Disclosed are means, methods and compositions of matter useful for inhibiting, in an antigen-specific manner, immunity towards an autoantigen or alloantigen. In one embodiment of the invention, regenerative cells are cultured ex vivo together with immune cells from a mammal suffering from an autoimmune condition. Autoantigens or alloantigens are added in the culture of regenerative cells and cells from an autoimmune disease suffering individual in a manner so that said regenerative cells can endow onto said immune cells of said patient suffering from autoimmunity a state of antigen specific infectious tolerance. In one embodiment, said infectious tolerance involves T regulatory cells inducing conversion of dendritic cells to tolerogeneic dendritic cells, and furthermore in other embodiments administration of tolerogenic dendritic cells induces T regulatory cells.

The invention relates to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) produced from source dendritic cells (DCs). The invention also relates to synthetic DCs re-differentiated the iPSCs and which display a definitive adult phenotype rather than a primitive fetal/neonatal phenotype. The invention also relates to methods for making and methods of using the iPSCs and DCs of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to compositions, nucleic acid constructs, methods and kits thereof for cell induction or reprogramming cells to the dendritic cell state or antigen presenting cell state, based, in part, on the surprisingly effect described herein of novel use and combinations of transcription factors that permit induction or reprogramming of differentiated or undifferentiated cells into dendritic cells or antigen presenting cells. Such compositions, nucleic acid constructs, methods and kits can be used for inducing dendritic cells in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo, and these induced dendritic cells or antigen presenting cells can be used for immunotherapy applications.

The antigen-presenting cell loaded with the cancer-specific tumor antigen epitope provided in the present invention, that is, a dendritic cell enables rapid and effective induction of differentiation and proliferation of cancer antigen-specific T cells, preferably memory T cells, and the memory T cells thus activated can treat a cancerous or neoplastic condition or prevent recurrence, progression, or metastasis of cancer while avoiding the defense mechanism of cancer cells.

An artificial antigen presenting cell system comprising one or more gelated human dendritic cells and a controlled release system capable of releasing one or more cytokines. Also provided herein are methods for producing the gelated human dendritic cells and uses of the artificial antigen presenting cell system for activating immune cells.

A cell culture cartridge is provided comprising a plurality of zones geometrically configured to provide for symmetrical fluid flow with each of the plurality of zones to avoid dead areas in flow within each of the plurality of zones. In certain embodiments, at least eight inlets are provided, with an inlet positioned at each corner of the cell culture cartridge. In certain embodiments, a shared outlet is positioned on a top surface of the cell culture cartridge.

The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.

Cell-based compositions and methods for targeting and treating human diseases, including cancers and infectious diseases, are provided, wherein exogenous intracellular sarcosine is used for improved delivery of the composition.

Chimeric poliovirus is capable of activating antigen presenting cells. The activation of the antigen presenting cells may be in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The activated antigen presenting cells may be administered alone or with an antigen or vaccine. The activated antigen may be loaded in vitro or ex vivo with antigen to form antigen-loaded, activated, antigen presenting cells. These may be administered therapeutically. Therapeutic administration of antigen presenting cells may be used as an adjuvant to other therapies.

The present disclosure provides populations of cells comprising partially mature and optimally activated dendritic cells that can be used for administration to individuals having a cancer and/or tumor. Partially matured dendritic cells, those contacted with a dendritic cell maturation agent for about 10 to about 19 hours, upon administration efficiently take up and process tumor antigens in the area of the tumor site, complete maturation, and can subsequently migrate to the lymph nodes of a treated individual. Once in a lymph node the now fully mature antigen presenting dendritic cells secrete the appropriate cytokines (e.g., TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, and/or IL-12) and contact T cells inducing a substantial and optimal clinical and/or anti-tumor immune response.