Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for generating and using myoblast chimeric cells (MCCs) for treating a muscle disease, such as muscular dystrophy, where the MCCs are composed of a myoblast derived from a patient with muscle disease (MD) and a myoblast from a donor without the MD (e.g., a healthy donor). In certain embodiments, cell fusion methods are performed using 2-4, or 5, times passaged myoblasts from the MD and donor subject, and/or polyethylene glycol 0.5-1.5 g/ml. In other embodiments, the MCCs created by fusion are passaged 1-5 times before use, and are passaged at 60-80% confluency. In further embodiments, the myoblasts and/or MCCs are tested at any stage during the process for less than 5-10% CD34 and/or CD45 expression, and/or greater than 50-70% CD56 and/or CD90 expression.

Abstract: A Muscular Dystrophy Chimeric Cell generated by ex vivo fusion of a myoblast with a second myoblast, mesenchymal stem cell, or stromal cell is described as is the use of the same in the treatment of a muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: A Muscular Dystrophy Chimeric Cell generated by ex vivo fusion of a myoblast with a second myoblast, mesenchymal stem cell, or stromal cell is described as is the use of the same in the treatment of a muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: A multi-chimeric cell created by ex vivo fusion of three or more hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, myoblasts, pericytes, or satellite cells, or a combination thereof, from three or more different donors is provided, as is the use of these cells in transplant therapy and treatment of immune deficiency and genetic disorders.

Abstract: A Muscular Dystrophy Chimeric Cell generated by ex vivo fusion of a myoblast with a second myoblast, mesenchymal stem cell, or stromal cell is described as is the use of the same in the treatment of a muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Described herein is conduit material that causes minimal inflammatory reaction, and serves as a structural guide for regenerating nerve tissue (e.g., axons). Thus, the invention is directed to methods of treating a nerve injury in an individual in need thereof. The methods employ an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath, and can be used, for example, to regenerate nerve tissue in an individual in need thereof. Also provided herein is a device for harvesting an epineural sheath.

Abstract: Described herein is conduit material that causes minimal inflammatory reaction, and serves as a structural guide for regenerating nerve tissue (e.g., axons). Thus, the invention is directed to methods of treating a nerve injury in an individual in need thereof. The methods employ an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath, and can be used, for example, to regenerate nerve tissue in an individual in need thereof. Also provided herein is a device for harvesting an epineural sheath.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of delivering fat to one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount of one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining or augmenting (increasing) fat volume at one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. The one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue is maintained under conditions in which the fat volume is maintained and/or augmented at the one or more sites in the individual.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of delivering fat to one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount of one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of maintaining or augmenting (increasing) fat volume at one or more sites in an individual in need thereof comprising introducing an effective amount one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue to the one or more sites in the individual. The one or more epineural sheaths comprising adipose tissue is maintained under conditions in which the fat volume is maintained and/or augmented at the one or more sites in the individual.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is a method of generating a neural conduit comprising neurotrophic factors and angiogenic factors ex vivo comprising introducing cells that enhance nerve regeneration into an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath, thereby producing a combination. The combination is maintained under conditions in which neurotrophic factors and angiogenic factors are expressed in the epineural sheath, thereby generating a neural conduit comprising neurotrophic factors and angiogenic factors ex vivo. In another aspect, the invention is directed to neural conduits such as a neural conduit produced by the methods provided herein. In other aspects, the invention is directed to an article of manufacture.

Abstract: Described herein is conduit material that causes minimal inflammatory reaction, and serves as a structural guide for regenerating nerve tissue (e.g., axons). Thus, the invention is directed to methods of treating a nerve injury in an individual in need thereof. The methods employ an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath, and can be used, for example, to regenerate nerve tissue in an individual in need thereof. Also provided herein is a device for harvesting an epineural sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clinically-applicable approach for inducing long-term, donor-specific tolerance to donor antigens, especially in recipients of CTA and/or solid organ transplants, without the requirement for patient preconditioning, without the need for chronic immunosuppressive regimens, and without the occurrence of GVHD. In particular, a method is provided for inducing donor-specific tolerance in a semi-allogeneic or a fully-allogeneic transplant recipient by administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that depletes T cells and a therapeutically effective amount of anti-?? T cell receptor antibodies, and implanting an allograft into the recipient.

Abstract: A method is provided for inducing donor-specific tolerance and/or mixed donor-recipient chimerism in an allograft transplant recipient, by administering to a recipient of an allograft a therapeutically effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that depletes T cells; administering to the recipient of the allograft a therapeutically effective amount of anti-?? T cell receptor antibodies; implanting an allograft from an allograft donor into the recipient; and implanting a therapeutically effective amount of bone marrow cells from the allograft donor into the allograft recipient.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the induction and maintenance of tolerance in hematopoietic stem cell allografts.