The invention relates to a method of producing an iPSC-derived Kupffer Cell (IKC). The method may comprise providing a macrophage precursor (preMcp) derived from an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC). The macrophage precursor (preM-cp) may be cultured in the presence of a hepatic cue, such as a combination of primary human hepatocyte conditioned media and Advanced DMEM, thereby obtaining the iPSC-derived Kupffer Cell. The iPSC-derived Kupffer Cell may display a biological property of a primary Kupffer cell, such as a primary adult human KC (pKC). The biological activity comprises expression of a macrophage marker such as CD11, CD14, CD68, CD163, CD32, CLEC-4F, ID1 and ID3.

A multiplexed and encapsulated 3D cell co-culture drug testing or screening method which discloses an in vitro drug testing kit suitable for testing the effect of one or more drugs of interest on multiple biological processes in one or more target cell types.

The present invention relates to engineered a cytolytic immune cell comprising: i) a releasable protein which comprises a polypeptide of interest (POI) and a first interaction domain; and ii) a retention protein which is retained within an intracellular compartment of the cell and comprises a second interaction domain which binds to the first protein interaction domain, wherein binding between the first protein interaction domain and second protein interaction domain is disrupted by the presence of an agent, such that in the absence of the agent, the first protein interaction domain and second protein interaction domain bind and result in retention of the POI within an intracellular compartment; whereas in the presence of the agent, the first protein interaction domain and second protein interaction do not bind and the POI is released from the intracellular compartment and expressed at the cell surface or secreted by the cell.

The present invention relates to a fatty liver and liver fibrosis evaluation system based on impedance. The fatty liver and liver fibrosis evaluation system based on impedance provided in one aspect of the present invention uses 3-dimensional liver microtissues so that the fatty liver formation and the stiffness changes resulted from liver fibrosis induced by a test drug can be analyzed with non-invasive and highly reproducible manner.

The invention relates to methods for predicting the in vivo nephrotoxicity of a nucleic acid molecule, in particular a nucleic acid molecule such as a siRNA or an antisense oligonucleotide using an in vitro cell based assay measuring the levels of EGFR as toxicity biomarker, potentially in combination with other biomarkers like ATP and KIM-1.

Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring and assessing immunotherapy toxicity are discussed. An exemplary system receives physiologic information from a patient using an ambulatory medical device. In response to an immunotherapy such as CAR T-cell therapy, the system determines a toxicity indication using the received physiologic information. A therapy can be initiated or adjusted using the toxicity indication.

Disclosed are formulations and procedures to improve the accuracy of nonanimal tests. Disclosed procedures involve both the direct application of the substance to be tested to the excised eye or other suitable test matrix, such as a differentiated tissue, and the application of an aqueous layer to the apical surface and then the addition of the substance to be tested as an overlay to the aqueous layer for a period of time so as to allow metabolism of the substance to be tested by the eye or test matrix, but not so long as to result in nonirritant or nontoxic test substance resulting in a FP result.

Methods for inducing growth inhibition or apoptosis of Bcl-2-expressing cells and treatments of Bcl-2 expressing cancers are provided. Additionally, assays for agents that can induce apoptosis of Bcl-2 expressing cells are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a flatbed air-liquid interface exposure module for exposing a plurality of cells at an air-liquid interface to nanoparticles, the flatbed air-liquid interface exposure module comprising a moisturizing section, an exposure section, and an aerosol duct. Further provided are related systems and methods.

A method for making a population of cells that are highly sensitive to clostridial neurotoxin, the method comprising: (a) contacting recombinant cells that express an indicator protein with clostridial neurotoxin; and (b) following such contact, selecting the cells that exhibit cleavage of the indicator protein. A cell from the population produced using the aforementioned method. An assay for determining the activity of a modified or recombinant neurotoxin comprising contacting such a cell with the modified or recombinant neurotoxin under conditions and for a period of time sufficient to allow the protease domain of a wild-type clostridial neurotoxin to cleave the indicator protein in the cell and determining the presence of product resulting from the cleavage of the indicator protein.