Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for treating Interleukin 18 (IL-18)-associated diseases and disorders. In particular, the present invention discloses antibodies specific for free IL-18 and IL-18 Binding Protein (IL-18BP) for use in such treatments and for the diagnosis of the diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing differentiation of bone marrow cells into myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) by treating the bone marrow cells with a toll-like receptor agonist (TLR agonist) or type I interferon, or for inducing dendritic cells from the MDSCs.

Abstract: An Agrin peptide which induces proliferation of cardiomyocytes for treating a heart disease is provided.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of cell therapies. Also described herein are methods of generating donor derived T cells in an organ transplant recipient, by administering bone marrow stem cells to the organ transplant recipient about 1 to about 30 days after the organ transplant recipient receives one or more organ transplants.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of evaluating immune system parameters to identify and treat patients who are likely to experience more favorable treatment outcomes. This invention also provides methods for treating a human patient with a dendritic cell therapy by obtaining at least one value or measurement of the level and/or amount of a particular type of treatment indicator in the patient, confirming that said value or measurement exceeds or is less than the treatment threshold value for that value or measurement, and administering said dendritic cell therapy to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the enhancement of the osteogenic potential of bone graft by ex vivo treatment with a Wnt polypeptide, such as a liposomal Wnt polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided are a composition for culturing NK cells, and a method of culturing NK cells using the same. According to an aspect, in culturing NK cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, when NK cells are cultured in a medium including the composition for culturing NK cells, the composition including IL-15, IL-18, and IL-27, the NK cells may proliferate in large quantities and activation of NK cells may be promoted. Therefore, when the NK cells are used, cancer cell apoptosis or cancer cell-killing ability may be promoted. Accordingly, the NK cells may be used as an effective adoptive immune cell therapy product in cancer prevention or treatment.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for expanding antigen-specific T cells (e.g., antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and/or antigen-specific CD8+ T cells) in culture. For example, methods and materials for performing a polyclonal stimulation step for a particular duration (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 48 hours) to increase the expansion of T cells having a desired antigen specificity are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) for distinguishing mature ? cells from immature progenitor ? cells. The present invention further relates to a method for distinguishing a mature ? cell from an immature progenitor ? cell, the method comprising: determining the presence or absence of the biomarker Flattop (Fltp) in a ? cell; wherein the presence of Fltp in the cell indicates that the cell is a mature ? cell and wherein the absence of Fltp in the cell indicates that the cell is an immature progenitor ? cell. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of identifying a compound suitable for differentiating immature progenitor ? cells into mature ? cells as well as to a method of identifying a compound suitable for preventing the de-differentiating of mature ? cells. The present invention additionally relates to a method of differentiating immature progenitor ? cells into mature ? cells as well as to a method of preventing de-differentiating of mature ? cells.

Abstract: An NK cell showing higher cytotoxic activity is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for NK cell therapies expected to be highly effective. The present invention provides an NK cell having the following characteristics of (1) and (2) or a population thereof. (1) the NK cell is CD16-positive, highly expresses CD56, and is CD57-negative, and (2) the NK cell is NKG2C-positive, is NKG2A-negative or lowly expresses NKG2A, and is CD94-positive. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition containing a population of such NK cells, and a therapeutically effective amount of antibodies.

Abstract: An antibody has an antagonistic effect against IL-33. In particular an isolated human anti-IL-33 neutralizing monoclonal antibody has framework regions with amino acid sequences from a germline, including combinations and fragments of such sequences. The epitopes for a plurality of anti-IL-33 monoclonal antibodies were identified, human anti-IL-33 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies were obtained, and the complementarity-determining regions that achieve high binding ability to IL-33 was specified by introducing mutations in the complementarity-determining regions. The identified complementarity-determining regions were used to produce the foregoing human anti-IL-33 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies having framework regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides preparations of MSCs with important therapeutic potential. The MSC cells are non-primary cells with an antigen profile comprising less than about 1.25% CD45+ cells (or less than about 0.75% CD45+), at least about 95% CD105+ cells, and at least about 95% CD166+ cells. Optionally, MSCs of the present preparations are isogenic and can be expanded ex vivo and cryopreserved and thawed, yet maintain a stable and uniform phenotype. Methods are taught here of expanding these MSCs to produce a clinical scale therapeutic preparations and medical uses thereof.

Abstract: Described herewith are compositions comprising placental growth factors and methods for non-surgical, localized delivery thereof. The composition is delivered to a diseased or injured organ and/or body part and is formulated in a manner which allows for localized retention of the composition at the site of delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a therapeutic exosome using a protein newly-identified to be enriched on the surface of exosomes. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of using the proteins for affinity purification of exosomes. It also provides methods of localizing a therapeutic peptide on exosomes, and targeting exosomes to a specific organ, tissue or cell by using the proteins. The methods involve generation of surface-engineered exosomes that include one or more of the exosome proteins at higher density, or a variant or a fragment of the exosome protein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fusion polypeptide for use in treating and/or preventing organ failure in a subject suffering from sepsis, said fusion polypeptide comprises at least (i) a first portion being a Fc portion of an immunoglobulin and (ii) a second portion comprising the extracellular portion of the human B7-H1 polypeptide or a variant thereof. Moreover, also encompassed by the invention is a polynucleotide encoding said fusion polypeptide for use in treating and/or preventing organ failure in a subject suffering from sepsis.

Abstract: The present application provides methods and processes for making and using a mesenchymal stem cell secretome, as well as methods for treating ocular conditions and/disorders with the mesenchymal stem cell secretome described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved compositions for adoptive T cell therapies for treating, preventing, or ameliorating at least one symptom of a cancer, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, and immunodeficiency, or condition associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of expanding ?? T cells from a non-haematopoietic tissue source. Further provided are compositions of expanded ?? T cells and methods of using the expanded ?? T cells (e.g., apart of an adoptive T cell therapy).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of immunoregulatory macrophages for treating diseases that are associated with pathological changes of the blood vessels. The present invention particularly relates to the use of immunoregulatory macrophages for treating micro- and macroangiopathies of the lower limbs. The invention furthermore relates to the use of immunoregulatory macrophages for promoting tissue remodelling to facilitate wound healing. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the recited treatments are also disclosed which comprise the immunoregulatory macrophages.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions of immune cells presenting a target molecule or a fragment thereof and provides compositions and methods of producing immune cell therapies with targeted activity against cancer. Methods for conditioning a subject receiving the immune cell therapy of the disclosure are additionally disclosed. The immune cell therapies of the present disclosure can be administered to a subject in need thereof for diseases such as cancer.