The invention relates to an artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) comprising at least one immune stimulatory ligand and co-stimulatory ligands comprising or consisting of CD86, CD70 and CD137L, methods of preparing an aAPC and methods of inducing proliferation of an immune cell or expanding a population of immune cells. The invention also relates to methods for inducing an immune response or treating a medical condition in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of identifying an antigenic peptide or method of identifying or detecting the presence of an immune cell that recognizes an antigen.

Genetically modified compositions, such as non-viral vectors and T cells, for treating cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are the methods of making and using the genetically modified compositions in treating cancer.

The invention pertains to the field of adoptive cell immunotherapy. It provides with engineered immune cells comprising genetic alteration into genes which are involved into immune functions downregulation, especially in response to environment signals such as nutrients depletion. Such method allows the production of more potent immune cells in the context of tumors' microenvironment.

The present invention relates to novel immunoregulatory macrophage cells which are useful in the treatment of different immunological and non-immunological diseases and conditions. The cells are characterized by a specific marker and activity pattern which distinguishes them from other cells. The novel immunoregulatory macrophage cells have a high phagocytosing capacity and are capable to suppress the proliferation of T cells. The invention also provides a novel process for preparing immunoregulatory macrophage cells in suspension culture from blood monocytes. The process is amenable to a high degree of automation. In a still further aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the immunoregulatory macrophage cells of the invention.

A novel nanoparticle platform has been developed that induces and expands multiple populations of suppressive regulatory cells in vivo for the prevention and treatment of immune-mediated disorders. These include autoimmune diseases, graft-versus-host disease, and transplant rejection. The regulatory cells expanded include both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells. The nanoparticles function as artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPC) that target T cells and NK cells and provide them the essential stimulation and cytokines they require for regulatory cell generation, function, and expansion. This is achieved without the use of the toxic immunosuppressive and biological agents now in use.

Methods for producing therapeutic T cells from umbilical cord blood are provided. Methods for treating immune-related diseases or conditions (e.g. autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, cancer) using umbilical cord blood derived therapeutic T cells are also provided. Compositions comprising umbilical cord blood derived therapeutic T cells are also provided.

The invention provides isolated primate cells preferably human cells that comprise a genetically engineered disruption in a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II-related gene, which results in deficiency in MHC class II expression and function. This invention also provides isolated cells further comprising a genetically engineered disruption in a beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) gene, which results in HLA class I/class II deficiency. Also provided are the method of using the cells for transplantation and treating a disease condition.

The invention is generally directed to a method of enhancing proliferation of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in vitro, comprising contacting Tregs with cells (I), or conditioned medium from the cells, in the presence of one or more Treg stimulation agents. The Treg stimulation agent(s) is present in an amount and for a time effective to stimulate proliferation of the Tregs. The cells (I) are present in an amount and for a time effective to enhance proliferation of the Tregs. The cells (I) are non-embryonic stem, non-germ cells characterized by one or more of the following: extended replication in culture and express markers of extended replication, express markers of pluripotentiality, and have broad differentiation potential, are not tumorigenic or transformed, and have a normal karyotype. The invention is also directed to methods for immune modulation using the proliferated Tregs, cell banks, drug discovery methods, populations, and compositions of the proliferated Tregs.

Methods and compositions are provided for combined transplantation of a solid organ and hematopoietic cells to a recipient, where tolerance to the graft is established through development of a persistent mixed chimerism. An individual with persistent mixed chimerism, usually for a period of at least six months, is able to withdraw from the use of immunosuppressive drugs after a period of time sufficient to establish tolerance.

Disclosed herein include methods of inducing expansion of modified effector cells in vivo which comprise administration of a steroid and modified effector cells. Also described herein include methods of inducing expansion of modified T cells (e.g., CAR-T cells or TCR cells) in vivo, which comprise administration of a steroid and modified T cells.