A method is provided for preparing an ECM material, including an ECM gel, from regenerative or regenerating tissue. ECM material prepared from regenerative or regenerating materials also is provided.

A method is provided for preparing an ECM material, including an ECM gel, from regenerative or regenerating tissue. ECM material prepared from regenerative or regenerating materials also is provided.

Provided herein are novel methods and composition utilizing adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells for treating fistulae.

The present application relates to methods and compositions for treating diseased or damaged cardiac tissue comprising regenerative cells harvested from donor cardiac tissue. In one embodiment, regenerative cells are harvested from an allogeneic source and after administration result in increased viability and/or functional improvement of damaged or diseased cardiac tissue.

The growth factor profile, connective tissue matrix constituents, and immunoprivileged status of urodele extracellular matrix (ECM) and accompanying cutaneous tissue, plus the presence of antimicrobial peptides there, render urodele-derived tissue an ideal source for biological scaffolds for xenotransplantation. In particular, a biological scaffold biomaterial can be obtained by a process that entails (A) obtaining a tissue sample from a urodele, where the tissue comprises ECM, inclusive of the basement membrane, and (B) subjecting the tissue sample to a decellularization process that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the extracellular matrix, by virtue of retaining its fibrous and on-fibrous proteins, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, while removing sufficient cellular components of the sample to reduce or eliminate antigenicity and immunogenicity for xenograft purposes. The resultant urodele-derived biomaterial can be used to enhance restoration of skin homeostasis, to reduce the severity, durations and associated damage caused by post-surgical inflammation, and to promote progression of natural healing and regeneration processes. In addition, the biomaterial promotes the formation of remodeled tissue that is comparable in quality, function, and compliance to undamaged human tissue.

The growth factor profile, connective tissue matrix constituents, and immunoprivileged status of urodele extracellular matrix (ECM) and accompanying cutaneous tissue, plus the presence of antimicrobial peptides there, render urodele-derived tissue an ideal source for biological scaffolds for xenotransplantation. In particular, a biological scaffold biomaterial can be obtained by a process that entails (A) obtaining a tissue sample from a urodele, where the tissue comprises ECM, inclusive of the basement membrane, and (B) subjecting the tissue sample to a decellularization process that maintains the structural and functional integrity of the extracellular matrix, by virtue of retaining its fibrous and on-fibrous proteins, glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, while removing sufficient cellular components of the sample to reduce or eliminate antigenicity and immunogenicity for xenograft purposes. The resultant urodele-derived biomaterial can be used to enhance restoration of skin homeostasis, to reduce the severity, durations and associated damage caused by post-surgical inflammation, and to promote progression of natural healing and regeneration processes. In addition, the biomaterial promotes the formation of remodeled tissue that is comparable in quality, function, and compliance to undamaged human tissue.

The present invention provides a method of identifying a target for preparing an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) or a protective chimeric antigen receptor (pCAR) capable of preventing or attenuating undesired activation of an effector immune cell. Also provided are a list of iCAR targets, as well as vectors and transduced effector immune cells comprising the nucleic acid molecule and methods for treatment of cancer comprising administering the transduced effector immune cells are further provided.

The present invention provides a method of identifying a target for preparing an inhibitory chimeric antigen receptor (iCAR) or a protective chimeric antigen receptor (pCAR) capable of preventing or attenuating undesired activation of an effector immune cell. Also provided are a list of iCAR targets, as well as vectors and transduced effector immune cells comprising the nucleic acid molecule and methods for treatment of cancer comprising administering the transduced effector immune cells are further provided.

The present invention relates to improved methods of suppressing and/or preventing an undesired immune response comprising the use of CD83. In some embodiments, CD83 is coadministered to a subject with at least one other immunosuppressive compound. Methods are also provided for generating tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells. These cells can be used in vitro to produce additional cells for therapeutic purposes or they can be used in vivo to suppress and/or prevent an undesired immune response. Methods of the invention can be used to prevent or reduce the severity of autoimmune diseases and can also be used to induce tolerance to at least one therapeutic composition, such as a therapeutic protein or transplanted tissue.

The present invention relates to improved methods of suppressing and/or preventing an undesired immune response comprising the use of CD83. In some embodiments, CD83 is coadministered to a subject with at least one other immunosuppressive compound. Methods are also provided for generating tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells. These cells can be used in vitro to produce additional cells for therapeutic purposes or they can be used in vivo to suppress and/or prevent an undesired immune response. Methods of the invention can be used to prevent or reduce the severity of autoimmune diseases and can also be used to induce tolerance to at least one therapeutic composition, such as a therapeutic protein or transplanted tissue.