The present invention provides the new use of composition comprising at least one inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) for increasing migration and homing of haematopoetic progenitor cells in stem cell transplanted recipients, wherein said haematopoetic stem and/or progenitor cells had been treated in vitro with an engraftment enhancing compound, specifically with a prostacyclin analogue and a cAMP enhancer before transplantation.

The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In some alternatives the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a poly nucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. In some alternatives, the ligand binding domains binds to CD171.

A method of treating a subject with dry-form age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is disclosed. The method comprises administering into the subretina of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising human RPE cells, wherein at least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms to the subject, thereby treating the subject.

Chimeric antigen receptors containing human CD19 antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

In some aspects, the invention relates to compositions comprising marrow infiltrating lymphocytes (“MILs”). The MILs may be activated MILs. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for activating MILs, comprising incubating MILs in an environment comprising less than 21% oxygen. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising activated MILs.

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.

Methods of generating and expanding human hemangio-colony forming cells in vitro and methods of expanding and using such cells are disclosed. The methods permit the production of large numbers of hemangio-colony forming cells as well as derivative cells, such as hematopoietic and endothelial cells. The cells obtained by the methods disclosed may be used for a variety of research, clinical, and therapeutic applications.

A method of treating a subject with dry-form age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is disclosed. The method comprises administering into the subretina of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising human RPE cells, wherein at least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), and wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms to the subject, thereby treating the subject.

As described below, the present invention features genetically modified immune cells having enhanced anti-neoplasia activity, resistance to immune suppression, and decreased risk of eliciting a graft versus host reaction, or a combination thereof. The present invention also features methods for producing and using these modified immune effector cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of MSCs can be used in the treatment of osteoarthritis in canines and felines. For example, the MSCs or pharmaceutical composition can be used in the treatment of lameness and/or joint pain in canines and felines diagnosed with or suffering from osteoarthritis. A pharmaceutical composition comprising MSCs can be isolated from peripheral blood.