Abstract: Disclosure of a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line. Disclosure of a patient specific cell line. Methods to obtain a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line by fusing a differentiated mammalian cell and a functionally enucleated mammalian embryonic cell line. Methods to obtain a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line by fusing a differentiated mammalian cell and a functionally enucleated human cancer cell. Methods to obtain a patient specific cell line of a cell type similar to a mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line by functionally enucleating the mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line and fusing the functionally enucleated mammalian cytoplasmic donor cell line with a differentiated cell obtained from the patient. A method of treatment of a human patient by administering the patient-specific cell line to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of mammalian cell culture, and provides methods and compositions for cell attachment to, cultivation on and detachment from a solid substrate surface containing from at least about 0.5% N, a sum of O and N of greater than or equal to 17.2% and a contact angle of at least about 13.9 degrees, lacking a feeder cell layer and lacking an adlayer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cells are treated with a compound capable of inhibiting Rho kinase activity. In another embodiment, the cells are treated with a compound capable of inhibiting Rho activity.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem cells. Traditionally, pluripotent stem cells are cultured on a layer of feeder cells (such as mouse embryonic fibroblasts) to prevent them from differentiating. In the system described here, the role of feeder cells is replaced by components added to the culture environment that support rapid proliferation without differentiation. Effective features are a suitable support structure for the cells, and an effective medium that can be added fresh to the culture without being preconditioned by another cell type. Culturing human embryonic stem cells in fresh medium according to this invention causes the cells to expand surprisingly rapidly, while retaining the ability to differentiate into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers. This new culture system allows for bulk proliferation of pPS cells for commercial production of important products for use in drug screening and human therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the composition and use of a modified Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) as a medicament in the treatment of cancer. The modified HSV-2 has fusogenic activity, and comprises a modified/mutated ICP10 polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ribonucleotide reductase activity and lacking protein kinase activity.

Abstract: A hierarchy of endothelial colony forming cells (EPCs) was identified from mammalian cord blood, umbilical vein and aorta. A newly isolated cell named high proliferative potential-endothelial colony forming cell (HPP-ECFC) was isolated and characterized. Single cell assays were developed that test the proliferative and clonogenic potential of endothelial cells derived from cord blood, or from HUVECs and HAECs. EPCs were found to reside in vessel walls. Use of a feeder layer of cells derived from high proliferative potential-endothelial colony forming cells (HPP-ECPCS) from human umbilical cord blood, stimulates growth and survival of repopulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Stimulation of growth and survival was determined by increased numbers of progenitor cells in in vitro cultures and increased levels of human cell engraftment in the NOD/SCID immunodeficient mouse transplant system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: Non-human animals, and methods and compositions for making and using the same, are provided, wherein said non-human animals comprise a humanization of an endogenous cluster of differentiation (CD) gene, in particular a humanization of a CD47 gene. Said non-human animals may be described, in some embodiments, as having a genetic modification to an endogenous CD47 gene so that said non-human animals express a CD47 polypeptide that includes a human portion and a non-human portion (e.g., a murine portion).

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences encoding antibody based scaffolds such as full antibodies, antibody Fab fragments, single chain antibodies, soluble VEGF receptor-Fc fusion proteins, and/or anti-angiogenic PDGF receptors. Also encompassed are cell lines encoding such anti-angiogenic antibody scaffolds, VEGF receptors, and/or PDGF receptors. The invention also provides encapsulated cell therapy devices that are capable of delivering such anti-angiogenic antibody scaffolds, VEGF receptors, and/or PDGF receptors as well as methods of using these devices to deliver the anti-angiogenic antibody scaffolds, VEGF receptors, and/or PDGF receptors to medically treat disorders in patients, including ophthalmic, vascular, inflammatory, and cell proliferation diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cancer treatment, particularly to a novel constructs useful for treating tumors expressing H19 and/or IGF-II. More specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods utilizing a nucleic acid construct enabling expression of a cytotoxic gene product directed by more than one tumor specific promoter.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and a culture medium which are capable of efficiently inducing the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells such as ES cells and iPS cells into desired cells by a simple means. The differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can be induced by culturing mammal-derived pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation culture medium that does not contain at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of methionine, leucine, cysteine, tyrosine and arginine. Also provided is a differentiation-inducing culture medium which does not contain at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of methionine, leucine, cysteine, tyrosine and arginine.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising micro particles of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly (I:C)) and a carrier polymer selected from starch, alginate, blanose or DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) for use in preventing and/or treating viral infections of the upper respiratory tract or the common cold and a device, preferably a nasal delivery system, comprising said composition for use by a patient in need to prevent and/or treat infections or the common cold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic use of a combination of Myxoma virus, including in combination with rapamycin. Treatment with rapamycin enhances the ability of Myxoma virus to selectively infect cells that have a deficient innate anti-viral response, including cells that are not responsive to interferon. The combination of rapamycin and Myxoma virus can be used to treat diseases characterized by the presence of such cells, including cancer. The invention also relates to therapeutic use of Myxoma virus that does not express functional M135R.

Abstract: A method of targeting bacterially-derived, intact minicells to specific, non-phagocytic mammalian cells employs bispecific ligands to deliver nucleic acids efficiently to the mammalian cells. Bispecific ligands, comprising (i) a first arm that carries specificity for a bacterially-derived minicell surface structure and (ii) a second arm that carries specificity for a non-phagocytic mammalian cell surface receptor are useful for targeting minicells to specific, non-phagocytic mammalian cells and causing endocytosis of minicells by non-phagocytic cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid vaccine compositions and methods for preventing or treating pathological conditions, such as cancer or infectious disease. Further, the disclosure provides methods for more efficient production of antigens via mRNA containing one or more non-conventional start codons to promote multiplex initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression system for systemic administration comprising a sequence encoding a protein, said expression system allowing: the expression at a therapeutically acceptable level of the protein in the target tissues including skeletal muscles and/or the peripheral nervous tissue; and the expression at toxically acceptable level of the protein in tissues other than the target tissues, especially in the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated promoters, transgene expression cassettes, vectors, kits, and methods for treatment of genetic diseases that affect the cone cells of the retina.

Abstract: Use of erythrocytes containing arginine deirainase for the preparation of a medicinal product for lowering the plasma concentration of arginine in vivo. The use relates in particular to the treatment of arginine-dependent tumors, such as hepatocarcinoma and malignant melanoma, or inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide, and the prevention and/or treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to female germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for alteration of a globin gene and generation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of diabetic neuropathy, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises, as active ingredients, different types of isoforms of HGF or a polynucleotide encoding the isoforms. The present invention is the first invention demonstrating that diabetic neuropathy can be prevented and treated using different types of isoforms of HGF. According to the present invention, it is possible to very effectively treat diabetic neuropathy.