The present invention relates to precursor cells to hepatic stellate cells, compositions comprising same and methods of isolating same. The surface antigenic profile of the precursors is MHC class Ia negative, ICAM-1.sup.+, VCAM-1.sup.+, 3-integrin.sup.+. In addition to expression of these surface markers, the cells also express the intracellular markers desmin, vimentin, smooth muscle -actin, nestin, hepatocyte growth factor, stromal derived factor-1 and Hlx homeobox transcriptional factor.

An in vitro microfluidic intestine on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic intestinal cell culture, which is some embodiments is derived from patient's enteroids-derived cells, is described comprising L cells, allowing for interactions between L cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal autoimmune tissue, e.g., diabetes, obesity, intestinal insufficiency and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular-layered microfluidic intestine on-chips further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal duodenum, small intestinal jejunum, small intestinal ileum, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas. Additionally, these microfluidic gut-on-chips allow identification of cells and cellular derived factors driving disease states and drug testing for reducing inflammation.

Presently disclosed is a method of modulating Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, by contacting the cell with at least one agent that modulates at least one factor from a specified group consisting of SNAI2, SOX7 and other factors, the screening of said agent and use thereof in a medicament for treating HBV infection or disease or condition associated with a HBV infection in a subject. In one preferred embodiment, the agent is one peptide derived from SOX7 or SNAI2 or stapled peptides thereof. As a separate invention, a method of identifying at least one factor that modulates replication of a virus is also disclosed.

Methods of preparing pancreatic islets that may comprise pancreatites are provided. The methods may involve subjecting a pancreas and/or pieces thereof to disruption, such as, for example, an enzyme digest, and seeding the recovered cellular product comprising islets in a culture medium comprising at least a detectable amount of endocrine tissue and/or exocrine tissue.

A method of preparation of a composition including extracellular vesicles (10) derived from stem cells mesenchymal isolated from chorion of human placenta, said method being including: a step of extraction of extracellular vesicles(10) from stem cells mesenchymal (5), said cells (5) being derived from chorion (C) in advance separated from the placenta (200) in a step of separation chorion-placenta (93), and a step (251, 252, 253) of sterilization and elimination of contaminating proteins from a semi-finished fluid containing said extracellular vesicles (10), wherein said step (251, 252, 253) of sterilization and elimination of contaminating proteins comprises a first step of ultracentrifugation (252, 253) of the said semi-finished fluid, and wherein said first step of ultracentrifugation (252) is performed following of a phase of filtration (251) of the said semi-finished fluid.

Disclosed are methods, protocols, and compositions of matter useful for treatment of cancer by elicitation of immunity towards tumor blood vessels. In one embodiment, the invention teaches the stimulation of expression of tumor blood vessel associated antigens in cells derived from endothelial progenitor cells, through culture of cells in conditions resembling the tumor microenvironment. In another embodiment, the invention teaches increasing immunogenicity of endothelial progenitor cells or progeny thereof through treatment with agents such as interferon gamma, which are capable of upregulating histocompatibility antigens, which allow for allogeneic rejection upon administration. In another embodiment, the invention teaches immunization with endothelial progenitor cells or progeny thereof treated under conditions to resemble tumor blood vessels, in which administered cells are purposely mismatched with recipient HLA in order to provide for enhanced allogenicity. In one embodiment, purposeful mismatching is accomplished through transfection or cell painting of molecules capable of eliciting an immunological response.

A cancer cell detection system includes a sample holder, a laser light source, a light detector, and a determine module. The sample holder holds a cell measurement component having metal nanoparticles, and a cell sample is on the cell measurement component. The laser light source illuminates the cell sample. The light detector detects a surface enhanced Raman scattering signal of the cell sample. The determine module selectively determines if the cell sample includes a cancer cell according to a signal intensity of a valid signal in a first Raman peak and a signal intensity of a valid signal in a second Raman peak. The first Raman peak is the signal position of the ring breathing mode of adenine, and the second Raman peak is the signal position of the stretching mode of adenine.

Methods of expanding tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), including peripheral blood lymphocytes and marrow infiltrating lymphocytes, from blood and/or bone marrow of patients with hematological malignancies, such as liquid tumors, including lymphomas and leukemias, and uses of such expanded TILs in the treatment of diseases such as cancers and hematological malignancies are disclosed herein.

A method of using a cell to produce virus is provided involving growing cells under hyperosmotic conditions during a growth phase of the cells, infecting or transfecting the cells grown under hyperosmotic conditions with a virus, and maintaining the infected or transfected cells under less stressful conditions during a production phase of the infected or transfected cells to produce more of the virus. Viral productivity is improved by this method.

Disclosed herein are bioreactor systems and methods of utilizing said systems.