The present disclosure describes the use of immune modulators to promote nerve growth and regeneration, particularly in the context of nerve deficit stemming from trauma and disease. In particular, the disclosure provides for the use of of CXCR4 antagonsists, STAT3 activators, and an agent that increase nitric oxide, alone or in combination, to treat nerve deficit conditions.

Provided herein are novel methods for improving muscle performance in a subject with age-related frailty. The methods provided herein generally include a) engaging the subject in an exercise training program; and b) administering to the subject a dose of the recombinant interleukin-6 (IL-6) compositions described herein at regular intervals during the exercise training program. The treatment methods provided herein advantageously improve muscle performance in the subject with age-related frailty. In certain embodiments, the method reduces muscle fatigue during the exercise training program and/or improves muscle endurance.

Cells derived from postpartum tissue and products thereof having the potential to support cells of and/or differentiate to cells of a soft tissue lineage, and methods of preparation and use of those postpartum tissue-derived cells, are provided by the invention. The invention also provides methods for the use of such postpartum-derived cells and products related thereto in therapies for conditions of soft tissue.

Methods and compositions using a combination of adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK) activators for treating pain such as post-surgical pain or development of chronic pain. The two or more AMPK activators work synergistically and may be administered in individually sub-efficacious doses. The AMPK activators may have different mechanisms of AMPK activation. The AMPK activators may be administered systemically and/or topically in, for example, as a gel, ointment, cream, lotion, suspension, liquid, or transdermal patch.

Compositions and methods of activating dendritic cells with LMP1 and LMP1-activated dendritic cell based compositions and methods are effective for dendritic cell therapy and provide an adjuvant function for vaccine administration. LMP1 or LMP1-CD40 chimeric protein may be used to activate and mature dendritic cells. LMP1 and LMP1-activated dendritic cells act as an adjuvant to enhance the cellular immune response. Also disclosed herein are kits for activating dendritic cells and for preparing a vaccine formulation. Administration of the dendritic cells transfected with LMP1 can induce an immune response against cancer or infection. The mature dendritic cells may comprise an antigen and at least one cytokine in addition to LMP1. Use of LMP1 or LMP1-CD40 provides a way to activate and mature dendritic cells that retain functional and migratory abilities without the side effects that result from maturing the dendritic cells using PGE.sub.2.

Compositions and methods of activating dendritic cells with LMP1 and LMP1-activated dendritic cell based compositions and methods are effective for dendritic cell therapy and provide an adjuvant function for vaccine administration. LMP1 or LMP1-CD40 chimeric protein may be used to activate and mature dendritic cells. LMP1 and LMP1-activated dendritic cells act as an adjuvant to enhance the cellular immune response. Also disclosed herein are kits for activating dendritic cells and for preparing a vaccine formulation. Administration of the dendritic cells transfected with LMP1 can induce an immune response against cancer or infection. The mature dendritic cells may comprise an antigen and at least one cytokine in addition to LMP1. Use of LMP1 or LMP1-CD40 provides a way to activate and mature dendritic cells that retain functional and migratory abilities without the side effects that result from maturing the dendritic cells using PGE.sub.2.

The present invention refers to a combination of growth factors, cytokines, antibacterial/antiviral factors, stem cell stimulating factors, complement proteins C3a/C4a, immunoglobulins and chemotactic factors. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of said combination from serum, placenta or colostrum and to composition containing said combination for use in the treatment of conditions requiring tissue repair and regeneration and for the substitution of stem cell therapies.

A method of therapy for a tumor or other pathology by administering a combination of thermotherapy and immunotherapy optionally combined with gene delivery. The combination therapy beneficially treats the tumor and prevents tumor recurrence, either locally or at a different site, by boosting the patient's immune response both at the time of original therapy and/or for later therapy. With respect to gene delivery, the inventive method may be used in cancer therapy, but is not limited to such use; it will be appreciated that the inventive method may be used for gene delivery in general. The controlled and precise application of thermal energy enhances gene transfer to any cell, whether the cell is a neoplastic cell, a pre-neoplastic cell, or a normal cell.

A method of therapy for a tumor or other pathology by administering a combination of thermotherapy and immunotherapy optionally combined with gene delivery. The combination therapy beneficially treats the tumor and prevents tumor recurrence, either locally or at a different site, by boosting the patient's immune response both at the time of original therapy and/or for later therapy. With respect to gene delivery, the inventive method may be used in cancer therapy, but is not limited to such use; it will be appreciated that the inventive method may be used for gene delivery in general. The controlled and precise application of thermal energy enhances gene transfer to any cell, whether the cell is a neoplastic cell, a pre-neoplastic cell, or a normal cell.

There are provided compositions and methods for treatment of neurodegeneative diseases and CNS injury. The compositions a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier solution; and a plurality of biodegradable nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles comprise a targeting moiety that is able to bind selectively to the surface of a neural stem cell and wherein the nanoparticles further comprise factors such as leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF); XAV939 and/or one or more of: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or an agonist thereof; epidermal growth factor (EGF) or an agonist thereof; glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or an agonist thereof; retinoic acid and derivatives thereof; ciliary neurotrophic factor (CTNF) or an agonist thereof; and Wnt5A. The biodegradable nanoparticles may deliver via controlled time release.