Embodiments of the disclosure includes methods of producing viral-specific therapy (VST) cells specific for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and uses of the cells. The methods may utilized peptide mixtures and stimulation of mononuclear cells using particular cytokine cocktails. The cells may also be genetically modified to lack expression of one or more endogenous genes, including one or more genes that renders the cells more effective and/or able to withstand deleterious conditions, such as the presence of glucocorticoids.

Disclosed herein is a kit to produce a personalized vaccine based on autologous dendritic cells. The kit contains all the materials, reagents and information necessary to produce a dose of live dendritic cell vaccine against a pathogen organism, part of a pathogen organism, a toxin, a venom, a structure obtained by recombinant method or chemical synthesis.

Provided is an excellent method for producing an IL-4 non-secreting and IFN-γ secreting (Th1-type) or IFN-γ non-secreting and IL-4 secreting (Th2-type) CD4 single-positive T cell (CD4SP T cell). The method for producing the Th1-type or Th2-type CD4SP T cell of the present invention comprises a step of inducing a CD4 single-positive T cell from a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and/or a hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) substantially defective in a factor involved in IL-4 secretion or a factor involved in IFN-γ secretion.

[Problem]

To find a method having higher stability, reproducibility, economic efficiency, and operation easiness in an evaluation method of safety of a substance in vitro, by using human immortalized myeloid cells.

[Solving Means]

A method for evaluating the skin sensitizing property and/or the pyrogenic property of a test substance, a method for detecting a skin sensitizer and/or a pyrogen in a sample, and a method for evaluating the action of a sample on a function of immune cells, each using human immortalized myeloid cells and including measuring the production amount of IL-6 and/or IL-8 in a culture medium of human immortalized myeloid cells.

Provided are a composition and method for inducing direct conversion from a somatic cell into a myeloid cell and use thereof, in which differentiation from a somatic cell into a myeloid cell can be efficiently induced through the expression of a single direct conversion inducer without undergoing the pluripotency stage of induced pluripotent stem cells, and thus, the composition can be widely used as an effective preventive and therapeutic agent for immune diseases.

It was found that, by culturing human fibroblasts using a medium supplemented with TNF-α and IL-4, EPO productivity in the fibroblasts can be improved. As a result, fibroblasts having enhanced EPO productivity were found, and means for improving a state where EPO productivity is decreased, and means for treating renal disorder or renal anemia, using the cells were discovered.

Embodiments of the disclosure encompass methods and compositions for producing engineered B cells. The disclosure concerns large-scale processes for producing B cells that are engineered to have disruption of expression of one or more genes using CRISPR and also express at least one heterologous antigen receptor. Specific embodiments include particular parameters for the process.

Provided are compositions and methods for production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, or chemokines. Provided are nucleic acids (e.g., expression vectors) that include an NFκB inflammation response element operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding an anti-inflammatory cytokine (e.g., IL-4). In some cases, the nucleic acid is an expression vector selected from: a linear expression vector, a circular expression vector, a plasmid, and a viral expression vector. Also provided are cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells—MSCs) comprising a nucleic acid that includes an NFκB inflammation response element operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding an anti-inflammatory cytokine. In some cases, the nucleic acid is integrated into the cell's genome. Also provided are methods for treating an individual having an inflammation-associated ailment, which can include administering an MSC to the individual, where the MSC includes an NFκB inflammation response element operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding an anti-inflammatory cytokine.

The present invention concerns a biomarker useful in adoptive cell therapy. The biomarker in question is CD150, otherwise termed SLAM or SLAMF1. Herein Applicants demonstrate that expression of CD150 on tumour infiltrating lymphocytes infusion products correlates with the response rate seen in those patients. High CD150 expression is found on patients who go on to have a complete response and low expression on patients who do not respond to therapy. The invention relates to the use of the biomarker to predict response rate or stratify patients for treatment. It also covers exploitation of this receptor in adoptive cell therapy regimens in general, including but not limited to over expression of the receptor in T-cell populations or isolation of cells expressing CD150 in an effort to increase efficacy.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for making and using engineered phagocytic cells that express a chimeric antigen receptor having an enhanced phagocytic activity for immunotherapy in cancer or infection.