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.

Provided are compositions, optionally pharmaceutical compositions, that include a plurality of exosomes generated from stem cells, optionally ESCs and/or iPSCs, that have been modified to express a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) polypeptide, optionally a human GM-CSF polypeptide. Also provided are methods for employing the presently disclosed compositions for preventing and/or inhibiting tumor growth in subjects in need thereof, for preventing and/or inhibiting metastases in subject in need thereof, for inducing anti-tumor immune responses in subjects, and uses of the presently disclosed compositions for prevention and/or treatment of tumors and/or cancers and for the preparation of medicaments for treatment of tumors and/or cancers.

The invention is in the field of cell biology and immunology. The invention provides methods for the production of a vaccine for cancer and infectious diseases. More in particular it provides a method for the improved production of mature dendritic cells. This improved production includes the use of a bacterial lysate produced by a new method.

Alveolar-like macrophages and a method for generating alveolar-like macrophages from hemangioblasts is provided. The method comprises the steps of: i) culturing the hemangioblasts in a hematopoietic-inducing medium comprising vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) for a sufficient period of time to generate macrophages, and ii) culturing the macrophages in an alveolar macrophage-inducing medium comprising granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and optionally macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), under suitable conditions and for a sufficient period of time to yield alveolar-like macrophages.

Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions related to prevention of spontaneous miscarriage in an individual. In certain cases, fibroblasts are provided in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof. Alternatively or in addition, lymphocytes are obtained, cultured with fibroblasts, and provided to an individual. Fibroblasts may modulate an immune response in an individual, thereby reducing the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.

The current disclosure relates to methods for treating ovarian cancer based on specific antigen expression of the cancer. Furthermore, the expressed antigen may be used in immunotherapeutic methods for treatment of the ovarian cancer. Aspects of the disclosure relate to immunotherapies targeting CT45 polypeptides, methods for treating ovarian cancer based on CT45 expression, and kits for detecting CT45 polypeptides and nucleotides.

The present disclosure provides compositions comprising anti-LMP2 TCR-T cell populations for the treatment of EBV-associated cancers and methods of making and using same.

The present invention provides a method for preparing dendritic cell loaded with antigen, the method comprising the steps of adding serum-free cell culture medium containing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and inter-leukin (IL)-4 into mononuclear cells, culturing in an incubator at 37° C. under 5% carbon dioxide for 5 days, adding target antigen wrapped cationic liposome and culturing for 8-24 hours to obtain target antigen loaded dendritic cell.

Compositions and methods are provided for converting the predominant circulating classical monocytes to a non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte phenotype through cytokine stimulation via, for example, macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Once cultured into dendritic cells, these non-classical and/or intermediate monocyte derived cells have increased costimulatory molecule expression, which leads to improved immune and clinical responses in cancer patients receiving dendritic cell vaccination and other immunotherapies. In addition, assays and diagnostic and theranostic methods are provided herein that relate to the discoveries that, prior to treatment, intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and non-classical (CD14dimCD16+) monocytes are increased more than two-fold in patients who later had complete responses to dendritic cell therapy or DC vaccination.

The invention relates to a new type of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which co-express at least one mesenchymal marker, preferably at least CD105 and CD34. Also provided are bone-forming cells having an analogous phenotype. The invention also provides the cells and cell populations, as well as further products comprising such and uses thereof in bone therapy.