Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a non-living biological product. Particularly, exosomes derived from stem cells can help restore heart function. According to certain embodiments, a fluid-induced shear stress mechanical stimulation process of stem cells is used to augmented quantity and quality of exosomes produced from stem cells. These exosomes serve as a therapeutic agent for the regenerative repair of diseases, such as diseased heart tissues. Therefore, compositions comprising the exosomes derived from stem cells and methods of treating a degenerative disease by administering the exosomes isolated from stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a recombinant hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), and a composition for preventing or treating pulmonary diseases, the composition comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of HAPLN1 (hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1) protein, a gene coding for the HAPLN1 protein, and an effective agent for promoting the expression or activating the functions of HAPLN1 protein or gene as an active ingredient. The recombinant HAPLN1 according to the present disclosure may have superior effects of improving alveolar damage caused by aging or elastin reduction, and thus may effectively prevent or treat pulmonary diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: An adenovirus expression vector is provided. The adenovirus expression vector may include: a) one or more mutations that render the adenovirus replication incompetent and b) at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a protein or an RNA is provided. A method of synthesizing an adenovirus vector is also provided. The synthesis may include: a) producing a plurality of overlapping adenovirus sub-fragments, each sub-fragment comprising a portion of the full genome of the adenovirus; b) circularizing the sub-fragments to form plasmid structures; and c) assembling the circularized sub-fragments into a linear structure, wherein the vector comprises a combination of two or more sub-fragments. A mammalian cell line configured to replicate adenoviral vectors, wherein the cell line comprises nucleotide sequences expressing E1A and E1B gene products but is devoid of other adenovirus sequences is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to protein-based T-cell receptor knockdown, and its use in T-cell therapies.

Abstract: The present invention has developed methods and compositions utilizing the cell surface CD107a (LAMP-1) as a marker that divides bone-forming and fat-forming progenitor/stem cells within human adipose tissue. The present invention is able to partition stromal progenitors for improved bone and soft tissue engineering and therapies.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for targeting RNA. In particular, the invention provides a non-naturally occurring or engineered RNA-targeting system comprising an RNA-targeting Cas protein and at least one RNA-targeting guide RNA, wherein said RNA-targeting guide RNA is capable of hybridizing with a target RNA in a cell.

Abstract: An engineered polypeptide includes at least two units, wherein each unit includes a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4, a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5, a polypeptide with 90% or greater homology to SEQ ID NO: 4, or a polypeptide with 90% or greater homology to SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein the engineered polypeptide does not comprise SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ ID NO: 13. Further described is a synthetic materials including the peptides. Also included are synthetic materials including polypeptide of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9-32, a polypeptide with 90% or greater homology any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9-32, a polypeptide encoded by any one of SEQ ID NOs. 57-79, or a polypeptide with 90% or greater homology to a polypeptide encoded by any one of SEQ ID NOs. 57-79.

Abstract: Novel adoptive immunotherapy compositions comprising co-cultured lentiviral vector-transduced autologous antigen presentation cells and T cells are provided herein as well as are methods of use of same in a patient-specific combination immunotherapy that can be used to treat cancers and other diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides inducible chimeric cytokine receptors responsive to a ligand, e.g., a small molecule or protein, uses of such receptors for improving the functional activities of genetically modified immune cells, such as T cells, comprising the inducible chimeric cytokine receptors, and compositions comprising such cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more cosmetic proteins (e.g., one or more human collagen proteins); viruses comprising the recombinant nucleic acids; compositions (e.g., cosmetic formulations) comprising the recombinant nucleic acids and/or viruses; methods of their use; and articles of manufacture or kits thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel feeder cell and a method for growing gamma delta T cells using the same. More specifically, a large amount of gamma delta T cells may be grown in vitro with high purity and without simulation of a T cell receptor by using a feeder cell into which costimulatory molecules are introduced and a low concentration of IL-2, differentiation into central memory cells may be possible when stimulated, activity by the feeder cell, and cytolytic against tumour cells is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for modulating complement component 3 (C3) activity or expression to treat, control or otherwise influence tumors and tissues, including cells and cell types of the tumors and tissues, and malignant, microenvironmental, or immunologic states of the tumor cells and tissues. The invention also relates to methods of diagnosing, prognosing and/or staging of tumors, tissues and cells.

Abstract: This disclosure describes chimeric antigen receptors for expression in a Natural Killer (NK) cell, pharmaceutical compositions that include NK cells (and/or iPSCs) modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor, and methods involving such chimeric antigen receptors. Generally, the chimeric antigen receptor includes an ectodomain that includes an antigen recognition region, a transmembrane domain linked to the ectodomain, and an endodomain linked to the transmembrane domain. The endodomain can include a signaling peptide that activates an NK cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic animals useful for optimal production of functional immunoglobulins with human idiotypes.

Abstract: Claudin 18.2 T cell antigen couplers (TACs) polypeptides having (i) an antigen-binding domain that binds Claudin 18.2, (ii) an antigen-binding domain that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide are provided. Nucleic acids encoding the claudin 18/2 TACs are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a recombinant bacteriophage comprising a phage genome polynucleotide including a gene encoding a heterologous antigen protein(s) and a killing gene encoding a protein that is capable of killing a host bacterium. Such a recombinant bacteriophage is designed to prime a subject's immune response and to kill the bacterium that it infects such that the “prime and kill” bacteriophage provides two lines of protection against infectious disease.

Abstract: Methods for the in vitro production of enucleated red blood cells and the enucleated red blood cells thus prepared are provided. Such enucleated red blood cells may express a sortaggable surface protein, which allows for surface modification in the presence of a sortase. Also described herein are surface modified enucleated red blood cells, e.g., conjugated with an agent of interest such as a peptide, a detectable label, or a chemotherapeutic agent, and uses thereof in delivering the agent to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a generally applicable framework that utilizes massively-parallel single-cell RNA-seq to compare cell types/states found in vivo to those of in vitro models. Furthermore, Applicants leverage identified discrepancies to improve model fidelity. Applicants uncover fundamental gene expression differences in lineage-defining genes between in vivo systems and in vitro systems. Using this information, molecular interventions are identified for rationally improving the physiological fidelity of the in vitro system. Applicants demonstrated functional (antimicrobial activity, niche support) improvements in Paneth cell physiology using the methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing genetically modified cells expressing HLA-G (e.g., cell surface HLA-G) persistently, and nucleic acid compositions useful for generating such genetically modified cells. Also disclosed are cell therapy methods that utilize genetically modified cells that express HLA-G persistently. The HLA-G genetic modifications described herein provide the cells with characteristics of reduced immunogenicity and/or improved immunosuppression, such that these cells have the promise of being universal or improved donor cells for transplants, cellular and tissue regeneration or reconstruction, and other therapies.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule is provided, comprising (i) a target-specific ligand, (ii) a ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide. Variants of the molecule are provided, including variants that exhibit optimized surface expression, transduction efficiency, and effector functionality. Variations include, for example, different ligands that bind CD3 epsilon (e.g., OKT3, L2K, F6A, UCHT1 and humanized UCHT1), different signaling domains, and different linkers between domains.