Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising high densities of endothelial cells (such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells) in freezing media, methods of producing such compositions, and methods of using such compositions in the preparation of therapeutic endothelial cell compositions. Such compositions and methods provide numerous advantages including eliminating the requirement to remove cryopreservatives before administration of therapeutic endothelial cell compositions to human subjects and requiring minimal manipulations and human interventions before use in therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cell transplantation. More specifically, methods, compositions and kits for improving expansion and engraftment of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells by co-culturing and co-administering with endothelial cells are provided. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for treating various disorders relating to deficiencies in hematopoiesis caused by disease or myeloablative treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to blood-brain barrier-like tissues that comprise engineered E40RF1+ endothelial cells, and to various compositions and methods useful for making and using such blood-brain barrier-like tissues—both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the mitigation of side effects of chemotherapy, for example in human subjects with hematologic malignancies (such as lymphoma, leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome) as well as subjects with other malignancies or other conditions that may be treated with chemotherapy, such as high dose therapy (HOT) or a combination of high dose HDT and a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The methods comprise administration of endothelial cells, such as engineered human umbilical vein endothelial cells engineered to express the adenoviral E40RF1 protein (E40RF1+HUVECs), to human subjects. The side effects mitigated by the compositions and methods of the invention include, but are not limited to, oral/gastrointestinal side effects and febrile neutropenia.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-thymic endothelial cells (ntECs) engineered to express adenovirus E4ORF1 and/or BMP4, and compositions comprising such engineered ntECs. The present invention also provides methods of using such ntECs in therapy, for example to enhance thymic regeneration (including T cell reconstitution) in subjects in need thereof. Such subjects include those that have a damaged thymus, defective thymic function, insufficient T-cell output, and/or that are immunocompromised—for example as a result of ageing, infection (e.g. with HIV), treatment with radiation therapy, treatment with chemotherapy, or myeloablative conditioning in preparation for an organ/tissue transplant.

Abstract: In some aspects the present invention relates to engineered endothelial cells, such as E4ORF1+ ETV2+ engineered endothelial cells. In other aspects the present invention relates to methods of making such engineered endothelial cells, and methods of using such engineered endothelial cells, for example in co-culture applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to blood-brain barrier-like tissues that comprise engineered E40RF1+ endothelial cells, and to various compositions and methods useful for making and using such blood-brain barrier-like tissues—both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: In some aspects the present invention relates to engineered endothelial cells, such as E40RF1+ ETV2+ engineered endothelial cells. In other aspects the present invention relates to methods of making such engineered endothelial cells, and methods of using such engineered endothelial cells, for example in co-culture applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for gene delivery to, or genetic modification of target cells, wherein the gene delivery or other genetic modification of the target cells is performed in the presence of endothelial cells, or after co-culture of the target cells with endothelial cells, or wherein co-culture of the target cells with endothelial cells is employed immediately alter gene delivery in order to “rescue” cells that may have been damaged during the gene delivery process. In some embodiments gene delivery is performed by transfection. In some embodiments gene delivery is performed by transduction, in some embodiments the endothelial cells are organ-specific endothelial cells. In some embodiments the endothelial cells are E40RF1-expressing endothelial cells (E40RF1+ ECs). In some embodiments the target cells are stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cell transplantation. More specifically, methods, compositions and kits for improving expansion and engraftment of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells by co-culturing and co-administering with endothelial cells are provided. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for treating various disorders relating to deficiencies in hematopoiesis caused by disease or myeloablative treatments.

Abstract: In some aspects the present invention relates to engineered endothelial cells, such as E40RF1+ ETV2+ engineered endothelial cells. In other aspects the present invention relates to methods of making such engineered endothelial cells, and methods of using such engineered endothelial cells, for example in co-culture applications.

Abstract: The present invention involves implants suitable for surgical implantation into subjects. In some embodiments the implants comprise a biocompatible scaffold material and blood vessels containing engineered endothelial cells—such as E4ORF1+ engineered endothelial cells or engineered endothelial cells that express certain marker molecules. The present invention provides implants, methods for preparing such implants, and methods of treatment utilizing such implants.