Abstract: The present disclosure provides for recombinant oncolytic viruses with gene deletions or insertions which result in downregulation of Major Histocompatibility Complex class I and alternatively or additively upregulation of Major Histocompatibility Complex class II. Immunologic and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these recombinant viruses and methods of using these compositions are also presented.

Abstract: Provided is a cancer stem cell mass from which cells incapable of forming cancer are substantially removed and which has a characteristic property of reproducing a layered structure of a cancer tissue; a process for producing the cancer stem cell mass; and use of the cancer stem cell mass. A human cancer tissue was repeatedly grown in a NOG mouse, separated cancer cells from the grown cancer tissue, and tested and compared various cancer cell culture processes. As a result, a cancer stem cell composition which is homogeneous and is substantially free of the coexistence of cells capable of forming cancer and cells incapable of forming cancer in a mixed state can be produced successively by employing an attached culture process using a serum-free stem cell culture medium rather than a generally employed floating culture process.

Abstract: Provided are adoptive cell therapy methods involving the administration of doses of cells for treating disease and conditions, including certain B cell malignancies. The cells generally express recombinant receptors such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). In some embodiments, the methods are for treating subjects with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In some embodiments, the methods are for treating subjects with relapsed or refractory NHL. Also provided are articles of manufacture and prophylactic treatments in connection with adoptive therapy methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides AAV capsid proteins comprising a modification in the amino acid sequence and virus capsids and virus vectors comprising the modified AAV capsid protein. The disclosure also provides methods of administering the virus vectors and virus capsids of the disclosure to a cell or to a subject in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed are constructs and methods for expressing DNAs of interest in particular in non-primate eukaryotic host cells that display advantages with regard quantity and quality of expression including high stability of expression and, if appropriate, transport of the expression product out of the cell.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one AAV vector formulated for central nervous system delivery is described. The composition comprises at least one expression cassette which contains sequences encoding an anti-neoplastic immunoglobulin construct for delivery to the brain operably linked to expression control sequences therefor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The anti-neoplastic immunoglobulin construct may be an immunoglobulin modified to have decreased or no measurable affinity for neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). Also provided are methods of using these constructs in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof in anti-neoplastic regimens, particularly for primary and/or metastatic cancers of the brain.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins, AAV particles comprising a novel capsid protein, polynucleotides encoding these capsid proteins and AAV vectors expressing these capsid proteins. The invention also relates to methods of making the herein described AAV vectors expressing the novel capsid proteins of the invention and associated therapeutic uses of thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are gene editing systems and/or compositions comprising RNA guides targeting HAO1 for use in genetic editing of the HAO1 gene. Also provide herein are methods of using the gene editing system for introducing edits to the HAO1 gene and/or for treatment of primary hyperoxaluria (PH), and processes for characterizing the gene editing system.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modifying a genomic locus of interest in a eukaryotic cell, a mammalian cell, a human cell or a non-human mammalian cell using a large targeting vector (LTVEC) comprising various endogenous or exogenous nucleic acid sequences as described herein. Further methods combine the use of the LTVEC with a CRISPR/Cas system. Compositions and methods for generating a genetically modified non-human animal comprising one or more targeted genetic modifications in their germline are also provided.

Abstract: Synthetic adenoviruses with liver detargeting mutations and expressing an adenovirus type 34 (Ad34) fiber protein, or a chimeric fiber protein with an Ad34 knob domain, are described. The synthetic adenoviruses traffic to sites of tumors. Use of the synthetic adenoviruses for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic transgenes to tumors are also described.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and kits for cell processing, e.g., for therapeutic use, such as for adoptive cell therapy. The provided methods include transduction methods, in which cells and virus are incubated under conditions that result in transduction of the cells with a viral vector. The incubation in some embodiments is carried out in an internal cavity of a generally rigid centrifugal chamber, such as a cylindrical chamber made of hard plastic, the cavity of which may have a variable volume. The methods include other processing steps, including those carried out in such a chamber, including washing, selection, isolation, culture, and formulation. In particular, the disclosure relates to method providing advantages over available processing methods, such as available methods for large-scale processing. Such advantages include, for example, reduced cost, streamlining, increased efficacy, increased safety, and increased reproducibility among different subjects and conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors (rAAV), comprising culturing producer cells in media with increased osmolality. Also provided are methods for decreasing the production of helper virus by a rAAV producer cell, comprising culturing the producer cell in media with increased osmolality.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered B cells, such as for adoptive cell therapy. In some aspects, also provided are methods and compositions for engineering and producing the cells, compositions containing the cells, and methods for their administration to subjects. In some embodiments, the cells are engineered to produce and/or secrete an exogenous protein, such as a therapeutic protein, including antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. In some aspects, features of the cells and methods provide for increased or improved activity, efficacy and/or persistence of the cells.

Abstract: A thread collecting method for easily and simply collecting a bagworm-derived pure silk thread from a bagworm with a small number of processes and a thread collecting device for implementing the thread collecting method are developed and provided. A device that collects a silk thread from a bagworm is provided, the device including: a container that accommodates the bagworm; and an in-and-out hole through which the bagworm is put in and taken out of the container. A width of a maximum short axis cross section of an inner space of the container is in a range from 1.2 times or more to less than 3.1 times relative to a maximum body width of the bagworm being accommodated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel means which makes it possible to steadily mass-produce knockout individuals even in large animals. The method of the present invention is a method for producing a non-human large mammal or fish (non-human animal) that produces gametes originating in a different individual, and comprises transplanting at least one pluripotent cell derived from a second non-human animal into an embryo derived from a first non-human animal, said embryo being at a cleavage stage and having a genome in which a function of nanos3 gene is inhibited, to prepare a chimeric embryo, and allowing said chimeric embryo to develop into an individual.

Abstract: An isolated rat liver cancer stem cell line which is named as TW-1 is provided. A method for drug screening by using the isolated rat liver cancer stem cell line is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, cells, engineered microorganisms, and kits for increased production of a nucleic acid molecule that comprises an unnatural nucleotide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified immune cell (e.g., modified T cell) comprising an exogenous T cell receptor (TCR) having specificity for NY-ESO-1. The present disclosure provides modified immune cells or precursors thereof (e.g., modified T cells) comprising an exogenous TCR and a switch receptor. Gene edited modified cells are also provided, such that the expression of one or more of an endogenous T-cell receptor gene (e.g., TRAC, TRBC) or an endogenous immune checkpoint gene (e.g., PD-1 or TIM-3) is downregulated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified animals and cells with humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin locus and/or humanized light chain immunoglobulin locus.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetic markers for identifying engraftable human cardiac ventricular progenitor cells. The engraftment markers of the invention include angiogenic markers and extracellular matrix markers. Human ventricular progenitor cells expressing these markers are capable of forming ventricular tissue in vivo that is vascularized and supported by an extracellular matrix. Methods of engrafting human cardiac ventricular progenitor cells by transplanting into a subject progenitor cells that express the engraftment markers are also provided.