Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic, blood-derived activated leukocyte compositions, methods of making them, and methods of using the compositions to repair or promote the prevention and healing of wounds.

Abstract: Novel uses for anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG, e.g., Thymoglobulin®) and related compositions are described. In one aspect, ATG and, optionally, TGF-? are used for in vitro generation of regulatory T cells, which are useful for cell therapy of immune-mediated conditions. In another aspect, ATG is directly administered to a subject at a low dose (e.g., less than 1 mg/kg per day) to treat an immune-mediated condition. The immune-mediated conditions include, for example, transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A parvovirus characterized by a CpG-enriched genome, wherein the genome contains at least 2 additional CpG inserts that are not present in the wild type genome is described as well as the use of said parvovirus, e.g., a parvovirus based on parvovirus H1, LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus (RPV), Rat virus (RV), vectors based on the foregoing viral species, and/or cells capable of actively producing the foregoing viral species for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, e.g., for the treatment of cancer, preferably pancreas carcinoma, hepatoma or lymphoma.

Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds that modulate the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg) in vivo and in vitro, i.e., compounds that act on the transcription factors that increase or decrease expression of Foxp3.

Abstract: Cartilage materials such as cartilage fluff and a cartilage composition comprising a particulate material are disclosed. These are suitable for stimulating chondrogenesis and/or producing cartilage regeneration. Also disclosed are processes for their preparation. Methods for regenerating articular cartilage are also disclosed, which involve, for example, placing the cartilage fluff or cartilage composition into a cartilage defect.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inducing the proliferation of regulatory T cells. These methods find a number of uses, including, for example, treating autoimmune and rheumatoid diseases. Also provided are reagents and kits that find use in these methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are new methods of producing a novel line of dendritic cells. The method comprises subjecting a sample of hematopoietic stem/precursor cells to a first feeder culture system that is supplemented with a first set of factors and a second feeder culture system supplemented with a second group of factors. The disclosure also pertains to new cell types that may be used as cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing an antigen-presenting platelet. Also provided herein are methods of eliciting an immune response in a subject using the antigen-presenting platelets described herein. Also provided are methods of screening for an immune response elicited by an antigen-presenting platelet. Further provided are isolated populations of platelets that present a selected antigen produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides CD4+CD25? T cells and Tr1-like regulatory T cells (i.e., contact-independent Type 1-like regulatory T cells), processes for their production and their use for regulatory purposes.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a cell that can exhibit physiological activity based on galectin-9, a method for producing the cell, and use of the cell. In order to achieve the above object, the cell of the present invention contains galectin-9, and the galectin-9 is expressed on a cell surface.

Abstract: A method of cell-based therapy for treating an autoimmune disease is disclosed. The method is directed at stimulating leukocytes and/or dendritic cells to interrupt autoimmunity in a host. The method provides a Fc? receptor-specific complex or a complex which results in the co-crosslinking of Fc?-chains for treating the leukocytes and/or dendritic cells which are in turn used to elicit an autoimmune interruption response in a subject with an autoimmune disease. The Fc? receptor-specific complex and/or complex which results in the co-crosslinking of Fc?-chains is used to treat a biological sample comprising leukocytes and/or dendritic cells from a patient, and upon reintroducing said biological sample to the patient, the pre-treated dendritic cells illicit an autoimmune interruption response in vivo.

Abstract: A complex comprising a Class II HLA-DRB1*03 or Class II HLA-DRB1*13 molecule bound to a peptide, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence HTYTIDWTKDAVTWS or a portion thereof, or a variant of the given amino acid sequence or portion wherein the side chains of one or two or three or four or five or six or seven of the amino acid residues are altered, wherein the peptide comprising the portion, or variant, is capable of binding HLA-DRB1*03 and/or HLA-DRB1*13. The complex may be used to select Aspergillus and Candida antigen-specific T cells.

Abstract: Methods for developing engineered T-cells for immunotherapy that are both non-alloreactive and resistant to immunosuppressive drugs. The present invention relates to methods for modifying T-cells by inactivating both genes encoding target for an immunosuppressive agent and T-cell receptor, in particular genes encoding CD52 and TCR. This method involves the use of specific rare cutting endonucleases, in particular TALE-nucleases (TAL effector endonuclease) and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, to precisely target a selection of key genes in T-cells, which are available from donors or from culture of primary cells. The invention opens the way to standard and affordable adoptive immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer and viral infections.

Abstract: Methods for the ex vivo generation of cells of the innate (NKT cells and NK cells) and adaptive (T cells) immune systems for use in adoptive cell transfer (ACT) are provided. The NKT cells render T cells resistant to immune suppression (e.g. they are resistant to the effects of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)). The method involves culturing disease-primed immune cells (obtained from a cancer patient or from a patient with an infectious disease) with i) byrostatin and ionomycin (B/I) to activate and differentiate the cells; followed by sequentially culturing the cells with a) a combination of IL-7 and IL-15 and then b) IL-2, to further differentiate the cells and to render them immune resistant. The resistant immune cells are used to treat and prevent cancer and infectious diseases.

Abstract: Peptide vaccines against cancer are described herein. In particular, isolated epitope peptides or immunogenic fragments derived from SEQ ID NO: 32, that bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are provided. The amino acid sequence of the peptide of interest may be optionally modified with the substitution, deletion, insertion, or addition of one, two, or several amino acids sequences. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating cancer that include such peptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for preventing or treating an immune-relevant disease by modulating commensal microbiota populations via antibiotics, exogenous microbiota and/or probiotics.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and assays for treating an inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease, and/or transplanted tissue rejection using anti-?? TCR antibodies and antibody fragments. Anti-?? TCR antibodies are antibodies which bind to a ?? TCR. Anti-?? TCR antibodies produced by the hybridomaTOL101 MCB are also provided. Methods for treatment of an inflammatory disease, an autoimmune disease and for tissue transplant rejection using therapeutic dosing regimen of anti-?? TCR antibodies and antibody fragments and for upregulating the numbers of Treg T-cells are also provided. The present invention also provides methods of treating inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease, and/or transplanted tissue rejection using a therapeutic amount of ex vivo expanded regulatory T-cells.

Abstract: BTLA-positive (“BTLA+”) lymphocyte signaling drives T cells and kills tumors. BTLA functions as a positive modulator of anti-tumor (anti-melanoma) T cell responses, The BTLA+ T cell responds against tumor or cancer cells, and, in cancer patients respond better to IL-2 than BTLA-negative cells. Hence, the BTLA-positive T cell in cancers is a positive marker for selection of enriched anti-tumor-cancer reactive T cells and can be used or applied for adoptive T-cell therapy or for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A method to treat an autoimmune disease is provided. The method involves administration of interleukin-15 receptor (IL-15R) agonists in an amount effective to ameliorate a symptom of the autoimmune disease. The invention also involves a method to treat an autoimmune disease by ex-vivo expansion of CD44+CD122+Kir+ CD8+ Treg cells and administration of the CD44+CD122+Kir+ CD8+ Treg cells. Compositions comprising CD44+CD122+Kir+ CD8+ Treg cells are also provided. Methods for stimulating an immune response to an antigen are also provided.

Abstract: A therapeutic method, which includes administering dendritic cells pulsed in vitro with a bisphosphonate-based bone metabolism improving drug, is provided. The dendritic cells may be capable of efficiently activating and/or proliferating ?? T-cells in vivo and/or in vitro. This can permit for easy proliferation of ?? T-cells without burdening a patient, leading to practical applications of immune cell therapies that utilize ?? T-cells.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to inhibition of the VIP signaling pathway. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing a viral infection comprising administering a VIP antagonist to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response against cells that express survivin are provided. The method is suitable for prophylaxis and/or therapy of autoimmune disorders. The method involves administering to an individual a composition that contains a survivin peptide mimic that has a cysteine to methionine alteration at amino acid position 57 of wild type survivin. Fragments of the peptides can also be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a specialized subpopulation of natural killer cells that have enhanced effector functions and the potential to kill malignant tumor cells or infected cells when the natural killer cells are exposed to an antibody bound to the tumor cells or the infected cells.

Abstract: A method for improving skin appearance and/or reducing hair loss in a subject is provided. The method comprises administrating to the subject an effective amount of peripheral monocytes, wherein the peripheral monocytes are induced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) or a combination of GCSF and an interleukin relative to GCSF.

Abstract: A method of selecting stem cells from a heterogeneous population of cells is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the population of cells with an apoptosis inducing agent under conditions which are apoptotic to non-stem cells and non-apoptotic to stem cells, thereby selecting the stem cells from the heterogeneous population of cells. The selected stem cells may then be used for a variety of applications including transplantation and differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal, yet adaptable, anti-tag chimeric antigen receptor (AT-CAR) system which provides T cells with the ability and specificity to recognize and kill target cells, such as tumor cells, that have been marked by tagged antibodies. As an example, ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells have been developed that specifically recognize various human cancer cells when those cells are bound by cancer-reactive FITC-labeled antibodies. The activation of ?FITC-CAR-expressing T cells is shown to induce efficient target lysis, T cell proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. The system can be used to treating subjects having cancer.

Abstract: A method for producing NK cells from pluripotent stem cells, which includes culturing pluripotent stem cells in a first serum-free medium, aggregating the undifferentiated stem cells to form embryoid bodies, which are cultured to produce hematopoietic precursor cells, and culturing the precursor cells in a serum-free medium to produce the NK cells. Methods for using such NK cells, e.g., in the treatment of cancer and infectious disease are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a pathology associated with neural damage, the method comprising administering non-antigen specific polyclonal activated T cells and/or genetically modified T cells into the brain in a manner which prevents meningoencephalitis in the subject, thereby treating the pathology associated with neural damage. Also provided are devices for intrabrain and intrathecal administration of T cells, which comprise the brain-specific or non-antigen specific polyclonal activated T cells and/or genetically modified T cells and a catheter for intrabrain administration in a manner which prevents meningoencephalitis in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods related to culturing stable Treg cells or in vivo expansion of stable Treg cells, the cells made by the methods, treatments for various inflammatory/autoimmune pathologies and transplant/graft rejection, and related materials. Ex vivo induction and expansion of the stable Tregs is described, including use of inducing compositions, such as certain mAbs and other compounds, along with expansion medium comprising IL-2. In vivo expansion of stable Treg cells and treatments for various inflammatory/autoimmune pathologies and transplant/graft rejection are described, including the use of mAbs and their variants.

Abstract: A method for generating/expanding in vitro a CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Tr) cell and the use thereof in the treatment of diseases associated with a cell-mediated immune response (including T- and antibody-mediated responses).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for immunization against human breast cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment the multivalent antigenic composition is provided comprising immunogenic polypeptides selected from the group consisting of human ?-lactalbumin, ?S1 casein, ?-casein and ?-casein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and assays for treating an inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease, and/or transplanted tissue rejection using anti-?? TCR antibodies and antibody fragments. Anti-?? TCR antibodies are antibodies which bind to a ?? TCR. Anti-?? TCR antibodies produced by the hybridomaTOL101 MCB are also provided. Methods for treatment of an inflammatory disease, an autoimmune disease and for tissue transplant rejection using therapeutic dosing regimen of anti-?? TCR antibodies and antibody fragments and for upregulating the numbers of Treg T-cells are also provided. The present invention also provides methods of treating inflammatory and/or autoimmune disease, and/or transplanted tissue rejection using a therapeutic amount of ex vivo expanded regulatory T-cells.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the repair of articular tissue using collagen material are provided. Compositions of collagen material and related kits are also provided.

Abstract: The invention describes new peptides containing epitopes recognized by CD4+ natural killer T (NKT) cells for increasing activity for use in infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, immune reaction to administration of allofactors, allergic diseases, therapy of tumors, prevention of graft rejection and prevention of immunization against viral proteins used in gene therapy or gene vaccination.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of inducing a natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune response and increasing NK activity in a mammal for the treatment of tumors and virus infections, comprising isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a subject, exposing them in vitro to a protein conjugate comprising granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) covalently linked to a soluble peptide antigen to activate the PBMCs, and administering the activated PBMCs to the subject. The method also relates to assessing NK cell activity of activated PBMCs to determine whether the subject has had a therapeutically effective response to the protein conjugate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in a subject using miR-155 specific inhibitors are described.

Abstract: Immunomodulatory agents, T cell, compositions, methods and systems for treating and/or preventing an aneurysm and/or a condition associated thereto in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new plasma or new platelet-rich plasma preparations, new cell dissociation methods, new cell associations or compositions, a method of preparation thereof, a use thereof, devices for the preparation thereof and preparations containing such a platelet-rich plasma preparation and cell associations or compositions. Specifically, the invention provides compositions comprising plasma or platelet-rich plasma alone or in combination with cell preparations for use in tissue regeneration and bone regeneration and pain reduction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and for determining the efficacy of a treatment for ALS in an ALS patient, i.e., monitoring ALS progression, utilizing cellular blood markers; as well as kits for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated or substantially purified polypeptides, nucleic acids, and virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from a Merkel cell carcinoma virus (MCV), which is a newly-discovered virus. The invention further provides monoclonal antibody molecules that bind to MCV polypeptides. The invention further provides diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic methods relating to the identification, prevention, and treatment of MCV-related diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder by isolating a plurality of monocytic cells and introducing a vector containing a gene that expresses a protease capable of degrading amyloid peptide into the isolated monocytic cells. The modified cells are then administered to the patient. Preferably the introduced gene is selected from the group consisting of neprilysin, insulin degrading enzyme and endothelin converting enzyme. The protease capable of degrading amyloid peptide is secreted from the monocytic cells into the extracellular space thereof. According to one variant, the gene that expresses a protease capable of degrading amyloid peptide is the NEP gene with a deletion in the membrane binding domain and/or an appended signal peptide to drive secretion of the modified gene product. This invention contemplates the use of heterologous and autologos (the monocytic cells are obtained from the patient) transplants.

Abstract: A method of preparing differentiated NK cells by ex vivo expansion includes the steps of; (1) isolating a plurality of CD34+ hematopoietic cells; (2) culturing the cells in a medium, wherein the medium includes an effective amount of a notch ligand and one or more cytokines selected from the group consisting of IL-7, IL-15, SCF, Flt-3, IL-3 and IL-6; and (3) maintaining the cells in culture for a duration of time sufficient to produce NK cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells, mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells, mesodermal progenitor/stem cells, muscle progenitor/stem cells, or neural progenitor/stem cells in vivo in a mammalian subject. Methods are also provided for treating an immune related disease, a mesenchymal/mesoderm degenerative disease, or a neurodegenerative disease in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating cancer comprising tumor cell vaccination in combination with hematopoietic and immune cell transplantation. In some embodiments, the method involves autologous tumor cell vaccination prior to autologous hematopoietic and immune cell transplantation. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of purifying tumor cells from a subject in preparation for vaccination.

Abstract: Cell lines, compositions comprising them for the treatment of melanomas, procedures to prepare the compositions, and treatment methods. More particularly, the invention relates to diverse human melanoma cell lines for the treatment of malignant diseases, wherein the cell lines are: (a) Mel-XY1 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2830), (b) Mel-XY2 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2831), (c) Mel-XY3 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2832), (d) Mel-XX4 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2829), or (e) sub-populations thereof. The cell lines may be irradiated, thus obtaining populations with apoptotic phenotype, and populations with necrotic phenotype of such lines.

Abstract: A novel cell type has been generated that has both Th1 characteristics and cytolytic activity. These Th1/killer cells are CD4+ cells purified from peripheral blood and manipulated to have Th1 characteristics such as production of IFN-gamma combined with cytolytic activity similar to cytotoxic T-cells (CTL). The CTL activity is targeted toward diseased cells, not normal cells. The cytolytic activity of the Th1/killer cells is mediated by Granzyme B-Perforin mechanism and results in apoptotic death of diseased cells. Methods of producing and using these Th1/killer cells include isolating CD4+ cells from peripheral blood, activating the CD4+ T-cells to form Th1/killer cells and administering these Th1/killer cells with the cytolytic activity to a patient wherein the Th1/killer cells are allogeneic to the patient.

Abstract: Provided are a self-assembled conjugate of a host molecule containing compound and a guest molecule containing compound, a delivery composition of a bioactive material comprising the self-assembled conjugate and a bioactive material to be delivered, and a composition for tissue engineering containing the self-assembled conjugate and a cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell presenting at least one T cell receptor (TCR) anchored to the membrane by a trans-membrane sequence, said TCR comprising an interchain disulfide bond between extracellular constant domain residues which is not present in native TCRs.

Abstract: A human T cell population which has both cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities, is efficiently produced by first fractionating CD2-positive CD14-negative cells from mononuclear cells collected from a human umbilical cord blood, and then co-culturing them with stromal cells. The resulting blast cells, which have the desired activity, are proliferated by further culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying tumor-specific polypeptides, polypeptides so identified, and methods for their use.