This invention is directed to, inter alia, stable cartilage-derived progenitor cell lines as well as methods for producing stable cartilage-derived progenitor cell lines from diseased human cartilaginous tissues and lesions. Also provided herein are methods for using cartilage-derived progenitor cell lines for treatment of cartilage and bone degenerative diseases.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived virus-like particle (vlp) carrying on its surface at least one targeting molecule that binds to a cell of interest. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a composition comprising such a polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived vlp and to the use of the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived vlp of the invention or the composition of the invention for use as a medicament. The present invention further relates to a kit comprising the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived vlp or the composition of the invention.

The present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for reducing an innate immune system response in a human or animal cell, tissue or organism. One embodiment comprises: introducing an Agent mRNA comprising in vitro-synthesized mRNA encoding one or more proteins that affect the induction, activity or response of an innate immune response pathway; whereby, the innate immune response in the cell, tissue or organism is reduced compared to the innate immune response in the absence of the Agent mRNA. Other embodiments are methods, compositions and kits for using an Agent mRNA for treating a disease or medical condition in a human or animal that exhibits symptoms of an elevated innate immune system, or for reducing an innate immune response that is induced in a human or animal cell, tissue or organism by a Foreign Substance that is administered to the cell, tissue or organism.

Provided is a recombinant vector including a porcine Fc fragment. By fusing the porcine Fc fragment with various target proteins by using the recombinant vector of the present invention, not only target proteins may be expressed using various hosts including plants, but the productivity and stability of target proteins may also be increased.

The present invention provides a novel vaccine for preventing and treating Merkel cell carcinoma. The present invention constructs a therapeutic vaccine based on a Merkel cell polyomavirus capsid protein VP1 by taking the Merkel cell polyomavirus capsid protein VP1 as an antigen, in combination with a TLR agonist. The present invention effectively solves the problem of prevention and treatment of the Merkel cell carcinoma and has great application value and application prospects.

The present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for reducing an innate immune system response in a human or animal cell, tissue or organism. One embodiment comprises: introducing an Agent mRNA comprising in vitro-synthesized mRNA encoding one or more proteins that affect the induction, activity or response of an innate immune response pathway; whereby, the innate immune response in the cell, tissue or organism is reduced compared to the innate immune response in the absence of the Agent mRNA. Other embodiments are methods, compositions and kits for using an Agent mRNA for treating a disease or medical condition in a human or animal that exhibits symptoms of an elevated innate immune system, or for reducing an innate immune response that is induced in a human or animal cell, tissue or organism by a Foreign Substance that is administered to the cell, tissue or organism.

The invention relates to virus like particles (VLP) associated with a lysosomal enzyme or an expression vector encoding a lysosomal enzyme which are used in a method for the treatment of a lysosomal storage disease. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for use in a method for the treatment of a lysosomal storage disease, to an expression vector encoding a lysosomal enzyme and to a method of associating a VLP with an expression vector encoding a lysosomal enzyme.

Provided is a recombinant vector including a porcine Fc fragment. By fusing the porcine Fc fragment with various target proteins by using the recombinant vector of the present invention, not only target proteins may be expressed using various hosts including plants, but the productivity and stability of target proteins may also be increased.

Provided are novel human-derived antibodies specifically recognizing polyomavirus polypeptides, preferably capable of binding to polyomaviruses of the type of JC virus (JCV) and/or BK virus (BKV) as well as methods related thereto. Furthermore, assays and kits related to antibodies specific for polyomaviruses, polyomavirus VP1 and or polyomavirus VP1 Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), preferably of the type of JCV and/or BKV, are disclosed. The human-derived antibodies as well as binding fragments, derivatives and variants thereof can be used in pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions for polyomavirus targeted immunotherapy and diagnostics.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived virus-like particle (VLP) carrying on its surface at least one targeting molecule that binds to a cell of interest, the method comprising the step of contacting the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP with (i) the targeting molecule, wherein the at least one targeting molecule is glycosylated with at least one glycosyl residue that is recognised by the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP; or (ii) a first interaction molecule, wherein the first interaction molecule is glycosylated with at least one glycosyl residue that is recognised by the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP; and the at least one targeting molecule, wherein the at least one targeting molecule is conjugated to a second interaction molecule capable of interacting with the first interaction molecule. The present invention further relates to a polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived virus-like particle (VLP), wherein the virus or VLP carries on its surface at least one targeting molecule that binds to a cell of interest, as well as to a polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP obtained or obtainable by the method of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a composition comprising said polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP and to the use of the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP of the invention or the composition of the invention for use as a medicament. The present invention further relates to a kit comprising the polyomavirus or polyomavirus-derived VLP or the composition of the invention.