreatic hormone-expressing cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing such cell cultures and cell populations.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the production of antigen-specific effector T cells and NK cells from pluripotent stem cells which express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Further provided herein are methods for the adoptive cell therapy by administering the effector T cells and/or NK cells provided herein.