Disclosed are means and compositions of matter for treating degenerative disc disease and associated pain in part by stimulating enhanced local perfusion and reduction of inflammation. In one embodiment administration of inducible pluripotent stem cell derived mesenchymal stem cells is performed wherein said cells are optimized for migration and/or retention into perispinal environment. In some embodiments said mesenchymal stem cells are optimized for enhanced angiogenesis and/or suppression of inflammation. In another embodiment inducible pluripotent stem cell derived T regulatory cells are administered alone or with said mesenchymal stem cells in order to elicit enhanced perispinal perfusion while concurrently reducing inflammation.

A method of isolating monocyte populations of cells and inducing apoptosis in these populations without production of pro-inflammatory mediators is disclosed. The method comprises isolating the monocytes and, subjecting them to substrate-adherence and serum deprivation conditions. Apoptotic monocytes as prepared are useful for treating inflammation-associated diseases.

Provided is a method for preparing and using cell ghosts with active factors as a synergist of a lymphocyte in vitro culture. The method for preparing cell ghosts comprises: washing a cell to obtain a washed cell; and cleaving the washed cell to obtain cell ghosts, wherein the cell has cytokines capable of promoting the proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes on their surface.

Methods of inhibiting metastasis in cancer patients are provided, wherein the methods comprise reducing TGF signaling, for example, by reducing TGF receptor II expression in myeloid cells. Vectors comprising a TGF receptor II RNAi nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a myeloid specific promoter also are provided. A method of diagnosing cancer in an individual by determining TGF receptor II expression in myeloid cells in the individual is provided. Additionally, a method of modulating TGF activity in myeloid cells in a cancer patient comprising administering a regulator of at least one of the GSK3 and PI3K pathways to the patient is provided.

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.

The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a receptor, other than an immunoglobulin, wherein the receptor binds to a MUC1 tumor antigen independently of an major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The invention provides a method of activating a signaling pathway and/or killing a cancer cell using a receptor that is similar to or is a T cell receptor

Disclosed are methods, protocols, and compositions of matter useful for induction and/or propagation of antitumor immune responses through gene editing of immunocytes. Stimulation of antitumor adaptive immunity is achieved through gene editing of autologous or allogeneic lymphocytes in a manner to derepress neoplasia induced suppression. The method can include targets of gene editing disclosed in the current invention include the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b, CTLA-4, PD-1, TIM-3, killer inhibitory receptor (KIR) and LAG-3.

Disclosed are methods of preparing thymic emigrant cells in vitro, isolated or purified thymic emigrant cells prepared by the methods, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. Further disclosed are methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal comprising administering the thymic emigrant cells or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same to the mammal.

Disclosed are methods of preparing thymic emigrant cells in vitro, isolated or purified thymic emigrant cells prepared by the methods, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. Further disclosed are methods of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal comprising administering the thymic emigrant cells or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same to the mammal.

Methods and compositions are provided to augment the conversion of mixed hematopoietic cell chimerism to complete donor cell chimerism following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), where such transplantation may be utilized for treatment of cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma or for other conditions requiring reconstitution of the hematopoietic system, e.g. treatment of anemias, thalassemias, autoimmune conditions, and the like. The present invention improves on conventional DLI by utilizing a composition of substantially purified donor memory CD8.sup.+ T cells as DLI following allogeneic HCT, where the cells are administered at a suitable time following transplantation. The methods provide for a more complete donor chimerism, and have the further benefit of killing tumor cells without GVHD. The memory CD8+ T cells may include one or both of central and effector memory T cells, usually both.