Method for the production of bi-functional cells comprising engineering a starting cell population with a phenotype attributable to human pericytes extracted from adipose tissue (AD-PC), obtaining engineered cells, known as bi-functional AD-PCs, expressing (which means that they produce) simultaneously both the anti-tumor molecule TRAIL and also the truncated form of a chimeric receptor targeted against the GD2 antigen (GD2 tCAR); this dual targeting (understood as reaching a specific target), based on affinity and mediated by both TRAIL and also GD2 tCAR, supports the prediction of combining site-specificity with a prolonged retention of AD-PCs in tumors expressing the antigen GD2, so as to achieve a more effective release of TRAIL for still incurable tumors.

Compounds that either produced a higher proportion or greater absolute number of phenotypically identified nave, stem cell memory, central memory T cells, adaptive NK cells, and type I NKT cells are identified. Compositions and methods for modulating immune cells including T, NK, and NKT cells for adoptive cell therapies with improved efficacy are provided.

The present application provides a poly(allylguanidine) and the manufacturing process thereof. In addition, the present application further provides uses of the poly(allylguanidine), which can be applied in culturing neurons or as an implant for the affected area of a brain tumor after surgical procedure.

Directed differentiation and maturation of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes. The hepatocyte obtained show a phenotype which is more similar to that of primary hepatocytes than previously shown. In particular, exposure of mammalian hepatocytes, such as human hepatocytes, to at least one maturation factor selected from the group consisting of Src kinase inhibitors, vitamin D including precursors, metabolites and analogs thereof, hypoxia inducing compounds, sphingosine and sphingosine derivatives, activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), platelet-activating factor (PAF), PKC inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, methods of delivering a therapeutically effective amount of an expanded number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes obtained from tumor remnants to a patient in need thereof, for the treatment of a cancer, are disclosed.

The present disclosure provides methods for treating ALS using pentostatin and cyclophosphamide treatment followed by T.sub.REG and/or T.sub.REG/Th2 hybrid cells from de-differentiated T cells. The present disclosure further provides methods for producing T.sub.REG and T.sub.REG/Th2 hybrid cells from de-differentiated T cells, said T.sub.REG and T.sub.REG/Th2 hybrid cells, populations thereof and compositions thereof. Methods for producing de-differentiated T cells, said de-differentiated T cells, populations thereof and compositions thereof are also provided.

Described are cell-based cancer vaccines and anti-cancer immunotherapies. The vaccines include isolated tumor cells activated with one or more genotoxic drugs, and, optionally, treated with one or more MK2 inhibitors. The activated cells are highly immunogenic non-proliferative cells, and may be tested for immunogenicity ex vivo for priming T cells by co-incubating the isolated activated cells with dendritic cells and T cells. The vaccines are typically administered into patient's tumor to provide an intratumoral immune activation. Immune checkpoint inhibitor(s) (ICI) may be administered before, during, or after vaccine administration. ICI may be a component of the vaccine. The vaccines confer heightened cytotoxic immune response against the cancer cells, induce tumor regression, and enhance survival from cancer. The vaccines prevent tumor recurrence and induce a long-lasting anti-tumor immunological memory.

This application provides a method for preparing human cell-derived microcells from human cells comprising DNA of interest, comprising: a step of culturing human cells in a medium containing at least one micronucleus inducer selected from the group consisting of microtubule polymerization inhibitors (excepting colcemid), microtubule depolymerization inhibitors, and spindle checkpoint inhibitors, thereby to produce human cell-derived microcells; and a step of collecting human cell-derived microcells comprising the DNA of interest, and a method for preparing human cells comprising DNA of interest by use of the method, which can be also applied to non-human animal cells.

In some embodiments, methods of delivering a therapeutically effective amount of an expanded number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes obtained from tumor remnants to a patient in need thereof, for the treatment of a cancer, are disclosed.

In some aspects, this invention provides a method of making a bone marrow-derived tissue-specific stem cell proliferation, expansion, isolation and rejuvenation extracellular matrix. In other aspects, this invention provides a method of making a tissue-specific fibroblast-derived stem cell differentiation extracellular matrix. Also provided are methods of using such a cell-derived preservation or differentiation matrices to induce tissue-specific differentiation of pluripotent cells, repair damaged tissue, and treat a subject having a physiologic deficiency using the same.