The invention involves the discovery that if dendritic cells loaded with a tumor antigen are cultured in interleukin-15 (IL-15), or if T cells activated by the dendritic cells are cultured in IL-15, Treg activity that is specific for the tumor antigen is reduced. This reduction in Treg activity results in an increase in anti-tumor immune response. Another embodiment of the invention involves the discovery that incubating dendritic cells with a MAP kinase inhibitor in combination with IL-15 gives synergistic benefits when the dendritic cells are used to activate T cells. Dendritic cell and T cell compositions incubated with IL-15 or a MAP kinase inhibitor are provided.

In vitro methods for generating induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) are disclosed herein. Also encompassed are recombinant iPSCs generated using these methods and methods of use thereof.

Improved methods of culturing embryos in media having amounts of lactate that have not previously been recognized as beneficial for embryo development. Also, compositions, devices and kits related to the same.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for easily producing an antigen-specific B cell population comprising IgG-positive B cells specific to a specific antigen. The present invention provides a method for producing a B cell population, comprising culturing B cells, in which the expression of a Bach2 gene has been increased, in the presence of a means for acting on CD40 and/or a BAFF receptor.

The disclosure provides a method of producing modified stem memory T cells (e.g. CAR-T cells) for administration to a subject as, for example an adoptive cell therapy.

Provided herein are urine progenitor cells and methods for producing a culture of urine progenitor cells from a urine sample. The cells may be selected based upon the use of a selective cell medium, based upon morphology, and/or by selecting cell-specific markers. Also provided is an isolated urine progenitor cell that is c-kit positive and can differentiate into urothelium, smooth muscle, endothelium or interstitial cells. Methods of use of urine progenitor cells are provided, wherein cell are seeded onto a tissue scaffold are provided. Methods of treating a subject in need thereof are also provided, including providing a bladder tissue substrate that includes differentiated UPCs and transplanting the substrate into the patient. Finally, kits are provided that include a container suitable for the transport of a urine sample; media; one or more antibiotics; a package for holding said container, media, and antibiotics; and optionally, instructions for use.

The present application provides constructs comprising an antibody moiety that specifically binds to PSMA (e.g., PSMA expressed on the surface of a cell). Also provided are methods of making and using these constructs.

Disclosed herein are agnostic anti-CD40 antibodies and methods of using such for eliciting CD40 signaling, thereby enhancing immune responses, such as dendritic cell functions. The antibodies disclosed herein may be used to treat diseases, such as cancer and immune disorders.

Differentiation and stability of neural stem cells can be enhanced by in vitro or in vivo culturing with one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) compositions, such as collagen I, IV, laminin and/or a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. In one aspect of the invention, adult mammalian enteric neuronal progenitor cells can be induced to differentiate on various substrates derived from components or combinations of neural ECM compositions. Collagen I and IV supported neuronal differentiation and extensive glial differentiation individually and in combination. Addition of laminin or heparan sulfate to collagen substrates unexpectedly improved neuronal differentiation, increasing neuron number, branching of neuronal processes, and initiation of neuronal network formation. In another aspect, neuronal subtype differentiation was affected by varying ECM compositions in hydrogels overlaid on intestinal smooth muscle sheets. The matrix compositions of the present invention can be used to tissue engineer transplantable innervated GI smooth muscle constructs to remedy aganglionic disorders.

The present disclosure relates to a novel process for expanding T cells, such as autologous T cells, cell populations therefrom, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the said cell populations and use of the cells and compositions for treatment, particular the treatment or prophylaxis of virus infection and/or cancer, for example in immune compromised or immune competent human patients.