Abstract: The present invention provides methods for isolating and cryopreserving tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and producing therapeutic populations of TILs, including methods via use of a kit and a semi-automatic device for aseptic disaggregation, enrichment, and cryopreservation of a resected tumor prior to expansion of the TIL population. The present invention also provides methods for expansion, and/or stabilization of TILs, for instance UTILs, compositions involving the same and methods of treatment involving the same.

Abstract: The invention provides one or more of miR-290 family and Lin28a modified cardiac progenitor cell based therapies for the treatment of myocardial infarction. Exosomes derived from one or more of miR-290 family and Lin28a modified cardiac progenitor cells can also be used in cardiac therapy.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods for reprogramming mammalian somatic cells by regulating the expression of endogenous cellular genes. Cellular reprogramming of somatic cells can be induced by activating the transcription of embryonic stem cell-associated genes (e.g., oct3/4) and suppressing the transcription of somatic cell-specific and/or cell death-associated genes. The endogenous transcription machinery can be modulated using synthetic transcription factors (activators and suppressors), to allow for faster, and more efficient nuclear reprogramming under conditions amenable for clinical and commercial applications. The current disclosure further provides cells obtained from such methods, along with therapeutic methods for using such cells for the treatment of diseases amendable to stem cell therapy, as well as kits for such uses.

Abstract: Control Devices are disclosed including RNA destabilizing elements (RDE) combined with transgenes, including Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) in eukaryotic cells. These RDEs can be used to optimize expression of transgenes, e.g., CARs, in the eukaryotic cells so that, for example, effector function is optimized. CARs and transgene payloads can also be engineered into eukaryotic cells so that the transgene payload is expressed and delivered at desired times from the eukaryotic cell. Such CAR T-cells with transgene payloads can be combined with the administration of other molecules, e.g., other therapeutics such as anticancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating immune responses using at least one CRACC composition comprising an adenoviral vector comprising at least one CRACC fusion. Such CRACC compositions may be combined with a number of other therapeutic agents which target modulating immune responses, as well as, treatments that include immune events.

Abstract: A method of obtaining cell derived vesicles comprising an active wild-type p53 is disclosed. The method comprising: (i) isolating cell derived vesicles from a biological sample comprising cells; and (ii) treating the cell derived vesicles with a DNA damaging agent, or the method comprising: (i) treating cells with a DNA damaging agent; and (ii) isolating cell derived vesicles from a biological sample comprising the cells. A proteinaceous preparation comprising cell derived vesicles and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the proteinaceous preparation are also disclosed. Methods of treating a disease, disorder or condition associated with a mutant or a nonfunctional p53 protein and methods of inducing apoptosis of a target cell comprising a mutant or a nonfunctional p53 protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for improving immune system function. In particular, provided herein are compositions, methods, and uses of YY1 and EZH2 inhibitors for preventing and reversing T-cell exhaustion (e.g., for use in immunotherapy).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a strategy of selectively targeting oncolytic virotherapy, using either naturally occurring or genetically modified viruses by packaging them in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The present invention concerns MSCs, compositions comprising the MSCs, and methods of using the MSCs for treatment of cancer and for lysing or inducing apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: Provided are a chimeric antigen receptor targeting CD20 antigen and a preparation method thereof. The extracellular antigen binding domain of the chimeric antigen receptor includes an antibody heavy chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 7 or 9 or 33 and an antibody light chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 11 or 13 or 35, and is capable of killing tumor cells.

Abstract: The disclosure provides immune cells comprising a first activator receptor specific to mesothelin and a second inhibitory receptor specific to a ligand that has been lost in a mesothelin-positive cancer cell, and methods of making and using same for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of long-lived polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of combinations of immunomodulatory polynucleotides (e.g., mRNAs) encoding an immune response primer polypeptide (e.g., an interleukin 23 (IL-23) polypeptide or an interleukin 36? (IL-36-gamma) polypeptide), and an immune response co-stimulatory signal polypeptide (e.g., an OX40L polypeptide).

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors containing CD123 antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for improving immune system function. In particular, provided herein are compositions, methods, and uses of YY1 and EZH2 inhibitors for preventing and reversing T-cell exhaustion (e.g., for use in immunotherapy).

Abstract: Methods and composition related to the engineering of a novel protein with methionine-?-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-?-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a bio-ink by additive deposition, which comprises supplying: a first solution including between 5 and 40 wt. % gelatin; a second solution including between 15 and 35.wt. % alginate; a third solution including between 1 and 15 wt. % fibrinogen, and optionally living cells in suspension; and creating a mixture including: around 35 to 65 vol. % of the first solution; around 15 to 35 vol. % of the second solution; and around 15 to 35 vol. % of the third solution, said proportions being selected so that they add up to 100%. Said bio-ink allows the additive deposition of objects that can be polymerised by means of a solution including calcium ions and thrombin. Said objects can be incubated and can be used as a substitute for body tissue, for example (with added fibroblasts) as skin substitute.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel chimeric antigen receptor and use thereof. The novel chimeric antigen receptor consists of a signal peptide, an antigen binding domain, a transmembrane region, and an intracellular signal domain, and comprises a 4-1BB signal peptide and/or a 4-1BB molecular transmembrane region. Nucleic acid sequences of various chimeric antigen receptors are separated and purified and provided is a chimeric antigen receptor and a CAR-T cell which are specific for a CD19 malignant tumor antigen. In the malignant tumor killing test of hematological cell lines, the ability of immune cells to target and recognize tumor cells is significantly enhanced, and the killing activity against tumor cells is also enhanced.

Abstract: A method of producing helper T cells, comprising: (i) culturing T cells, which have been induced from pluripotent stem cells and into which a CD4 gene or a gene product thereof has been introduced, in a medium containing IL-2 and IL-15; and (ii) isolating CD40L-highly expressing T cells from cells obtained in step (i).

Abstract: Embodiments herein described provide antigen-presenting cell-mimetic scaffolds (APC-MS) and use of such scaffolds to manipulating T-cells. More specifically, the scaffolds are useful for promoting growth, division, differentiation, expansion, proliferation, activity, viability, exhaustion, anergy, quiescence, apoptosis, or death of T-cells in various settings, e.g., in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. Embodiments described herein further relate to pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and packages containing such scaffolds. Additional embodiments relate to methods for making the scaffolds, compositions, and kits/packages. Also described herein are methods for using the scaffolds, compositions, and/or kits in the diagnosis or therapy of diseases such as cancers, immunodeficiency disorders, and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide non-human animal models of cancer pathology, which mimic the hierarchical organization, cancer progression process, or biological property of human cancer tissues, and uses thereof. To achieve the objective described above, first, the present inventors transplanted cells of NOG-established cancer lines into NOG mice and morphologically observed the resulting tissue organization. As a result, the non-human animal models were demonstrated to exhibit pathologies (the hierarchical organization, cancer progression process, or biological properties of the cancer cells) similar to that of human cancer. Specifically, the present inventors succeeded in preparing non-human animal models exhibiting pathologies more similar to a human cancer, and cell culture systems using NOG-established cancer cell lines where the in vitro cell morphology is more similar to that of human cancer.