Described herein are methods for the preparation of stable semi-mature tolerogenic dendritic cells and compositions comprising such stable semi-mature tolerogenic dendritic cells. The stable semi-mature tolerogenic dendritic cells described herein and compositions thereof can be used for the establishment of immune tolerance when treating an autoimmune disease, graft rejection and/or graft-versus-host disease.

Cell-based compositions and methods for targeting and treating human diseases, including cancers and infectious diseases, are provided, wherein exogenous intracellular sarcosine is used for improved delivery of the composition.

The invention is in the field of cell biology and immunology. The invention provides methods for the production of a vaccine for cancer and infectious diseases. More in particular it provides a method for the improved production of mature dendritic cells. This improved production includes the use of a bacterial lysate produced by a new method.

The present disclosure relates generally to the manufacture of regulatory T cells (Tregs) for use in immunotherapy. In particular, the present disclosure relates to robust approaches for the expansion of alloantigen-reactive Tregs ex vivo. Alloantigen-reactive Tregs produced in this way are suitable for the induction and/or maintenance of immunologic tolerance in recipients of allogeneic transplants.

Provided are methods and systems for determining functional relationships between ex vivo skin models and an inflammatory skin condition. Also provided are methods and systems for identifying modulators of inflammation of skin, as well as the use of modulators identified by such methods or systems for the preparation of cosmetic compositions, personal care products, or both.

The present invention provides a method for preparing dendritic cell loaded with antigen, the method comprising the steps of adding serum-free cell culture medium containing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and inter-leukin (IL)-4 into mononuclear cells, culturing in an incubator at 37° C. under 5% carbon dioxide for 5 days, adding target antigen wrapped cationic liposome and culturing for 8-24 hours to obtain target antigen loaded dendritic cell.

Compositions and methods are provided for converting the predominant circulating classical monocytes to a non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte phenotype through cytokine stimulation via, for example, macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Once cultured into dendritic cells, these non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte derived cells have increased costimulatory molecule expression, which leads to improved immune and clinical responses in cancer patients receiving dendritic cell vaccination and other immunotherapies. In addition, assays and diagnostic and theranostic methods are provided herein that relate to the discoveries that, prior to treatment, intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and non-classical (CD14dimCD16+) monocytes are increased more than two-fold in patients who later had complete responses to dendritic cell therapy or DC vaccination.

The present invention is directed to methods of inducing a phenotypic change in a population of monocytes and; or macrophages. The method includes administering to the population of monocytes and/or macrophages, a macrophage stimulating agent coupled to a carrier molecule, wherein the carrier molecule facilitates macropinocytic uptake of the agent by monocytes and macrophages in the population and is defective in neonatal Fc receptor binding, wherein the administering induces a phenotypic change in the monocytes and macrophages in the population.

The invention provides methods for using Umbilical Cord Lining Stem Cells (ULSCs) to produce therapeutic factors including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and extracellular matrix components. ULSCs are mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord lining. They can be efficiently propagated and expanded in vitro. Under specific conditions ULSCs produce useful therapeutic factors that can be used to treat injuries and degenerative conditions.

The present disclosure provides a modified cell of leukemic origin comprising a downregulated CD47 pathway. Methods for using the modified cells in treating cancer alone, or in combination with CD47 blockade are also provided. Also provided are compositions comprising a modified cell of leukemic origin, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations thereof, and methods of producing the modified cells.