The invention relates to ex vivo methods of modulating gamma variable 4 (Vγ4) T cells using antibodies or fragments thereof, which specifically bind to a Vγ4 chain of a γδ T cell receptor (TCR) and not to a gamma variable 2 (Vγ2) chain of a γδ TCR. Methods of treatment and other uses of expanded populations of Vγ4 T cells produced by said methods are also provided.

The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the generation and use of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that target multiple viruses or that are specific for multiple tumor antigens. In specific embodiments, the generation methods employ use of certain cytokines to promote proliferation and reduce cell death in an activated T cell population and/or that employ a particular bioreactor having a gas permeable membrane.

The present disclosure provides methods for increasing the quantity and/or the ratios of erythroblasts, reticulocytes, and/or erythrocytes, or progenitors thereof, in which any of these cells express HbF (e.g. HbF.sup.+ and/or HbF.sup.high cells). The present disclosure further provides methods for treating diseases or disorders characterized by, for example, oxygen delivery deficiencies and/or reduced expression and/or activity of hemoglobin. Such diseases, without limitation, are mitigated by therapeutic reactivation of HbF.

The invention provides methods of differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells into cells of hematopoietic lineage. The invention further provides hematopoietic lineage cells differentiated from primate pluripotent stem cells, as well as methods of using the same and kits comprising the same.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for producing stem cells including: preparing somatic cells; preparing a chimeric virus including a virus-derived genomic RNA harboring an inducer RNA that induces somatic cells into stem cells and a virus-derived envelope surrounding the genomic RNA, wherein the genomic RNA and the envelope are derived from different viruses; and introducing the inducer RNA into the somatic cells using the chimeric virus.

The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

The present invention relates to the development and manufacturing of viral vaccines. In particular, the invention relates to the field of industrial production of viral vectors and vaccines, more in particular to the use of avian embryonic stem cells, preferably the EBx® cell line derived from duck embryonic stem cells, for the production of viral vectors and viruses. The invention is particularly useful for the industrial production of viral vaccines to prevent viral infection of humans and animals.

The invention provides methods for the ex-vivo expansion of CD4+CD25+ Tregs. The invention provides a method for producing ex vivo expanded Tregs that may be used to inhibit unwanted human immune responses against self-antigens or allergens. Additionally, the ex vivo expanded Tregs may provide treatment for inflammatory/autoimmune diseases.

Provided is an isolated population of human pluripotent stem cells comprising at least 50% human pluripotent stem cells characterized by an OCT4+/TRA1-60−/TRA1-81−/SSEA1+/SSEA4− expression signature, and novel methods of generating and maintaining same in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state a suspension culture devoid of cell clumps. Also provided are novel culture media, cell cultures and methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells in a suspension culture or a two-dimensional culture system while maintaining the cells in a proliferative, pluripotent and undifferentiated state. The novel culture media comprise interleukin 11 (IL11) and Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF); bFGF at a concentration of at least 50 ng/ml and an IL6RIL6 chimera; or an animal contaminant-free serum replacement and an IL6RIL6 chimera. Also provided are methods for generating lineage-specific cells from the pluripotent stem cells.

The invention provides a method for influencing the stability of an antibody producing cell, comprising directly or indirectly influencing the amount of BCL6 and/or Blimp 1 expression product within said antibody producing cell. Stable antibody producing cells and cell lines are also provided, as well as methods for producing antibodies using such cells and/or cell lines.