Abstract: Disclosed is a biological anti-tumor approach that delivers specific antigen stimulation in the presence of co-stimulatory signals to the immune system. Tumor cells are engineered such that processed antigens and co-stimulatory molecules are incorporated into virus-like particles capable of modulating immune responses without cellular entry and nucleic acid genomic host cell integration. The invention describes constructing antigen presenting particles that will themselves present tumor antigens in an immunogenic fashion to therapeutically activate anti-tumor immunity within a mammalian host.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells genetically engineered with at least one polynucleotide encoding the at least one protein. The method may be employed in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, for example.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells genetically engineered with at least one polynucleotide encoding the at least one protein. The method may be employed in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, for example.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells (or genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells) with at least one polynucleotide encoding at least one protein. The method may be employed, for example, in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, or diabetes.

Abstract: This application provides a method to establish and construct cell lines expressing pathogens without destruction of the host cells. The invention allows for the formation of cell lines for the purpose of continuous expression, release, and harvesting of the pathogen and maintaining the consistency of the final biological product. Although the invention is intended for pathogen antigen expression, the invention allows for the production of any antigen by the described methods. The establishment of a chronically infected cell line can be used for reagent, diagnostic, quantification, or vaccine purposes. We have used the procedure to select for a host cell line that naturally adapts to HIV-1 replication without affecting the host cell's ability to survive. This allowed for the establishment of a chronic HIV-1 expressing cell line that continuously expresses HIV-1 particles.

Abstract: This application provides a method to establish and construct cell lines expressing pathogens without destruction of the host cells. The invention allows for the formation of cell lines for the purpose of continuous expression, release, and harvesting of the pathogen and maintain the consistency of the final biological pro duct. Although the invention is intended for pathogen antigen expression, the invention allows for the production of any antigen by the described methods. The establishment of a chronically infected celline can be used for reagent, diagnostic, quantification, or vaccine purposes. We have used the procedure to select for a host cell line that naturally adapts to HIV-1 replication without affecting the host cell's ability to survive. This allowed for the establishment of a chronic HIV-1 expressing cell line that continuously expresses HIV-1 particles.

Abstract: This application provides a method to form non-infectious Biological Carrier that may be used to deliver signals to cells either in vitro or in vivo. The Biological Carriers are inactivated virus particles that have been specifically modified to give biological properties different from the virus particles deriving from an unmodified host cell that (i) expresses at least one co-stimulatory molecule and (iia) at least one antigen that can initiate an immune response, and/or (iib) express surface molecules that suppress viral replication.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells genetically engineered with at least one polynucleotide encoding the at least one protein. The method may be employed in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, for example.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells genetically engineered with at least one polynucleotide encoding the at least one protein. The method may be employed in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, for example.

Abstract: This application provides a method to form non-infectious Biological Carrier that may be used to deliver signals to cells either in vitro or in vivo. The Biological Carriers are inactivated virus particles that have been specifically modified to give biological properties different from the virus particles deriving from an unmodified host cell that (i) expresses at least one co-stimulatory molecule and (iia) at least one antigen that can initiate an immune response, and/or (iib) express surface molecules that suppress viral replication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of fibroblasts or a supernatant from a fibroblast culture effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The fibroblasts or a supernatant from a fibroblast culture can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. This method is effective in reducing an immune response to a transplant without compromising the immune response to other foreign antigens. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease.

Abstract: Methods and devices using non-autologous mesenchymal stem cells comprising treating a recipient in need thereof with an effective amount of non-autologous mesenchymal stem cells, including methods and preparations for treating and regenerating connective tissue and enhancing bone marrow engraftment in an individual; and for using genetically engineered allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells that carry within them genes of interest particularly for the expression of physiologically or pharmacologically active proteins in gene therapy for correction of genetic disorders or “rebuilding” proteins important in tissue repair.

Abstract: A method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of mesenchymal stem cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The mesenchymal stem cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to modulate immune responses using antigen presenting human mesenchymal stem cells to induce specific T cell anergy. The present invention also provides a method to modulate immune responses using human mesenchymal stem cells as a platform to express molecules which will induce T cell anergy.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides which are based on the HIV GP41 protein and have inhibitory activity against the fusion of HIV virus to its target cells. The invention also provides therapeutic methods based on the administration of the peptides of the invention to a subject infected with the HIV virus.

Abstract: This application provides a method to form non-infectious Biological Carrier that may be used to deliver signals to cells either in vitro or in vivo. The Biological Carriers are inactivated virus particles that have been specifically modified to give biological properties different from the virus particles deriving from an unmodified host cell that (i) expresses at least one co-stimulatory molecule and (iia) at least one antigen that can initiate an immune response, and/or (iib) express surface molecules that suppress viral replication.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells genetically engineered with at least one polynucleotide encoding the at least one protein. The method may be employed in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, for example.

Abstract: A method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of mesenchymal stem cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The mesenchymal stem cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to modulate immune responses using antigen presenting human mesenchymal stem cells to induce specific T cell anergy. The present invention also provides a method to modulate immune responses using human mesenchymal stem cells as a platform to express molecules which will induce T cell anergy.

Abstract: A method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of mesenchymal stem cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The mesenchymal stem cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with mesenchymal stem cells.