Abstract: In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to conjugates comprising GM-CSF and IL-7 and uses related thereto, e.g., enhancing the adaptive immune system. Typically the GM-CSF and IL-7 are connected by a polymer linker, e.g., polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptide conjugates, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding polypeptide conjugates, and protein expression systems comprising these vectors such as infectious viral particles and host cells comprising such a nucleic acids.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to conjugates comprising GM-CSF and IL-7 and uses related thereto, e.g., enhancing the adaptive immune system. Typically the GM-CSF and IL-7 are connected by a polymer linker, e.g., polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptide conjugates, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding polypeptide conjugates, and protein expression systems comprising these vectors such as infectious viral particles and host cells comprising such a nucleic acids.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to conjugates comprising GM-CSF and IL-4 and uses related thereto, e.g., enhancing the immune system. Typically the GM-CSF and IL-4 are connected by a linker. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding these polypeptide conjugates, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding polypeptide conjugates, and protein expression systems comprising these vectors such as infectious viral particles and host cells comprising such a nucleic acids.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to conjugates comprising GM-CSF and IL-7 and uses related thereto, e.g., enhancing the adaptive immune system. Typically the GM-CSF and IL-7 are connected by a polymer linker, e.g., polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptide conjugates, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding polypeptide conjugates, and protein expression systems comprising these vectors such as infectious viral particles and host cells comprising such a nucleic acids.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to conjugates comprising GM-CSF and IL-9 and uses related thereto, e.g., enhancing the adaptive immune system. Typically the GM-CSF and IL-9 are connected by a polymer linker, e.g., polypeptide. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptide conjugates, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding polypeptide conjugates, and protein expression systems comprising these vectors such as infectious viral particles and host cells comprising such a nucleic acids.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this disclosure describes compositions comprising platelet lysates depleted of fibrinogen. In a further embodiment, the composition further comprises a cell culture medium component. This disclosure also provides a method for preparing the composition, comprising the steps of (a) lysing platelets providing a lysate; (b) removing cell debris; and (c) depleting fibrinogen by forming a removable mass by adding a metal salt such as calcium chloride. Furthermore, the disclosure also describes the product produced using said method.

Abstract: A conjugate protein comprising a GM-CSF or a fragment thereof and a truncated CCL2 is described. The conjugate protein has unexpected immune suppressive, anti-obesity and tumoricidal properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A conjugate protein comprising an IL-2 and a soluble TGF-beta type II receptor type B and its use in cancer immunotherapy are described.

Abstract: A conjugate protein comprising a GM-CSF or fragment thereof linked to an IL-21 or fragment thereof is described. The conjugate protein has unexpected immune activating and tumoricidal properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A conjugate protein comprising an IL-2 and a soluble TGF-beta type II receptor type B and its use in cancer immunotherapy are described.

Abstract: A conjugate protein comprising a GM-CSF or a fragment thereof and a truncated CCL2 is described. The conjugate protein has unexpected immune suppressive, anti-obesity and tumoricidal properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising GM-CSF and IL-15 is described. The fusion protein has unexpected immune suppressive properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising GM-CSF and IL-15 is described. The fusion protein has unexpected immune suppressive properties and is useful in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: There is provided a stromal antigen-presenting cell capable of antigen presentation in the context of MHC II. When stimulated with IFN? the stromal cell expresses B7-H1 and/or CD80. These stromal cells can be used to generate an immune response in an animal.

Abstract: There is provided a stromal antigen-presenting cell capable of antigen presentation in the context of MHC II. When stimulated with IFN? the stromal cell expresses B7-H1 and/or CD80. These stromal cells can be used to generate an immune response in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically-engineered bone marrow stromal cells and method of preparation thereof for ex vivo delivery of protein and peptides of interest into human or animals. The method includes forming a bone marrow stromal cell expression system in vitro and administering the expression system to a human or animal recipient. The invention relates also to implants colonized by bone marrow stromal cells. In accordance with the invention, the implants comprise a matrix which can be composed of a large variety of biocompatible and biodegradable products, and stromal cells which are integrated into the matrix as such or under genetically-engineered forms. Genetically-engineered bone marrow stromal cells or cell colonized implant are also useful for tissue repair and tissue synthesis, as for angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immuno-therapy conjugate which comprises A-c-B wherein: A and B are different and are compounds selected from the group consisting of cytokines, chemokines, interferons, their respective receptors or a functional fragment thereof; and c is a linker consisting of a bond or an amino acid sequence containing from 1 to 100 residues. The present invention also relates to a vaccine adjuvant comprising the immuno-therapy conjugate of the present invention. The present invention further relates to a method of reducing tumor growth, for inhibiting a viral infection and for improving immune response in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to selectable marker gene, method of producing genetically modified cells allowing expression of a bicistronic vector, and ex vivo gene therapy applications. The invention also relates to selection of genetically engineered cells from the mixed population, prior to implantation in vivo. The invention describes the human cytidine deaminase (CD) gene as an ex vivo dominant selectable marker in gene-modified primary cells with cytosine nucleoside analogues. A bicistronic retrovector comprising the human CD coding sequence and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene is used for the transduction of cells. The invention describes the introduction of CD gene in cell and gene therapy applications for the ex vivo dominant selection of genetically engineered cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug inducible vector regulatable with a transactivator native to a host, and to a transplantable autologous tissue capable of engrafting in a recipient without requiring toxic conditioning, for transgene delivery to a recipient. Current drug inducible host-vector systems are responsible to foreign non-eukaryotic transcriptional activators which are potentially immunogenic and affect the long-term survival and function thereof. The present invention provides a drug inducible expression vector comprising a transgene operably linked to a reporter and to an inducible promoter responsive to a transcriptional activator of a host when exposed to an effective amount of a clinically acceptable drug.