Abstract: Cell culture media comprising antioxidants are provided herein as are methods of using the media for cell culturing and polypeptide production from cells. Compositions comprising polypeptides, such as therapeutic polypeptides, produced by the methods herein are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ex vivo differentiation of NK cells from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. Such NK cells and their progenitor cells can be used in therapies of a broad range of malignancies. In the present invention it is shown that IL-12 modulates ex vivo NK cell differentiation. Specific, we achieved significantly higher expression of KIR, CD16 and CD62L in the presence of IL-12 in the cell culture system. The induction of receptor expression by IL-12 occurred predominantly on an augmented population of CD33+NKG2A+ NK cells early during NK cell differentiation. These cells further show enhanced cytolytic activity against MHC class I positive AML targets. In line with the enhanced CD16 expression, IL-12 modulated ex vivo generated NK cells exhibit an improved antibody-dependent-cytotoxicity, using anti CD20 antibody on various B cell targets. Additional to the enhanced expression of CD62L, we show that this cell population consists of a specific chemokine receptor profile.

Abstract: Single chain, multimerized, and/or glycosylated NKG2D decoys are described. The NKG2D decoys have high affinity and avidity for surface bound and soluble NKG2D ligands and can be used to (i) identify NKG2D ligands; (ii) treat cancer, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), and inflammatory conditions; and (iii) potentiate an immune response against a vaccine as well as many other potential uses.

Abstract: Provided herein are active CXCR4+ CD8+ T cells, active CXCR4+ type-1 CD4+ T cells and active CXCR4+ NK cells and populations of those cells, methods for making active CXCR4+ T cells and NK cells and populations of those cells, and methods for using active CXCR4+ T cells and NK cells and populations of those cells for the treatment of cancer, precancerous conditions and chronic infections.

Abstract: A method of manipulating allogeneic cells for use in allogeneic cell therapy providing a composition of highly activated allogeneic T-cells which are infused into immunocompetent cancer patients to elicit a novel anti-tumor immune mechanism, or “Mirror Effect”. In contrast to current allogeneic cell therapy protocols where T-cells in the graft mediate the beneficial graft vs. tumor (GVT) and detrimental graft vs. host (GVH) effects, the allogeneic cells of the present invention stimulate host T-cells to mediate the “mirror” of these effects. The mirror of the GVT effect is the host vs. tumor (HVT) effect. The “mirror” of the GVH effect is the host vs. graft (HVG) effect The anti-tumor HVT effect occurs in conjunction with a non-toxic HVG rejection effect. The highly activated allogeneic cells of the invention can be used to stimulate host immunity in a complete HLA mis-matched setting in a patient.

Abstract: A population of cells possesses enhanced selectin binding based upon a fucosylated selectin ligand present on a surface thereof. Methods of producing the population of cells, along with therapeutic methods of using the cells, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention refers to a non-therapeutic method for producing antigen-specific B cells by using the adoptive cell transfer of primed B cells, especially of spleen cells including B cells of a previously immunized non-human animal and by administering an antigen of interest to a naïve non-human animal.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods related to the isolation, culture and therapeutic use of CD31-expressing cells.

Abstract: We describe a particle secreted by a mesenchymal stem cell and comprising at least one biological property of a mesenchymal stem cell. The biological property may comprise a biological activity of a mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM) such as cardioprotection or reduction of infarct size. The particle may comprise a vesicle or an exosome.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition which induces, in a host, a cytotoxic cell response directed against cells expressing an antigen, in particular tumour cells, and which comprises red blood cells containing said antigen. These red blood cells may be in the form of an immune complex with an immunoglobulin, in particular IgG, which recognizes an epitope at the surface of the red blood cells, and/or be heat-treated or chemically treated so as to promote phagocytosis of said red blood cells by dendritic cells. As a variant, the red blood cells may be xenogenic red blood cells. The invention also relates to a therapeutic especially anti-tumour vaccine containing such a composition.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for easily producing an antigen-specific B cell population comprising IgG-positive B cells specific to a specific antigen. The present invention provides a method for producing a B cell population, comprising culturing B cells, in which the expression of a Bach2 gene has been increased, in the presence of a means for acting on CD40 and/or a BAFF receptor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for influencing the stability of an antibody producing cell, comprising directly or indirectly influencing the amount of BCL6 and/or Blimp 1 expression product within said antibody producing cell. Stable antibody producing cells and cell lines are also provided, as well as methods for producing antibodies using such cells and/or cell lines.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating pathological conditions associated with an undesirable inflammatory component. The invention is generally directed to reducing inflammation by administering cells that have one or more of the following effects in an injured subject: interact with splenocytes, preserve splenic mass, increase proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, increase IL-4 and IL-10, decrease IL-6 and IL-1?, and increase M2:M1 macrophage ratio at the site of injury. The invention is also directed to drug discovery methods to screen for agents that modulate the ability of the cells to have these effects. The invention is also directed to cell banks that can be used to provide cells for administration to a subject, the banks comprising cells having desired potency for achieving these effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising mesenchymal cells (MSCs) and additional agents for blocking co-stimulation of the immune system. The compositions may optionally further comprise a therapeutic cell, a therapeutic tissue, and/or a therapeutic organ implant. Additionally, the instant invention pertains to medical uses of such compositions in immune-mediated diseases and disorders, in essentially all inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases and conditions, and also in transplantation-related conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to identifying novel therapeutic targets and/or diagnostic and/or prognostic markers by correcting abnormal RhoH expression in a hematopoietic cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for producing one or more immunoglobulins in an isolated cytotoxic B lymphocyte cell line. An isolated cell line includes an isolated B lymphocyte cell line capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated membrane immunoglobulin capable of binding to a first antigen and at least one endogenous secreted immunoglobulin capable of binding to a second antigen, and further capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated recombinant B cell receptor that signals for expression of cytotoxic effector molecules.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for a combination therapy for liver disorders such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Also provided is a method for determining the effectiveness of therapy involving tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib. The method comprises determining the status of PD-1 on T cells, and based on a change in the level of PD-1 on certain cells, a determination of the effectiveness of the tyrosine kinase, and an indication for a combination therapy comprising a lower dose of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a PD-1 inhibitor can be made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting and monitoring NK cells in paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Also provided are antibodies, antibody fragments, and derivatives thereof that specifically bind to NKp46 present on the surface of NK cells in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

Abstract: Artificial tissue constructs (TCs), methods of making the TCs, uses thereof, and kits comprising the TCs are provided. TCs are useful for vaccine evaluation for human adult, human non-newborn, and newborns.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for inducing cells to gain characteristics of naïve stem cell state comprising culturing the cells in the presence of a MUC1* activator.