Embodiments described herein relate to suppressing the immune response locally within tissue transplants and certain conditions improperly affecting the immune system using optogenetically controlled cells. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for localized immunosuppression surrounding tissue transplants and illness locations as an alternative to systemically suppressing a patient's entire immune system. Methods include implantation of optogenetically modified immunosuppressive cells that are configured to alter their biological activity to enhance their immunosuppressive activity in response to exposure of wavelengths of light in the red and near-infrared window spectral region (620-900 nm).

This invention provides a cell line of M2C macrophage and its applications. The cell line is derived from monocytes isolated from bone marrows and peripheral blood. The monocytes were differentiated into M2 macrophage by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and then the polarization of M2C macrophage was induced by baicalin. The MERTK, PTX3, and PD-L1 expression level of the M2C macrophage are high and promote phagocytosis. Hence it can be applied to cell therapy or biological agents of immune regulation. Also, the macrophage-conditioned medium and wound dressing prepared on the M2C cell have the effects of enhancing fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis, which can improve wound healing in medical use, and can be applied to skin care product for skin repair and rejuvenation.

The present application relates to plasma cells and plasma cell precursors that express a macromolecule, such as a protein, protein mimetic or a peptide and compositions comprising these plasma cells or plasma cell precursors. The application further relates to methods of using and making the plasma cells and plasma cell precursors that express the macromolecule. Methods of treatment comprising administering the plasma cells or plasma cell precursors are also contemplated.

The present application relates to plasma cells and plasma cell precursors that express a macromolecule, such as a protein, protein mimetic or a peptide and compositions comprising these plasma cells or plasma cell precursors. The application further relates to methods of using and making the plasma cells and plasma cell precursors that express the macromolecule. Methods of treatment comprising administering the plasma cells or plasma cell precursors are also contemplated.

The invention provides devices for supporting regeneration of body tissue and of tubular structures, such as the esophagus or intestine, and methods for making and for using the devices.

Provided are compositions and methods for prophylaxis or therapy of cancer. The compositions comprise ?-type-1 dendritic cells that have been treated with intact proteins that comprise cancer antigens, or peptides that comprise cancer antigens, or combinations thereof. The approaches can also include adding a chemokine-modulating regimen.

Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for immunotherapy for human papillomavirus infection and diseases associated therewith. In specific embodiments, methods concern production of immune cells that target one or more antigens of HPV16 and/or HPV18, including methods with stimulation steps that employ IL-7 and IL-15, but not IL-6 and/or IL-12. Other specific embodiments utilize stimulations in the presence of certain cells, such as costimulatory cells and certain antigen presenting cells.

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods to increase the expression of PD-L1 and/or IDO-1 in a population of cells, the modulated cells expressing increased PD-L1 and/or IDO-1, and methods related to the immunosuppressive effects obtained by cells expressing increased PD-L1 and/or IDO-1.

An improvement to the GiWi protocol for differentiating human pluripotent cells to developmentally mature cardiomyocytes includes a step of activating innate immunity in mesoderm stage cells in the in vitro differentiation culture. When the mesoderm cells, which are precursors to cardiac progenitor cells, are primed by exposure to an activator of innate immunity, a population of cardiomyocytes is generated that is more developmentally mature than is generated in the GiWi protocol without the primed step. Also provided herein are in vitro ventricular conductive microtissues and isolated, in vitro populations of ventricular conduction system-like cells and methods for making the same.

The present invention provides methods for producing cell populations enriched for stable, regulatory T cells (Tregs). In particular, the invention relates to methods for culturing T cells such that the final culture is enriched for stable, regulatory T cells. It also relates to methods for stabilizing regulatory T cells. Also provided are compositions enriched for stable, regulatory T cells, which are useful for treating individuals in need of such treatment. The methods and compositions disclosed herein can also be used to treat an individual suffering from an immune-mediated disease.