Disclosed are methods and compositions useful for treatment of blindness or dry macular degeneration. In one embodiment, retinal pigmented epithelial cells are generated from fibroblasts through induction of differentiation, and/or transdifferentiation. In another embodiment, fibroblast-derived products, such as differentiated retinal pigmented epithelial cells, are provided to subjects in a therapeutically effective amount.

Disclosed are methods and compositions useful for treatment of blindness or dry macular degeneration. In one embodiment, retinal pigmented epithelial cells are generated from fibroblasts through induction of differentiation, and/or transdifferentiation. In another embodiment, fibroblast-derived products, such as differentiated retinal pigmented epithelial cells, are provided to subjects in a therapeutically effective amount.

The present invention relates to a method for the large-scale synthesis of an edible and hot steam sterilizable macroporous three-dimensional (3D) scaffold which comprises biocompatible polymers with interconnected pores as a support material for adherent cell growth, proliferation and differentiation, which may be used to obtain tissue with nutritive content and/or cultured meat. These scaffolds are suitable for supporting cell tissue growth for biomedical or food applications.

The present invention relates to a method for the large-scale synthesis of an edible and hot steam sterilizable macroporous three-dimensional (3D) scaffold which comprises biocompatible polymers with interconnected pores as a support material for adherent cell growth, proliferation and differentiation, which may be used to obtain tissue with nutritive content and/or cultured meat. These scaffolds are suitable for supporting cell tissue growth for biomedical or food applications.

Human cytomegalovirus vectors comprising heterologous antigens are disclosed. The vectors derived from the TR strain, are ganciclovir sensitive, include active US2, US3, US6, US7 and UL131A genes, and have a deleterious or inactivating mutation in the UL82 gene preventing the expression of pp71.

Human cytomegalovirus vectors comprising heterologous antigens are disclosed. The vectors derived from the TR strain, are ganciclovir sensitive, include active US2, US3, US6, US7 and UL131A genes, and have a deleterious or inactivating mutation in the UL82 gene preventing the expression of pp71.

It was found that, by culturing human fibroblasts using a medium supplemented with TNF-α and IL-4, EPO productivity in the fibroblasts can be improved. As a result, fibroblasts having enhanced EPO productivity were found, and means for improving a state where EPO productivity is decreased, and means for treating renal disorder or renal anemia, using the cells were discovered.

A method for promoting conversion of cells into cardiomyocytic tissue is carried out by contacting fibrotic tissue (e.g., scar tissue) with a microRNA oligonucleotide or combination of microRNA oligonucleotides. The methods lead to direct reprogramming of fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes or cardiomyoblasts.

A method for promoting conversion of cells into cardiomyocytic tissue is carried out by contacting fibrotic tissue (e.g., scar tissue) with a microRNA oligonucleotide or combination of microRNA oligonucleotides. The methods lead to direct reprogramming of fibroblasts to cardiomyocytes or cardiomyoblasts.

The present invention pertains to an inventive release mechanism for extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated intracellular and intramembrane delivery of therapeutic polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to EVs comprising polypeptide constructs which comprise a therapeutic polypeptide releasably attached to an exosomal polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention pertains to manufacturing methods, pharmaceutical compositions, medical uses and applications, and various other embodiments related to the inventive EVs.