Abstract: Injectable compositions are provided which include both a living cellular component and a filler component conducive to cell growth. The compositions are capable of providing both immediate tissue filling and long term tissue regeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane polymer matrices with a porosity of from about 20 microns to about 90 microns that are useful in promoting closure and protection of incision sites; supporting the lower pole position of breast implants; and providing a partial or complete covering of breast implants to provide a beneficial interface with host tissue and to reduce the potential for malpositioning or capsular contracture. The disclosed matrices can be seeded with mammalian cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide-ligand conjugates containing a peptide, where a free form of the peptide is capable of displacing a second ligand specific for the peptide. The invention also provides a method of selecting a cell. The method includes the steps of contacting a cell population with a peptide-ligand conjugate, wherein the conjugate comprises a first ligand specific for a cell in the population conjugated to a peptide capable of displacing a second ligand specific for the peptide, thereby forming a cell-conjugate complex; contacting the peptide-ligand conjugate with the second ligand; and isolating the cell-conjugate complex. The method can further include the step of adding a free form of the peptide to release the cell from the complex. The invention also provides a subpopulation of cells containing two or more specifically isolated cells and methods of isolating cell subpopulations. The invention additionally provides a method of diagnosing a condition using peptide-ligand conjugates.

Abstract: A method for producing human dendritic cells for therapeutic purposes which allows culture-deriving dendritic cells using no cytokines, or reduced cytokines. The method involves culturing mononuclear cells from blood or bone marrow in a medium containing at least one agent such as a calcium ionophore, e.g. A23187, theophylline, protaglandin E1, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, retinoic acid, or a fatty acid. The culture is maintained for a sufficient time, typically 4-14 days, to produce a culture enriched for dendritic cells, as evidenced by at least about 2.5% of total cells exhibiting dendritic cell processes, or a dendritic dell antigen such as CD80, CD86, or CD1a. Also provided is a method to produce antigen-specific human T-cells by pulsing the dendritic cells obtained by the method of the invention with an antigen such as a viral, tumor, bacterial, or cell surface antigen, and then co-culturing T-cells with the antigen-pulsed dendritic cells.

Abstract: A composition comprising genetically altered human neutrophil precursor cells, wherein the cellular component is comprised of at least about 16% human myeloblasts and promyelocytes, which have been derived from neutrophil progenitor cells obtained from peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood, and less than about 5% colony forming units (CFU) of at least about 50 cells is provided. An alternative composition comprising genetically altered human neutrophil precursor cells, wherein the cellular component is comprised of at least about 16% CD15+CD11b- cells and less than about 5% colony forming units (CFU) of at least about 50 cells also is provided, wherein at least about 60% of the CD15+CD11b- cells are myeloblasts and promyelocytes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient having a reduced population of neutrophils following a myeloablative cancer treatment such as high dose chemotherapy. Following myeloablative therapy, a cell composition of at least 25% neutrophil precursors, i.e. promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes, is administered to the patient. Thereafter, the neutrophil precursors differentiate rapidly in vivo to replenish the supply of mature neutrophils for fighting infection. The method is used to reduce the neutropenic window between the time of myeloablative therapy and the time required for infused stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into mature neutrophils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of human neutrophil precursor cells having at least 37% myeloblasts and promyeloblasts. Also provided are hematopoietic cell suspensions that have human neutrophil precursor cells and at least one hematopoietic growth factor.

Abstract: A suspension comprising human neutrophil precursor cells, wherein the cellular component is comprised of at least about 16% human myeloblasts and promyeclocytes, which have been derived from neutrophis progenitor cells obtained from peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood, and less than about 5% colony forming units (CFU) of at least about 50 cells is provided. An alternative suspension comprising human neutrophil precursor cells, wherein the cellular component is comprised of at least about 16% CD15+CD11b- cells and less than about 5% colony forming units (CFU) of at least about 50 cells also is provided, wherein at least about 60% of the CD15+CD11b- cells are myeloblasts and promyelocytes. The suspensions of the invention are useful in methods for increasing neutrophil populations in a patient having a reduced populations of neutrophils.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient having a reduced population of neutrophils following a myeloablative cancer treatment such as high dose chemotherapy. Following myeloablative therapy, a cell composition of at least 25% neutrophil precursors, i.e. promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes, is administered to the patient. Thereafter, the neutrophil precursors differentiate rapidly in vivo to replenish the supply of mature neutrophils for fighting infection. The method is used to reduce the neutropenic window between the time of myeloablative therapy and the time required for infused stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into mature neutrophils.

Abstract: A composition of human neutrophil precursor cells is disclosed wherein at least 16% of the cells are human myeloblasts and promyelocytes. The myeloblasts and promyelocytes are derived from human neutrophil progenitor cells that were obtained from peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood. The neutrophil precursor cells contain less than 5% colony forming units. Also disclosed are human neutrophil precursor cells made up of about 16% CD15+CD11b- cells and less than 5% colony forming units and methods of preparing these compositions.